Best Wah Pedals

Dunlop

1. Dunlop Cry Baby Wah - http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/Cry-Baby - 120.00 - 4.8/5

This is the best wah pedal out there in my opinion. It is also the best one to start off with. The price isn't abnormally high, the features are extremely simplistic, yet the pedal gives off an amazing sound. The brand name is also time tested, and regarded as one of the best companies in the industry.

This wah pedal is rather large and heavy, but that also means it is extremely sturdy. The action of the pedal is also very smooth, other then the fact that the pedal effect has to be turned on through clicking a button. The actual sound that comes from the pedal is amazing. The sweep is perfect, with both extremes producing great cutting tones. Either of the extremes can be fit in to any song, and the wah wah effect, sweeping from either extreme.

Musician's Friend

2. Ibanez WD7 Weeping Demon Wah Wah Pedal - http://www.amazon.ca/Ibanez-WD7-Weeping-Demon-Pedal/dp/B000S5MW6C - 180.00 - 4.7/5

This is another stellar pedal. Again the tones emitted are great, and the pedal itself is of a fine build. Ibanez is known for its more rocky feel, and this wah is no exception. The sound does tend to be more gritty, or harsh, but that makes it a perfect fit for rock genre songs. Add this in to a solo, and the flair will make you sound like a hero.

The build of this pedal is extremely strong. It does differ slightly from the standard CryBaby shape, and includes some sound options that the simplistic CryBaby doesn't have. However, the shape can be slightly awkward, especially when trying to squeeze onto a crowded pedal board.

3. Fender Classics Fuzz Wah - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/fender-classics-series-fuzz-wah-pedal - 150.00 - 3.6/5

Audio Fanzine

Currently, this pedal is discontinued, but there are a few reissues floating around. Like many of Fender's ventures into electronics, this pedal has garnered moderate success. Again, much like the Weeping Demon, the focus is on a fuzz wah. The pedal does allow for a simple wah sound, which in my opinion is its best feature, but the main purpose of the effect to provide its fuzz wah. This fuzz wah in my opinion is lacking, and doesn't provide as well of a range as other pedals do. The actual fuzz sound is good, but it doesn't live up to the wah purpose.

As for build, the pedal again is decently sturdy, modelled after the CryBaby. However, the unique feature is its slanted pedal, that controls the wah. This to me is awkward, and again leads to trouble on a pedalboard. I'm also not a huge fan of the sound options to the side, with two foot switches.

4. Zakk Wylde Z-45 Signature Wah - http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/zw45-zakk-wylde-signature-wah - 200.00 - 4.3/5

Vanz Guitars

This pedal is extremely similar to the CryBaby, in fact, it is a CryBaby, just a special edition one. The make is the same, the sound is extremely close, it just has a different finish to it, and of course the name Zakk Wylde is tagged on. In regards to differences, there is a slight adjustment to the wah sound. This pedal does seem to cater to the heavy distortion sound, adding a little grunge to the wah sound.

The pedal's aesthetics are also slightly different, with a metallic silver look the go to option, instead of the classic black finish. The grip is also styled into Wylde's signature bullseye pattern. Overall, this pedal gives you much of what you can get with the original CryBaby, with some additional cool stylistic features.

5. Digitech Whammy (5th Generation) - http://digitech.com/en/products/whammy-5th-gen - 200.00 - 4.0/5

Digitech

This is one interesting wah pedal. Everything about it is extremely unique, even it's name. Titled the Whammy, it serves much of the same purpose of a wah pedal, but more in the style of a whammy bar. There are multiple features on the pedal. You can go for harmony, or the whammy setting, and set your own octaves to alternate between. The whole pedal allows for extremely simple programming for the sound you want. The pedal is also shaped into a nice box shape, which is nice, and it is colorful (bonus!)!

The actual sound, like much of Digitech's equipment, is heavily electronic, and does not allow for the natural vibe that some of the other pedals generate. Also in my opinion, having to click the button in the lower corner of the pedal is slightly awkward and perhaps too time consuming, especially in certain situations.