The Ibanez Weeping Demon, sold as the WD7, is a wah pedal from Ibanez's Tone-Lock range. MusicRadar's review team called it "one of the most versatile wah-wahs around, and at an excellent price," and it has found a following beyond guitar: Guitar World reports it is very popular with bass players, retailing for around the same price as the Morley PBA-2 Dual Bass Wah12.
The controls: Level, Q and low boost
The WD7 carries three control knobs: level, Q, and Low frequency boost1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Sets the output level of the wah1 |
| Q | Sets the Q, shaping how sharp or broad the wah's frequency peak is1 |
| Low frequency boost | Boosts the low frequencies, adding bottom end to the sweep1 |
The Low frequency boost control is what makes the pedal workable on bass, letting a player keep low end in the effect instead of a thin, vocal-only sweep1.
In true Tone-Lock style, the knobs can be set to your chosen positions and then pushed into the unit to keep them safe from accidental adjustment1. Once pushed in, they sit flush with the housing, so a foot landing on them mid-gig cannot knock the sound off.
Parking the wah and switching modes
Beyond the three knobs, the Weeping Demon offers two features aimed at players who want a wah that stays out of the way until it is needed13.
- Park lever: You can pull a lever to park the wah on the exact frequency you want, holding the filter at a fixed point rather than rocking it3. There is also a separate switch to bypass the wah effect entirely3.
- Switching modes: A mechanical lever changes between conventional switching and the auto-on style switching that Morley uses1. With the auto switch engaged, a spring returns the wah to the off, fully back position for you, so the pedal switches itself off when you take your foot away1.
Battery changes and build
The WD7 is built using the same cast metal housing as the rest of the Tone-Lock series, which MusicRadar described as "bomb-proof"1. Battery changes need no tools and no screws: a push button and the heavy-duty function switch flips open to reveal the battery compartment1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's overall verdict on the WD7 was straightforward:
"One of the most versatile wah-wahs around, and at an excellent price."
On the bass side, Guitar World's Nick Wells grouped it with the Morley PBA-2 Dual Bass Wah as a wah that bass players have taken to in numbers, at a comparable price2.
Videos
gearwire
MetalSpuddy2
Serga Kasinets
Questions
Can you park the Ibanez Weeping Demon wah?
Yes. You can pull a lever to park the wah on the exact frequency you want, holding it at a fixed point instead of rocking the treadle. There is also a separate switch to bypass the wah effect entirely.
Is the Weeping Demon good on bass?
Yes. Guitar World notes that the Ibanez WD7 Weeping Demon is very popular with bass players, and it retails for around the same price as the Morley PBA-2 Dual Bass Wah. Its Low frequency boost control helps push the low end.
How do you change the battery in the Ibanez WD7?
There are no screws to undo. A push button releases the heavy-duty function switch, which flips open to reveal the battery compartment, so a battery swap takes seconds on the floor.
What are Tone-Lock knobs?
Tone-Lock is Ibanez's system where control knobs are set to your chosen position and then pushed down into the housing. Once pushed in, they sit flush and are safe from accidental adjustment by your foot.
Sources (3)
- Ibanez WD7 Weeping Demon Wah review, MusicRadar, 2007-11-29
- Dunlop Cry Baby Bass Wah: the most recognizable effects pedal ever made?, Guitar World, 2023-04-05
- A Beginners Guide To Pedalboards Pt. 1: Choosing Your Pedals, EarthQuaker Devices, 2021-12-06
