Ahead of NAMM 2026, VOX has introduced the VTB-1 Treble Booster and VFZ-1 Fuzz—modern reimaginings of two of the most influential guitar circuits of the 1960s. The VTB-1 builds on the classic Rangemaster-style boost, delivering greater stability, lower noise, and a wider usable range, while the VFZ-1 revisits the iconic Mk 1.5 fuzz circuit, refining it for today’s players with improved reliability and flexibility.
VTB-1 Treble Booster
There is a particular kind of magic that happens when a simple circuit meets the right amplifier. For decades, treble boosters have been part of that equation, especially in British guitar rigs where clarity, bite, and controlled overdrive were essential. With the new VTB-1 Treble Booster, VOX brings that lineage back into focus, offering a pedal that feels historically grounded while clearly designed for modern pedalboards and signal chains.
Key Features
- Treble booster circuit inspired by the classic Rangemaster design
- Silicon transistor voicing tuned to emulate vintage germanium response
- Proprietary bias circuit for smooth transition into overdrive
- FAT switch for extended full-range boost
- Designed to pair naturally with VOX and other tube amplifiers
VFZ-1 Fuzz Pedal
The Vox VFZ-1 features a precisely tuned first transistor that delivers exceptionally high input impedance for a vintage-style fuzz. This design preserves your guitar’s natural harmonics while ensuring seamless compatibility with buffered pedals and Wahs—a major improvement over traditional fuzz circuits. The result is a fuzz that’s far more versatile and perfectly suited for modern pedalboards
Key Features
- Vintage two-transistor fuzz design updated with modern stability
- Silicon transistors voiced for authentic Germanium-like tone and response
- Precisely targeted biasing for an expanded sweet spot and natural cleanup
- Crunch Switch for lower-gain, volume-rolled-back overdrive tones
- Bass Cut and Tone Cut controls for wide-ranging tonal shaping
A British Classic, Revisited
Treble boosters first emerged in the mid-1960s as a way for British guitarists to cut through darker-sounding amps and humbucker-equipped guitars. The original Dallas Rangemaster became the reference point, famously paired with VOX AC30 amplifiers by players like Rory Gallagher and Brian May. That combination helped define the sound of blues rock and early hard rock, and it remains a touchstone for guitar tone decades later.
With the VTB-1, VOX leans directly into that history. The pedal is based on the Rangemaster concept but uses a single silicon transistor instead of vintage germanium components. The goal here is not to modernise the sound, but to recreate the feel and response of those early boosters while improving reliability and consistency.
The sound of classic fuzz and more
The VFZ-1’s carefully biased first transistor offers unusually high input impedance for a vintage-style fuzz, preserving your guitar’s natural harmonics and enabling full compatibility with buffered pedals and Wahs. This solves a major limitation of classic fuzz designs and makes the VFZ-1 dramatically more flexible on modern boards.
The second transistor shapes the fuzz’s breakup, recreating the smooth compression and rich, overdriven valve-amp tones. Together, the two stages deliver an expressive, musical fuzz with excellent cleanup and touch sensitivity.
Bringing It All Together
The VTB-1 and VFZ-1 aren’t just pedals—they’re statements of intent from VOX. Both units take inspiration from iconic circuits but reimagine them for the realities of modern rigs. The VTB-1 is unapologetically designed to interact with your amp in a way that feels organic, adding gain and harmonic richness without masking the amp’s personality. It thrives in dynamic setups, where players want their amplifier to remain the heart of their tone while pedals provide nuance and texture.
On the other hand, the VFZ-1 delivers a fuzz experience that feels alive under your fingers. By capturing the essence of early two-transistor designs and pairing it with modern engineering, VOX has created a fuzz that’s not only authentic but practical. Lower noise, improved stability, and compatibility with buffered pedals mean you can enjoy legendary tones without the headaches of vintage gear.
Why It Matters
For players, this means freedom. Freedom to explore classic sounds without compromise. Freedom to integrate these pedals into complex boards without worrying about signal chain conflicts. And freedom to trust that your gear will perform consistently night after night.
The Bottom Line
VOX has managed to honour tradition while embracing innovation. The VTB-1 and VFZ-1 aren’t museum pieces—they’re tools for today’s musicians who crave tone with character and reliability. If you’ve been searching for pedals that feel timeless yet forward-thinking, these might just be the missing pieces in your setup.
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