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Average Price: $194

High-end/Boutique

$80

$181+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Unleash the waves of distortion with the Caroline Guitar Company Wave Cannon MKI, your ultimate companion for creating a spectrum of sounds from a gentle crunch to a fierce distortion. This pedal is not just about adjusting your sound; it's about redefining it. With its intuitive controls and unique Havoc feature, you can explore new sonic territories. Whether you're looking to add a subtle texture or turn your guitar into a roaring beast, the Wave Cannon MKI stands ready to catapult your music into uncharted dimensions. Perfect for musicians who dare to push boundaries, this pedal invites you to twist, tweak, and turn your way to the perfect tone.

Key Features:

  • Versatile range of tones from mild crunch to extreme distortion
  • Controls for Volume, Gain, Focus (Mid), and Tone
  • Rumble switch for enhanced low-end presence
  • Havoc footswitch introduces unpredictable feedback for creative sound manipulation
  • Bypass footswitch for pure signal flow

Product specs

Brand Caroline Guitar Company
Model Wave Cannon
Year 2010 - 2014
Made In United States
Categories Distortion Pedals, Fuzz Pedals and Effects
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

What type of distortion tones can I expect from the Caroline Guitar Company Wave Cannon MKI?

The Wave Cannon MKI offers a versatile range of distortion tones, from subtle overdrive to aggressive fuzz, making it suitable for various rock and alternative styles. Its dynamic response allows for expressive playing, reacting well to guitar volume and picking intensity.

Does the Wave Cannon MKI work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?

Yes, the Wave Cannon MKI is designed to complement both single-coil and humbucker pickups, providing rich and articulate distortion tones across different guitar types.

Is the Caroline Guitar Company Wave Cannon MKI true bypass?

Yes, the Wave Cannon MKI features true bypass switching, ensuring that your guitar's tone remains unaffected when the pedal is not engaged.

Can the Wave Cannon MKI be powered by a standard 9V power supply?

Yes, the Wave Cannon MKI can be powered using a standard 9V DC power supply, making it compatible with most pedalboard power setups.

How does the Wave Cannon MKI compare to other distortion pedals by Caroline Guitar Company?

The Wave Cannon MKI is known for its broad tonal range and dynamic response, setting it apart from other Caroline pedals like the Haymaker, which focuses more on transparent overdrive. The Wave Cannon MKI is ideal for players seeking a versatile distortion pedal with fuzz-like capabilities.

Is the Wave Cannon MKI suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Wave Cannon MKI is well-suited for live performances, offering reliable construction and a wide range of tones that cut through the mix, making it a great choice for gigging musicians.

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Caroline Wave Cannon

Video thumbnail for Caroline Wave Cannon by ProGuitarShopDemos

Caroline Wave Cannon

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Video thumbnail for Caroline Guitar Company: WAVE CANNON (with PRS Studio and HIWATT SA212) by Brett Kingman

Caroline Guitar Company: WAVE CANNON (with PRS Studio and HIWATT SA212)

Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

Video thumbnail for Caroline Guitar Company Wave Cannon & Toneczar Echoczar Demo by David Fisher (tibbon)

Caroline Guitar Company Wave Cannon & Toneczar Echoczar Demo

David Fisher (tibbon)

David Fisher (tibbon)

Video thumbnail for Caroline Guitar Company Wave Cannon by JetCityMusic

Caroline Guitar Company Wave Cannon

JetCityMusic

JetCityMusic

Video thumbnail for Making a Caroline Wave Cannon by CarolineGuitarCo

Making a Caroline Wave Cannon

CarolineGuitarCo

CarolineGuitarCo

Video thumbnail for Caroline Wave Cannon - dreamed, designed and created in Columbia, SC by CarolineGuitarCo

Caroline Wave Cannon - dreamed, designed and created in Columbia, SC

CarolineGuitarCo

CarolineGuitarCo

Video thumbnail for Caroline Guitar Company - Wave Cannon Demo by EffectsBay

Caroline Guitar Company - Wave Cannon Demo

EffectsBay

EffectsBay

Video thumbnail for Caroline Wave Cannon by Mike Hermans

Caroline Wave Cannon

Mike Hermans

Mike Hermans

Video thumbnail for Caroline Wave Cannon w/ Mark Karan "rollbar" Mod by CarolineGuitarCo

Caroline Wave Cannon w/ Mark Karan "rollbar" Mod

CarolineGuitarCo

CarolineGuitarCo

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile: clean to extreme distortion, including fuzz and overdrive

  • Unique "Havoc" switch for chaotic oscillating tones

  • Responsive to pickup and volume changes

  • Authentic, emotionally resonant tone

  • High build quality with distinctive design

  • Pairs well with other pedals for expanded sounds

  • Offers both vintage and modern distortion shapes

  • Can get very loud without losing clarity

  • Always stands out in a mix, receiving compliments

CONS

  • "Havoc" mode might be too chaotic for some users

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Caroline Guitar Company Wave Cannon MKI.

Features and functionality

  • The "volts" knob diversifies textures, allowing for unique, gnarly distortion sounds and even self-oscillation effects when combined with the "havoc" control.

    Source
  • The Volts control on the Wave Cannon Zero allows for substantial compression control, with the lower voltage settings increasing compression.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The pedal excels in creating mid-gain crunch to high-gain fuzz and retains clarity when stacked with pre-dirt reverbs, making it versatile for various musical styles.

    Source
  • The Wave Cannon Zero expands on the original WC1 circuit, providing a broader dynamic range suitable for both distortion and overdrive, appealing to players seeking versatility.

    Source

Comparisons

  • While some believe the Wave Cannon lineage is based on a Rat circuit with enhanced low end, others mention the Wave Cannon MKII being inspired by an SD9.

    Source
  • The Wave Cannon Zero, while similar in distortion type to a Rat, is described as having its own unique character, offering more flexibility and overdrive capabilities.

    Source
  • It's noted that the Wave Cannon MKI and Cannonball are closer to Rat-style pedals, whereas the MKII aligns more with a Shredmaster's characteristics.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners appreciate the pedal's ability to stack well with mid-heavy drives like the SD-1, enhancing traditional distorted sounds.

    Source
  • Owners suggest that while the Wave Cannon MKII was more focused on distortion, the WC Zero provides a wider range of tones, potentially making it more appealing for varied playing styles.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
blacktron_one

Noisicians Best Buddy

A great pedal for both sides of the fence, the Caroline Wave Cannon Mk1 was the first pedal I bought without trying it out. Having watched as many videos as there are for it online, I was over the moon when it turned up and did exactly what I wanted. The drive is nice and cutting, and the shape knob lets you go from a tight OCD-ish drive to a woolier, more open, tightened Rat. Having the feedback loop side (Chaos mode) is great for when you're doing pop punk one night and musique concrete the next, and responds to pickup and volume changes well, doing all sorts of pitch drops and silliness. Great.

williamtcook

Fire Breathing Dragon

This pedal breaths fire. If you scare easy, don't touch it.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jason Isbell uses Caroline Guitar Company Wave Cannon MKI

Jason Isbell

Guitarist, Singer

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in Instagram posts dated September 27, 2014 and October 16, 2014 and mentioned in this June 21, 2015 Twitter reply. It was also mentioned by Isbell in his December 8, 2015 Premier Guitar Rig Rundown at 38:46, specifying its use on the solo of "Flying Over Water".

Instagram, October 16, 2014

My board changes a lot. Here's its current state.

Twitter, June 21, 2015

@Adrian_Reece Epiphone casino + Caroline wave cannon

YouTube, Premier Guitar, December 8, 2015, "Rig Rundown - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit"

What songs are you using the Pog on, just outta curiosity?

Um, it changes. Uh, let's see, on the solo from "Flying Over Water", I use it. In the studio I used a Caroline Wave Cannon, which has this switch that just goes berserk. I mean, it does all kinds of weird, glitchy noises that are still melodic, they're still, you know, they're the notes you're playing, but they're jumpin' octaves and you can control em' with your volume knob and you tone knob, unless you put a compressor in front of it, which then kills whatever filter that is. That pedal's... it's crazy, it's a mystery to me. I love that pedal, but since I kinda have to be able to turn knobs on it, I can't really take it out on the road, wouldn't use it too much.

M

Mark Karan

Guitarist

Ratdog

...
Verified via Archive

Featured in this February 19, 2011 Caroline Guitar Company artist profile. It later received a "rollbar" mod, as documented in this October 26, 2011 video.

Caroline Guitar Company website, February 19, 2011, "Artist Profile: Mark Karan (Bob Weir & Ratdog, Jemimah Puddleduck)"

It made our day to receive these messages from Mark. First: “JUST tried the cannon for the first time… and WOW! I was just messing it w/lo-gain settings to see about playing it for a radio broadcast tomorrow (80 stations, 250,000 listeners!), and… yes please. i’m pretty sure this will become a staple for me.”

Then several hours later: “The more I mess with the pedal, the more I like it! I started out looking for what is IMO the hardest task a pedal can be asked… feed a clean amp and create a believeable, good sounding & FEELING semi-dirty, pushed amp sound. It delivers. Then I started exploring the gainier settings and the voicing knob. I just love what this thing does. it is an amazingly musical and versatile pedal. All I can say is… yes please!”

YouTube, CarolineGuitarCo, October 16, 2011, "Caroline Wave Cannon w/ Mark Karan 'rollbar' Mod"

Our friend Mark Karan wanted us to install a retrofit part to prevent the knobs on his Wave Cannon from getting hit on his very tight pedalboard. So here it is, the "rollbar" mod.

It's easy enough for you to do, or if you are nervous, we can do it for you for $30 shipped back to you.

J

John Flannery

Guitarist, Drummer

...
Verified via Archive

Featured in this May 25, 2011 article from Caroline Guitar Company's official website.

John Flannery made our week with an awesome email: “I picked up one of your Wave Cannons and it’s working out great and I’m very impressed with it…I’m a full-time professional Composer/Producer/Musician/Engineer out here in LA and I’ve had just about every pedal out there and it’s rare when something comes along that I haven’t seen before. Killer pedal..keep up the great work.“

T

Taylor Barefoot

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Featured in this June 22, 2011 video, which showcases its use on Casey Desmond's "Mr Hot Box".

A demo of the Caroline Guitar Company's Wave Cannon overdrive pedal along with the fabulous Toneczar Echoczar delay pedal + Angelbaby.

Guitar is a Linhof Special and the amp is a Two Rock Custom Reverb Signature II.

The Two Rock is running to a Marshall 50th Anniversary 4x12, with a Royer R-121 and a SM-57 on the cab. No room mic. We used a Shadow Hills Gama 8 Preamp and a Lynx Aurora 16 to bring us into Protools HD. Cables interconnecting the pedals are from Mulder Audio.

Camera used is a Nikon D7000.

The song "Hot Bot" is courtesy of Casey Desmond. Check her out, she's incredibly awesome and Taylor plays guitar with her.

Album Usage

The Caroline Guitar Company Wave Cannon MKI has been featured on the following albums:

6 alternative and related items for Caroline Guitar Company Wave Cannon MKI, curated by the Equipboard community.

Caroline Guitar Company Cannonball
Vintage or Discontinued newer

The Cannonball replaced the Havoc switch's toggle with a footswitch and came with one of two random mods.

Our Cannonball™ pedals are the legacy of our original Wave Cannon™ v1 stompboxes. Each is a work of art, with the enclosure custom painted by a noteworthy artist and then specially wired by hand in our shop.

Each begins with the original version of our Wave Cannon® distortion circuit, but we put a couple special tweaks inside to make each pedal unlike any other. Then we load the Havoc switch, but this time we put it on a rugged latched or momentary footswitch that you can activate with your foot. Other mods may include a voltage sag for cool, “broken” sounds or a control to fine-tune the amount of feedback that Havoc will create. Most Cannonballs made since 2014 have a fifth mystery knob with one of those two functions.

Pro Co RAT

$280.00

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound
JHS Packrat

$208.00 - $249.00

newer similar sound cheaper alternative

Included as the "Caroline" mode. The mode's origins are discussed by Josh Scott in this October 29, 2021 product video at 29:35.

Moving on to the eighth mode, it's what I call the Friend mode. So, you're probably familiar with the lineage of this format. It started with in 2015 with a pedal called the Muffuletta and as you turn it, you get all these different, classic Big Muff pedals. Well, it has a JHS mode, right? Well, then we go on and we hit 2018 and I put out the Bonsai and, you'll notice there's a Keeley logo, so I was like "Hey, how do I up this?" [holds up Muffuleta] Well, let's get a friend involved and so we put Keeley's Tube Screamer mod in. So, for the PackRat I had to pick a friend, I have so many cool builder friends who have done things to the Rat, but my favorite is Philippe's version and this comes from 2010: Caroline Guitar Company's Wave Cannon. The version one, it's quite a bit different from what he does now. Now its has two footswitches and some extra features, check it out and go buy one and support him, but this version one's the first one I had. At the time I made a pedal or I was ending the production of a pedal called the All-American and we used to talk on the phone about these different variations and what we'd done with mods. So, one problem here obviously is it has four knobs and the PackRat has three so—well, three actual knobs and a mode knob, which you can't use to change the parameters of the circuit—so I ask him "Hey, can you do a three-knob version of this for the PackRat?" He's like "Absolutely." He sent me over a schematic that week and when you turn to that Caroline logo, you're getting this really cool custom, dare I say never before heard version of the version one. So like, his modification to trim down the settings and parameters of the version one.

Caroline Guitar Company Wave Cannon Zero

 

newer similar sound mod

The Wave Cannon Zero is described as return to form compared to the previous V2, being similarly based around the Rat circuit but with extra sag, gain, and feedback capability.

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