The pedal, Frusciante told Vintage Guitar in 2009, “is my standard wah since [1991’s] BloodSugarSexMagik. I don’t think there’s a better wah. When we were making [2006’s] Stadium Arcadium, there was so much wah I figured I’d use a variety of pedals and there wasn’t one that came close to the Ibanez.
“I want something that when I put it in one position, one note is going to feed back, and when I put it in another position, another note is going to feed back. You just have more variation with the Ibanez because there’s a wider frequency range."
(Image credit: Ibanez)
Like the original WH10, the new V3 boasts a multiple feedback op amp circuit, along with two upgrades – a sturdy metal housing in place of the original’s plastic and a switchable true/buffered bypass feature.
Other appointments include a depth knob on the side of the pedal to control the level of effect, as well as a range switch (guitar 350Hz - 2.2kHz, bass 175Hz - 1.1kHz).
We have to say, the timing is simply perfect for this one... A little too perfect. Was the launch of a new WH10 at Frusciante's behest? And if so, Ibanez must have known about his return for some time. Wonder what other gear he's requested for RHCP's upcoming tour dates...
Rich is the co-author of the best-selling Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. He is also a recording and performing musician, and a former editor of Guitar World magazine and executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine. He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name.
