The Boss PW-3 is a Boss wah pedal, currently around $148.15. Close alternatives include the Emma DiscomBOBulator and the Morley Wah. It pairs well with the Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp and the Mesa Boogie Mark I.
Boss PW-3
Boss · pedal
The Boss PW-3 is a compact, all analog wah pedal that delivers professional wah tones in a rugged, space saving die cast chassis far smaller than a traditional wah. A slider switch toggles two voices: Vintage, which scoops the low end for a classic, squawky Hendrix and 1970s wah sweep, and Rich, which retains low end fullness for a fatter, more modern wah voice. The pedal action is long, smooth and responsive, with status LEDs on both sides for stage visibility. It suits funk, rock, blues and lead players who want a reliable, pedalboard friendly wah with both old school squawk and a fuller contemporary option, built to Boss durability standards at an accessible price.
- wah
- rich
- bass
- response
- modern
- responsive
- vintage
- tank
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Boss PW-3 is commonly used in
- Blues
- Funk
- Rock
- Soul
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Boss PW-3
Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp
Laney
26% matchLaney RB3 Richter Bass Amp's own mid-forward character is the real reason this is worth trying
Mesa Boogie Mark I
Mesa Boogie
25% matchWhat Mesa Boogie Mark I brings here leans toward bright — that's worth building a pairing around
Peavey 112-6 1x12
Peavey
tonal matchPeavey 112-6 1x12 fills in a scooped tone's missing mids with mid-forward drive
Roland Cube Street EX
Roland
tonal matchRoland Cube Street EX fills in a scooped tone's missing mids with mid-forward drive
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 212
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchGallien-Krueger Legacy 212 fills in a scooped tone's missing mids with mid-forward drive
Gibson Dual Falcon 20
Gibson
tonal matchGibson Dual Falcon 20 fills in a scooped tone's missing mids with mid-forward drive
Gallien-Krueger MB-212 II Bass Combo 500 watts
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchGallien-Krueger MB-212 II Bass Combo 500 watts fills in a scooped tone's missing mids with mid-forward drive
Orange Crush 12
Orange
tonal matchOrange Crush 12 fills in a scooped tone's missing mids with mid-forward drive
Pedals that stack with the Boss PW-3
Browne Amplification Gritador
Browne Amplification
25% matchWhat Browne Amplification Gritador brings here leans toward mid-forward — that's worth building a pairing around
Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer Classic
pedal
24% matchIbanez TS10 Tube Screamer Classic's own mid-forward character is the real reason this is worth trying
Catalinbread Epoch-Set
Catalinbread
9% matchRun Catalinbread Epoch-Set after Boss PW-3 in the signal chain, clear of Boss PW-3's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb
pedal
9% matchBoss RV-5 Digital Reverb's spring voice goes after Boss PW-3 in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Boss PW-3's own dynamic character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby 95Q
Cry Baby
tonal matchCry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby 95Q fills in a scooped tone's missing mids with mid-forward drive
Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby Standard GCB95
Cry Baby
tonal matchCry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby Standard GCB95 fills in a scooped tone's missing mids with mid-forward drive
Hotone Skyline Harmony Pitch Shifter/Harmonist
Hotone
tonal matchHotone Skyline Harmony Pitch Shifter/Harmonist fills in a scooped tone's missing mids with mid-forward drive
Ibanez PT EQ
Ibanez
tonal matchIbanez PT EQ fills in a scooped tone's missing mids with mid-forward drive
Cheaper alternatives
Morley 20/20 Classic Wah
Morley
71% similarityShared character: tank, players, wah
Dunlop Cry Baby
Dunlop
70% similarity“some players feel it lacks the vintage mojo and character of a classic Cry Baby despite its strong tone and value”
Dunlop Cry Baby GCB-95
Dunlop
69% similarityShared character: tank, wah, rich
Valeton SURGE-EP2
Valeton
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Electro-Harmonix Wailer Wah
Electro-Harmonix
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Emma DiscomBOBulator
pedal
69% similarityShared character: wah, response, analog
Morley Wah
Morley
68% similarityShared character: tank, players, wah
Vox V846HW Wah
pedal
68% similarityShared character: wah, smooth, vintage_charm
Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby Custom Badass GCB65
Cry Baby
68% similarityShared character: wah, blues_players
Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby Standard GCB95
Cry Baby
68% similarityShared character: players, wah, blues_players
Morley 20/20 Wah-Lock
Morley
67% similarityShared character: players, tank, wah
See all alternatives to the Boss PW-3 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Boss PW-3?+
The closest matches in character are the Emma DiscomBOBulator, the Morley Wah, the Vox V846HW Wah. Budget picks: Morley 20/20 Classic Wah, Dunlop Cry Baby, Dunlop Cry Baby GCB-95. Boutique upgrades: Morley MO PFW 2, Vox Vintage Wah, Morley Power Fuzz Wah.
What pairs well with the Boss PW-3?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp, Mesa Boogie Mark I, Peavey 112-6 1x12 — Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp's own mid-forward character is the real reason this is worth trying.
How much does the Boss PW-3 cost?+
Around $148.15 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).