Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $278
High-end/Boutique
$70
$201+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 7 merchants for "DigiTech Bass Whammy". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash your creativity with the DigiTech Bass Whammy, a pitch-shifting pedal that has been optimized specifically for the bass guitar. Harnessing the power of advanced pitch detection and polyphonic note-tracking, this pedal offers a rich and dynamic range of effects that can take your bass playing to new heights...or depths!
The DigiTech Bass Whammy boasts two distinct tracking modes: Classic and Chord. The Classic mode delivers the raw, glitchy pitch effects reminiscent of the original Whammy, while the Chord mode introduces a more precise and smooth pitch shift effect, thanks to its advanced polyphonic tracking algorithms. Beyond these, you can explore nine different expressive modes to shift and slide your notes at various musical intervals.
Whether you're looking to recreate the shift glitch effects from the original Whammy, play a lead line two octaves higher or drop your bass an octave lower, this pedal has got you covered. What's more, it's true bypass, MIDI controllable, and powered by a 9V DC supply - making it a breeze to integrate into your existing pedal board.
Key Features:
- Optimized for electric bass guitar
- Advanced pitch detection and polyphonic note-tracking technology
- Two tracking modes: Classic and Chord
- Nine different expressive modes for shifting and sliding notes
- True bypass for pure, uncolored sound when not in use
- MIDI controllable for added versatility
- Powered by 9V DC power supply (included)
Owner's manual
DigiTech Bass Whammy User ManualProduct specs
| Pedal Type | Pitch Shift, Harmony |
| Analog/Digital | Digital |
| Effects | 9 x Harmony Modes, 10 x Pitch Modes |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Outputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| MIDI I/O | In |
| True Bypass | Yes |
| Power Source | 9V DC power supply required (included) |
| Height | 2.5" |
| Width | 6.3" |
| Depth | 8" |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs. |
FAQs
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What types of effects does the DigiTech Bass Whammy offer?
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The DigiTech Bass Whammy provides 9 harmony modes and 10 pitch modes, allowing for a wide range of pitch-shifting and harmonizing effects tailored specifically for bass guitars.
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Is the DigiTech Bass Whammy compatible with MIDI controllers?
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Yes, the DigiTech Bass Whammy features a MIDI input, enabling integration with MIDI controllers for more versatile control during performances or recording sessions.
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Does the DigiTech Bass Whammy require a specific power supply?
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The pedal requires a 9V DC power supply, which is included with the purchase, ensuring you have the necessary power to operate it right out of the box.
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Can the DigiTech Bass Whammy be used with other pedals in my signal chain?
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Yes, the DigiTech Bass Whammy features true bypass, ensuring that your signal remains unaffected when the pedal is not engaged, making it compatible with other pedals in your setup.
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Is the DigiTech Bass Whammy suitable for live performances?
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With its robust build and true bypass, the DigiTech Bass Whammy is well-suited for live performances, offering reliable pitch-shifting and harmony effects that enhance your bass sound on stage.
Videos
Sweetwater
DigiTech Bass Whammy Pedal Demo - Sweetwater Sound
Reviews
PROS
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Superior tracking quality, especially on octave down settings
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Offers a wide range of harmonies and pitch-shifting effects
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Enhances arrangements with easily controlled harmonies and pitches via expression pedal
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Retains lower register better than comparable guitar versions, especially in octaves up settings
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Encourages creativity and exploration of new musical ideas
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Solid build quality and well-designed for durability
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Works well with other effects, adding versatility to bass tones
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Can emulate a bass whammy bar effect without hardware modifications
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Polyphonic settings allow for complex and creative soundscapes
CONS
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May require recalibration of the expression pedal occasionally
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Some units may have slight pitch accuracy issues on specific settings
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Power-hungry, requiring a robust power supply unit (PSU) with enough capacity
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Takes up significant space on a pedalboard
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Changing settings via the rotary dial can be cumbersome in live settings
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Can sound "too much" if not used judiciously, requiring careful blending
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about DigiTech Bass Whammy.
User experience
Value and pricing
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The Bass Whammy once reached over $800 on resale markets due to its association with Justin Chancellor and previous discontinuation.
Source
Features and functionality
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The Bass Whammy includes a detune deep setting that reveals a hidden chorus effect, offering unexpected versatility beyond pitch shifting.
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The polyphonic harmonizing feature of the Bass Whammy is praised for its impressive sound quality, especially for complex musical arrangements like those of Snarky Puppy.
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Comparisons
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The DigiTech Ricochet lacks expression pedal input, which is crucial for achieving the authentic Whammy effect that defines the Bass Whammy experience.
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Use cases and applications
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Essential for replicating Tool’s sound, it's also used for slow bass divebombs and octave up see-saws, expanding its use beyond prog metal.
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Although seen as a "fun" pedal, its utility in a band setting can be limited unless you're specifically covering Tool or similar music.
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The Bass Whammy excels as an octave pedal, ideal for genres like jam bands (akin to Phish) and funk, highlighted by Bootsy Collins' usage.
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Watching Kristian Dunn of El Ten Eleven provides creative inspiration for utilizing the Bass Whammy in live looping setups.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 42 Ratings
184
A big pedal with a big sound
Yes, it does take up rather a lot of real estate on my pedalboard but, I like this one a lot and I'm so glad Digitech decided to update and re-release it. Good, solid build quality and great for octave, fifth, etc. sounds (although I'm not mad keen on the 'divebomb' effect - I reckon my Zoom B2.1u sounds smoother for that sort of thing). The chorus effect is surprisingly lush too...
144
A must have gear
The polyfonic settings are awesome and pitch controls are very userful to be creative in various songs and weirdo things you want
Artist usage
Add artist
This video from DunlopTV features the guitar tech of TOOL's longest acting bassist, Justin Chancellor. As he runs through some of the pedals within Chancellor's pedal board, we see that the over-all board is in 3 sections. On the right of the center section is probably the most iconic pedal in Chancellor's collection.
The DigiTech Bass Whammy (First Generation) is a rare pedal and likely due to the popularity brought to it by famous TOOL songs such as Forty-Six & 2, Schism, Right in Two, Jambi, 3rd Eye, Lateralus, Eulogy, and many more where this pedal us used in major ways.
In this photo, featuring Yvette Young and the pedals she used for her latest album, the DigiTech Bass Whammy can be spotted on her board.
Can be seen on Jeff's pedal board at http://giventowail.com/site/img/gear/jeff/jeff_board.jpg
Featured in this November 23, 2017 Premier Guitar interview.
When recording "Crack the Skye", DigiTech Bass Whammy can be seen on Troy studio's pedalboard (taken from the "Making of" DVD).
"Aldrerete uses the Bass Whammy at the end of his pedalboard to transpose what he’s playing to match the key of a song. 'I keep it as the last pedal in my effects chain so that I can send any sound I create through it, and the Bass Whammy will keep that sound intact while raising or lowering the pitch to match the song. It works fantastically well for this purpose.'" - Juan Alderete in this article from Digitech.
In this picture/rundown of effects Brian uses with Russian Circles, you can clearly see a Digitech Bass Whammy.
At around 20:24 in the YouTube video titled "Shinedown: 'Hell or High Water — This Is the Plan' | Giveaway, Interview & Rig Tour," Eric Bass's use of the DigiTech Bass Whammy pedal can be clearly observed. This video is provided by Sweetwater and features an in-depth rig tour showcasing Eric Bass's equipment.
Album Usage
The DigiTech Bass Whammy has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use DigiTech Bass Whammy, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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