The Rocktron Sweet Spot is a Fixed Wah pedal, a design that takes the resonant filter of a wah pedal and locks it to one frequency instead of sweeping it with a treadle. Every wah works by using a shifting band-pass filter with a highly resonant peak to create its distinctive sound, as Vox's own history of the effect describes1. The Sweet Spot has its roots in that "Wah Wah" pedal, but here the peak stays where you put it, accentuating a single "sweet spot" frequency in your tone2.
The controls: Sweet Spot, Mix and a three-way switch
The pedal has three knobs, one input and one output2. Each control does a distinct job:
- Selector switch: a three-position switch labeled Normal, Classic and Bass, pertaining to the type of wah circuit2
- Sweet Spot knob: selects the frequency, or "sweet spot," that will be accentuated2
- Mix knob: controls the balance between wet and dry signal going to your amp2
The Mix knob is what separates this from a conventional wah in practice: rather than replacing your tone with the filtered signal, you can blend the accentuated frequency in behind your dry sound, which is where a fixed wah earns its place on a board or in a rack2.
The three voicings
The selector switch changes the character of the filter circuit2:
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Normal | Mimics a modern wah pedal sound2 |
| Classic | Captures the vibe of old school wahs2 |
| Bass | For 7-strings, baritones, basses and the like2 |
Delicious Audio's reviewer, Paolo De Gregorio, described Normal mode this way:
"To my ears it sounded like the brightest option."
He found that Normal mode feels like a Presence boost or an exciter when cranked all the way2, which tells you something about how the Sweet Spot is meant to be used: not as a sweeping effect but as a tone-shaping tool that lifts one slice of the frequency spectrum.
Where it sits in Rocktron's wah range
Rocktron has built several wah pedals, including the Rocktron Classic Wah, the Rocktron Tri-Wah, the Rocktron Black Cat Moan and the Mike Orlando Signature Wah, which likewise pairs three voicing settings with a Mix control. The Sweet Spot is the fixed-frequency member of that family, and its Boutique Series chassis sets it apart visually with laser etched artwork on rugged metal2.
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Questions
What is a fixed wah pedal?
A fixed wah pedal takes the resonant band-pass filter at the heart of a wah-wah pedal but removes the treadle. Instead of sweeping the filter up and down as you rock the pedal, you set it to one frequency and leave it there, accentuating a single chosen part of your tone. The Rocktron Sweet Spot falls into this category, according to Delicious Audio's review.
What do the Normal, Classic and Bass settings do on the Rocktron Sweet Spot?
The three-position selector switch changes the type of wah circuit. Normal mode mimics a modern wah pedal sound, and Delicious Audio's reviewer found it the brightest option, feeling like a Presence boost or an exciter when cranked all the way. Classic mode captures the vibe of old school wahs. Bass mode is for 7-strings, baritones, basses and the like.
Can the Rocktron Sweet Spot be used with bass?
Yes. The pedal's Bass mode is described by Delicious Audio as being for 7-strings, baritones, basses and the like, so bass players can dial in a voicing suited to lower-tuned instruments. The Mix knob also lets you blend the effected signal against your dry tone.
Does the Rocktron Sweet Spot have a treadle?
No. The Sweet Spot is a fixed wah, meaning it has no rocking treadle. You select the accentuated frequency with the Sweet Spot knob and control how much of that effect is blended into your signal with the Mix knob.
Is the Rocktron Sweet Spot part of the Boutique Series?
Yes. According to Delicious Audio's review, the Sweet Spot is part of Rocktron's Boutique Series and comes in a rugged metal chassis with laser etched artwork.
Sources (2)
- The VOX Amps Wah Wah Pedal Story, Vox Amps (voxamps.com), 2023-01-18
- Rocktron Sweet Spot Review, Delicious Audio, 2011-11-04
