The Carl Martin 2Wah is a dual-mode analog wah pedal that puts six vintage wah voicings in one enclosure. Carl Martin describes the three low and three high settings as recreations of six of the most popular vintage wah sounds since the beginning of wah, from Hendrix to Trower to Earth Wind & Fire and beyond.1
How the dual-mode switching works
The 2Wah carries two switching functions on one rocker. Stepping on the front of the rocker turns the effect on and off, like a standard wah. Stepping on the back of the rocker engages a second on-off switch at the back of the pedal, which toggles between two distinctly different wah sounds mid-performance.1
Each of the two sounds has its own three-way mode switch on the front of the pedal, marked Low (red LED) and High (green LED). Together the two switches give access to the six vintage voicings.1
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rocker (front) | Standard effect on-off, true bypass when off1 |
| Rocker (back) | Toggles between the two wah sounds1 |
| Low mode switch (red LED) | Three-way switch selecting among the three low voicings1 |
| High mode switch (green LED) | Three-way switch selecting among the three high voicings1 |
| Attack knob | Precise control over rocker modulation response, fine-tuning how the wah sweeps and reacts to playing dynamics1 |
Power and connections
The 2Wah runs on a 9V battery or a regulated power supply. Carl Martin recommends using a regulated supply, such as the company's Big John Power supply. RockBoard's PedalPedia lists the current draw at 20mA.12
The input jack is on the right and the output is on the left. Carl Martin notes that a wah should be the first pedal in your chain.1
Input on the right and output on the left is the reverse of most pedals, so plan your patch cables accordingly.1
Build
The pedal sits in a retro-styled all-metal casing with a non-slip foot pad, which Carl Martin describes as designed for reliable stage use.1
Videos
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Questions
Is the Carl Martin 2Wah true bypass?
Yes. Carl Martin says the 2Wah uses true bypass switching, engaged by stepping on the front of the rocker, so the signal path stays transparent when the effect is off. The second switching function, which toggles between the two wah sounds, is engaged by stepping on the back of the rocker.
Does the Carl Martin 2Wah run on a battery?
Yes. The 2Wah can be powered by a 9V battery, though Carl Martin recommends using a regulated power supply instead. The pedal's all-metal casing is designed for reliable stage use with either a 9V battery or a regulated power supply.
How do you switch between the two wah sounds on the 2Wah?
You toggle between two distinctly different wah sounds by stepping on the back of the rocker pedal. Each of the two sides carries its own three-way mode switch on the front of the pedal, marked Low (red LED) and High (green LED), giving six voicings in total.
Is the Carl Martin 2Wah analog?
Yes. Carl Martin describes the 2Wah as a dual-mode analog wah pedal with six vintage wah voicings and switchable low and high settings.
How much current does the 2Wah draw?
RockBoard's PedalPedia lists the 2Wah's current draw as 20mA.
Sources (2)
- 2Wah - Carl Martin, Carl Martin, 2026
- 2Wah by Carl Martin, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026