The Wilson Effects Rippah Wah ICAR Version is a wah pedal whose core circuit is based around the vintage Maestro Boomerang wah1. What separates the ICAR version from the rest of the Rippah line is its potentiometer: it carries a Wilson Effects vintage taper wah pot precisely modeled after a vintage ICAR taper pot, the kind of taper associated with classic wahs2. All of the tuning controls live inside the pedal, so you open it up, set the wah to taste, and leave it alone3.
The pedal also features a fuzz-friendly output buffer, which Wilson Effects says lets the wah work seamlessly with most fuzz and overdrive pedals and avoids the common impedance issues that make many wahs misbehave in front of a fuzz1.
A wah built on the Maestro Boomerang circuit
Wilson Effects describes the Rippah Wah as a faithful reproduction of the Maestro Boomerang wah, with all of the controls inside so you can set it and forget it3. The Boomerang circuit is the foundation of the whole Rippah family, which includes the Rippah Wah, the Rippah Wah Smooth Taper Version, and the Rippah Booster Wah ICAR Version, each built around the same vintage Maestro Boomerang circuit2.
The Rippah Wah line comes in two pot options, ICAR and Smooth Taper, and two finishes, the traditional Black Powder finish or a Brushed Aluminum finish3. The Brushed Aluminum Rippah Wah ICAR Taper Version was available for purchase as of October 19, 20264.
"The core circuit of the Rippah Wah is based around the vintage Maestero Boomerang wah."
The trimmers and DIP switch
Inside each Rippah Wah are three blue trimmers, or trim pots, adjustable with a small flathead or Phillips screwdriver, each tuning a different parameter of the wah1. Alongside them is a six position DIP switch on the main board that adjusts the Q position of the wah, from very subtle to very drastic changes; it ships with the stock setting, position one ON1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sweep trimmer | Controls the range of the sweep or depth. Broadens the spectrum and adds more throat, or thins it out to focus on upper and mid-range frequencies1 |
| Growl trimmer | Controls the amount of bass and gain, or growl, in the circuit. Turning it removes bass and gain for a smoother, funky feel. Ships set to the maximum1 |
| Boost trimmer | Overcomes volume loss at extreme Growl settings and can set the wah above unity gain to cut through the mix. Not intended to overdrive a clean amp1 |
| DIP Q switch | Six positions on the main board that adjust the Q position of the wah, from very subtle to very drastic. Ships with position one ON1 |
The Growl and Boost trimmers work as a pair. At extreme Growl settings the pedal can lose volume, and the Boost control was incorporated to let the user overcome that loss and set the wah above unity gain so it cuts through the mix; Wilson Effects notes it is not intended to overdrive a clean amp1.
The ICAR taper pot
The ICAR version's pot is a Wilson Effects vintage taper wah pot precisely modeled after a vintage ICAR taper pot2. In a wah, the pot's taper determines how the frequency sweep responds as the rocker moves through its travel, so a pot modeled on the vintage ICAR part gives the ICAR version a different feel from the Smooth Taper version, which uses Wilson Effects' own smooth taper pot243. Players who want that taper in other Wilson wahs can also find the Wilson ICAR Taper Wah Pot sold separately.
Fuzz, power and buying
The fuzz-friendly output buffer is the feature that makes the Rippah Wah practical on a board with a fuzz. Wilson Effects says it ensures seamless integration with fuzz and overdrive pedals, avoiding common impedance issues3.
Power comes from a regulated 9VDC supply with a 2.1mm center negative plug, or a high quality 9VDC battery1. The pedal carries Wilson Effects' standard one-year warranty on parts and labor, ships via USPS Priority Mail, and returns are accepted within 7 days of receiving it, with shipping costs not refunded and return shipping the customer's responsibility1.
The list price of $185.00 applies to the Rippah Wah ICAR Version as listed by Wilson Effects on October 26, 20261. The Brushed Aluminum ICAR Taper finish is a separate product page4.
Videos
Wilson Effects
Questions
What does the Growl trimmer do on the Wilson Rippah Wah?
The Growl trimmer is an internal control that sets the amount of bass and gain, or growl, in the circuit. Turning it removes bass and gain for a smoother, funkier feel. It ships set to the maximum as the stock setting, and it is adjusted with a small flathead or Phillips screwdriver.
What is an ICAR taper pot in a wah?
An ICAR taper pot is a wah potentiometer whose taper, the way resistance changes as the rocker moves, follows the pattern of vintage ICAR pots used in classic wahs. Wilson Effects makes a vintage taper wah pot precisely modeled after a vintage ICAR taper pot, and the ICAR version of the Rippah Wah uses it.
Does the Rippah Wah run on a battery?
Yes. Wilson Effects says the Rippah Wah is powered by a high quality 9VDC battery or a regulated 9VDC 2.1mm center negative power supply. The related Rippah Booster Wah pages describe the battery option as a high quality alkaline battery.
What power supply does the Wilson Effects Rippah Wah need?
A regulated 9VDC supply with a 2.1mm center negative plug, the same standard used by most modern pedals. A high quality 9VDC battery works as an alternative.
Can the Rippah Wah be used with a fuzz?
Yes. The pedal has a fuzz-friendly output buffer that Wilson Effects says allows the wah to work seamlessly with most fuzz and overdrive pedals, avoiding the common impedance issues that make many wahs behave badly in front of a fuzz.
Sources (4)
- Rippah Wah ICAR Version, Wilson Effects
- Rippah Booster Wah, Wilson Effects
- Rippah Wah, Wilson Effects
- Brushed Aluminum Rippah Wah ICAR Taper Version, Wilson Effects, 2026-10-19
