The Boss AW-3 is a Boss wah pedal, currently around $117.48. Close alternatives include the MXR 105Q Crybaby Bass Wah and the Dunlop Low Rider. It pairs well with the Ampeg RB-110 and the Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II.
Boss AW-3
Boss · pedal
The Boss AW-3 Dynamic Wah is an envelope filter pedal delivering automatic wah effects triggered by picking attack. Features a Humanizer mode that produces vowel-sound vocal-style filtering in addition to standard dynamic wah. Includes a dedicated Bass input for bass guitar use. Controls include Sens, Range, Manual, and Mode selector. Suited for funk, soul, R&B, and expressive rock and bass playing where touch-sensitive wah character is desired without a foot-rocker pedal.
What stands out
“Features a Humanizer mode that produces vowel-sound vocal-style filtering in addition to standard dynamic wah”
— from the listing
“Suited for funk, soul, R&B, and expressive rock and bass playing where touch-sensitive wah character is desired”
— from the listing
“Its standout weakness is that envelope-based wah can be difficult to calibrate for players with very light or very heavy picking attack”
— from the community notes
“The AW-3 produces a wide range of envelope-filter wah textures from classic touch-sensitive wah sweeps to vowel-like humanizer sounds that can make guitar or bass sound almost vocal”
— from the community notes
“The Boss AW-3 Dynamic Wah is an envelope filter pedal delivering automatic wah effects triggered by picking attack”
— from the listing
- wah
- touch
- attack
- vocal
- bass
- envelope filter
- dynamic
- vowel
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the Boss AW-3 is commonly used in
Amps that pair well with the Boss AW-3
Ampeg RB-110
Ampeg
12% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Ampeg RB-110 leans toward gritty, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
Ceriatone British Style 2525
Ceriatone
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a dynamic tone, Ceriatone British Style 2525 brings a pull toward compressed that's missing
Friedman PT-20
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Friedman PT-20 leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
Vox AC30S1 OneTwelve 30W 1x12 Combo
Vox
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a dynamic tone, Vox AC30S1 OneTwelve 30W 1x12 Combo brings a pull toward compressed that's missing
Friedman Pink Taco Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Friedman Pink Taco Head leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
Fryette Power Station 100
Fryette
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Fryette Power Station 100 leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
Pedals that stack with the Boss AW-3
Airis Effects SPEC-Defier
Airis Effects
22% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Into a dynamic tone, Airis Effects SPEC-Defier brings a pull toward compressed that's missing
Comes later in the signal chain
Cusack Music Tap-A-Fuzz
Cusack Music
22% matchCusack Music Tap-A-Fuzz layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Comes later in the signal chain
JHS Lucky Cat Delay limited edition
JHS Pedals
10% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
JHS Lucky Cat Delay limited edition's pristine voice goes after Boss AW-3 in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Boss AW-3's own dynamic character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Walrus Audio Bellwether Stereo Analog Delay
Walrus Audio
5% matchKeep Walrus Audio Bellwether Stereo Analog Delay after Boss AW-3 in the signal chain, where it won't crowd Boss AW-3 — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
MXR Badass Variac
MXR
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a dynamic tone, MXR Badass Variac brings a pull toward compressed that's missing
DigiTech DOD Compressor 280
Digitech
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
DigiTech DOD Compressor 280 leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
DigiTech XBS Bass Squeeze
Digitech
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
DigiTech XBS Bass Squeeze leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
Fairfield Circuitry 20% More
Fairfield Circuitry
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Fairfield Circuitry 20% More leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Mission Engineering ReWah Pro Bass
Mission Engineering
58% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, filter
MXR M82 Bass Envelope Filter
MXR
52% similarityShared character: vocal, filter, touch
Electro-Harmonix Enigma Analogue Bass Envelope Filter
Electro-Harmonix
50% similarityShared character: bass, soul, filter
Similar character
See all alternatives to the Boss AW-3 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Boss AW-3?+
The closest matches in character are the MXR 105Q Crybaby Bass Wah, the Dunlop Low Rider, the Dr. Green Doctors Note Bass Envelope Filter. Budget picks: Dr. Green Doctors Note Bass Envelope Filter, Mooer Bass Sweeper. Boutique upgrades: Mission Engineering ReWah Pro Bass, MXR M82 Bass Envelope Filter, Electro-Harmonix Enigma Analogue Bass Envelope Filter.
What pairs well with the Boss AW-3?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Ampeg RB-110, Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II, Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head — Ampeg RB-110 leans toward gritty, and that's a real, usable character to pair with.
How much does the Boss AW-3 cost?+
Around $117.48 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).