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Are you are tired of your amps limited options and want to expand your sound with some dynamic and stylish enrichment?
Then what you need is a wah pedal that will take your rock and metal sounds from average to awesome.
A wah pedal is one of the oldest pedal effects on the market and as a rock or metal musician, it can be the secret weapon for bringing extra flavor to your tunes and solos.
To further clarify the need for a wah pedal for metal, allow me to give you a little illustration.
When you start playing your guitar as a beginner, you are used to the sounds and effects that come with your amp.
Right?
As time goes on, you become bored of hearing the same sounds and you require something to add some spice to your sounds.
This is when you need to find and get the best wah pedal for metal in the market.
In this article, we will be looking at the top 5 wah pedals for metal, things to consider before you make a purchase, how a wah pedal works and finally how to make sure you get the best out of your new purchase.
Our Top 5 Best Wah Pedal for Metal
- Dunlop 535Q Cry Baby Multi-Wah – Editor’s Choice
- Morley VAI-2 Contour Wah
- Fulltone Clyde Deluxe Wah Pedal – Premium Choice
- Ibanez WD7 Weeping Demon Wah Pedal
- Vox V847A Wah Pedal
What is a wah pedal and how does it work?
Simply put a wah pedal is a piece of equipment with a filter that lets it to emphasize certain frequencies while cutting others out.
What happens is that by quickly and dramatically changing the frequency response of your sound, you get to hear the “wah” sound.
This also helps in giving it that funky sounds that most metal guitar players like and adore.
While most people feel that the wah pedal is only suitable in certain genre of rock music, it has a wide variety of utility and can be used in different genres.
Things to consider before buying a wah pedal
1. What is the reliability of the pedal?
A wah pedal is simply a mechanical device and it works by using your foot to shift the position of the potentiometer.
This simply means that you want something that can withstand all that stress and movement and still work for a long time.
2. What is the sweet spot?
Also you want to make sure that the wah pedal you get has a nice sounding sweet spot.
The sweet spot is the variety of sound that you get between the two harsh extremes of very bassy or muddy and trebly and harsh.
Basically you want something that is in the middle and sounds nice.
3. How much does it cost?
Finally you want to consider the cost of getting a good wah pedal that will last and serve you for a long time.
Generally a good wah pedal will cost you about a hundred to two hundred bucks. Anything over that is probably too expensive and below that will cause you so much stress.
4. Is it optical or mechanically controlled?
Also you want to check and see if it is controlled mechanically or optically.
An optical controlled wah pedal means that it is controlled without mechanical aid such as potentiometers or switches.
An optical controlled wah pedal has the advantage of not wearing or fading out and can last for a very long time.
The choice is simply yours and what you are comfortable using.
An optical controlled pedal will last long but it can be very hard to fix or repair if it gets damages whereas a mechanical controlled pedal feels more original and comfortable to use.
Our Top 5 Best Wah Pedal for Metal
1. Dunlop 535Q Cry Baby Multi-Wah
This is the most versatile and complete wah pedal for metal in the market today.
With this pedal, you can easily have control over the most important parameters, giving you that rich and satisfying wah tone that you desire.
You can quickly select the frequency and range of your effect making it easy for you to pick the exact sound effect that you want
It has a fully adjustable boost that can be kicked on or off to give you that extra sound power.
It offers 6 new guitar wah ranges that allows you pick and choose the exact wah sound you like
It is made from quality materials and casings making it very durable and last long
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. It is well built and constructed
2. It is very versatile and can used for a wide range of purposes 3. It has a fully adjustable boost for additional power |
1. It does not come with a cord or batteries |
2. Morley VAI-2 Contour Wah
This is a highly rated and popular wah pedal used by metal musicians.
It has a switchless design which helps you quickly engage the wah mode by stepping on it.
It has two selectable wah modes; the Bad Horsie and Contour wah which helps in adding some extra spice to your sounds.
It has dedicated knobs and controls that helps you to easily change the frequency and level of the wah sound
It has a clear tone buffer circuit which makes sure the tone of your guitar is pure and remains at the same signal level.
It has a compartment for storing the batteries, LED indicator lights and comes with 2 years warranty.
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. It has a great design
2. It produces excellent wah sounds 3. It is well built and very durable |
1. You should get yourself an alternative power source as it runs through batteries quickly |
3. Fulltone Clyde Deluxe Wah Pedal
This is an awesome 3 in 1 wah pedal that produces a distinct and unique wah sound when used.
It has 3 wah settings namely the Jimi, the Wah and the Wacked which gives you a wide range of options when selecting.
It has a variable input control knob which allows you to select and dial in as many wah sounds as you like.
It has a superior build quality and is a very versatile wah pedal that produces a classic sound when used.
It has a true bypass which helps to reduces external noise and ensures that the sound produced is sharp and clear.
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. It is a 3 in 1 pedal
2. It has superior build quality 3. It is intuitive and easy to use controls |
1. It can be a bit noisy and might alter the tone of your guitar |
4. Ibanez WD7 Weeping Demon Wah Pedal
This is one wah pedal for metal that can be easily tweaked to give you that particular sound that you like.
It has a range switch that helps you switch between a low and high frequency response. It’s range fine tuning settings also helps in adjusting the low and high range switch settings
It has an auto switch mode which helps you easily set how you want the effect to be turned on and off.
It has a spring and normal footboard action which helps to control the action of the wah pedal.
It’s selectable wah range and fine tuning settings ensures that you get the best sound quality every time.
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. It is very versatile
2. It is very easy to use and has a solid build 3. It’s tone lock feature is awesome for picking the right sound |
1. It is quite big and bulky |
5. Vox V847A Wah Pedal
This is one of the most popular and trusted wah models in the market today.
It comes in a sturdy, professional and well built body that makes it very durable and long lasting.
It has different connectors port for plugging as many devices as you want
It has an in built battery which can last for at least 100 hours continuous use.
It also has AC power capability which makes it ideal for use in situations where there is no power supply.
As a beginner model, the price is just right and also it delivers exceptional sound quality.
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. It makes a very good wah sound
2. It is well built and durable 3. It has an authentic 60s sound |
1. The buffered bypass is a little off |
How to use a wah pedal
Here is a YouTube video showing you how to use and wah pedal and get the most from your purchase.
Conclusion
As a rock musician, getting the best wah pedal for metal is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
It will completely change you songs and give your sounds that extra funky feeling that the crowd loves.
If there are any tips or comments, please leave them in the box below
