The Joyo Wah-I Classic Wah is a compact rocker pedal that does two jobs: it is a wah-wah pedal, and it is a volume pedal. Joyo describes it as "a multifunctional WAH-WAH pedal, featuring both WAH-WAH and VOLUME functions"1. It launched alongside the Joyo Wah-II Multimode, and when MusicRadar reported the pair's arrival in March 2019, both were listed as available, with the Wah-I at $69 and the Wah-II at $792.
A wah pedal that also works as a volume pedal
The pedal's two functions are selected with a toggle switch. Joyo's page describes it as easy to operate, "with WAH-WAH /VOLUME and WAHWAH/BYPASS toggle switch and minimum volume control knob"1. In wah mode, the pedal carries an RM shielded inductance that Joyo says is "specially designed for WAH-WAH tone, which guarantees outstanding tone"1.
The controls are few, and each does one job:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| WAH-WAH / VOLUME toggle | Selects whether the rocker pedal acts as a wah-wah or a volume pedal1 |
| WAH-WAH / BYPASS toggle | In wah mode, switches between the wah effect and bypass1 |
| Minimum volume knob | In volume mode, sets the level reached when the pedal is toed down completely1 |
| Rocker treadle | The pedal itself, rocked with the foot to sweep the wah or change level1 |
In volume mode, the minimum volume knob is the pedal's distinguishing control. Joyo calls it "one of its characteristics" of VOLUME Control mode, and adjusting it sets the level obtained when the pedal is toed down completely1. MusicRadar's Michael Astley-Brown described the same feature on both launch pedals as "a minimum volume knob to adjust the heel-down level"2. In practice, that means you can set how quiet the pedal gets at the bottom of its travel rather than cutting to full silence, which is useful for rhythm-to-lead swells or for backing your level off without dropping out entirely.
The true bypass applies to wah-wah mode only, per Joyo's product page1. If you use the Wah-I as a volume pedal, the bypass behavior is not the same as in wah mode, which is worth knowing when planning a pedalboard.
Power, impedance and connections
The Wah-I runs on 9V DC with a center-negative plug, which Joyo lists as "DC9V (center minus)"1 and RockBoard's PedalPedia confirms as 9V DC center negative3. Current draw is 18mA1, a light load for a pedalboard power supply.
On the jack side, the pedal takes a 6.35mm single channel input1. Its input impedance is 2.2MΩ and its output impedance is 100Ω1, figures in the range typical of a pedal placed early in a signal chain in front of driven effects.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Power | 9V DC center negative ("DC9V (center minus)")13 |
| Current draw | 18mA1 |
| Input | 6.35mm, single channel1 |
| Input impedance | 2.2MΩ1 |
| Output impedance | 100Ω1 |
| Bypass | True bypass in wah-wah mode only1 |
| Dimensions | L160 x W63 x H55mm1 |
For comparison, other pedals that combine a rocker treadle with wah and volume duties include the Morley Power Wah Volume and the Hotone Vowpress, and players looking only for the volume half of the Wah-I's job can browse the site's Volume Pedals page. For more on the effect itself, see Wah-Wah Pedals.
Manual
Joyo's product page carries a WAH-I Manual PDF, dated 2019-11-29 on the page1.
Videos
Osiamo Music Gear
Another Guitar Channel
Questions
Is the Joyo Wah-I Classic Wah true bypass?
Yes, but only in wah-wah mode. Joyo's product page lists the pedal as TrueBypass for WAH-WAH mode only, so the bypass behavior differs depending on which of the pedal's two functions you are using at the time.
What power does the Joyo Wah-I need?
The Wah-I runs on 9V DC with a center-negative plug, which Joyo lists as DC9V (center minus). Current draw is 18mA, a light load that most pedalboard power supplies can handle without trouble.
What does the minimum volume knob do?
In VOLUME Control mode, the minimum volume knob sets the level you get when the pedal is toed down completely. MusicRadar describes it as adjusting the heel-down level, letting you set how quiet the pedal goes at the bottom of its travel.
What is the difference between the Joyo Wah-I and Wah-II?
The Wah-I is the Classic Wah, a wah and volume pedal with an RM shielded inductance designed for wah tone. The Wah-II is the Multimode model in the same launch. When the pair was announced in March 2019, MusicRadar listed the Wah-I at $69 and the Wah-II at $79.
Does the Joyo Wah-I have a manual?
Yes. Joyo's product page for the WAH-I Classic Wah carries a WAH-I Manual PDF, dated 2019-11-29 on the page.
Sources (3)
- WAH-I CLASSIC WAH_JOYO, Joyo, 2019-11-29
- Joyo launches compact multi-function wah/volume pedals, MusicRadar, 2019-03-20
- WAH-I Classic Wah/Volume by JOYO, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
