The TWA WR-03 Wah Rocker is an envelope filter pedal from TWA (Totally Wycked Audio), distributed by Godlyke, Inc., which announced its release in March 201612. It is a direct descendant of the Guyatone WR-3 Wah Rocker: Godlyke describes it as based on the original WR-3 circuit, but as an all-new TWA device2. As with any envelope filter, the pedal sweeps a filter in response to how hard you play, producing the auto-wah and quack effects funk players reach for. Godlyke says the TWA Wah Rocker "nails the squawky, slippery, super-funked-up filtering of the Guyatone version"2.
The controls
The WR-03 keeps the Threshold and Decay controls found on the original WR-3 and adds several of its own2. The Threshold control adjusts the sensitivity of the filter1, and the Range control lets the user adjust the overall frequency band in which the filter is sweeping, allowing fine-tuning of the sweep without changing playing dynamics2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Threshold | Adjusts the sensitivity of the filter21 |
| Decay | Standard control carried over from the original WR-32 |
| Range | Adjusts the overall frequency band in which the filter sweeps2 |
| Blend | Continuously variable mix of filtered and dry signal2 |
| Gain | Adjusts the output level of the pedal from unity gain to a healthy boost2 |
| Guitar/Bass Switch | Provides the sounds of the Guyatone BR-2 Bottom Wah Rocker2 |
The Gain control is worth noting for players who found the original WR-3 quiet: Pedal of the Day wrote that the WR-03 has a stronger output level, "and unlike the original WR-3™, won't get lost in the mix"4.
A TWA take on the Guyatone WR-3
The original Guyatone WR-3 Wah Rocker is the circuit this pedal is built on, and TWA's version is presented as an improvement on it in a few ways. RockBoard's product page for the Guyatone WR-3 notes that the TWA version has "improved filter sensitivity tracks both high- and low-output pickups"5. Guitar Interactive Magazine, announcing the release, described it as the same idea "yet in a more compact and affordable package"3.
The Blend control is the most visible change. Where the original used a Blend switch, the WR-03 uses a continuously variable Blend control, which TWA says allows for a much beefier bottom-end and a wider variety of tones2. Premier Guitar's reviewer agreed in practice: "The blend control's extreme transparency allowed me to dial in very warm auto-wah sounds"6.
The Guitar/Bass Switch is another addition. TWA calls it an added bonus, saying the company built the sounds of the "almost-as-legendary Guyatone BR-2 Bottom Wah Rocker" into it, giving bass players a deeper filtering option on the same pedal2.
Bypass and switching
The WR-03 does not use a simple mechanical bypass. Instead it carries TWA's proprietary S3, or "Shortest Send Switching", which Godlyke describes as a form of true bypass that uses electronic relays combined with a mechanical switch2. According to the maker, S3 switching assures that the input signal travels the absolute shortest distance between input and output jacks, guaranteeing the most transparent bypass tone available2.
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
Guitar Player Magazine
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Is the TWA WR-03 Wah Rocker true bypass?
Yes. The WR-03 uses TWA's proprietary S3, or Shortest Send Switching, which the maker describes as a form of true bypass that combines electronic relays with a mechanical switch. TWA says S3 switching assures the input signal travels the absolute shortest distance between the input and output jacks, which the company says guarantees the most transparent bypass tone available.
What does the Guitar/Bass switch do on the WR-03?
The Guitar/Bass Switch changes the filter's response for the instrument you are playing. TWA notes it as an added bonus, saying the company built the sounds of the Guyatone BR-2 Bottom Wah Rocker into the switch, so the bass position gives the deeper filtering of that pedal.
How is the WR-03 different from the original Guyatone WR-3?
The WR-03 is based on the original WR-3 circuit but adds a continuously variable Blend control in place of the original's Blend switch, a Range control for tuning the sweep, a Gain control for output level, and the Guitar/Bass switch. TWA also says its improved filter sensitivity tracks both high- and low-output pickups, and Pedal of the Day found it, unlike the original WR-3, won't get lost in the mix.
What does the Blend control do on the Wah Rocker?
The Blend control mixes filtered and unfiltered signal. TWA's version uses a continuously variable Blend control rather than the original's Blend switch, which the maker says allows for a much beefier bottom-end and a wider variety of tones. Premier Guitar's reviewer found the blend control's extreme transparency allowed very warm auto-wah sounds.
Sources (6)
- TWA Releases the WR-3 Wah Rocker Envelope Filter, Premier Guitar, 2016-03-25
- TWA WR-3 WAH ROCKER®, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- TWA Releases WR-3 Wah Rocker® Envelope Filter, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2016-03-30
- TWA WR-03 Wah Rocker® Envelope Filter, Pedal of the Day, 2016-05-04
- WR-3 wah rocker by Guyatone, RockBoard (rockboard.de), 2026
- TWA WR-3 Wah Rocker Review, Premier Guitar, 2016-10-02
David Torn
