The talk box is a guitar effect that creates a distinctive vocal-like sound by shaping the guitar's tone through the player's mouth. It was first popularized in the 1970s by musicians such as Peter Frampton and Joe Walsh. The effect can be heard in songs such as Frampton's "Do You Feel Like We Do," and Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way." In the 1980s, Richie Sambora used the effect on Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer."
The talk box works by routing the guitar's signal through a small speaker driver connected to a plastic tube that is inserted into the musician's mouth. The musician then shapes the sound with their mouth, producing vowels and consonants to create the desired sound. The resulting sound is then amplified by a vocal microphone through a guitar amp or PA system.
The talk box can create a variety of sounds, from a classic wah-wah effect to more vocal-like sounds. It is often used in funk, rock, and electronic music, and is a popular effect among guitarists. After the success of his album "Frampton Comes Alive!", which featured the talk box extensively, Peter Frampton marketed a version under his "Framptone" brand.
It is important to note that the talk box requires some practice and skill to use effectively, as it involves both playing the guitar and shaping the sound with the mouth simultaneously.