Wachtel has worked as session musician for other artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Beth Hart, Stevie Nicks, Miranda Lambert, Kim Carnes, Randy Newman, Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones (lead guitar on "Saint of Me"), Jon Bon Jovi, James Taylor, Iggy Pop, Warren Zevon, Bryan Ferry, Michael Sweet, Jackson Browne, Karla Bonoff, The Motels and Andrew Gold, both in the studio and live.

[3] In 1972, he made an appearance in the film The Poseidon Adventure as the acoustic guitar player in a fictitious band on stage in the dining room when the ship capsizes.

Wachtel has composed and played instruments for film scores including Joe Dirt, Up in Smoke, Nice Guys Sleep Alone, The Longest Yard, The Benchwarmers, Grandma's Boy, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Strange Wilderness, The House Bunny, and Paul Blart: Mall Cop.

In 1980, he wrote, recorded and sang lead vocals on an album for producer Peter Asher with members of Linda Ronstadt's band, including musicians Don Grolnick, Dan Dugmore, Stanley Sheldon and Rick Marotta.

Production credits include albums by Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards, Jackson Browne, Bryan Ferry, The Church, Sand Rubies, George Thorogood and the Destroyers and Warren Zevon.

"[10] A detective of the Los Angeles juvenile sex crimes division reported that Wachtel produced copies of the computer-stored images which he kept in his bedroom.

[13] In September 2014 the Gibson Custom Shop chose the 1960 Les Paul Waddy Wachtel guitar for their new Collector's Choice series.

On October 12, 2024, Wachtel appeared as lead guitarist with Stevie Nicks as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live.

[19] With Bill Cowsill With The Everly Brothers With Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks With Sarah Kernochan With Jackie DeShannon With Fleetwood Mac With John Stewart With Splinter With Dianne Brooks With Barbi Benton With Jackson Browne With Andrew Gold With Arlo Guthrie With Carole King With Tom Pacheco With Tom Snow With Maria Muldaur With Linda Ronstadt With JD Souther With James Taylor With Wendy Waldman With Sammy Walker With Nickey Barclay With Rusty Wier With Warren Zevon With Karla Bonoff With Nancy Shanks With Attitudes With Randy Newman With Bryan Ferry With Bob Weir With Leo Sayer With Debby Boone With Richie Furay With Adam Mitchell With Ronnie Hawkins With Louise Goffin With Bonnie Raitt With America With Kim Carnes With Rita Coolidge With Stevie Nicks With Helen Reddy With Phoebe Snow With Ronnie Wood With Don Henley With Kenny Rogers With Bill Medley With Bob Seger With Bette Midler With Marty Balin With Ringo Starr With Joe Walsh With Dolly Parton With Steve Perry With Eric Martin With Jimmy Barnes With Rosanne Cash With Graham Nash With Karla DeVito With Van Stephenson With Dwight Twilley With Cher With Lisa Hartman Black With Melissa Etheridge With Ivan Neville With Keith Richards With Feargal Sharkey With The Graces With Jon Bon Jovi With Steve Louw With Bob Dylan With Iggy Pop With Hall & Oates With Diana Ross With Rod Stewart With Troy Newman With Bonnie Tyler With Tracy Chapman With Neil Diamond With Hanne Boel With Delbert McClinton With Tom Waits With Andrew Strong With Gilby Clarke With Big Mountain With A. J. Croce With Colin James With Brian Wilson With Aaron Neville With John Prine With Michael Sweet With Bee Gees With The Wilsons With The Rolling Stones With Johnny Rivers With Amanda Marshall With Janice Robinson With Kim Richey With Shannon McNally With Robbie Williams With Keith Gattis With Bernard Fowler With Radney Foster With Miranda Lambert With John Mayer With David Nail With Michael Grimm With Jessie Baylin With LeAnn Rimes With Edie Brickell and Steve Martin With Judith Owen With Neil Young With Mindi Abair With Pat McGee With Beth Hart With Sheryl Crow With Anders Osborne With Kate Taylor With Edgar Winter With Ian Hunter Wachtel is married.