It runs very stiffly and squeaks terribly (according to reviews on the website, it's normal). After a light lubrication, it runs like butter and is completely silent. There is plenty of Vaseline in it from the factory, but it is probably very thick/stiff due to transportation and storage. I really enjoy this wah pedal. It's not Crybaby, it's not VOX. It's quite specific in that the effect has the greatest dynamics depending on the pedal stroke. The stroke area where "most of this happens" is quite short compared to the above-mentioned classic, which is a result of using an inductive position sensor. After lubricating the pedal's friction surfaces, the effect is incredibly sensitive and incredibly effective. The additional "whish" is a good thing that the competition doesn't have (it's a resonance in which the pedal enters positive feedback).