The Boss PW-3 is a compact wah pedal introduced by Boss as a space-saving analog pedal with what the maker calls pro wah tones. It is built into a die-cast aluminum chassis that Boss describes as solid and substantial underfoot, and it was positioned for players who want wah tones without a full-size treadle on the board1.
What sets the PW-3 apart from most wahs is that it offers two distinct wah sounds, selected by a slider switch, rather than one fixed voice. Boss pitched it as "the ideal wah for traveling guitarists and players maximizing pedalboard space"1.
Vintage and Rich modes
The PW-3's two voices are chosen with a small slider switch mounted on the faceplate. MusicRadar's buying guide lists the single control as the Vintage/Rich switch3, and the press announcement describes a rear-panel switch that changes the pedal's sound to a more traditional '60s-style vintage wah1.
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Vintage | An approximation of the Hendrix/Clapton sounds, with a drop in low-end3 |
| Rich | Retains bass frequencies and boosts output for a throaty, fuller sound3 |
Rich mode was newly developed by Boss for this pedal. The company says it "provides a uniquely full wah voice that retains the low-end body and definition lost with typical wah circuits"4. MusicRadar's review put it more plainly: "Flicking the slider switch to Rich acts like an aural stock cube, beefing up the tone of the wah effect over its entire range"2.
Vintage mode is the more traditional of the two. In MusicRadar's review, "Wide open, it sucks the bottom end out of your tone for that satisfying old-school squawk"2.
The treadle can also be parked in a position to "cock" the wah, holding a fixed filtered tone rather than sweeping it. MusicRadar notes this is something wah aficionados like to do, finding a tone they like and leaving the treadle in place2.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's review team rated the PW-3's sound as "superb"2. Their one reservation was about character rather than tone: compared with the Cry Baby, "the PW-3 doesn't have the vintage appeal of a Cry Baby"2. In the buying guide, Michael Astley-Brown also noted the pedal's size, writing that "The all-analog PW-3 sits somewhere between traditional and mini Cry Babys in terms of size," and that "its die-cast chassis marks an aesthetic departure from the crowd"3.
A practical detail Boss highlighted at launch: the PW-3 has status LEDs on each side of the pedal, making it much easier to see when the wah is activated1.
"With its rugged design, practical size, and full-bodied sound, the PW-3 is the ideal wah for traveling guitarists and any player looking to maximize space on a crowded pedalboard."
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Guitar Interactive Magazine
Questions
Is the Boss PW-3 analog or digital?
It is an all-analog wah pedal. Boss introduced the PW-3 at Musikmesse in Frankfurt in April 2015 as a space-saving analog pedal, and MusicRadar's buying guide also lists it as all-analog. There is no digital modeling involved.
How does the Boss PW-3 compare to a Cry Baby?
MusicRadar notes the PW-3 sits somewhere between traditional and mini Cry Babys in size, and its die-cast chassis looks different from the crowd. The review team also found it lacks the vintage appeal of a Cry Baby, though they rated its sound highly.
Can you use the Boss PW-3 as a fixed wah?
Yes. Like other treadle wahs, you can park the treadle in one position to 'cock' the pedal and hold a fixed tone. MusicRadar's review notes this is something wah aficionados like to do, finding a tone they like and leaving the treadle there.
How do you tell when the PW-3 wah is on?
The PW-3 has status LEDs on each side of the pedal. Boss designed this to make it much easier to see when the wah is activated, which addresses a common complaint about wah pedals that are hard to read on a dark stage.
What did the Boss PW-3 cost at launch?
MusicRadar's buying guide lists the PW-3's launch price as $129 in the US. It was announced in April 2015 at Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany.
Sources (4)
- Musikmesse 2015: BOSS PW-3 Wah Pedal Announced, Guitar.com, 2015-04-15
- Boss PW-3 Wah Pedal review, MusicRadar, 2016-02-24
- Best wah pedals: Add extra expression to your sound, MusicRadar, 2020-09-20
- BOSS Announces PW-3 Wah Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2015-04-15
