Product: Vox 1903 Compressor
Price Paid: 100 (AUD) used
Submitted
09/22/2004
at
05:22pm
by
analogue_boy
Ease of Use
:
8
Japanese made V-shaped compression pedal from 1981. Standard input output jacks, 9 volt battery jack, 2 dials - Output and Sensitivity.
1 foot switch - which looks like it has been replaced on mine so maybe that's a potential issue with these units given age?
Have only just bought it and don't know much about it, the only info on the internet is the electrical schematic available on the Vox website and various other sites.
Easy to use and easy to get good compression. The thing with pedals is that you need to play around with them till you're happy 'cause everyone's setup is different, so there is no definitive setting.
Sound Quality
:
8
The setups I have include a mix of guitars; 1972 Gibson SG, 70's Harmony Jazz/Blues guitar (modified with Japanese neck), 1998'ish Washburn RR-100 (Electric/Acoustic)and two amps being Trace Elliot Tramp 60watt and a 1960's Australian made Goldentone (about 5-10 watts?).
The pedal does appear to be very noisy and mellows out the sound quite well and gives a good punch in distorted state, when amps overdriven. I have only used it as a standalone pedal atm as it doesn't have bypass, which is anoying but I'd probably set up with this on at all times anyway 'cause it enhances the sound anyway.
It does squeal a bit if you don't have full contact with fretted strings, ie. when you rest your fingers on string, but I get this with everything (Big Muff and Tube Screamer)and sometimes you can use this to sonic advantage but mostly not and it sounds like a dying cat. But hey that could be good too.
Reliability
:
9
I have several pedals and so would rely on this. What I mean is if one pedal goes you pull it from your rig and deal with it - tone is important but we can get a bit carried away sometimes - music is more than just one pedal, fudge it, perform well, play your heart out, no one will notice anyway.
It's well constructed with die cast casing, similar feel to the Boss pedals.
I love Japanese made products, I think they were bagged a bit in the 80's when they were copying Gibson etc (Think Ibanez) but with time people realised what quality products they made. See the current appeal of vintage Japanese made pedals from Boss and Ibanez, so it's good enough for me in this Vox pedal.
If you're electronically minded (I'm not) there is always the schematic available if something goes internally.
Customer Support
:
5
Well they have the schematic on the website as mentioned so at least they haven't forgotton totally. It would be nice for these companies to have a full database of historical items though - wouldn't that be heaven? Save us hours of trolling the net to discover one lousy schematic and not even one review of the product! (Score 5 for the schematic!)
Overall Rating
:
8
Basically I just love pedals, I love Japanes made pedals and I wanted a compression pedal and a Boss NS-2 to add to my collection. I missed the NS-2 (my bad) but got the Vox. I think once I get a nose suppresor I shall be satisfied. This pedal fits well into my setup.
If it was lost or stolen I have my doubts about finding another and that is what appeals to me - I like being a little different.
I've only been playing and performing for 3-4 years so I am by no means and expert so if there are some other souls out there who actually own one of these - post a review, please.
Take care and keep the music real.
