Ultimate wah?

[JohnnyCrash]

I've been using my wah a lot lately and have been considering more mods.

Its a Crybaby and already I've done:
1. True Bypass (I think I also kept the buffer though I don't remember).
2. "Vocal mod," I added a switch to change the resistor in parallel with the inductor from either stock 33k or a 100k.

I might be looking for more sweep and a way to get "more" wah when using it with high gain amps.

I might NOT want the "mid mod" (1.5k to 2.2k swap) since I don't want a smoother transistion.

--

So what do you guys think about:
1. Using a 0.022uF instead of a 0.01uF? Will it be too woofy/thick?

Perhaps a 3 way switch for stock 0.01uF, 0.022uF, or Bass Wah 0.68uF.

2. What do you think about increasing gain? Input resistor down to 33k? Or dropping the 390 ohm to 270 ohm? Again, I think I kept the buffer, so increasing gain might not be a big deal.

I might not want more gain, but I figured I'd ask since I'll be soldering anyway

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Edit:
Also, I'm considering changing the voice switch from 33k/100k to 10k/100k. what do you guys think? I'd rather not install a pot, but I'm open to suggestions.

[richon]

if you want a cleaner more equilibred wah, with more bass and "body"....

do try this (as in my crybaby)

33K to 51K
use a 3 way switch: 0.01uF , 0.015uF, 0.022uF (the middle position is awesome)
DECREASE gain from 390 to 470 ohms
KILL the INPUT Buffer
Change thos Crapy high gain (no good tone in wah) MPSA18 to some with lower Hfe: 2N5088, BC109B, etc , etc... Less gain , means flat EQ, Not shrilliong highs

and RED FASEL...

if you want a video to show how mine sound vs. an unmoddified wah, here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1F3Kl3ddI8

[CA_Dan]

richon - your youtube video is really a good comparison. I'm digging your mods and am going to implement them on my crybaby. Nicely done!

[JohnnyCrash]

Thanks richon!!!

It was so long ago I don't know what I did and why. After opening the case, I see I left the buffer (still not sure why HAHA).

I'm going to:
1. Hardwire the voice resistor in parallel with the inductor (the 33k to 100k switch isn't needed)... probably to 68k.
2. Use the switch to change from Bass wah or Guitar wah (0.68uF or 0.02uF).
3. Change the cap to 0.016uF or 0.022uF.
4. Change the input resistor from 68k to 33k.

After #4, I'll see if I want to lower the gain (swapping for a 470 ohm resistor).

[JohnnyCrash]

Got the iron fired up...

1. Changed the 68k input to a 33k resistor.
2. Pulled the buffer out.
3. Put in a 68k "Q" resistor instead of my 33k/100k switch. The 100k was too much and I hated the 33k, so I'm hoping a 68k will sound better.

About to put in a 0.022uF shift cap.

I am very tempted to do 1 of 2 things, so I need some help:
With this unused SPST mini switch I drilled and installed should I
1. Make it a Bass/Guitar wah (adding a 0.047 in parallel with the 0.022uF)?
-OR-
2. Make the switch a Volume/Wah toggle (lifting the ground of the 4.7uF electrolytic cap)?

I never use wah with Bass, my girlfriend bassplayer hates Bass wahs. On the other hand, I already have a great Ernie Ball Volume Pedal.

[JohnnyCrash]

Alright. DONE.

True Bypass, no buffer.

1. I used a 33k input resistor and that bumped the Wah's volume up noticeabley. It slightly added gain and warmth to the Wah intself.

2. Its got a 68k voice resistor and I prefer that over the 33k or the 100k.

3. I did not mess with the transistor's gain (the 390 ohm resistor), or the mid sweep resistor (1.5k).

4. 0.022uF was too creamy and dark for my tastes - but might be cool for others looking for a "vintage" creamy tone. I settled on a 0.01uF with a 0.0047uF in parallel (0.0147uF) and it is AWESOME. Not too thin/nasal, but not too dark.

5. I added a lift switch on the 4.7uF cap's ground to make it Wah/Volume pedal switchable.

In Volume pedal mode it actually has a slight volume boost fully toe-down and does not completely turn off when fully heel-down. I could play with the pot's throw, but I actually like it as-is. I never use Volume pedals except for country pedal steel type swells and this is good enough as a backup for my Ernie Ball Volume pedal. As far as Wah, I only use that when playing dirty rock so having a switch to make it another slight boost instead of wah is cool.

Thanks for the tips richon!!!

[hou35male]

[JohnnyCrash]

Will do...

[richon]

excellent


PS: if your bored in the future, do try the 390 to 470 ohms and the BC109C for the first transistor mod.... then you'll understand why I said so ..


good to know you liked the "secret value mod" of 0.0147uF , hahahaha

[CA_Dan]

richon - who was your source for the red fasel?

[Telesavalis]

check out the FUlltone Clyde...

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by richon

excellent


PS: if your bored in the future, do try the 390 to 470 ohms and the BC109C for the first transistor mod.... then you'll understand why I said so ..


good to know you liked the "secret value mod" of 0.0147uF , hahahaha

I tried it yesterday and didn't like it. I also swapped the 33k input for a 47k since it seemed slightly louder than bypassed, so maybe this dual swap brought the gain/output back down near the 68k sorta tone.

I'll swap back to the 390... if it still sounds funny I'll try to get a value between 33k and 47k for that input and restart the 390/470 try-outs.

I gutted the Volume/Wah switch and turned it into a guitar/bass switch (0.0147uF Guitar or 0.0617uF for Bass).

[richon]

well....

did you keep the input buffer finally? (when it isn't there some mods work better)

[CA_Dan]

Has anyone added an OUTPUT buffer? I have read that this really helps when running a fuzz box after the wah, but haven't talked with anyone directly on the subject.

[richon]

a friend of mine (who loves fuzzes) add to his wah the output buffer..

it does change some the sound (in a more clearer way, but to clear for me)

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by richon

well....

did you keep the input buffer finally? (when it isn't there some mods work better)

No buffer, I gutted that.

I went back to the 390 resistor today.

It's funny, the input resistor and the transistor's 390/470 ohm resistor seem to do the same thing for the most part.

I preferred it with slightly higher gain (either a 33k and a 470 or a 47k and 390 - they both sound identical). The wah is slightly higher than unity gain, so I can see where a trimpot would work better for the transistor's resistor to get it about exact in volume as when bypassed/off.

I also tried the 2.2k mid resistor. It was different than the 1.5k for sure, but just as good tonally. I think I prefer it, but I can see how other people might like the 1.5k better.

I think I finally have this thing dialed in just where I want it... had loads of fun playing through it for about an hour today.

I have an extra 3DPT switch, so maybe I'll add a LED to let me know when its on or off. Last gig I used it, things were earsplittingly loud and I didn't know it was on for the whole first song!