The Xotic Wah XW-1 is a wah pedal, and it was the first wah from the US effects maker Xotic1. Where a basic wah gives you one fixed voice, the XW-1 is built to be shaped: Xotic describes it as giving "unlimited sounds with unique controls that shape and contour your sound" and calls it one of the most versatile wah pedals available today2. Under the treadle it is a recreation of a specific vintage circuit, the Italian-built Clyde McCoy wahs of 1967 and 1968 that players and collectors treat as the reference point for the effect23.
A wah built on the Holy Grail Clyde McCoy sound
Xotic says the XW-1 is "modeled based on the Holy Grail wah, 1967-1968 Italian-built Clyde McCoy Wahs"254. Vintage Guitar, reporting on the pedal's announcement in November 2014, put it the same way: the XW-1 "was inspired by the late-'60s Clyde McCoy wah built in Italy"3. Guitar World's Paul Riario explains why that particular wah carries weight: "For many wah enthusiasts, Clyde McCoy wahs are considered the 'Holy Grail'"7. The manual adds that the pedal uses a custom wound inductor, pot and circuit intended to capture the essence of the vintage Clyde McCoy8.
For a player, that lineage means the starting point is the vocal, mid-focused sweep associated with the classic Italian wahs rather than a modern, wide-range filter. What separates the XW-1 from a vintage unit or a straight reissue is everything Xotic built around that core, which is where the pedal earned its reputation. Guitar.com's Simon Bradley, reviewing it in September 2016, concluded629:
"pricey though the XW-1 is, the resultant versatility puts it right up there with the very best wahs on the market today."
That review listed the UK price at the time as £2871. Delicious Audio has also called the XW-1 "a top-notch wah based on the original 1967-68 Clyde McCoy"9.
The controls
The XW-1 puts its main controls on the side panel, with further adjustments inside the pedal. Four knobs handle the voicing3:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Wah Q | Adjusts the Q, the width of the filter peak, which in practical terms sets how much wah effect you get; Xotic says it enables precise filter shaping for vocal-like effects4 |
| Bias | Turning it up gives slightly more output, firmer bass and a more pronounced wah through the sweep; a cold bias, common on vintage wahs, gives a clearer, more transparent, smoother voice45 |
| Treble | +/-15 dB center-detent potentiometer, part of a two-band EQ for matching the pedal to your playing style and gear410 |
| Bass | +/-15 dB center-detent potentiometer, the other half of the two-band EQ410 |
MusicRadar's wah buying guide highlighted the EQ range as a key feature, noting "the EQ knobs offering up to 15dB of boost or cut"11.
Inside the pedal there are two more adjustments:
- Input gain trimmer: adds up to +6dB of wah boost when turned clockwise, but only when DIP switch number 2 is activated6.
- Internal DIP switches: control the wah's resonance frequency range, shifting where the sweep sits43.
- Adjustable rubber stopper: a rubber bumper on the backside bottom of the treadle that can be shimmed to adjust the pedal's travel range6.
The pedal is switched by a treadle-operated on/off footswitch, with mono 1/4-inch input and output jacks1.
Power and connections
The XW-1's power consumption is listed by Xotic as 9VDC at 5mA25. Guitar.com's review described it as running on an optional 10mA/9V DC supply1, so the two figures differ. When an external power supply is used, the battery is disconnected from the circuit2.
It also takes a battery: one 9V 006P12. Two things worth knowing:
When an external power supply is plugged in, the battery is disconnected from the circuit, and unplugging the input jack when the pedal will sit unused for a long period extends battery life25.
In terms of size, the XW-1 is not a large pedal by wah standards. Guitar.com measured its footprint at 210cm2 against 257cm2 for a Vox V8471. Nominal output level is -20 dBV4, and Xotic warrants the pedal for one year against defective parts or faulty workmanship for the original owner, with the warranty voided by tampering, unauthorized service or modifications46.
How it differs from the XW-2
In September 2024 Xotic released the Xotic XW-2, and the two pedals are closely related. MusicRadar reported that "The XW-2 is not a million miles away from its predecessor, the XW-1, in terms of tone or design"13. The XW-2 is also built on the 1967-1968 Italian Clyde McCoy circuit14.
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Questions
Is the Xotic XW-1 true bypass?
Yes. Xotic's manual says the XW-1 uses a relay switch for true bypass switching, and the product listing describes it as true bypass. Vintage Guitar's announcement also noted true-bypass switching via a gold contact relay, so the signal passes through untouched when the pedal is off.
Does the Xotic Wah XW-1 run on a battery?
Yes. It takes one 9V 006P battery, reached by removing the bottom plate, which is held by four screws at the rubber feet. Unplugging the input jack when the pedal is not in use extends battery life, and plugging in an external power supply disconnects the battery from the circuit.
What polarity does the Xotic XW-1 power supply need?
The DC jack is 2.1mm x 5.5mm, 9V DC, negative center. Xotic's product page also lists an operating range of 9VDC to 18VDC with negative tips and recommends a regulated supply. Power consumption is listed as 9VDC at 5mA by the maker, though Guitar.com's review cited a 10mA supply.
What do the DIP switches on the Xotic XW-1 do?
The internal DIP switches control the wah's resonance frequency range, letting you shift where the sweep sits. The manual also notes that the input gain trimmer, which adds up to +6dB of wah boost, is only active when the number 2 DIP switch is turned on.
How is the Xotic XW-1 different from the XW-2?
The XW-2, announced in September 2024, is a streamlined version of the XW-1 that drops the four side-panel knobs, according to Delicious Audio. MusicRadar reported that the XW-2 is not far from the XW-1 in tone or design, so the main difference is the XW-1's external control set and larger footprint.
Sources (14)
- Xotic Wah XW-1 review, Guitar.com, 2016-09-05
- Xotic Wah, Xotic California (xotic.us)
- Xotic Effects Offers XW-1 Wah, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2014-11-10
- XW-1 Wah Pedal White, Xotic
- Wah Manual_back web copy, Xotic Effects USA, 2025
- Wah Manual_back web copy, Xotic Effects, 2023
- Xotic XW-2 Wah, Guitar World, 2024-04-10
- XW-2LE Manual_front, Xotic Effects, 2023
- Xotic XW-2 Wah, Delicious Audio, 2024-09-11
- The 7 Best Fuzz Friendly Wah Pedals In 2022, Delicious Audio, 2020-05-29
- Best wah pedals: Add extra expression to your sound, MusicRadar, 2020-09-20
- XW-2 Wah, Xotic California
- “Incredibly musical and vocal… the way it was always supposed to be”: Xotic Effects unveils the XW-2 in metallic blue, MusicRadar, 2024-09-02
- XW-2 Candy Apple Red Limited Edition, Xotic California
