A wedge wire bonder comprises a wedge that is operative to oscillate along a transducer axis for bonding a wire onto a surface and a wire clamp comprising a pair of parallel clamping plates for clamping the wire. The clamping plates having clamping surfaces that are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the transducer axis. Lateral guides are arranged on opposite sides of the wire, such that the lateral guides and the wire are generally aligned parallel to the clamping surfaces of the clamping plates for guiding the wire towards the wedge.