Best Wah Pedal Songs: 5 Classic Tones You Should Try
Cry like a baby, wah wah
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Best Wah Pedal Songs: 5 Classic Tones You Should Try · Source: Tito Slack / Alamy Stock Foto
These wah pedal songs changed the game in rock music. Do you have a wah pedal? Well, it’s time to use it again!
Top 5 Wah Pedal Songs:
All About Wah Pedals:
- Wah pedals provide a voice-like effecr by sweeping bass and treble frequences. Operated via a foot-switch.
- Some of the best wah pedal songs use them in contrasting ways. Players like Slash use them for solos, whereas Jimi Hendrix use them for driving riffs.
- Classic wah tones can be recreated with standard wah pedals. Even auto wahs exist as a digital effeect. You’ll find with any wah that less is more depending on the effect that you’re looking for in your composition.
Should You Buy a Wah Pedal?
Wah pedals are one of those pieces of gear that really divides opinion. Do you need one? Do they even sound good? Well, hopefully this guide will help you to decide on both of those questions.
Notable players such as Kirk Hammett and Slash use them to create wah pedal songs. They add an extra ounce of flaire to solos and riffs. However, is it really worth splashing out for one or two songs?
Over at *Thomann, they have plenty of units avaliable, ready to help you learn and play loads of wah pedal songs. If you’re undecided, I’d reccomend getting something cheaper before you invest time and money into the world of wahs.
White Room – Cream
Kicking us off in our quest for wah pedal songs, we’re turning to Eric Clapton during his time with Cream. This 1968 hit is a notable and early example of the wah pedal being used in rock music.
How does Clapton use the wah pedal in White Room? On this record, he uses it for the quiet chorus sections that is nice and clean. Moreover, he then adds some gain back into the mix to add some riffs and fills during the later verses.
Not forgetting the closing solo where you can really hear that wah opening and closing. Dramatically adding bass and treble to achieve the cool effect. Played on his *1964 Gibson SG, with those humbucking pickups adding the power and control that he demanded at the time.
Voodoo Child – SRV
Contreoversial take here, I actually prefer Stevie Ray Vaughan’s cover of Voodoo Child compared to the Jimi Hendrix version. Leave your hatred in the comments…
Voodoo Child was actually the first time I had ever heard a wah pedal song. The opening bars contain that scratchy, muted guitar intro. No chords, no riffs. Just muted strings, a wah pedal, and a *Fender Stratocaster.
This track really is the poster child for wah pedal songs. I love how the wah pedal is an integral part of the main riff. You can play it without it, it just doesn’t feel right.
Money For Nothing – Dire Straits
Another strat player, although this time, on his Les Paul. Money For Nothing is an era defining 1980s track that is a real air guitar anthem. Not forgetting those awesome drum fills at the start.
Over the years, I’ve always been on the fence about Mark Knopfler’s tone. It’s obviosuly an LP, with some meaty drive. However, it’s the use of the wah pedal that gives it the distinctive mid scooped sound.
Instead of the wah being on or off, it’s actually somewhere in the middle. Unlike the rest of the songs on this list, Knopfler doesn’t rock the pedal backwards and forwards. Therefore, not achieving that opening /closing sound.
Gossip – High Fade
Something a little more modern now. High Fade are a three piece band from Scotland. They play all over the world, showcasing their high energy funk/punk riffs. Just listen to the opening bars of Gossip, and you’ll be hooked.
Similarly, this wah pedal song requires the pedal for the main riff. You can hear the fast switch in bass and treble on Harry Valentino’s Telecaster. The swingle coil twang mixed with the wah makes for a great combination.
I’ve always described High Fade as if 1970s funk met Instagram reels. That’s what you’d end up with. The overall vibe of the Gossip riff feels very 1970s.
Shaft – Isaac Hayes
From something that is trying to replicate 70s guitar work, to the real thing. Concluding our look at wah pedal songs is your daily dose of cop show drama.
Other than Voodoo Child, Shaft makes me think of the wah pedal. Even something like The Proferssionals Theme, it’s captures the same effect.
This Isaac Hayes number uses the wah as rhythmic acompaniment, rather than for adding extra spice to the guitar line. Just letting certain chords breathe against the muting. It works very well, and captures the vibe of the genre.
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