The Way Huge Smalls Aqua-Puss Analog Delay (model WM71) is a compact delay pedal that puts the Aqua-Puss Analog Delay MkIII circuit in a small Way Huge Smalls housing1. Way Huge describes it as delivering smooth vintage delay tones and tape-based echo with 20ms to 300ms of delay time, and says the pedal is famous for its bright, jangly repeats and wonderfully straightforward operation1. It is aimed at players who want tone-thickening and old school slap-back without giving up much pedalboard space21.
Controls and sound
The Aqua-Puss keeps its control set simple, in keeping with its reputation for straightforward operation1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Blend | Sets a balance between dry and delay signals, from mild to wild1 |
| Feedback | Regulates delay duration and intensity; extreme settings can cause self-oscillation1 |
The Feedback knob deserves a note. Way Huge's own description warns that extreme settings are known to throw the pedal into wild, space-and-time-warping self-oscillation1. For slap-back and short echo that is a hazard to avoid; for players chasing runaway, oscillating repeats it is a feature to dial in on purpose.
With 20ms to 300ms of delay time on tap, the pedal sits firmly in vintage territory12. Short settings give tone-thickening and old school slap-back2, while the top of the range reaches a quarter second of repeats, enough for slower echo parts but well short of what a digital delay offers.
Power options
The pedal can be powered by a 9-volt battery, a Dunlop ECB003 9-volt adapter, or the DC Brick, Iso-Brick, and Mini Iso-Brick power supplies, none of which are included1. Guitar World's review of the Smalls line confirms the same arrangement across the series: a single 9-volt battery or a 9-volt AC adapter4.
The external power options (ECB003 adapter and the Brick power supplies) are sold separately, so a 9-volt battery is the only power source in the box1.
How it compares to the original Aqua-Puss
Guitar World's Paul Riario reviewed the Smalls Aqua-Puss alongside the Smalls Blue Hippo chorus and Smalls Russian Pickle fuzz, and he came to the pedal as an owner of the original Aqua-Puss stompbox34. His verdict on the Smalls version:
"I actually own and use the original Aqua-Puss stompbox, and after spending some time with the Smalls Aqua-Puss, I swapped my original for the Smalls version to free up room on my pedalboard."
Riario, who owns and uses the original Aqua-Puss stompbox, replaced it with the Smalls version to free up room on his pedalboard4.
In other words, the Smalls version is the same circuit and sound in a smaller box, which is the whole point of the Way Huge Smalls housing: all of that wholesome goodness in a housing your pedalboard will love you for12. Players comparing the family can also look at the Way Huge Aqua-Puss Analog Delay MkIII, the Way Huge Aqua-Puss MkII, and the feature-expanded Way Huge Supa-Puss, or the Way Huge Echo-Puss, which adds modulation.
Repair and parts
Dunlop offers electronic parts for the Aqua-Puss for sale, and the parts listing states that installation or repair should be performed by a qualified technician if the buyer does not have experience installing electronic parts. A warranty information section appears on the same page5.
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Questions
Is the Aqua-Puss Smalls true bypass?
Yes. Guitar World's review of the Smalls series confirms the Aqua-Puss is true bypass, so with the pedal off your dry signal passes without active buffering. It shares this trait with the other pedals in the Smalls line.
Does the Aqua-Puss Smalls run on a battery?
Yes. It can be powered by a 9-volt battery, a Dunlop ECB003 9-volt adapter, or Dunlop's DC Brick, Iso-Brick, and Mini Iso-Brick power supplies. None of the external power options are included with the pedal, so a battery is the out-of-the-box option.
How long is the delay time on the Aqua-Puss?
The delay time runs from 20ms to 300ms. That range puts it in old school territory: short settings give tone-thickening and slap-back, while the top of the range reaches a quarter second of repeats, enough for slower echo parts but not long ambient delays.
Is the Smalls Aqua-Puss the same as the original Aqua-Puss?
According to Guitar World reviewer Paul Riario, who owned the original, it is exactly the same in sound. He swapped his original for the Smalls version purely to free up pedalboard room, describing both as a warm and defined analog delay.
Can the Aqua-Puss self-oscillate?
Yes. Way Huge warns that the Feedback control regulates delay duration and intensity, and that extreme settings are known to throw the pedal into wild self-oscillation. Players who want runaway, spacey repeats can dial that in on purpose.
Is the Aqua-Puss analog or digital?
It is an analog delay. Way Huge describes it as delivering smooth vintage delay tones and tape-based echo, and it is known for bright, jangly repeats rather than the cleaner, longer repeats of a digital delay.
Sources (5)
- WAY HUGE® SMALLS™ AQUA-PUSS™ ANALOG DELAY, Jim Dunlop (jimdunlop.com)
- NAMM 2018: Dunlop launches Sugar Drive, announces mini versions of classic MXR and Way Huge pedals, MusicRadar, 2018-01-31
- WAY HUGE® ECHO-PUSS™ ANALOG DELAY, Jim Dunlop (jimdunlop.com)
- Review: Way Huge Smalls Aqua-Puss Delay, Smalls Blue Hippo Chorus and Smalls Russian Pickle Fuzz, Guitar World, 2018-07-02
- WAY HUGE® SMALLS™ AQUA-PUSS™ ANALOG DELAY, Jim Dunlop (jimdunlop.com)
