Best Wah Pedals On The Market

Top 10 Best Wah Pedals On The Market (March 2024)

The Best Wah Pedals On The Market (March 2024)

Guitar players and enthusiasts want to find the best wah pedal for their specific needs and wants. Getting the right wah pedals for your guitar can be a long and frustrating process. You could spend hours in stores and countless days searching online, and still not find the perfect type for you. With so many pedals on the market, you never know which one to buy. This has led many guitarists to take the risk of buying cheap, unreliable pedals rather than invest in high-quality ones.

The right wah pedal should be able to give you the sound that you want while still maintaining an affordable price. Every guitar player wants to find a balance between quality and affordability while also wanting to spend less time looking for the best wah pedal for their needs.

Each wah wah pedal is different and finding the perfect one for you is an uphill battle. Different pedals often have different sounds and there are so many on the market that aren't worth your time.

If you want to find the best wah pedal for guitarists, then let us help. We’ve curated this list of the best pedals out there and researched them extensively. With this information, you can make an informed decision on what's best for you.

Don't let your tone suffer from a lack of variety, stop guessing and start figuring out what wah pedal gives you the sound you love. With our buyers guide on The Best Wah Pedals For Guitarists, we'll give you all the knowledge and information you need to find your perfect pedal.

The Best Wah Pedals On The Market Buyers Guide (March 2024)

  • 1. Jim Dunlop JP95 John Petrucci Signature Cry Baby
  • 2. MXR MC404 CAE Wah Pedal
  • 3. Dunlop SW95 Slash Signature Cry Baby Wah Pedal
  • 4. BOSS AW-3 Dynamic Wah Pedal
  • 5. BOSS PW-3 Wah Pedal
  • 6. Dunlop CBM95 Crybaby Mini Wah Pedal
  • 7. Behringer HB01 Hellbabe Wah Pedal
  • 8. Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby Wah Pedal
  • 9. JOYO MULTIMODE WAH-II Volume & Wah Pedal
  • 10. VOX V845 Classic
Jim Dunlop JP95 John Petrucci Signature Cry Baby Image

Jim Dunlop JP95 John Petrucci Signature Cry Baby

  • ✔ Factory Set To John Petrucci's Cry Baby Wah Settings
  • ✔ Phenomenal Tonal Control
  • ✔ True Bypass Switching
  • ✔ Beautiful Chrome Chassis

The Jim Dunlop JP95 John Petrucci Signature Cry Baby Wah guitar effects pedal is the result of the legendary prog metal shredder’s years-long quest to hone his perfect wah tone.

Jim Dunlop JP95 John Petrucci Signature Cry Baby - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now
  • Two side-mounted status LEDs
  • Internal controls for volume, Q and 6-band EQ
  • Factory set to John Petrucci's settings
  • JP Shield logo
  • Input / output: 6.3 mm mono jack
  • Power supply via 9 Volt battery or 9 Volt power supply
  • Dimensions (L x W x H): 250 x 100 x 94 mm

The JP95 John Petrucci Signature Cry Baby® Wah is the result of the legendary prog metal shredder’s years-long quest to hone his perfect wah tone. For years, John used the Cry Baby Rack Wah system to tweak and fine-tune its numerous parameters until he found the sound that perfectly represents all the expression and intensity he needs. Recently, he and Dream Theater engineer Richard Chycki worked with the Cry Baby design team to replicate and further fine-tune that sound with a single pedal. This is a wah that, as John puts it, “sounds huge and badass like an angry, screaming monster with the ultimate expressive range—it‘s perfect for shaping single notes or manipulating growling, heavy chords.”

Factory set to John’s personal settings, the JP95 features all the controls he used to find his Cry Baby voice: Volume to add gain, Q to shape the width of the effect, and a 6-band EQ to shape the tone of the wah sound, from 100Hz to 3.2KHz. Want to fine-tune the sound to your own preference? Just take off the bottom plate and tweak away.

The John Petrucci Signature Dunlop Cry Baby Wah comes in a sturdy, road-ready housing with custom smoked chrome finish and JP shield logo tread.

Overall a very vocal sounding wah pedal. With deep lows and smooth highs in the stock settings, with very nice midrange. Do not expect to get a classic wah wah "wacka-wacka" sound out of the box with this particular pedal. As it's setup to emulate Petrucci's unique sound. it's a fantastic sounding pedal and well worth adding to your pedalboard!


MXR MC404 CAE Wah Pedal Image

MXR MC404 CAE Wah Pedal

  • ✔ Custom Designed CTS Potentiometer
  • ✔ User Selectable Gain Output Stage With Kick Switch
  • ✔ Built In Boost/LineDriver
  • ✔ True Bypass Switching

The MXR MC404 CAE Wah guitar effects pedal features dual Fasel inductors with two distinct voices and a built-in MXR MC401 Boost/LineDriver adds even more flexibility.

MXR MC404 CAE Wah Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now
  • Custom-designed CTS Extended Life
  • True bypass
  • Battery or Dunlop adapter
  • Made in USA

The MC404 CAE Wah was developed by Bob Bradshaw of Custom Audio Electronics and the Cry Baby design team with the goal of creating a highly versatile wah-wah of top-grade components. It features dual Fasel inductors with two distinct voices (high-end emphasis or low to mid resonance), and a built-in MXR MC401 Boost/LineDriver adds even more flexibility.

Choose between inductors and turn the boost on or off with the side-mounted kickswitches; bright LEDs on each side of the wah indicate operation status. The MC404 boasts true hardwire bypass, a long-life CTS potentiometer, and internal pots for "Q" and gain adjustments.

This wah is manufactured by Dunlop but was designed by Bob Bradshaw, which makes it more of a CAE than a Dunlop. Having the red and yellow settings is like having two wahs in one, both of which are awesome in their own respects. The red has a deep voice that's somewhat muddy. The yellow could be described as a funky, well balanced tone.

The boost function is an excellent touch, adding a nice helping of overdrive which you can tailor to your sound without creating a bunch of nasty feedback.

Overall we love everything about this pedal, from the tone and the ease of operation, right down to the LEDs and durable chassis. Well worth considering!


Dunlop SW95 Slash Signature Cry Baby Wah Pedal Image

Dunlop SW95 Slash Signature Cry Baby Wah Pedal

  • ✔ Modelled After Slash's Legendary Wah-Wah Tone
  • ✔ Searing High Gain Distortion
  • ✔ Die Cast Chassis
  • ✔ 2 Million Cycle Potentiometer

The Dunlop SW95 Slash Signature Cry Baby guitar effects pedal is both revolutionary and classic, right down to its hot rod metallic red finish and cutting edge circuit design.

Dunlop SW95 Slash Signature Cry Baby Wah Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now
  • High gain distortion/wah (separately/simultaneously activated)
  • Original fasel coil
  • 2 Status LEDs
  • Stable metal housing
  • 2x 9v batteries or optional power supply
  • The official Slash sound

Like the man himself, the Slash Cry Baby Wah is both revolutionary and classic, right down to its hot rod metallic red finish and cutting edge circuit design. The Slash Wah deploys a searing high gain distortion coupled with the Fasel-loaded Classic circuit for instant lead tone that not only cuts through, but sings with a sweet and lush top end.

Convenient LEDs indicate distortion on/off and wah on/off modes, so there's no more guessing game every time you put your foot down. And with the batteries readily accessible from the top of the rocker pedal, you don't have to fumble with a screwdriver when it's time to re-power. So get your boot on a Dunlop Slash Wah.

Overall we're in love with this pedal. We have a few Slash fans on the team so this pedal is of particular interest to some. The Dunlop SW95 Slash Signature Cry Baby guitar effects pedal has 4 big rubber grips attached to the base, its grip is so good that the pedal will always keep steady and won't slip away your foot even with intense use.
Volume and Gain knobs are very useful to control how much distortion to use and how loud you want it to be. The knobs are AMP looking knobs and are a really good quality chrome design. Overall, a fantastic compliment to the classic cry baby of old.

Please note - Top hat not included.

 


BOSS AW-3 Dynamic Wah Pedal Image

BOSS AW-3 Dynamic Wah Pedal

  • ✔ Features Decay, Manual, Sensitivity & Mode Control Knobs
  • ✔ Humanizer Effect - Creates Human Voice Type Vowel Sounds
  • ✔ Manual Mode - Set Tempo To Fixed Rate
  • ✔ Separate Guitar & Bass Inputs

The BOSS AW-3 Dynamic Wah guitar effects pedal gives guitarists a wide range of classic auto-wah and dynamic wah effects, plus a new 'Humanizer' effect which can simulate human vowel sounds.

BOSS AW-3 Dynamic Wah Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now
  • Compact pedal creates a variety of classic "wah" effects
  • Dynamic wah sounds provide variable effect based on picking strength
  • "Humanizer" effect creates human voice-type vowel sounds
  • Dedicated Bass input for processing bass guitar
  • EXP Pedal mode allows wah control via optional expression pedal
  • Tempo can be set for pedal control or at fixed rate via Manual mode
  • BOSS five-year warranty

The BOSS AW-3 Dynamic Wah pedal gives guitarists a wide range of classic auto-wah and dynamic wah effects, plus a new "Humanizer" effect which can simulate human vowel sounds. A Bass input provides a variety of funky wah sounds for bass guitar.

The AW-3 Dynamic Wah is the first compact wah pedal to incorporate human voice-type sounds through a new “Humanizer” Mode. Of course, you can also choose from standard up-and-down wah effects, plus a Tempo Mode and resonant synth-like Sharp Mode.

Choose from both fixed and auto wah settings using the Manual control or pedal for tempo input. By connecting an optional expression pedal, the AW-3 can also be used for Pedal Wah effects. A dedicated Bass input permits direct processing of bass guitars.

Something a little different from the other wah pedals we've reviewed so far. This recommendation is an 'auto' wah pedal rather than the manual ones resembling the Cry baby design. This gives you the ability to mix things in your performances without even flexing your ankle. The AW-3 will do all the heavy lifting for you. You just need to decide which of the many different configurations is right for you.


BOSS PW-3 Wah Pedal Image

BOSS PW-3 Wah Pedal

  • ✔ Vintage Mode - Familiar Classic Wah Sound
  • ✔ Rich Mode - Retains Low-End Fullness
  • ✔ Space Saving Small Sized Design
  • ✔ Die-Cast Aluminum Chassis

Unlike other pedals that sacrifice feel and functionality when trimmed down in size, the BOSS PW-3 Wah Pedal strikes the perfect balance between practicality and playability.

BOSS PW-3 Wah Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now
  • Unique Rich mode retains low-end fullness, eliminating the thin tone of typical wah designs
  • Vintage mode for the familiar classic wah sound
  • Low-noise operation and pro playing feel with smooth pivot action and adjustable tension
  • Space-saving design fits easily on crowded pedalboards
  • Rugged, die-cast aluminum chassis provides a rock-solid feel and gig-ready durability
  • On/off LEDS on each side of the pedal make it easy to see status at a glance

The all-analog PW-3 delivers pro wah tones in a rugged, space-saving design that conserves precious real estate on your pedalboard. Newly developed by BOSS, the PW-3’s Rich mode has a uniquely full wah voice that retains the low-end definition and fullness lost with typical wah circuits. Want a more traditional tone? Just flip the rear-panel switch to Vintage mode for that classic wah vibe.

Unlike other pedals that sacrifice feel and functionality when trimmed down in size, the PW-3 strikes the perfect balance between practicality and playability. Its die-cast aluminum chassis is solid and substantial underfoot, and the long, smooth pedal action is highly responsive and feels great. Another issue with downsized pedals is that it’s hard to see when the effect is on or off, because your foot blocks the view. The PW-3 solves this with status LEDs on each side of the pedal, making it much easier to see when the wah is activated.

Overall we think that BOSS have done well with the PW-3. It's rich mode is interesting but we think the vintage mode has the nicest sound. We'd be doing you an injustice if we didn't quote this review, it really does sum up BOSS pedals in general.

"It's also built like a tank. It's literally armoured. It's probably bullet proof."


Dunlop CBM95 Crybaby Mini Wah Pedal Image

Dunlop CBM95 Crybaby Mini Wah Pedal

  • ✔ Half The Size Of The Standard Cry Baby Pedal
  • ✔ Three Internally Adjustable Voicings
  • ✔ Full Sweep Range
  • ✔ True Bypass Switching

Don't let its small size fool you. The Dunlop CBM95 Crybaby mini wah pedal doesn't skimp on tone or usability.

Dunlop CBM95 Crybaby Mini Wah Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now
  • Half the size of a standard Cry Baby pedal-perfect for mini boards
  •  Three internally adjustable voicings-Low, Vintage, GCB95 (modern)
  • Power supply: 9 V battery or 9 V DC power supply
  • Dimensions (L x W x H): 133 x 75 x 65 mm (with pedal down)
  • Weight: 435 g
  • Made in the USA

The CBM95 Cry Baby Mini Wah comes equipped with the legendary Fasel inductor, a full sweep range, and three internally adjustable voicings—Low, Vintage, and GCB95. At half the size of a standard Dunlop CryBaby guitar pedal, the CMB95 is perfect wherever space comes at a premium, such as on a travel board.

To top it off, this pedal features true bypass switching and high quality hardware so that it can take a beating on the road. Save precious space without sacrificing tone and put a Cry Baby Mini Wah on your pedalboard.

 


Behringer HB01 Hellbabe Wah Pedal Image

Behringer HB01 Hellbabe Wah Pedal

  • ✔ Designed To Complete With The Market Leaders
  • ✔ Optical Controls - No Mechanical Pots & Switches
  • ✔ True Bypass Switching
  • ✔ Designed & Engineered In Germany

The Behringer HB01 Hellbabe wah guitar effects pedal features a unique spring-back pedal mechanism with resistance adjustment for ultimate playing style.

Behringer HB01 Hellbabe Wah Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now
  • Multi-functional Wah-Wah pedal—offers everything you need for all styles and sounds
  • This Behringer product has been designed to compete head to head with leading products on the market
  • Total optical control for wear-and-tear-free pedal operation (no mechanical pots and switches)
  • Unique spring-back pedal mechanism with resistance adjustment for ultimate playing style (option to remove)
  • Heel-down frequency range freely adjustable via Range control (440 Hz to 250 Hz) for use even with bass guitars
  • Additional Fine Tune control allows high-end extension of sweep range for incredibly bright, ultra-present tone
  • Ultra-musical Q control for precise filter shaping to achieve vocal-like effects
  • Tunable boost function including On/Off switch to push your licks up to the limit
  • Dual LED indicators for Effect On/Off and Boost On/Off at the tail of the pedal for total control
  • Ultra-low noise circuitry for outstanding audio performance
  • Runs on 9 V battery or the Behringer PSU-SB DC power supply (not included)
  • 3-Year Warranty Program*
  • Designed and engineered in Germany

The HELL-BABE HB01 is unlike any wah you’ve ever stepped on, offering a tremendous array of tone-sculpting options. You get everything from “old-school” wah to the most up-to-date sounds, all in one mesmerizing effects pedal. Add to that optical control that does away with noisy pots, an adjustable spring mechanism and tunable boost, and this babe’s a contender! The HELL-BABE will add new dimension and depth to your artistic expression.

What's So Great About the HELL-BABE?

First of all, this demon's heel-down RANGE control provides low frequency adjustment that can be swept from 440 Hz down to 250 Hz, making the HB01 the ideal companion for either guitar or bass. For custom-tailoring the toe-down frequency range, the HELL-BABE features a FINE control, allowing you to adjust the frequency sweep as high as 2.2 kHz.

Volume Boost

You can even dial in a powerful volume BOOST (up to +15 dB), so that when you do step on the HB01, your guitar will rise to the top of the mix. A highly versatile Q control is provided for precise filter shaping and for achieving vocal-like effects.

No-Nonsense Build Quality

Unlike anything else on the market, the HELL-BABE uses no mechanical pots or switches, which significantly reduces on wear and tear. But that's not all that separates this pedal from the pack; it also features a spring-back pedal mechanism with resistance adjustment. And thanks to our ultra-bright LED indicators you'll always know when it's on and when the volume boost is activated. You can power this bad boy with a 9V battery or our PSU-SB DC power supply (not included).

Value

The super-affordable HELL-BABE HB01 is loaded with user-friendly features, and is quite a bit more versatile than your dad's wah. Step on one today at your BEHRINGER dealer and experience "love at first wah!"

This product punches far above its weight. Considering it costs less than half of some of the big boys on the market, it really can give them a run for their money. Overall, it's not as good as a Crybaby but it's a great wah pedal for a fantastic price.


Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby Wah Pedal Image

Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby Wah Pedal

  • ✔ Legendary Sound
  • ✔ Toe To Heel - Treble To Bass
  • ✔ One Year Dunlop Warranty
  • ✔ Heavy Die Cast Chassis

The Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby wah guitar effects pedal is the original, the godfather, the one that created some of the most timeless sounds in rock.

Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby Wah Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now
  • Robust metal housing
  • Battery compartment on pedal underside
  • Power supply: 9 V battery or 9 V DC power supply with 2.1 mm hollow plug - Polarity: (-) inside (not included)
  • Dimensions (W x D x H): 102 x 254 x 64 mm
  • Weight: 1.68 kg
  • Made in USA

The original Cry Baby Wah is the most iconic guitar effect in music history. When it hit the scene in 1966, it added a whole new layer of expression to the electric guitar—players such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton used the Cry Baby Wah to create some of the most timeless sounds in rock.

The GCB95 is a modern interpretation of that Dunlop wah sound, featuring the lush, expressive character of the legendary red Fasel® inductor with a more focused high end and a more aggressive and accentuated wah sound. With a heavy-duty die-cast housing and a Hot Potz Potentiometer tested to one million cycles, the Cry Baby Wah will withstand years of playing.

When you hear the term 'wah pedals' we're willing to bet that the majority of guitarists will think about the Crybaby. The one and only, timeless original sound of 60's rock and roll. Used by many famous legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, David Gilmour, Eric Clapton and many others. If you want the original pedal that made this all happen (or as close as you can get these days) then you really need to consider the original wah Cry Baby pedal.


JOYO MULTIMODE WAH-II Volume & Wah Pedal Image

JOYO MULTIMODE WAH-II Volume & Wah Pedal

  • ✔ Active Volume Control Circuit
  • ✔ Small Sized Metal Chassis
  • ✔ True Bypass Switching
  • ✔ 6 Wah-Wah Frequency Ranges

JOYO MULTIMODE WAH-II pedal is a nice choice. The wah tones are pretty solid and great for the price of the pedal.

JOYO MULTIMODE WAH-II Volume & Wah Pedal - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now
  • 6 Wah-wah frequency ranges
  • Wah-Wah and Volume functions
  • LED indicator on both sides
  • TrueBypass in Wah-Wah mode
  • RM protected inductor (designed for Wah tones)
  • Solid metal chassis
  • Input and output socket: 6.3 mm jack
  • Power supply via 9 V DC power supply
  • Current consumption: 18 mA
  • Dimensions: 160 x 60 mm
  • Weight: 300 g

What Joyo have to say about the

"The JOYO multifunctional wah pedal has two modes and a Q control for adjusting the frequency of the Wah Pedal. The multifunction Wah pedal features both wah wah and volume functions.

The JOYO multifunction wah pedal has a small footprint so it wont take up so much room on your board. We designed it to be not too small, or too big. It has two modes to select from, on the side the flip switch, Q control and Q value give you full control over your wah filter.

Not only do you wait for a wah pedal from JOYO, but then 2 come along at once. The multifunction wah (wah 2) has all the features of Wah 1 classic, but features a Q value knob, adjusting the wah centre frequencies.

Prepare to get geeky, let me try and explain the Q value control. The Q controls the resonance of the mid range of the wah, turn it up high the Q produces in a higher frequency Quack, scale back the Q, a low flatter quack. The Q adjusts the EQ mid range frequencies, imagine a hill, the steepness of the slope, the steeper the sides increase the mids in the wah sound.

The overall frequency range can be adjusted further with the Q selector, giving you a very versatile range in the Wah Quack Frequency (WQF is a technical term we just invented). The adjustable WQF makes the multifunctional wah 2 pedal sounds great.

Wah / Bypass & Wah / Volume

Wah/Bypass - When the wah pedal is active the LED glows to show you the wah mode is on. The Wah pedal gives classic controls, down (forward) for treble, back off for lower frequency. A press down of the pedal switches you to by pass mode, where volume is full. In bypass mode, the pedal is True bypass, the mode is activated to ensure no volume or tone is lost in the transmission.

Wah/Volume - When the wah pedal is active the LED glows to show you the wah mode is on, a press down of the pedal switches you to by pass mode. The volume wheel on the side of the pedal allows you to set a minimum volume for the pedal when rocked back. This is a great feature enabling you to adjust your for introducing sweeps and greater accuracy when using. Toe down (forward) to increase, back off to wind the volume back to your set minimum level.

The pedal features RM shielding, a Green Led when active. Constructed of a solid metal housing with a red finish, this small wah feels solid and stays in place. The JOYO multifunction wah pedal has a space saving footprint of 16cm x 6cm. Not too small, just right!

A great pedal to add another level of expression to your guitar playing, from funk to shoegazey, the multifunction wah pedal from JOYO is going to be a must for guitarists who want full control over their wah..

The most recognisable sound of a wah-wah pedal playing is utilizing it in wah mode for a percussive "wacka-wacka" effect during rhythm guitar parts. This is done by muting strings, holding down a chord and moving the pedal forward and back, altering the frequencies from low to high.

One of our favourite wacka wacka riffs is heard on Isaac Hayes's "Theme from Shaft". The pedal is not just for the funky electric guitar, try it on an electric violin, an electric Ukulele or plug it into your synths to add some very expressive filtering effects to your tone."

The Joyo feels sturdy with its aluminum casing and seems like it will last. It's a nice budget pedal that doesn't cost the earth and delivers some decent wah tones. It might not be able to go toe to toe with the big players of the Wah-Wah market but at the price it retails at, you can't really complain too much. A great pedal for those looking to add a solid effect to their board without costing too much or filling up too much space.


VOX V845 Classic Image

VOX V845 Classic

  • ✔ Based On Original 60's VOX Pedal
  • ✔ Lightweight Aluminum Housing
  • ✔ Legendary Wah-Wah Tone
  • ✔ Affordable Design

VOX V845 Classic Wah Wah guitar effects pedal preserves the spirit and classic wah tone of the early VOX pedals. A sound still sought after by today's players.

VOX V845 Classic - Read Review See The Latest Price On Amazon Now
  • Based on the specifications of the original Vox pedal developed in the 60s
  • Power supply via 9V battery or power supply
  • Input/Output jacks: INST, AMP and DC i/p jacks.
  • Power supply: One 9V DC battery 6F22(S-006P)
  • Power consumption: 540uA @ 9VDC
  • Battery life for continuous use: approximately >100 hours with manganese battery
  • Dimensions: 102(W) x 252(D) x 75(H) (including rubber feet, pedal in lowest position)
  • Weight: 942g (including battery)

Based on the specifications of the original pedal developed by VOX in the '60s, the V845 Wah-Wah offers guitarists the same legendary tone in a new sturdy but very affordable design. An AC power connector is fitted to save on batteries and the outer case is coated with tough all-black finish making it the perfect choice for your pedal board.

VOX developed the world's first Wah-Wah effect during the '60s in an effort to allow guitarists to emulate the sound of a trumpet being muted -- an important musical ingredient of the day. VOX's original Wah-Wah pedal quickly gained widespread popularity and its unique sonic characteristics have encouraged further experimentation by guitarists ever since. Having made spotlight appearances on some of the most famous recordings of all time, the Wah-Wah is still considered 'must-have equipment' for guitar players of all levels and abilities today.

The massive success achieved by VOX in the 1960s laid the foundation for the legacy that continues to thrive nearly 60 years later. The sound of VOX amplifiers has left a lasting impact on popular music that still reverberates today. The most influential artists in the world continue to rely on VOX amplifiers to deliver world-class tone in the finest studios and on the biggest stages around the globe. Find your voice with VOX.

Overall we really like the sweet sound this voc wah pedal produces. You can really feel the attention and care that's gone into recreating that 60's classic sound. One word of warning though, the battery is quite difficult to get to, you need to take the entire bottom over off via the 4 screws hidden in the rubber feet. We recommend avoiding all this by powering the pedal with a AC adapter instead.


More Information Regarding Wah Pedals (2024)

History

Wah pedals were developed in the early 1960's. They became a popular effect pedal because they mimicked the sound of an organ when played with an electric guitar. Wah pedals have become extremely popular over the past few decades, and are now used by a wide variety of musicians. They're great for adding a layer of weirdness to your sound. Being able to greatly affect your tone, wah pedals are an important part of the guitar sound. They come with a range of different types of controls, from simple volume knobs to switches that change the tone of your wah.

If you've been playing for a while, a fan of 70's rock and roll or funk music chances are you've heard of a wah pedal before. Wah is one of the most iconic effects in the rock guitar world. The most famous wah pedal of all time would have to be the Crybaby. Vox marketed this bad boy after an employee of the Thomas Organ company created. The pedal became common on the rock scene in the late 60's in the UK and Los Angeles, California.

Features

Many wah pedals simply come with an adjustable expression pedal mounted on the top. Perfect for you to increase or decrease the amount of wah effect at any given time. However some pedals will come with configurable controls underneath or at the bottom of the peddle. Controlling the range of wah by increasing the stiffness of the treadle action. Some basic pedals appear as if they have a gradual expression pedal feature. However they have a simple on/off mechanism only triggered when the pedal is fully pressed.

Skill Level

Wah pedals add a level of difficulty to the mix. Not only are you managing your hands while playing guitar but now you're having to use your feet in a co-ordinated fashion. It's simple enough if you're stomping on pedals to activate and deactivate them. With a wah pedal there is usually more to it than on and off. Timing is key and therefore a little more focus is required to make this effect a successful one. Practise often and you'll get the hang of it.

Conclusion

A wah effect is a powerful inclusion to any pedalboard. It might not be the easiest pedal to master but it's very satisfying when you do. Theres no denying that the wah-wah effect is one of the coolest must iconic pedals ever made. Getting one and wielding it well is a great way to show off your guitar skills. Use it to emphasise key notes in your riff or give your sound a little swagger. The wah effect can help you give your tone a personal touch. We've covered several key price ranges as well as what we consider to be the best pedals available right now. These lists are reviewed weekly and updated if needed. Keeping our recommendations as up to date as possible.

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