Need advice with 1970s Crybaby that "wahs" but sucks about 40%+ sound when engaged

[Sudsy100]

Hi . . .

I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction or give me some advice about a problem I'm having with a 1970s Crybaby before I incur the expense of shipping it to get diagnosed and repaired. I'm in Canada, so shipping anywhere in the U.S. costs me $35.00, and shipping it back costs about the same. So, including the cost of repair and bench time, it could run me $125 to $150 total which is more than I think is worth forking out.

Anyway . . . the wah "wahs", but the volume drops by at least 60% when it's engaged. The straight non-engaged sound is fine. I talked to the best "expert" here in small Victoria, BC where I live, and it appears the Wah is all-original, and due to the fact it "wahs" the inductor should be fine. BTW--it's got the "film / tin can" canister with no 500K value imprinted on it, but I've found many picture of the same inductor on the 'Net. It also has white Procond caps not the blue Mallorys.

I've kind of got a bit of a clue in that the 10nf/160V cap next to the inductor is very loose. It appears to be still soldered to the board, but you can freely move it back and forth with very little pressure. One of the connectors on the cap is a tad bent, but it also appears to be secured to the back of the board as well. I was told that the caps can sometime dry out over time, and it could be that it's simply degraded internally. All the other connections and components seem firmly seated and all the other soldering seems to be solid.

If someone in the know can suggest whether the 10nf/160V could be the problem, and if so, could I try to replace it. There's a pretty decent electronics store in town that carries all sorts of oddball caps and resistors.

Here's some pictures, and thanks in advance for any help someone can give.

[djalt]

Bump.

I would say look on the long and mcquade web site for a deal on a new working one. I've seen them in Toronto for $99.

Electronics are a pain to diagnose, Hours of labour to find out it's a 39 cent part.

Someone help our friend?

[Sudsy100]

Originally Posted by djalt

Bump.

I would say look on the long and mcquade web site for a deal on a new working one. I've seen them in Toronto for $99.

Electronics are a pain to diagnose, Hours of labour to find out it's a 39 cent part.

Someone help our friend?

Thanks a million for the reply . . . greatly appreciated!

Sorry, but I forgot to update this post because you're the first person that replied. I found out the problem, and luckily it was something simple (at least to the person that noticed it).

Turns out the blue wire was soldered from the pot trigger (middle) lug instead of the lug closest to the switch. That was the reason for the drastic drop in volume, especially when the pedal was full to the toe. I don't know who did that or why, but the guy I bought it from owned it since the 1970s, so somewhere along the line it musta got messed with.

Switched the wiring, cleaned up a couple of iffy looking connections, and the baby sounds freaking great now! It indeed does have some serious mojo. It's the narliest, nastiest, meanest sounding puppy I can recall, but also has the sweetest, sexiest, organic growl you'd ever want. Surprise to me! I've owned a zillion Wahs throughout the years, and I forgot how much character the old ones have. It's not a quack machine, but it sure has something good. I can always pick up an RMC Picture or Wheels Of Fire if I absolutely have to have Voodoo Chile nailed (as everyone, including me, seems to refer to ).

I've also got a garden-variety Crybaby, and the difference is like night and day. The trebly spike in the stock Crybaby is super predominant compared to the 1970s one. There's more sweep in the newer models, and I'm sure a mod or two would improve the sound, but as it stands I don't even wanna touch the 70s one. It could use a bit more range, but I'd just anger the gods of Wah if I tinkered with what it's putting out now. The tone is almost identical to Robbo's solo sound on the Lizzy song "Warriors". I'm not gonna mess around with that!!

Thanks again for the reply and call for help. And, accept my apologies for not posting the fix sooner.

Cheers!!

Suds . . .