Morley Pro Series Wah (PWA)
What it is
The PWA is a wah pedal from Morley's Pro Series. According to the manufacturer's owner's manual, it uses a light-emitting diode shining on a light-dependent resistor, with a shutter between them controlling the light. The manual states this is intended to give smooth control without the noise it attributes to potentiometer-controlled pedals. It has a single WAH level knob, which the manual says sets output level only and does not change the sweep or range. The manual says the pedal is not intended for use in an effects loop. The manual says the series keeps the full, wide-bandwidth sound of earlier Morley wahs while adding more reactive response. The manufacturer describes it as the best wah pedal made, a claim I found no independent source confirming. Information on the PWA-SS silent-switching variant could not be verified.
Specifications
- Power
- 9-volt battery, or Morley 9 VDC 300 mA regulated adapter (center pin negative)
- Current draw
- 5 mA at 9 VDC
- Weight
- 2.9 lb / 1.32 kg
- Indicator
- Red LED above the WAH switch: lit when wah is on, off when bypassed
- Inputs/outputs
- One 1/4 inch input (IN) and one 1/4 inch output (OUT)
- Warranty
- Two years from purchase, per the manual
How it's used
The manual says the pedal can make a guitar sound like it talks and sings, in styles similar to 1960s and early 1970s players such as Hendrix and Clapton. The sources describe it for guitar. I found no source stating the PWA is intended for bass. The manual gives a general recommendation for placing the wah among other effects, but the recommended order was not in the text I extracted.
Suggested usage
Use the correct power supply
Use only Morley's 9 VDC 300 mA regulated adapter. The manual says a non-regulated adapter can cause low-frequency hum in the amplifier and may damage the pedal.
Use a fresh battery
If running on battery, use a good-quality alkaline battery. The manual says a weak battery weakens the wah and can add distortion.
Disconnect when not in use
Unplug the cord from the input when the pedal is not in use to save battery. For long periods of storage, remove the battery or replace it about every six months to prevent leakage.
Check battery polarity
Check polarity before inserting a new battery. The battery door fits tightly by design to prevent rattling.
Seat cables fully
Cords fit tightly into the jacks. Make sure they are fully seated for the best results.