Ibanez launched the TWP10 Twin Peaks in November 2023, a wah pedal that departs from the usual single-peak design. Where a conventional wah uses one resonant peak sweeping through the signal, the Twin Peaks uses dual-inductor circuitry to create two peak points, one at a higher frequency and one at a lower, and lets you blend the two. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley reported the pedal available now, priced £169 / $192, at launch1.
How the two-peak circuit works
The Twin Peaks' wah effect comes from two peak points at a higher and lower frequency rather than one. Delicious Audio's Adam Smith explains the circuit: "It has dual inductor circuitry to achieve this." MusicRadar likewise describes "a dual-inductor circuit design. This produces the two high and low-frequency resonance peaks"12.
The higher-frequency peak has a range similar to most wah-wah pedals, while the lower-frequency peak sits closer to the range of modified or signature wah pedals2. That gives the pedal two distinct characters that can be mixed together, which is what sets it apart from a standard single-peak wah.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| TONE mode switch | Selects the frequency range of the wah effect, HIGH or LOW2 |
| BALANCE | Controls the mix ratio of the two peak levels created by the dual inductor circuit resonances2 |
| Master LEVEL | Controls the output signal level, unity gain at 12 o'clock and a +6dB boost at maximum2 |
The Balance knob is the heart of the pedal. Turning it counter-clockwise brings the low-frequency peak to the fore for a darker, throatier sound; turning it clockwise emphasizes the high-frequency peak for a brighter tone1.
High and Low modes
A slider switch chooses between High and Low frequency modes1. The sweeps differ noticeably:
| Mode | High-frequency resonance | Low-frequency resonance |
|---|---|---|
| HIGH | 670Hz to 3kHz, a higher range than typical wah-wah pedals | 300Hz to 1kHz, still lower than most wahs12 |
| LOW | 300Hz to 1kHz, lower than most wah pedals | 220Hz to 750Hz12 |
In practice, HIGH mode covers the traditional wah territory and reaches above it, while LOW mode sits entirely below the usual range, which is where the modified or signature wah character comes from2.
Design and power
The treadle design is vintage Ibanez, and Horsley notes it is "not a world away from the retro look of the WH10V3"1. The pedal takes a 9V battery or DC pedalboard power supply, drawing 15mA1.
The TWP10 is a separate release from the earlier Ibanez Twin Peaks Wah, and Ibanez's wah range also includes the Weeping Demon, Weeping Demon Junior and the WH10.
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Questions
Is the Ibanez Twin Peaks true bypass?
Yes. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley reported that the TWP10 Twin Peaks wah is true bypass, so when the pedal is off your guitar signal passes straight through without going through the wah circuit. It runs on a 9V battery or a DC pedalboard power supply and draws 15mA.
What does the Balance knob do on the Twin Peaks?
Balance controls the mix ratio of the two peak levels created by the dual inductor circuit resonances. Turning it counter-clockwise brings the low-frequency peak to the fore for a darker, throatier sound, while turning it clockwise emphasizes the high-frequency peak for a brighter tone.
What is the difference between High and Low on the Twin Peaks wah?
The TONE mode switch selects the frequency range of the wah effect. In HIGH mode the high-frequency resonance sweeps from 670Hz to 3kHz, a higher range than typical wah pedals, with a low-end sweep of 300Hz to 1kHz. In LOW mode the resonance sweeps from 300Hz to 1kHz, lower than most wah pedals, with a low-frequency sweep of 220Hz to 750Hz.
How much does the Ibanez Twin Peaks cost in the US?
MusicRadar reported the Twin Peaks available now priced at $192 in the US as of November 3, 2023, with a UK price of £169.
Sources (2)
- Ibanez rolls out the Twin Peaks wah pedal, doubling the fun with two frequency peaks for “enriched levels of sonic experimentation”, MusicRadar, 2023-11-03
- Ibanez TWP10 Twin Peaks Wah, Delicious Audio, 2024-01-30
