In our previous article, we featured 5 BOSS Waza Craft pedals. These are Waza Craft versions of the most popular BOSS pedals, but BOSS didn’t stop there. In this article we’ll run down the rest of the Waza Craft line, which includes:
- MT-2W Metal Zone Pedal
- DC-2W Dimension C Pedal
- FZ-1W Fuzz Pedal
- TU-3W Chromatic Tuner Pedal
- VB-2W Vibrato Pedal
With the exception of the FZ-1W Fuzz, these are all Waza-level reissues of existing or vintage BOSS pedals. These pedals may be less well known than our first batch, but I think you’ll find that there are some sleepers in the bunch. To help you decide if the WAZA upgrade is worth it for you, we compared these BOSS WAZA pedals to see how they differ from their standard line pedals.
What Is Waza Craft?
BOSS Waza Craft pedals are the highest performance pedals that BOSS makes. They are designed to offer the highest level of quality and sound. BOSS equips all WAZA pedals with premium components and attention to detail, but that’s not the only thing that makes a WAZA pedal. In addition to being superior performing version of a standard pedal, WAZA Craft pedals also contain expanded features, in the form of switchable modes. This allows you to dial in new sounds on a familiar platform. In addition, many WAZA Craft pedals offer “true bypass” operation. All Waza pedals have a upgraded buffer circuitry. Some Waza pedals, such as the The TU-3W, (see below) offer a selectable buffer. This allows you to choose between the modern, quieter buffer, and the buffer sound that we’ve come to know from vintage BOSS pedals.
All WAZA pedals are more expensive than their standard counterparts. Part of this is due to the fact that WAZA Craft pedals are crafted in Japan.
BOSS Waza Craft Pedals (Part II)
BOSS MT-2W Waza Craft Metal Zone Pedal
The BOSS MT-2W Metal Zone Waza is a tribute to the original Metal Zone pedal launched in 1991. It’s not an overstatement to say that this small stomp box has been responsible for a generation of chugging metal sounds. There’s nothing “small” about the sound of this pedal. The Waza edition includes a premium buffer and dual Standard and Custom modes.
MT-2W WAZA vs. Standard MT-2
I have to be honest here and confess that I’m not a metal player per se, so my impressions of the MT-2W are limited. However, perhaps the most compelling aspect of the Metal Zone is that it’s not uncommon for non-metal guitarists to use it. It may be for the EQ, because the MT-2W has a 3-band EQ with up to 15dB boost/cut on each band, and a semi-parametric midrange that spans 200Hz to 5kHz. So while the Metal Zone excels at 90’s-era metal tones, when you factor in the tone shaping possibilities you start to understand its wider appeal. In fact, many guitarists use it as a pre-amp. The MT-2W also benefits from an upgraded buffer, which is welcome in combating noise in a high gain pedal.
BOSS DC-2W Waza Craft Dimension C Pedal
It’s not the 1980s, so do we really need another chorus pedal?! The Waza line already has a chorus pedal, the CE-2W, which we featured in our initial rundown of the Waza line. However, the DC-2W, has a specialty: stereo chorus. Instead of the typical Waza dual mode operation, the Dimension C Waza comes with 4 preset sounds, accessible via buttons on the top of the pedal. These presets represent ideal combinations of chorus modulation and speed, making it easy to dial-in top-shelf stereo chorus sounds.
DC-2W WAZA vs. Standard DC-2
The bonus mode is the Dimension D studio rack mount processor, accessible via a toggle switch under the preset buttons. Additionally, each of the 4 presets can be run through either Dimension C or Dimension D modes! Like all Waza pedals, the buffer has been upgraded to Waza standards. Finally, the Dimension C Waza benefits from premium components, which is particularly noticeable in modulation effects.
My personal favorite preset is the #1 setting, which has depth and sweetness with minimal modulation. The difference between the Dimension C DC-2W and the CE-2W Chorus is in the intensity of the effect. In fact, some would say the Dimension C isn’t really a chorus at all, but its own kind of modulation effect. Personally, I hear the Dimension C as a milder effect that candies up any tone, almost like a really mild flanging effect. The preset layout is perfect for this pedal, because you have completely dialed-in tones that are ready to go. With chorus this sweet, you run the risk of overuse, so try to keep it under control!
BOSS FZ-1W Waza Craft Fuzz Pedal
Unlike many pedals in the Waza line, This BOSS Waza FZ-1W fuzz pedal isn’t a reissue or upgrade to a pre-existing pedal. Instead, the FZ-1W was created from scratch as a vintage sounding pedal with modern features.
FZ-1W WAZA Features
Vintage fuzz pedals are notorious for their inconsistency, variation, and stability. The FZ-1W has two modes, Vintage and Modern, available via a toggle switch on the top of the pedal. Vintage mode offers a classic fuzz, saggy and rich in harmonics, and can get the famous “woman tone” with the tone reduced. The Modern mode fattens the tone and adds cut and presence.
The tone control on the FZ-1W is very reactive: in the bottom of the range, the tone is warm and muted, like a good vintage fuzz. At the midpoint (12:00 on the knob) the “buzzy” quality of fuzz emerges, and if you keep turning, the low-end decreases noticeably.
In many respects, Fuzz is a primitive effect, and many guitarists simply don’t know what to do with it. The key lies in the guitar’s volume control, and good Fuzz like the FZ-1W can go from slight overdrive to fuzzed out roar in the sweep of the volume knob. While many Fuzz pedals are one dimensional, the FZ-1W is a modern, multi-mode fuzz that rewards knob turning with an unusual number of different fuzz tones.
BOSS TU-3W Waza Craft Chromatic Tuner Pedal
A pedal-based tuner needs to do two things right: Be accurate, and not rob tone from the signal chain. This is why BOSS decided to adorn the humble standard TU-3 with a Waza badge. Naturally, the TU-3 is much loved and very popular. The Waza edition duplicates this popular pedal’s tuning functions, including support for drop tunings. The TU-3W’s buffer is selectable, offering the option of true-bypass operation.
TU-3W WAZA vs. Standard TU-3W
The best thing you can say about a tuner is that you don’t have to think of it. The standard TU-3 has proven itself a pedalboard staple. Like all Waza editions, the circuitry has been upgraded, which means that the TU-3 isn’t sucking tone out of your rig. As great as the standard TU-3 is, we think the TU-3w’s improved all-analog circuitry and selectable buffer makes the extra cost worth it.
BOSS VB-2W Waza Craft Vibrato Pedal
Any discussion of vintage effects should include Vibrato (note: Vibrato and Tremolo are not the same). Included onboard vintage Fenders, vibrato lends a pulsating pitch effect to your tone. Any question as to why BOSS felt the need to reissue their VB-2 pedal can be answered with a quick price check on Reverb.com, where vintage VB-2 pedals commanding $500 and up is not uncommon.
VB-2W Waza vs Standard VB-2
The VB-2W builds on the classic VB-2, offering everything from deep to shallow modulation. Adding shimmer to chords is how vibrato is commonly used. That said, you can get some pretty dramatic sounds with this pedal if you want. And, the VB-2w accepts an expression pedal for added control.
In our opinion, the used price of vintage VB-2 pedals justifies the VB-2W. The Waza VB-2w gives you everything the vintage pedal does, and more. It extends the classic sound with a new custom mode, which adds an additional filter wave.
For more information on BOSS Waza pedals, check out this article on the most popular BOSS Waza pedals.