Not For Sale
Model Description:
In the 21st Century, guitar plug‑in modules are commonplace, available from several big names like the Fender Mustang Micro, VOX Amplug, BOSS Katana:Go and IK Multimedia Tonex. Many of today’s consumers may think that this is a relatively recent idea borne from modern advances in digital miniaturisation. However, small boxes of tricks like this have been around for decades, dating back to at least the 1960s, from the likes of Electro‑Harmonix (the Linear Power Booster LPB‑1) and the item featured here, a VOX V809 Repeat Percussion, which was produced for about four years from c.1969. They are convenient for size and weight and don’t need additional leads, as they insert directly into a guitar’s output jack socket. That may be OK for some guitars but definitely not all. It is not an effect pedal, as it was never intended to be incorporated into a pedal board and it doesn’t have a traditional footswitch. The Repeat Percussion was one of three similar‑looking battery‑powered VOX plug in modules, the others being the Distortion Booster and the Treble/Bass Booster. VOX’s rationale for the Repeat Percussion was that, “It allowed an organist to simulate the rapid strumming of a banjo or a mandolin”. The circuit was originally designed by the Thomas Organ Company for use in/with home organs and was produced by Italian firm JEN for sale by VOX, targeted at guitarists. The Repeat Percussion is a tremolo modulation effect with a rapid attack and decay (reverse sawtooth waveform) in the volume of the signal, producing a pulsating choppy (percussive) effect. There is no control over the ‘depth’ of the modulation, only the rate and an on/off bypass switch. It might have proved useful for guitarists with an amp that didn’t have a built‑in tremolo effect, for instance the difference between a vintage Fender Champ and Vibro Champ. The V809 was also sold directly by Jen (as the PE‑404), as well as by firms like Gem, VSL and Dallas. The effect had disappeared from catalogues by 1973. While not reissued, the circuit has frequently been cloned by contemporary companies like Earthquaker Devices and North Effects. The Repeat Percussion is relatively scarce but not exceptionally rare, as some seem to think. It is, though, collectable and, because of its form factor, a definite curio in guitar effect history.
Pedal Description:
Well… this is interesting and something ‘new’ for CRAVE Effects. Here, we have a VOX V809 Repeat Percussion dating from c.1969. It is a compact analogue plug in module and definitely not an effect pedal. Its diminutive size, which went against the trend back in the late 1960s, makes it, well, kinda cute. One positive is its back‑to‑basics approach, which makes it very simple to use. Just plug it into the guitar, switch it on, set the rate and away you go. With that simplicity, comes its main drawback, it only does one thing but it does it well. The depth of the tremolo is fixed at approximately 75‑80% of the original signal strength. Use it too often and it could begin to sound tiresome, so it is best used judiciously. Tremolo effects also tend to go at the end of a signal chain, rather than the start, so something to bear in mind. This demure little black and silver enclosure, bearing VOX’s familiar brand styling, is in pretty good condition for being over five decades old. It isn’t perfect and it has been used. Sadly, there is no box or instructions, which some examples on the market have. Sound‑wise, it doesn’t attempt to replicate familiar natural sounding valve or sold state tremolo; it does its own thing with its unique form of dynamic modulation. Percussion by name, distinctive staccato percussive chops by nature. Sometimes, it can even sort of sound like an echo effect. When compared to a standard tremolo design, it takes things to a different level. It represents a one‑off type effect and is a great little tool for adventurous, experimental 21st Century musicians looking to evoke the authentic sound textures of the 1960s. It also combines very well with other effects. I can’t imagine what it did for home organ keyboard players back in the 1960s, as was originally intended, but that’s not the point of the Repeat Percussion in the context of vintage guitar effects. A valiant bit of overlooked guitar effect heritage and not really one for the traditionalists out there. Why not dare to be different and take a counterculture walk on the wild side with the VOX V809 Repeat Percussion? In summary, a very cool bit of 1960s kit to add to your effect arsenal.
Features:
- Made by Jen Elettronica in Pescara, Italy in c.1969 and sold by VOX, England
- The Off/On switch turns the tremolo circuit on and off
- The rotary ‘rate’ control determines the speed of the modulation’s rhythmic pulse (tremolo)
- A standard ¼” built‑in input jack plug for inserting into a guitar’s output jack socket
- A standard ¼” output jack socket for a lead to other effects or an amplifier
- 9V battery power only
- Dimensions: 68mm x 54mm x 70mm – 2.7” x 2.1” x 2.75” (L x W x D)
- Weight: 228g (4oz) without battery
- No box or instructions
Artists:
- Elliot Easton (The Cars)
- Jason Pierce (Spacemen 3, Sonic Boom, Spiritualized)
- Rolling Stones
Trivia:
Extract from VOX’s advertising c.1970… “Similar to the Distortion Unit and connects the same way. On/Off switch brings it into use, and each chord played on the instrument is a repeated pulsating beat. Rate of repeat can be varied from the rotary control on the repeater. Battery operated.”
The Repeat Percussion and Distortion Booster circuits were incorporated into the VOX V1143 Beatle Deluxe, 3‑channel, 120W solid state amplifier head, designed by Thomas Organ for VOX, manufactured in Sepulveda California, introduced in 1967, and targeted at the American market with its distinctively British sound. The amp was used notably by the Rolling Stones, The Beatles and The Who, amongst many others.
Detail Gallery:
