How to Connect Wah-Wah Pedal to a Guitar

Using a wah-wah pedal with your guitar can make your playing more distinctive.

A wah or wah-wah pedal is a device that adds distinctive tone to a guitar when used. The wah-wah pedal actually gets its name from the sound the guitar makes when the pedal is fully engaged; the tone goes higher as you press on the pedal. Connecting a wah-wah pedal to your guitar requires the use of an AC adapter and an electric amplifier to produce the sound.

Things You'll Need

• Guitar
• Wah-wah pedal
• Guitar amplifier
• Guitar cords

Instructions

1. Make sure your wah-wah pedal has a fresh, 9-volt battery; otherwise, connect the pedal's AC adapter into the adapter jack and plug the other end into an electrical socket. Place the wah-wah pedal on the ground near your guitar amplifier.

2. Insert a guitar cord into the guitar cord jack on your guitar.

3. Connect the other end of the guitar cord to the jack on the wah-wah pedal, marked "Guitar."

4. Insert another cord into the wah-wah pedal’s jack. It is marked "Amplifier."

5. Insert the other end of that guitar cord into the jack on your amplifier that says "In." Turn on the amplifier, press down on the wah-wah pedal and strum a few chords, pressing on the pedal to ensure that it is working.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also attach a wah-wah pedal to an effects board or other effects pedals using the same setup; just place the other pedals between the wah-wah pedal and the amplifier when connecting them with additional wires.

References

• Better Guitar; Wah-Wah Techniques; Mark Starlin
• Onerr: Cryin' The Wah Wha Pedal User Guide