Throughout his career, Jimi Hendrix used several different wah pedals. However, identifying the specific model he used at a given time can often be difficult due to the low-quality footage of many of his concerts.
Fortunately, when it comes to Woodstock in 1969—a performance of immense historical significance—the type of wah pedal Jimi used is relatively well-established.
According to Dave Weyer, who worked on Jimi’s equipment at the time, the wah pedal used at Woodstock was a modified Vox V846, manufactured in the Sepulveda factory in California.
Jimi had a box of wah pedals, and I had, over the course of the year, worked on every one. But Jimi’s favorite was the yet-to-be-seen by the public, Sepulveda model with the TDK inductor and the high beta Motorola transistors. It can be identified by the lack of a Vox logo on the front, the relief where the logo was supposed to be glued on, a West Coast sticker on the bottom, and Jimi’s signature on the inside of the casing wall, applied at a difficult angle, but identifiable nonetheless — and, of course, the things he loved the most, the low noise and the sharp sweep, clearly audible in the Woodstock recordings.
Jimi Hendrix’s Wah-wah Pedal and Amp in J. Levine’s New Year’s Day Auction
This particular pedal was sold at an auction in 2016 for an undisclosed price.
Not so well-established after all?
As you can see from the comments below, there’s some debate about the exact model of wah pedal Jimi used at the Woodstock Festival. Many commenters believe he used a Vox “Clyde McCoy” Picture Wah (nicknamed “picture” because it features an actual photo of Clyde McCoy on the bottom).
Further research is needed to draw any definitive conclusions on this topic. If you have additional information, preferably with reliable sources, please join the discussion by leaving a comment below.
Well, the Wah Wah would be Italian and is probably owned by some famous songwriter in Seattle who probably owns his old 64 twin reverb as well that he left at the studio but what do I know? I’m a nobody.
yes you are nobody! Hendrix used a picture wah at woodstock
Dave Weyer may have made this claim in good faith or he may be cashing in. Either way, anyone who is familiar with these old USA Sepulveda model with the TDK inductor and with the Italian model wahs knows that (1) the logo seen on the front of the Woodstock wah is clearly the Italian not USA version, and (2) the USA versions don’t have the sharp sweep clearly audible in the Woodstock recordings! But the Italian wahs absolutely do have that sound. He is completely wrong about the Woodstock wah being the USA Sepulveda model with the TDK inductor and someone spent a lot of money on a misrepresented item in the auction.
Alright, thanks Derrick for explaining that. Sounds like most of the comments agree, so I’ll have to find some time and completely re-edit this page, and maybe I can dig up some photos where the Wah is clearly visible, and all the points that you made can be referenced.
Derrick i’m completely agree with you🙂
Unless you’re looking directly at the front of the wah (King/Cry Baby), there is no way to determine if there is a ‘rectangle’ on the front.
There is nothing inside of the wah to indicate that there is/is not a rectangle on the front.
This Is a big fake! Jimi he used a Clyde McCoy picture in Woodstock 100%… it can be seen clearly from the case that it has no bas-relief for plaque.
Peace
Glen
Look at the Vox on the stage.
I know very well these photos … what should I see here? (Mario..are you Italian too?)
Yes, Sicilian. You should see a Vix right at his feet.
oh yes sure! obviously it’s a Vox … but I’ve never seen Jimi with an American made Vox like the one mentioned in the article .. in particular at Woodstock he definitely used one of the first Vox Clyde McCoy (Picture)…
Salutoni da Bergamo ✌🏽😊
That’s Maui, not Woodstock.