Morley PWV Pro Series Wah/Volume

Well, ease of use it always a tricky thing. This was my first wah, so I got used to the whole separate switch deal pretty fast. That said, if you're used to Bad Horsies or even Crybabies the switch will take some getting used to. The actual wah...is easy if you're playing fast, hard if you're playing slow, because the effect sweep isn't smooth. It goes halfway down with almost no change before the wah suddenly kicks in. Volume mode is the same way...it's more of a mute than a volume adjustment. But for the basic wah effect, if you can't figure it out, that's really your problem.

I mostly use a Squier Stratocaster (with a two-point synchronized tremolo, hot rail pickups, a graphite nut, roller string trees, a strangle switch and a kill switch) into:
Morley wah > Behringer tuner > Behringer octave > Behringer Big Muff clone > Digitech Hot Head distortion > Digitech Grunge fuzz/distortion > whatever amp's on hand
Clean, there's no noise at all, even all the way down. With a couple distortions, it produces an interesting white noise as you press it down, but only if you mute the guitar. This will almost certainly never be an issue, because if you've got the wah down, you're probably actually playing, and if you're going to pause long enough for somebody to hear a hiss, you can just tilt it back. The only way it'll be important is if you play noise music and you think it makes a good tone.
But...here's the big problem. The reason I'm selling this thing and getting a Bad Horsie first chance I get. The actual wah effect is so weak it's almost useless. Most wah pedals sound more intense with a little distortion. This one gets drowned. It's only useable clean, and it's only useable if you kick it fast. The only way it's really helpful is if you want to push it down and leave it, use it for a mid boost. Add it to a hard, trebly distortion and some reverb and it makes for a great 80s shred tone. Which regrettably I don't like.

Well, it's pretty heavy duty. The box part at the bottom's steel, sturdy, and kind of unbreakable-looking. Built like a tank. The actual pedal, on the other hand, is plastic, but it's thick, tough plastic. The footswitch is heavy duty, and it uses LDRs and LEDs instead of a pot, so that won't wear out. Once I was playing "All Along the Watchtower" with my old band, needed to switch on my Grunge pedal, so I just stood on the Morley to get my foot up. I mean, it could have snapped and screeched like shattering glass and I wouldn't have heard, but it didn't break or anything. So as for reliability, oh yeah. I'd use this thing without a backup in a second, assuming I used it at all.

I've never dealt with Morley.

I play a fusion of grunge, alt rock, thrash metal, shred...like Nirvana, Mudhoney, Dinosaur Jr., Metallica and Sonic Youth with Joe Satriani and Jimi Hendrix trading off bluesy leads. Now imagine that supergroup with head trauma and a hangover. And a couple broken fingers. This wah doesn't fit. It just doesn't work. Only way I can use it is as a noisemaker with a bunch of fuzz pedals, and it's really too quiet for that. I need something extreme, so my review is biased by the lack of extremitosity, but I feel safe in saying that a wah with a knob to weaken the effect should start off pretty intense. So, in conclusion: not too hard to use, built like a tank, and needs to be about four times as strong.

No difficulty using this pedal. I didn't need a manual.

Disappointing. It didn't give me enough high frequency boost to make distorted leads scream. The wah effect was pretty sutble as well - it doesn't really go "wah wah". If you really listen hard you can sort of notice it.

I expected the "level" control to work as a lead boost, but no such luck. Really it's more of a saturation control for the wah effect. It controls how dirty/saturated the effect is rather than how loud.

I A/Bed it with my Vox wah and the Vox blew it away in terms of giving a high boost that puts leads up front and in terms of a pronounced "wah" effect.

On the plus side, the Morley PWV wasn't noisy.

Not sure. I bought this used and returned it the next day since it didn't give me the sounds I was looking for.

I've played metal for 20 years and was looking for a good sound for leads to replace my Vox wah. This Morley didn't cut it. To be a good pedal for metal it would need more high boost, a more pronounced wah effect, and a level boost.

If you buy one of these, make sure to buy from somewhere with a good return policy!

This wah wah is pretty simple, a footswitch situated on the bottom right hand corner of the base turns it on and off, On = wah / Off = volume. In the opposite bottom left hand corner, is a Wah level dial, which simply adjusts the volume of the wah wah when the pedal is engaged. However, if you are used to using a Crybaby stlye wah, the Morley does take some getting used to because of the whole separate footswitch thing. But its easy when you know how, I'm an official Crybaby to Morley convert now!

Its very surprising to see so many bad reviews of this pedal, I personally love it, but others obviously hate the thing, it's clearly a matter of personal taste and what context you will use this pedal in, which defines wheather you either love or hate this wah.

I bought this pedal pureley because my Crybaby wasn't giving me the power or cut that I wanted. The Crybaby sounded great on the clean channel of my Marshall JCM 2000 DSL 100 especially when I ran it with my Fender Telecaster, it had a marvellous funk sound, but when I went over to the overdrive channel, it was weak and and too muddy sounding, even with my other guitars (Gibson Les Paul Standard and a PRS Custom 22) it just didnt deliver. Whereas, the Morley does. It has a really nice, smooth yet edgy cut on it and is about five million times more clean sounding. It truly thrives with the Les Paul and Marshall on the overdrive channel but it really is poor at playing with a clean sound, no funky "whacka-whacka" it just sounds weak. This wah wah is not for funkers but if you're a rocker, this is THE wah of your dreams...

Its built like a brick chicken house, and its probably tank proof. a very reliable pedal.

Have never had to deal with them.

For players who generally dont use many clean wah sounds, this pedal is a very worth while buy, but if you're a fan of funky sounds give it a big miss. its not for you. I play in an Alternative/Indie Rock band, and find this pedal pretty essential to my sound, I dont use many clean wah sounds which is good cos this pedal just dont do em'! The band I play in uses quite a few effects between us, but mine go as follows (Not in order)
Morley PWV - wah/volume pedal
Electro Harmonix - Little Big Muff, fuzz
Carl Martin - Hydra Boost, booster pedal
Boss DD3 - Digital Delay pedal
Boss TU2 - Chromatic tuner
MXR Phase 90 - Phaser
Nady TR 20 - Tremolo
Marshall ED1 - Compressor

it works a treat for powerful distorted wah lines....perfect!

Out of the box, it's a easy equiptment to. One switch and one dial. Turn the nob to desired wah-setting and your quick to go. Soundwise it's different story. I miss the really vintage wah-sound you'll find in a cry-baby or vintage Vox, but sett to max effect on the effectdial and it gives a ok metalwah. For most parts I like to just use it to give me a Q-zone for the guitarsound. When it comes to the volumepart of the pedal it works as a volumepedal should. Nothing to mention there. I gave it a 7 because of the wah-setting.

I'm currently running it in front of my to distortionboxes and phaser through a Vox AD30VT amp along with my Cimar Les Paul "Black Beauty". Allthough the pickups on my axe ain't good, the wah-effect have never been as I would like. As a volumepedal it works like charm. Nothing to complain about there. If it were up to me, I would rather spend the money on a pure volumepedal-unit then the combined Volume/Wah. It also raises the gain when the wah-effect is in use.

It's built like a tanks and there's no pot that gets worn out. A great plus and as a volumepedal it has earned a place in my rig.

Haven't dealt with them.

For my style of music I would mostly leave this pedal at home, but more resently I grown to like it. If it broke or got stolen I wouldn't buy a new one, but would rather go for a Ibanez or a Boss.

Wah/volume.Not complicated,,,LED on=wah...off=volume.User friendly device.Rock treadle.Switch a bit cumbersome,though not illogical.

Kinda weak on the wah.Hard to get a Clapton or Hendrix or anyone for that matter.Use a Frontman 25R with a Jay Turser P-90 jazzbox.Very finicky with distortion,,,requires a real feather touch on the pedal to maintain.Through a DOD G7 am able to better regulate on some settings.Volume mode is excellent.I like it's non-linear aspect.Works well for me.5 due to wah.

Dependable in the extreme!Built to withstand any onslaught.Have a DOD FX-17 just in case.Love metal casings.

Nothing but superlatives in this category.Most dedicated support I've ever encountered!(Perhaps it's necessary?Naw!)They are most friendly,helpful,courteous;and make a point of offering ANY extended help at any time,with no reservation.A stellar customer service team!Words are inadequate.They e-mailed me their set-up sheet,no questions asked.Bravo!!!!!I'd give them an 11!

I play all styles.Firstly,a thanks and a tip of the hat to Mr. Iain Louden of Australia for his tip of the 2 resistor change on his PDWV unit.Since I tried my utmost with Morley's suggestions,I tried his and,,,voila...more treble response in the wah mode!Makes for a more enjoyable unit!I've been playing for over 30,approaching 40 years,and I find it to be a kinder,more gentle wah/vol, effect.(kinda goes with the territory?)I like it for its smoothness...it's a bit of a hassle with the switch placement,but it can be overcome...especially when I mostly record and play for myself.After the above-mentioned mod,it definitely helps...a more expressive pedal...but takes awhile to get "the feel".But worth the effort.Never a scratchy pot like the Crybaby.If stolen or lost,I'd find another(maybe an upgrade to the II series)but I'd like one in my kit regardless.With the mod!I play all styles,acoustic and electric guitar,bass.mandolin,harmonica...just for fun!

Very easy to use. Turn the Wah off when you want a volume effect, turn the wah on when you want to wah your head off. the level knob is your overall effect volume. Rock the pedal back and forth for a funky sound and sweep your foot over the pedal for a smooth wah sound.

I'm currently using a 1993 Fender Strat with a Behringer GM110 Analog Modeling Amp. My current setup goes as follows :

1993 MIM Fender Strat > Morley PWV Wah/Volume > Danelectro Corned Beef Reverb > Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive > Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble > EH Small Stone > Zoom 505II MultiFX > Behringer GM-110 Analog Modeling Amp.

I don't get why people say this wah is so bad. Check your batteries and your connections folks, or perhaps you just don't know how to use a wah.

This wah mainly does a smooth sweeping wah, wah that you can use on clean leads and some funky chords. This wah won't scream; if you want a screaming wah look elsewhere (perhaps that's what these people with bad reviews were expecting?). When I looked at the reviews for this I was quite shocked...it's not THAT bad of a wah. I've owned mine for about 2 months now, and I haven't had a problem with it. It does what it's supposed to, nothing more, nothing less.

This pedal is VERY sturdy. This thing weighs about 7 pounds, and it costs like $10 US mail to ship. I'd say this is pretty dependable, since it's made out of metal. The only part on the pedal that isn't made out of metal is the Level knob. That, of course, is plastic. Very reliable.

*belch*

bought this on eBay used for $30. This thing has taken a beating or two, but it's survived everything so far. I mainly play alternative/hard rock music. The Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Tom Petty are my main influences. This wah does exactly what it's supposed to = wah. It doesn't scream, it doesn't bite your head off, but you can get a nice smooth swoop from it. It's not the best wah in the world, and I'm sure there's worse, so for $30 I can't complain. However, I AM thinking about getting a Dunlop Crybaby, because I'd like more of that Swirly Swooshy 60's vibe.

The bad reviews here are just people who hate on this pedal because it doesn't live up to the legendary Bad Horsie. It doesn't scream, wail, or cry, but it DOES WAH. If you're looking for a simple solution to your wah-ing needs, this pedal might be worth looking at.

It's very sturdy with a nice wide pedal area but mine had an annoying squeak that no amount of WD40 would cure.
The on off switch for the wah is by your heel and seperate from the treadle so it's not as easy to switch on and off as my Cry Baby.There's also a level control for the wah which I really don't see the point of, you'll just set it flat out on a gig anyway.The jack sockets are a very tight fit but Morley reckon that's deliberate.

I really wanted to like this pedal, I'd been thinking of getting one of these ever since hearing a guy use a big old chrome Morley 20some years ago.I also naievely thought this would sound better and be more compact and convenient than my old Cry Baby/Boss volume pedal combination..........Was I ever wrong.I play various Strats, Teles and a 335, through a Fender Hotrod Deville 2x12 and a Hiwatt 100 stack.
Admittedly, the sweep of the wah is smooth and even, but it just sounds pathetic.When I first tried it out at home I was SO disappointed, I hoped the battery was dead but it wasn't. It's such a feeble effect, there's no real treble boost, just a nasty mid range honk when it fully down and loads of indistinct wooly bass when it's back.I've tried it on 2 different gigs with 2 totally different bands and 3 different amps and on both occasions I've just bend down and unplugged the bloody thing after the first song.In volume pedal mode, forget it, there's no gradual and even increase in volume, it just gets loud just before you floor it, totally useless.I've got some great guitars and amps and this piece of shit just makes everything sound like a joke.

Well built, it would probably survive being thrown against a wall (unfortunately)

Nice website.

I'm sure there's somebody out there that adores these pedals...............Wanna buy mine??

Even if the pedal is well built the plan to move is too big in my opinion and sometimes it's hard do control it properly, above all when used as volume pedal. The Wah on-off switch shouldn't have been placed so close to the pedal, it's uncomfortable at all. Besides all this even my dog could use a generic wah wah pedal...

Shouldn't a wah wah pedal wah the sound of your guitar? Yes ? Well, this thing doesn't do it ! It effects your tone so little you wouldn't thing you bought it. IT SIMPLY DOESN't WAH ! After trying a classic GCB95 Cry Baby I've never been so brave to use the morley anymore as a wah. However you could use it as a volume pedal even if you can't set a minimum level. The level knob is, or better, would be, for setting wah level but simply it doesn't work...

Well built, you can jump on it (but you'll probably jump for frustration)

Never deal with them

I don't like it at all, above all for the grunge-psichedelic music I play...

I dont need it, Ive got a Chrome one! all metal, Morley power wah fuzz, model PWF, its a fuzz, wah, volume, probably '72 the serial # is 310072, picked it up a a garage sale for $20 about 15 yrs ago, still works like a charm, and the pedal all the way down sound is great, I plug a BC warlock in one end, and a peavey in the other, if the new ones suck, get an old one, I'll never know what the new ones are like probably, cause this one lasts a life time, Dennis

Please excuse my last submittal below. I would have to assume that the Pro series wahs don't sound as good as the big old chrome body boxes.
Sorry about the mistake....kids! (NEVER MIND!!!)

Sounds like the pro-series wahs suck!

Go get yourself a nice big shiny chrome model and you'll love it! Check out the wah-volume models at the end of the Morley listings.
My mistake. Sorry if I offended anyone. I hope you learned something today!!!