Tech 21 Killer Wail Wah

It's easy enough to use. It has three modes and for me who's only been using more old fashioned wah-wah pedals before it's almost confusing... but really it's simple to use.

I'm using it mainly with a clean amp tone and with my electric balalajka. This instrument has the same range as the guitars three highest strings and the Killer Wail is ideally suited for that, since the "high" mode is intended for just that range.

You see, my biggest problem with other wahs is that they are hard for me to control, at least live. It usually takes a lot of precision work and when I'm way up there on my balalajka neck most wahs tend to work more like volume pedals. The Killer Wail's "high" mode solves that problem.

However, the "high" mode is a bit thin. Now I'm being unreasonable cause you can't have fat and trebly at the same time. Now comes the beauty of the three modes.

The "extended" mode is great sounding too. It's very much like a noprmal wah but a bit more subtle, very sophisticated sound. Not retro at all, very modern. But really good and musical.

And the "deep" mode actually works for my balalajka too. It's even more subtle than the "extended" mode and therefore finds a place in tunes where a more subtle wah sound is needed.

Haven't used it long enough to have any idea. It looks and feels like it's well built though.

I haven'thad any reason to contact them for this pedal yet, but they've been good before, quick in their e-mail replies.

It's a great wah-wah pedal that you really should check out. It's more modern sounding but the modes are all very musical. Easy to work with and very quiet. If there's one thing I'd complain about it is that there's sometimes a very audible "click" when you turn it on.

Easy to use, great sound and great range.

This is a good sounding wah pedal. I have a Vox reissue and it is cool, but a little noisy. I did the "True bypass" mod and that helped a ton, but the range isn't as wide but for the funk wah sound it is great. (Only battery power which really sucks!)

But back to the Killer Wail, I love the ability to switch between three modes. (I use the middle setting and it covers exactly what I need)
I play in a band that plays everything from old Parlement Funkadelic to Drowing Pool and this thing does it all.

Looks like it can withstand quite a lot. Not too sure about the foam that is used to slow down the switch, I think I would prefer a spring.

Haven't had to use them as of yet, hope I don't ever need to.

This pedal is great. I REALLY like the fact that it is not as long as the Vox pedal and as long as most pedals, so it gives you more room for your pedalboard. Has a nice smooth sound and not too "quacky". Just enough for the funkier stuff. I am keeping my Vox, but I will be using the Killer Wail. I give it a 9 because of the "sponge" pedal stop and the fact that if you do want to use an adaptor instead of a battery, the input is recessed, so you have to find an adaptor that is NOT right angled, or if you are using a Furman Pedalboard, you have to find a non right angled plug. But I made my own and it is now no big deal. The sound is everything.

I compared it to other pedals out there and this one had it it to other pedals out there and this one had it all.

This is a wah pedal with a three way switch to alter its voicing. Very simple to get useful sounds.

Playing through Budda and Mesa amps with a variety of pedals (Reverend, DOD, Fulltone) and guitars (Reverend, PRS, and Fender). Not noisy at all and the effect is very strong. A little thinner and with a wider throw than my Budda wah; not really a Crybaby type pedal. Not as good at notching the midrange as the Budda either. Useful, though, for the traditional range of wah wah tones.

Well built and appears very reliable. I wouldn't bother to back up my wah wah pedal since I only use it on 5 or 6 tunes.

Never encountered this company's customer service.

Fine match for my styles. It has a smaller footprint than the Budda and supplies a different texture. I'd probably buy it again if stolen, assuming the Budda wasn't stolen as well. If I had only one wah it would be the Budda.

Just plug in the cords and the wah is functional - what more can I say. The switch located on the bottom of the unit is a bit of a pain if your switching guitar etc, and want to change settings. I don't have a problem with it though cause I'm using one rig.

I have been playing giutar since 1972 and have used the cry baby wah with a gibson SG and marshall amps. I have changed my rig about a year ago and found that the cry baby no longer works. WHY ?? I am now using the following setup. PRS ---> Killer Wail ----> Hughes and Kettner Triamp ----> IN THE TRIAMP EFFECT LOOP ARE A (DBX 31 band EQ -----> TC Electronics M1. With the new setup the cry baby was extremely noisey and would squeal and was unusable. A friend of mine presented the Killer Wail this past weekend to me and I used it that night on stage. I loved it and so did the sound enginneers. The wah effect is powerful and musical and does not SQUEAL. I use it on the deep setting and it works great for all 3 of my settings, clean, semi distorted, and lead. The band had smiles on their faces when I used it - no shit !

Don't know - only had it for 3 days.

never used em !!!

Very easy to use......I like not having knobs to confuse me like the ones on the Boss......

Has a switch on the bottom to let you use the pedal in different tonal ranges (high to bass) which is a nice feature...I use the standard middle button and it sounds fine...

Made of a big hunk of steel....Can't do much more durable than that.

These things can really become overkill if you're not careful, and looking back, I could have bought another more important pedal than this one, but it does what the advertisement says and I'm sure I'll be glad I have it when the time comes to use it. I really don't think it's worth the price they ask for it, but it still is a good pedal.

Basic wah pedal but with the aforementioned mode switch. Manual is fine - no need really. Mode switch is on the bottom, which means you have to pick it up to switch modes, but I set it on the middle position and leave it there; the sweep in this position is perfect for guitar. I love that the cables connect in front, not on the sides. I give it a 9 for putting switch on the bottom, though. Also, it doesn't have a light to let you know it's switched on, but you ought to be able to tell from the sound. The switch itself works flawlessly. My other beefs are that the battery connector and battery door are cheapo's (spend the extra dime, OK?), and the bottom panel is the same cheap tin material all wah wah designers seem to like to use. The chassis and pedal are bullet proof, though.

I play my Gibson Flying V or my mexi Strat into the wah, into a Marshall VS65R, with either a DOD FX96 analog delay or a Boss DD-3 digital delay on the loop (also sometimes use my DOD FX64 and FX22). I have always loved the sound of a wah, both with the pedal in motion and just as a filter, but I hate wah pedals. I've had 3 dunlop crybabies, one dunlop mister crybaby, and two different morleys. They all suck. The dunlops are microphonic, the sweep is uneven, the switches can't suck enough, and the pots go bad overnight. The morleys have the same problems, have too short a sweep, and don't actually sound like a classic wah (have they ever listened to a rock record?? And, FUCK Steve Vai already.) Both dunlops and morleys squeel like pigs most of the time. I thought I had given up on wah wahs. Anyway, I saw Michael Schenker playing a Killer Wail in December (I was in front row), and he has always played cray babies. He plays ancient amps, guitars and effects, so I figured if he had a brand new wah, it was worth a shot. I bought it and love it. It is quiet, has a PERFECTLY even sweep, and doesn't squeel. Every wah I've ever had before has made me sound like crap, and now it's like I have the magic touch. I AM A WAH WAH GOD!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Seems fine so far. My three year old son rode over it with his tricycle in the basement, and didn't leave a mark. A '9' until further notice; my daughter hasn't found it yet...

Bought it new from a dealer, www.pedalgeek.com (the shipping was free, and they gave me some "pedalgeek brand" guitar strings, which you can have if you want them...)

Pedal looks VERY COOL. Pedal sounds VERY COOL.

Its a wah pedal but with a twist. 3 mode selector under the pedal which gives you deep, extended and high modes. Why this switch is on the base I have no idea bad design for the unit is destined to be velcroed to my pedal board!! Battery access is on the base too, easy access clip affair no screws!! Easy to use as any other wah, though if desired you can adjust the stiffness of the pedal by tightening the very substantial bolt that holds it onto the pedal. Cool as cool chrome finish.

Reverend Rocco> Killer Wail>Bixonic EXP 2001>Voodoo labs Tremelo> MXR Phase 90>Dod echo>Boss CE2 Chorus> Tech 21 Trademark 60 amp. Can't get the pedal to work on DC mains which is a pain, well it works but get a very noisy hum so back to batteries, I have e mailed Tech 21 but haven't received a reply as yet. Pedal seems microphonic slightly but all wahs have elements of that. You don't notice when you're playing only if the wah is turned on/off when no signal is going through it.
Wah sound itself is great, each mode overlaps on itself to give some real scope from deep filthy wah to wailing high. Lovely on clean sounds. No noise from the pedal as an effect ie hiss etc..

Chose over Roger Mayer vision wah, too many options, and Buddha which just wasn't there for me.

Too early to say, wahs are notorious for breaking down but I have had Tech 21 gear in the past and it has never let me down yet. Gigging without back up. The wah is extremely sturdy looking whilst still being smaller than most, only 8 inch long. Doesn't take up half your board like dunlop's. I give it a 9 but its all down to that potentiometer......

Only once dealt with them and they seem to be very good though I am still awaiting my reply on this unit. I would give them a 10 from past experience.

Blues/Rock mostly covers with a bit of studio work. Playing 15 years plus, have owned all sorts of everything in the past. Pedal junkie. Would replace if stolen but have never had any gear stolen in all the time I have been playing. Been too lucky..... Tech 21 have produced some really inspirational stuff in the past and I am sure this will be no different.

Love the sound look etc, DC mains operation is a mystery but maybe not for long, why that mode switch is tucked away underneath I have no idea but then again some require unscrewing back plate so not as bad as it could be.
Chose over (as above) bought due to sound and previous experience with Tech 21 products. Plus its cool looking and not overdone in the option dept.

Thats everything but may I just say that I think a common problem that people have with effects is using poor quality leads and interconnects with their gear. Learn how to use a soldering iron (or bribe someone like me to use one for you) and make your own leads. I started using high quality cable ie Hills OFC noisless professional which is expensive but not ridiculous and Neutrik jacks which are costly but bomb proof and have never had a lead die on me since. Also you can minimise the length of unrequired lead that you use which is always a good thing.