The MXR M120 Auto Q Wah is an MXR wah pedal, currently around $95.95. Close alternatives include the Vox V863CA Auto Wah and the Musitronics Mu-Tron III. It pairs well with the Marshall JVM410H and the Bad Cat Cub.
MXR M120 Auto Q Wah
MXR · pedal
The MXR Auto Q M120 is an envelope filter pedal that produces a dynamic, touch-responsive wah-like sweep triggered by playing intensity, with controls to tune sensitivity and range. It delivers funky, vocal filter textures hands-free, favored by funk and fusion players for expressive, dynamic auto-wah effects on guitar and bass.
What stands out
“A funky, dynamic envelope filter whose touch-responsive sweep tracks pick attack for expressive, vocal wah-like textures , with sensitivity and range controls for precise tuning”
— from the reviews
“It shines on funk and fusion rhythm and adds movement to leads on guitar and bass”
— from the reviews
“with controls to tune sensitivity and range”
— from the listing
“vocal filter textures -free”
— from the listing
“touch-responsive wah-like sweep triggered by playing intensity”
— from the listing
- envelope filter
- funk
- fusion
- sensitivity
- vocal
- responsive
- bass
- auto wah
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the MXR M120 Auto Q Wah is commonly used in
Amps that pair well with the MXR M120 Auto Q Wah
Marshall JVM410H
Marshall
21% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Marshall JVM410H's own pristine character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Bad Cat Cub
Bad Cat
19% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Bad Cat Cub's own harmonically rich character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a dynamic tone, Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II brings a pull toward compressed that's missing
Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a dynamic tone, Friedman Small Box 50W EL34 Amp Head brings a pull toward compressed that's missing
Ceriatone British Style 2525
Ceriatone
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Ceriatone British Style 2525 leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
Friedman PT-20
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a dynamic tone, Friedman PT-20 brings a pull toward compressed that's missing
Vox AC30S1 OneTwelve 30W 1x12 Combo
Vox
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Vox AC30S1 OneTwelve 30W 1x12 Combo leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
Friedman Pink Taco Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a dynamic tone, Friedman Pink Taco Head brings a pull toward compressed that's missing
Pedals that stack with the MXR M120 Auto Q Wah
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)
Airis Effects SPEC-Defier leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
Comes later in the signal chain
Cusack Music Tap-A-Fuzz
Cusack Music
22% matchRun mid-forward into Cusack Music Tap-A-Fuzz for more fuzzy on top
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.
Put JHS Lucky Cat Delay limited edition after MXR M120 Auto Q Wah in the signal chain, where it won't crowd MXR M120 Auto Q Wah — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Crazy Tube Circuits Splash
Crazy Tube Circuits
5% matchRun Crazy Tube Circuits Splash after MXR M120 Auto Q Wah in the signal chain, where it won't crowd MXR M120 Auto Q Wah — 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
MXR Badass Variac leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own
DigiTech DOD Compressor 280
Digitech
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a dynamic tone, DigiTech DOD Compressor 280 brings a pull toward compressed that's missing
DigiTech XBS Bass Squeeze
Digitech
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a dynamic tone, DigiTech XBS Bass Squeeze brings a pull toward compressed that's missing
Fairfield Circuitry 20% More
Fairfield Circuitry
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a dynamic tone, Fairfield Circuitry 20% More brings a pull toward compressed that's missing
Cheaper alternatives
Rocktron VII Deadly Sins Auto Wah
Rocktron
54% similarityShared character: sensitivity, filter, touch
Electro-Harmonix Micro Q-Tron
Electro-Harmonix
54% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, filter
Rocktron Reaction Dynamic Filter
Rocktron
53% similarityShared character: controls, vocal, filter
The Next Sound CH-05 Auto Wah
The Next Sound
53% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, filter
Electro-Harmonix Micro Q-Tron Envelope Filter
Electro-Harmonix
52% similarityShared character: sensitivity, wah, filter
Donner Dynamic wah
Donner
52% similarityShared character: sensitivity, wah, filter
Boutique & premium upgrades
Guyatone Wah Rocker WR3
pedal
63% similarityShared character: fusion, sensitivity, wah
Keeley Nova Wah
Keeley
59% similarityShared character: sensitivity, wah, filter
Keeley Neutrino V2
Keeley
53% similarityShared character: fusion, wah, vocal
Mad Professor Snow White
Mad Professor
52% similarityShared character: vocal, filter, pick attack
Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter
Ashdown
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Electro-Harmonix Riddle Q Balls
Electro-Harmonix
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Vox V863CA Auto Wah
Vox
70% similarityShared character: fusion, sensitivity, wah
Musitronics Mu-Tron III
Musitronics
67% similarityShared character: fusion, vocal, filter
Emma DiscomBOBulator
pedal
61% similarityShared character: controls, sensitivity, wah
Fender Pour Over Envelope Filter
Fender
55% similarityShared character: sensitivity, filter, pick attack
Keeley Neutrino
Keeley
53% similarityShared character: vocal, filter, pick attack
Guyatone WRm5 Wah Rocker
Guyatone
53% similarityShared character: fusion, wah, filter
See all alternatives to the MXR M120 Auto Q Wah (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR M120 Auto Q Wah?+
The closest matches in character are the Vox V863CA Auto Wah, the Musitronics Mu-Tron III, the Emma DiscomBOBulator. Budget picks: Rocktron VII Deadly Sins Auto Wah, Electro-Harmonix Micro Q-Tron, Rocktron Reaction Dynamic Filter. Boutique upgrades: Guyatone Wah Rocker WR3, Keeley Nova Wah, Keeley Neutrino V2.
What pairs well with the MXR M120 Auto Q Wah?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Marshall JVM410H, Bad Cat Cub, Mesa/Boogie Stiletto Deuce Stage II — Marshall JVM410H's own pristine character is the real reason this is worth trying.
How much does the MXR M120 Auto Q Wah cost?+
Around $95.95 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).
Compare
- vs DigiTech DOD Envelope Filter 440
- vs Smokin' Amp Co. Micro V Envelope Filter
- vs Ashdown Type 23 Three Band Filter