JAM Pedals Wahcko MK2: TDK Inductor & New Bass Mode

Boutique Greek manufacturer JAM Pedals has officially unveiled the Wahcko MK2, a comprehensive overhaul of the flagship wah pedal that has graced the boards of legends like Steve Lukather, Nile Rodgers, and Mateus Asato since 2008.

Priced at £379.00, the fully analog Wahcko MK2 introduces a bold tonal shift, abandoning the original’s iconic red Fasel inductor for a custom-wound, vintage-inspired TDK-style inductor.

The MK2 iteration shows JAM Pedals is willing to take calculated risks with a nearly 20-year-old classic, carefully preserving the pedal's acclaimed six-position rotary sweep while adding advanced internal voicing options, dedicated bass compatibility, and rugged hardware upgrades.

Wahcko MK2 vs. Original Wahcko: What’s Changed?

Taking on an established classic requires finesse. While the original Wahcko is still available for purists, the MK2 introduces several key upgrades for modern rig integration and enhanced tonal tweaking.

The most noticeable physical upgrade is the switch from the slippery plexiglass footplate to a road-ready, non-slip rubber surface. Additionally, the MK2 retains the ability to mechanically adjust rocker-spring tension with the included 4mm Allen wrench, letting players dial in anything from a loose, rapid-fire flutter to a stiff, precise filter sweep.

Under the Hood: The TDK Inductor and Deep Editing

The Wahcko MK2's tonal heart is its custom JAM inductor. Modeled heavily after the revered TDK inductors Thomas Organ used in classic late-1960s Cry-Babies and U.S.-spec Vox V846 circuits, this new core component delivers a highly vocal, organic sweep. The TDK-style design inherently produces a throaty, authentic 1960s vintage flavor that responds dynamically to player pick attack.

Beyond the inductor, JAM Pedals has packed the MK2’s analog circuit with highly technical, user-adjustable parameters:

• Six-Position Rotary Sweep: Carried over from the original, this external switch selects between six distinct frequency ranges, instantly transforming the pedal from a dark, chunky rhythm filter to a piercing, high-end lead tool.
• Internal Q-Trimmer: A brand new addition for the MK2, allowing technicians and tone-chasers to manually widen or sharpen the intensity of the wah peak.
• Internal Input Gain Trimmer: Retained from V1, this allows players to perfectly match the pedal's input stage to high-output humbuckers or vintage-voiced single coils.
• Selectable Guitar/Bass Modes: By flipping the newly integrated internal DIP switches, players can drop the pedal's frequency response into a lower register, creating a dedicated Bass Wah without needing to purchase a separate unit.

Technical Specifications

For rig-builders and pedalboard planners, the Wahcko MK2 remains incredibly pedalboard-friendly despite its deep feature set. It runs on standard 9V DC center-negative power and draws an ultra-low 10mA, making it compatible with virtually any isolated power supply on the market.

• Circuit Type: 100% Analog
• Input Impedance: Approx. 70 kΩ
• Output Impedance: Approx. 10 kΩ
• Switching: True Bypass
• Dimensions: 25.7 x 12.5 x 7 cm
• Weight: 1.7 kg

One for the Wah Afficionados

I own a ridiculous amount of wah pedals (17 and counting), so this new release certainly piques my interest. JAM Pedals makes some beautiful-sounding effects pedals, and this new MK2 could be perfect for players who love the wah pedal and want something high-end, with a well-designed circuit and solid build quality.

By combining mid-century inductor technology with highly requested modern refinements like Q-control and dedicated bass switching, the Wahcko MK2 bridges the gap between vintage mojo and contemporary flexibility. It's a premium, stage-ready tone tool built for players who demand precise control over their filter sweeps.

If you are looking for a vintage-voiced wah with modern build quality, this is what you need, and we would highly recommend you check it out.

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