Rare Vox pedal made in Japan in 1981–82; fully functional and in excellent cosmetic condition for its age.

The Vox 1901 Distortion was released in 1980 as part of Vox's V-shaped pedal series, a range designed to deliver modern, affordable effects with practical features like LED indicators and solid die-cast enclosures. With only two controls, Output and Distortion, the 1901 offered a simple but effective layout, giving players direct control over level and gain.

Its circuit was voiced to provide a warm, valve-like crunch suited for classic rock tones, while higher Distortion settings pushed into heavier, fuzz-like saturation. Contemporary reviews described it as reasonably effective, though not as refined as some of its competitors, with a tendency toward harsher clipping at extreme settings. Despite this, it was considered good value for money, offering accessible distortion in a rugged, compact housing that matched the rest of the V-shaped series.

Controls

• Output: Adjusts overall output level
• Distortion: Sets the amount of gain from light crunch to heavy fuzz-like saturation

Specifications

• Enclosure: Die-cast metal, V-shaped design
• Indicator: LED for effect status and level monitoring
• Power: 9V battery (PP3)
• Connections: Top-mounted input and output jacks
• Bypass: Mechanical footswitch

Highlights

• Simplified two-knob control scheme for quick adjustment
• Capable of both overdriven crunch and saturated fuzz-like tones
• LED indicator for stage-friendly operation
• Part of the distinctive Vox V-shaped pedal line from 1980
• Rugged, affordable, and compact design