Mrs Smith usurps Kirk Hammett as the ultimate wah-abuser

Kirk Hammett has lost his crown as the monarch of excessive wah-usage. At the recent Cry Baby Battle Royale, it was instead shred-guitarist Mrs Smith who emerged victorious – take a look above.

The two guitarists were backed by Kirk Hammett’s Wedding Band, and were introduced by Gibson’s Mark Agnesi. It was on an episode of The Mark Agnesi Show that Mrs Smith first laid down the wah-pedal gauntlet, saying: “I abuse the wah more than Kirk Hammett and I’ve challenged him multiple times to a wah-off… Why are you hiding behind your wah-wah pedal, Kirk Hammett?”

After the date was set, and guitar journalists world-wah-de started desperately brainstorming wah-based puns, speculation began as to who might walk away with the golden Cry Baby. While Mrs Smith demonstrated impressive shred capabilities, Hammett had a storied history with the pedal, hence his immediate association with abuse of the effect. An interview resurfaced where it was revealed he had used three wahs simultaneously on the track Hardwired from Metallica’s recent album. It was anyone’s game.

In the end, it was Mrs Smith’s use of four wahs simultaneously that gained her the upper hand in the challenge, prompting Hammett to concede: “I think I’ve been out-wah’d.” Keeping in the spirit of healthy competition, Mrs Smith replied: “I learned it all from watching you!”

It’s unclear what official duties and benefits come with being “the new undisputed champion of the overuse of the Cry Baby wah-wah pedal,” but to find out, maybe keep up to date with Mrs Smith over on her website.

Hammett recently appeared at an all-star tribute to Peter Green, playing alongside names such as David Gilmour, Pete Townshend and Mick Fleetwood.

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