TEST: Morley Kiko Loureiro Wah

 The signature instrument/product market has really changed in recent times, in line with the general music market development, away from the pure high-end elite name product to the average user trademark. What was reserved for a few real big names a few years ago, is nowadays also possible in the scene or local area.

It makes sense in any case, because internationally popular artists not only want to have their personal tonal taste implemented in their products, but also want to be rewarded in hard coin because of their advertising factor. The one or other marketing manager sits down and calculates exactly what the same artist costs and what he yields as additional profit for the company.

Winners of such economic considerations are artists like the Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, who got his own signature pedal designed by the traditional company Morley. In this country, only a few insiders know about bands like ANGRA, but the same combo has absolute headliner status in their home country and thus locally corresponding influxes.

Let's see what innovations the pedal has to show or whether it is possibly a compilation of already known Morley trademarks. In any case, the composition already seems familiar to me....


Construction

Green! (Oh what...) Not to say Nato-green. The visually striking pedal with lizard emblem will open doors for the Big Band of the German Armed Forces ;-) Joking aside, the pedal makes the same excellent impression in terms of workmanship at first glance as all Morley pedals of the current series. A solid folded sheet metal housing and screwed jack sockets suggest a long life.

Four soft rubber feet provide very good grip on smooth surfaces, in addition, two glued, ribbed plastic pads provide improved grip of the foot on the pedal. Construction-wise, it's a combination of a volume pedal, a wah-wah and a distortion pedal, strictly speaking, the basis of the pedal is identical to the Morley Distortion Wah Volume PDW II.


Via a buffered bypass, the applied signal is passed on virtually unchanged in sound when switched off. Via 2 massive switches together with operation LED you can activate the distortion or the wah-wah effect, whereby you can adjust the distortion to your personal taste by means of the standards Drive, Tone and Level. However, as always with Morley, the pots are very close to the housing and can be adjusted neither from above nor from the side by means of the shoe while playing.

Optionally, you can run the pedal on battery or an external 9V power supply. As always, the battery door used turns out a bit rustic due to its rivet-slide design, but thanks to Morley's standard "cable tie", it can't get lost. As always, this Morley pedal also comes without a gear linkage, rather a photocell together with light source and light barrier acts as an almost wear-free control variant inside the housing.


Practice

I have worked with Morley products many times in my life and must admit that I have always preferred the Morley wah-wah sound to the top dog Cry Baby, both in the studio and on stage. Not that the classic from Dunlop is in any way inferior, but Morley always had the tick'n more assertiveness with stronger distortions due to its more "clinical" sound.

The same effect also comes into play with this pedal. The very even control path offers a discreet, but still assertive sound over the entire range. In addition, due to the laterally placed On/Off switch, a boost variant can be implemented much easier in terms of solo sound than with the competition, where the sweet spot must first be found through trial and error.

In contrast to the wah-wah control path, the volume variant has been changed quite a bit in terms of uniformity. Almost the entire control range was "squeezed" into the last third of the pedal travel. With this design, manual tremolo effects are relatively easy to manage with your own foot, but the classic volume variant suffers a little.

Looping in a serial FX loop as a controllable master volume thus falls under the table, but a wah-wah and a distortion unit have no place behind the preamp anyway. But once you get used to the shortened control path and have adapted your playing style to the product, the unfamiliarity dissolves into pleasantness.

The integrated distortion unit, on the other hand, keeps you a bit more on your toes. The distortion unit, which already compresses very strongly at low gain values, initially wanted to make my life a bit more difficult with its very strong bass stroke. With increasing working time, however, the whole thing turned into a pleasant additional channel for the amp, if you are willing to screw with the tone control of your own amp.

From the approach, you should not expect a sensitive overdrive, rather the distortion turns out to be a moderate metal board or powerful hard rock push. But as said, the untreated bass range, combined with a powerful high-mid boost wants to be controlled. If you have this under control, however, the distortion also turns out to be a real enrichment. In addition, the distortion level can be controlled very nicely with the guitar's volume control.

The unprocessed low frequencies make the wah-wah interesting for bass players, by the way! A peculiarity which, to my knowledge, underlies many, if not all Morley pedals. I seem to remember seeing the then Metallica bassist Jason Newsted live with a Morley pedal. (what he did with it live, however, we better leave out.....;-)


Conclusion

With Kiko Loureiro, a Brazilian "local hero" has now come to Morley's honor. His signature wah, which is based on the Morley Distortion Wah Volume PDW II, proves to be a high-quality tool that once again lives up to the high Morley standard in terms of sound and workmanship.

To what extent the visually more striking, tuning modified, but constructionally similar variant is worth the 20% extra cost compared to the also very high quality PDW II, everyone should decide for themselves.

Additional Informations:

- Morley Pedals: Pioneers in Innovative Effects Pedals
Introduction Morley Pedals is a renowned company that has been at the forefront of the effects pedal industry for over four decades. Founded in the early 1970s, Morley Pedals has consistently produced high-quality, innovative, and reliable pedals that have become favorites among musicians across various genres. This comprehensive report aims to delve into the rich history, notable products, and impact of Morley Pedals on the music industry.
 
History and Background Morley Pedals was established in 1972 by brothers Raymond and Marvin Lubow in Los Angeles, California. The company quickly gained recognition for their unique and inventive approach to effects pedals. One of their earliest breakthroughs was the introduction of the Electro-Optical (Opti-Wah) Wah Pedal in 1975, which utilized optical components for smooth and precise control.

Notable Products and Innovations 3.1 Morley Wah Pedals Morley's range of Wah Pedals has become a hallmark of the brand. In addition to the Opti-Wah, they have developed numerous variations such as the Bad Horsie, Steve Vai Signature, and Power Wah, each with its distinct tonal characteristics and features. These pedals have gained popularity due to their robust construction, user-friendly designs, and exceptional sound quality.

3.2 Morley Volume Pedals Morley is also recognized for its exceptional line of Volume Pedals. The Volume Plus and Little Alligator are among their most iconic offerings, featuring electro-optical designs for precise and noise-free volume control. These pedals have become industry standards, trusted by countless guitarists and bassists worldwide.

3.3 Switchless Technology Morley Pedals was one of the first companies to introduce
switchless technology, eliminating the need for mechanical switches that are prone to wear and tear. The introduction of this technology simplified pedal operation and improved durability, ensuring consistent performance throughout extended use.

3.4 Dual Bass Wah In 2004, Morley released the Dual Bass Wah, the world's first bass-specific wah pedal. It was designed to cater specifically to the unique frequency range of bass guitars, providing a clear and musical wah effect. This innovation quickly gained popularity among bassists, solidifying Morley's reputation for meeting the diverse needs of musicians.

Impact on the Music Industry Morley Pedals has had a profound impact on the music industry. Their products have been embraced by a wide range of artists across genres, including renowned musicians such as Steve Vai, Mark Tremonti, Billy Sheehan, and Tom Morello, to name just a few. The distinctive sound and reliability of Morley Pedals have made them an integral part of countless live performances and studio recordings.

Furthermore, Morley's innovations in switchless technology and bass-specific effects have inspired other manufacturers to follow suit, leading to advancements in the overall effects pedal industry. Morley's commitment to quality and performance has set a benchmark for other companies to strive for, raising the standard for effects pedals in the market.
Conclusion Morley Pedals has firmly established itself as a pioneer and leader in the effects pedal industry. Through their dedication to innovation, high-quality craftsmanship, and commitment to meeting the needs of musicians, they have earned the trust and admiration of artists worldwide. With their extensive range of pedals and continued emphasis on technological advancements, Morley Pedals is set to remain at the forefront of the industry for years to come, providing musicians with the tools they need to create and perform their best.

- Wah Wah Pedals: A Comprehensive Exploration of a Timeless Effect

Introduction Wah Wah pedals have long been a staple in the world of electric guitar effects, renowned for their expressive and dynamic tonal capabilities. This comprehensive report aims to delve into the history, functionality, notable models, and the impact of Wah Wah pedals on the music industry.

Historical Development The Wah Wah pedal originated in the late 1960s and was initially created to mimic the sound of a muted trumpet. The first commercially successful Wah Wah pedal was the Vox Clyde McCoy Wah, introduced in 1967. It was named after the trumpet player Clyde McCoy, known for his expressive muted trumpet sound. The original Vox Wah Wah pedal featured a foot-controlled rocker mechanism that altered the filter circuit, producing the distinctive "wah" effect.

Functionality and Operation Wah Wah pedals are designed to alter the frequency response of an electric guitar's signal, creating a vocal-like "wah" sound. They achieve this effect by utilizing a variable bandpass filter controlled by the movement of the foot pedal. When the pedal is rocked forward, the filter emphasizes higher frequencies, resulting in a brighter and more treble-rich tone. Conversely, rocking the pedal backward emphasizes lower frequencies, producing a darker and more bass-heavy tone. The degree of the effect can be controlled by the player's foot movement, allowing for dynamic and expressive manipulation of the guitar's sound.

Notable Wah Wah Pedals
4.1 Vox V846 The Vox V846 is one of the most iconic Wah Wah pedals ever produced. Introduced in the late 1960s, it replicated the sound and design of the original Vox Clyde McCoy Wah. The V846 featured a simple yet rugged construction and became widely popular due to its warm and expressive sound.

4.2 Dunlop Cry Baby The Dunlop Cry Baby is another legendary Wah Wah pedal that has become synonymous with the effect itself. It gained widespread popularity in the 1970s and has remained a go-to choice for many guitarists. The Cry Baby has undergone various iterations over the years, offering different voicings and features, including signature models for renowned artists like Jimi Hendrix and Slash.

4.3 Morley Bad Horsie The Morley Bad Horsie Wah, introduced in the 1990s, revolutionized the world of Wah pedals with its switchless design. Players no longer needed to engage or disengage the pedal using a switch; instead, it was activated by simply rocking the pedal forward. This innovation provided seamless and immediate control over the Wah effect, making it a favorite among many guitarists.

Influence and Impact Wah Wah pedals have had a significant impact on the music industry, particularly in rock, blues, funk, and psychedelic genres. They have been embraced by countless guitarists, who have used the effect to add a unique and expressive element to their playing. Iconic guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Slash, and John Frusciante are known for their innovative and masterful use of the Wah Wah pedal, showcasing its versatility and ability to shape a player's signature sound.

The distinct "wah" sound has become an integral part of guitar solos, rhythm playing, and improvisations. It adds a vocal-like quality to the guitar's tone, allowing players to emulate the human voice and convey emotion through their instrument. The popularity and enduring presence of Wah Wah pedals have also led to the development of countless variations and improvements, further expanding the sonic possibilities for guitarists.
Conclusion Wah Wah pedals have solidified their place as an iconic and beloved effect in the world of electric guitar. From their humble beginnings in the late 1960s to the present day, Wah Wah pedals have continued to inspire and captivate guitarists with their expressive and versatile capabilities. With their ability to shape tone and add a unique character to a player's sound, Wah Wah pedals will undoubtedly remain a cherished tool for musicians, contributing to the ever-evolving landscape of music.