The Morley Classic Bad Horsie Wah is the signature wah pedal of Steve Vai, released in 1996 after Morley spent years working with Vai on the design. Morley calls it one of the first signature wahs and its best-selling wah of all time1. It is a switchless pedal: step on the treadle to engage the wah, step off to bypass, with no on-off switch to find.
Two modes: Bad Horsie and Contour
The pedal carries two modes. The first, Bad Horsie Wah mode, is set to Steve Vai's preferred tone and sweep, so the sound is fixed rather than adjustable. The second, Contour Wah mode, lets you alter the frequency and output of the wah yourself1.
You change modes by pressing the switch, and in Contour mode two knobs take over1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| CONTOUR knob | Adjusts the frequency in Contour mode1 |
| LEVEL knob | Controls the output in Contour mode1 |
How it works
Morley builds the Bad Horsie on its Electro-Optical design, which the company describes as having no pots to wear out. That matters for a wah, because conventional wah pedals use a potentiometer under the treadle that can get scratchy or fail with use. A Premium Buffer circuit, according to Morley, ensures pure guitar tone and output1.
Because operation is switchless, there is no footswitch: engaging and bypassing is done entirely by stepping on or off the treadle. An LED gives indication of the pedal's state1.
Power and construction
The pedal runs on one 9-volt battery or an optional Morley 9V adapter, and Morley says it is compatible with most 9V adapters. A quick clip battery door makes battery changes simple1. The housing is rugged cold-rolled steel, in Morley's classic construction size of 9.13" x 5.88" x 2.75" (L x W x H), and the pedal carries a one-year warranty1.
Morley states the pedal works with guitar, bass or keys, so it is not limited to six-string use1.
Related Morley wahs
The Bad Horsie line has grown beyond this original. Morley also makes the Morley Bad Horsie 2, the Morley Mini Bad Horsie 2 and the Morley 20/20 Bad Horsie, along with other switchless and signature wahs such as the Morley George Lynch Dragon 2 and the Morley M2 Maverick Contour Wah, which shares the Contour approach.
Videos
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Ron McCann
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Questions
Does the Morley Bad Horsie Wah have an on-off switch?
No. The Bad Horsie is switchless: you simply step on the treadle to engage the wah and step off to bypass. There is no footswitch to press, and an LED gives you indication of when the effect is engaged. Morley has built its Electro-Optical design around this step-on, step-off operation.
What does Contour mode do on the Bad Horsie?
Contour mode is the pedal's second mode, alongside the Bad Horsie wah mode. In Contour mode you can alter the frequency and output of the wah: the CONTOUR knob adjusts the frequency and the LEVEL knob controls the output. Morley says you simply press the switch to activate the Contour mode.
Does the Bad Horsie Wah use a pot?
No. Morley describes the Bad Horsie as using its Electro-Optical design, with no pots to wear out. Instead of a potentiometer under the treadle, the optical circuit handles the sweep, which Morley says is why the pedal holds up over years of use.
Can you use the Bad Horsie Wah with bass or keys?
Yes. Morley states the pedal works with guitar, bass or keys, so it is not limited to electric guitar. The Contour mode's frequency and output controls are also useful for tailoring the wah to different instruments.
Does the Bad Horsie Wah take a battery?
Yes. The pedal is powered by one 9-volt battery or an optional Morley 9V adapter, and Morley says it is compatible with most 9V adapters. A quick clip battery door makes changing the battery straightforward.
How long is the warranty on the Bad Horsie Wah?
Morley gives the Bad Horsie Wah a one-year warranty, listed alongside its rugged cold-rolled steel housing and LED indication on the maker's product page.
Sources (1)
- Classic Bad Horsie Wah, Morley
