A wah pedal is an electronic effects unit used by guitarists to alter the tone of their instrument. Wah pedals are typically placed on the floor and played by rocking the pedal back and forth with the foot. This motion controls the movement of a potentiometer, which in turn affects the frequency response of the pedal’s filter circuit. The result is a characteristic “wah-wah” sound, which can be used to create a variety of expressive effects.
Wah pedals were first developed in the 1960s, and they quickly became popular among guitarists of all genres. Some of the most famous wah pedal users include Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page. Wah pedals continue to be used by guitarists today, and they remain an essential part of many guitarists’ pedalboards.