Whau-Whau Distortion
The Meazzi Whau-Whau Distortion is a captivating relic from the golden age of Italian effects, blending a thick, harmonically-rich fuzz with a smooth, vocal-like wah that will transport your tone back to the psychedelic 60s. Crafted by the storied Caldironi Musica in Milan, this vintage pedal has a pedigree as distinctive as its sound, having been sold under various brand names like Goldsound, Cosmosound, and G.I.S. At the heart of the Whau-Whau lies a four-transistor fuzz circuit, often using the coveted ATES BC270 germanium devices that deliver a compressed, square-wave crunch with biting upper harmonics. Paired with this is an inductor-driven wah that provides a fluid, expressive sweep, its voice inspired by classic Vox and Jen Cry Baby designs. Flick the front-mounted mode switch and you can toggle between the wah alone or the fuzz-wah combo, unlocking a world of tonal versatility. The pedal's lightweight yet sturdy construction, with its molded plastic treadle and reinforced internal metal frame, belies the thoughtful craftsmanship inside - tropical fish capacitors, hand-wired connections, and a sliding battery compartment all contribute to its vintage Italian charm. Guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton were known to have used similar Italian effects in their rigs, and the Whau-Whau's ability to conjure that era-defining tone continues to captivate modern players seeking a truly unique fuzz-wah experience.
