The Morley T.M. Stevens Fonk Wah is a switchless, optical wah pedal and a T.M. Stevens signature model. Instead of a stomp switch, the pedal engages through pedal movement, and its sweep is controlled optically. It offers two modes: Traditional, for a conventional wah sound, and Fonk, which Morley describes as "a percussive & vocal Wah great for slapping & popping".1
Controls and construction
The pedal keeps its control set simple. A level knob controls the wah output in either mode, and an input trim knob, fitted with a Clip LED, lets the player set the level going into the pedal.1
Like the other models Morley announced alongside it, the Fonk Wah uses cold-rolled steel housing construction, which MusicRadar's Simon Bradley described as "the bulletproof, road-worthy cold-rolled steel housing construction you expect from Morley", and the pedals are hand assembled in the USA.1
The Fonk Wah was reported as available in the UK in November 2009 at an SSP of £174.99.1
Where it sits in Morley's range
The Fonk Wah belongs to Morley's switchless optical wah family, the same design approach as pedals like the Morley Bad Horsie 2 and the Morley 20/20 Classic Switchless Wah. Its distinguishing feature is the two-mode design and the Fonk mode's percussive, vocal sweep, aimed at slapping and popping, which reflects Stevens' background as a bass player.1
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Questions
Is the Morley T.M. Stevens Fonk Wah an optical wah?
Yes. MusicRadar described it as a switchless, optical Wah, meaning the pedal turns on and off by pedal movement rather than a stomp switch, and the sweep is controlled optically rather than by a pot. That is the same approach Morley uses across much of its switchless wah range.
Does the Fonk Wah have a footswitch?
No. It is a switchless design, so there is no stomp switch to engage or disengage the effect. The pedal responds to how you move it, and it offers two modes, Traditional and Fonk, with a level knob controlling the wah output in either mode.
Who is the Fonk Wah designed for?
It is a T.M. Stevens signature model. Stevens is a bass player, and the Fonk mode is described as a percussive and vocal wah that suits slapping and popping, so the pedal is aimed at players who want a funk-oriented sweep that works for bass as well as guitar.
Is the Morley Fonk Wah made in the USA?
Yes. MusicRadar reported that the Fonk Wah and the other new Morley models announced alongside it are hand assembled in the USA, with cold-rolled steel housing construction.
How much does the Morley Fonk Wah cost in the UK?
At its UK launch in November 2009, MusicRadar listed the Fonk Wah at an SSP of £174.99 and reported that all the new Morley pedals were available in the UK at that time.
Sources (1)
- Four new Morley pedals, MusicRadar, 2009-11-18
