Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: dave_mc on October 29, 2009, 07:47:54 PM
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Hi guys,
Does anyone make a good, but cheap, wah? I'd ideally want to spend under £50 (though I suspect that's being unrealistic), up to £100 if it's really worth it... any more and I might as well just save for a boutique one. I don't use effects all that much though, and don't really want to be forking out £150 or £200 for a boutique one unless there's really no alternative.
I don't mind if it's true bypass or buffered, but it needs to be a good buffer. And none of this SPST nonsense :roll:
Tones I'd be after would be pretty much a mix of vintage and modern- hendrix and page for the vintage, more like vai, satriani, vinnie moore, petrucci lead tones for the more modern stuff.
I already have a dunlop GCB95, which is cr@p, so it needs to be better than that, or I'm just throwing my money away. It sucks tone when bypassed because of the aforementioned SPST switch, and when on it really thins out the tone and has a very abrupt sweep. Horrible, so much so that I just don't use it. I've considered modding it, but it's me so I'd never get round to it, plus the parts needed for modding it aren't exactly cheap anyway, unlike for most other pedal mods.
Only ones I've come up with so far are the artec ones (which I'm a bit wary of, based on what I've been told both by artec and one other guy on another forum who got one), and the modtone one (which isn't particularly cheap), and I can't try either before buying. Pity tonerider or someone similar doesn't offer a wah... :x
Any ideas? Thanks for your help in advance. If there's any info I've left out which would help you with recommendations, just ask.
:drink:
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behringer?
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would it be any better than what i already have? I've heard a lot of horror stories about behringer pedals... Thanks for the suggestion, though, I'll take a look.
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Morley Bad Horsie (http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/morley-vai-1-bad-horsie--67202)
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Let me expand on my recommendation a bit.
I suggest the mighty Bad Horsie not just because it's within your budgert & in stock :) but because I truly believe it's a GREAT wah pedal (I have two of them & haven't considered anything else since). Not only does it sound great, but the switchless design is one of the most sensible pieces of FX pedal design EVER :)
The pedal is held in the "up"/"back" position by a spring. You move it off that position, the wah switches on. Wail away on it for a while, take your foot off, it switches off. What could be simpler? No pressing down on it trying to get the switch to click, no feeling around with your heel trying to hit the switch that's next to the pedal.
Added to which, it's built like a tank, is noiseless & (due to its wide base) never tips over.
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thanks, antag. That's a lot cheaper than it used to be.
I'm always a bit biased against signature gear (psychologically, more than anything else), but if it'll do the job...
Only concern with that one is (a) will it sound too much like vai? (b) will it sound too modern and (c) what if i want to set the wah in one position and leave it?
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How about a second hand Cry Baby or Vox from ebay self mod to suit,
http://www.wah-wah.co.uk/
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I already have a crybaby, but I'm kind of lazy, which is the problem. More importantly, I don't really have anywhere to set up a solder station (where do you guys solder, out of interest? :? )...
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I already have a crybaby, but I'm kind of lazy, which is the problem. More importantly, I don't really have anywhere to set up a solder station (where do you guys solder, out of interest? :? )...
PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER YOU BUM! :P
Stop looking for problems and look for solutions... "im lazy/don't know where to solder/can't be bothered to move my foot"
F**kin' kids today... :? :lol:
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hey, in my defence i never said i couldn't be bothered to move my foot... :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Morley Bad Horsie (http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/morley-vai-1-bad-horsie--67202)
Tried it.
Loathed it.
It doesn't sweep like a proper wah and you can't hold the way full back like with a traditional one; it will just engage and disengage at random intervals (let alone pushing back beyond the normal rock.) and I can't leave it an a single position; I would have to endure foot cramp.
This is my experience of it in a shop so maybe it works better after you get to know it a bit but I wouldn't hold out the hope.
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hey, in my defence i never said i couldn't be bothered to move my foot... :lol: :lol: :lol:
:D :D OK but very close
what if i want to set the wah in one position and leave it?
:lol: :lol: :lol:
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no, i meant that because it has the spring-loaded thingy which senses when your foot is on the pedal, you can't set it in the one position and leave it on like you can do with a normal wah with a normal on/off switch. Even i'm not that lazy... :lol:
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:lol:I know.... I'm f**kin about but it bumps this thread - so I'm helping you really! :lol:
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I would recommend getting hold of the BYOC Wah PCB and building and dropping into your Crybaby.
If you are not buying the complete kit then use a Whipple halo inductor and Red Fasel.
With vocal mod the Halo will do the old style stuff like Hendrix and the Fasel the modern stuff.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66957213@N00/4056080231/
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Morley Bad Horsie (http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/morley-vai-1-bad-horsie--67202)
Tried it.
Loathed it.
It doesn't sweep like a proper wah and you can't hold the way full back like with a traditional one; it will just engage and disengage at random intervals (let alone pushing back beyond the normal rock.) and I can't leave it an a single position; I would have to endure foot cramp.
This is my experience of it in a shop so maybe it works better after you get to know it a bit but I wouldn't hold out the hope.
Me too - found it in a bargain bucket, and couldn't resist it. But hated it when I got home - too metal for my tastes.
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possibly slightly over budget, but the Dunlop EVH is a fantastic wah. I've had cry babys, geroge dennis (very nice they are!) morley and an ernie ball... the EVH rules for dirty rhythms and lead, pretty poor on a clean sound because the midrange spike is so high that it distorts.
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^ thanks, i'll check that out too.
:lol:I know.... I'm f**kin about but it bumps this thread - so I'm helping you really! :lol:
haha, no worries, i didn't know if you were joking or not :lol:
I would recommend getting hold of the BYOC Wah PCB and building and dropping into your Crybaby.
If you are not buying the complete kit then use a Whipple halo inductor and Red Fasel.
With vocal mod the Halo will do the old style stuff like Hendrix and the Fasel the modern stuff.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66957213@N00/4056080231/
thanks, I'll check that out.
anyone tried the budda? it seems to be about the only vaguely boutique wah which isn't ridiculous money (it's still not cheap)...
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Autowah is the way to go - no foot technique need, just wah fun. Cheap = Ibanez AW7
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i dunno, i think i'd like to be able to use my foot... and not just to prove dave wrong regarding my laziness. :lol: I could be way off, though. :oops:
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anyone tried the budda? it seems to be about the only vaguely boutique wah which isn't ridiculous money (it's still not cheap)...
I think it's just a modded Crybaby, and is made by Dunlop for Budda. I haven't tried one though.
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interesting, i did not know that. Thanks for the info. :)
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Morley Bad Horsie (http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/morley-vai-1-bad-horsie--67202)
too metal for my tastes.
...which probably has something to do with why I love it. To each his own...
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I've been using a Bad Horsie for years, for everything from rock to funk. Doesn't sound metal to me!
I manage not to sound like Vai either. :)
After using this I've tried to go back to normal wahs (like the Cry Baby) but I can't stand them now.
One trick is to adjust the internal trim pot so that there's no delay on turning 'off'. Makes it easier to drive.
The other thing is to remember that it has a large sweep, so you can focus on small areas effectively, like the top end for solos and the bottom end for rhythym playing.
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The Fender Fuzz wah got a good reiview in guitarist
http://www.reverb-store.co.uk/product-detail.asp?prod=4666.
IT's suppost to be fairly tame in its sweep but I think (like the EVH) mentioned below, some wah's have a spike that's too hard making them not great for cleaner stuff. I Did a pedal Doc mod on my vox and it 'quacks' so hard at one point on it's sweep it almost dostorts. Sounds good with distortion but not so good clean unless the amp is quiet.
The Ernie ball wah got great reviews:-
http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/4221-ernie_ball_6185_wah_guitar_effects_pedal
£130 is over your budget but I'd save up rather than going cheap (if you don't like the Fender)
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i saw a recent picture of Vai's pedalboard and he had a Crybaby rather than a Bad Horsie.
doesn't really contribute to this discussion, just made me think of it... :)
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anyone tried the budda? it seems to be about the only vaguely boutique wah which isn't ridiculous money (it's still not cheap)...
I used to have a Bubba Bud Wah and found the sweep to be far too narrow. It's great if you want to do funk style "wocka chucka" type stuff but for anything more expressive I didn't find it too great. I sold that and bought one of the Red Fasel Cry Babies which suits my needs better. I think it's horses for courses though - the Budda's not a bad pedal, it just wasn't right for me.
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Look I know the brief here is for a cheap wah and mines one of the most expensive, but it's been said many times on guitar forums that you're much more likely to get a keeper when you shell out. I've got a Roger Mayer vision wah, loads of money I know (£250), but it's a great piece of kit. 16 sweeps, blend control (wah to dry) and an output control which gives some boost plus it's very low profile which helps ergonomically. If you're going to get into wah it makes as much a contribution sonically as your guitar or amp so perhaps should be judged thus financially. Here's a little taste of what it sounds like. The 1st part through a humble Microcube, the 2nd through a valve amp.
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8286653
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If you need a more expressive wah as noted by "Andrew W" just swap out the the Hot Pots II Dunlop pot and try an ICAR 100K.
http://www.smallbearelec.com/Categories.bok?category=Wah-Wah+and+Swell+Pedal+Parts%2C+Wah+Inductors
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I currently have the Dunlop Slash Wah, the CFH and the Zakk Wyle Wah. I like the simplicity of the Zakk a lot and it is just within yout budget (at GAK).
I think it's better than the standard Crybaby, it has a bigger sweep and a Fasel. It doesn't say it's true bypass anywhere, oddly enough I found that it gives a bypass signal even without battery or power, I guess it might be then. Admittedly I've only fed it quite strong output humbuckers, so I've not noticed any tone loss. Strats might behave differently.
I also had a Morley George Lynch Wah. The switchless sweep works awesome. If now only Morley could come up with a Wah that doesn't sound sterile, screechy and/or totally lifeless I would dig their stuff.
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I got my RMC Wizard for less than £100 new...
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^ how? where? :D
wow, lots of replies, thanks everyone.
some people think the vai bad horsie is too metal, some don't... :lol:
not sure about the fender fuzz wah, if it's only good for the cleaner stuff, that's not ideal either, i'd want a mixture. in fact, not sure if cleans are really a priority at all, when i say vintage i mean vintage overdrive/fuzz tones. :lol:
ernie ball... again, that's qute a bit, i'd probably just save up for something I knew would be kickass.
thanks andrew, i had heard some things about the budda's sound, and from the sounds of your post, it's not really what i want.
i've seen the mayer, but that is a LOT of money... :(
sjwebb90: just to check i understand you correctly, you mean swap out the hot potz one which is in the crybaby already for the icar 100k black bear one in your link? To be honest I think I am veering towards just modding my own pedal, having seen the prices of anything even vaguely decent. Just need to figure out where i can do that.
alex: Thanks for the info... I don't really want to buy another dunlop pedal, because odds are i could mod my own to similar specs without too much bother, and also i don't want to give them any more money! Sell me one cr@ppy product, and i don't buy anything else from you, even if your other products are good. :shock:
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From his shop on ebay, I think... It was the December before last, either there or direct from RMC. Came in at something like £97 quid to my door. COurse, we've been humped for exchange rates since then.
I love it to bits though, I'd happily pay more to replace it if I needed to.
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oh, ok. I guess I'll keep an eye out, thanks. I know over here they're well over the £200 mark :(
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I bought and fitted an Area51 grop in kit in my Dunlop... awesome pedal now. I also managed to bag a Wizard Wah 2nd hand off "the other" pick up forum. Both awesome yet totally different, the Area51 is more traditional wah, cool with singles anf the Wizard is great with buckers.
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Danny Gatton it and save your money :P 8)
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I've got the newest Jimi Hendrix Crybaby wah (the JH 2 or something like that) and i've always really liked it, has a very deep throaty sort of wah sound, and its the only crybaby i've played that had a decent sweep.
I got mine for 80 a year or 2 ago, but i see its now retailing for about 130. Oh well! Best of luck with your search.
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I have a Dunlop Zak and don't like it. Its resonance peak is very high and narrow. Metal player only I would say. My favourite cheap wah is the Danelectro Trip-L-Wah which is a very flexible little unit for little money.
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^ interesting, thanks, i'll have a look out for that one.
I bought and fitted an Area51 grop in kit in my Dunlop... awesome pedal now. I also managed to bag a Wizard Wah 2nd hand off "the other" pick up forum. Both awesome yet totally different, the Area51 is more traditional wah, cool with singles anf the Wizard is great with buckers.
area 51 grop kit? I've never heard of that, do you have a link?
Danny Gatton it and save your money :P 8)
i have no idea what that means... :lol:
I've got the newest Jimi Hendrix Crybaby wah (the JH 2 or something like that) and i've always really liked it, has a very deep throaty sort of wah sound, and its the only crybaby i've played that had a decent sweep.
I got mine for 80 a year or 2 ago, but i see its now retailing for about 130. Oh well! Best of luck with your search.
i think i've seen mods online to convert mine to the jimi hendrix one... i'll keep an eye out for them, thanks.
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Sorry Dave I was very tired. I meant DROP in kit! Anyway, here it is
http://uk.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9mSvd3MiexKI1ABthd3Bwx.;_ylu=X3oDMTExZWs1MmZzBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDOQRjb2xvA2lyZAR2dGlkAwRsA1dTMQ--/SIG=1282tvnsn/EXP=1257102156/**http%3A//www.area51tubeaudiodesigns.com/area51_wah.htm
Excellent stuff IMO.
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haha, no worries, thanks for the link :)
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just buy an old Jen Crybaby, why would you buy anything else? :?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Jen-Mister-Crybaby-Wah-Volume_W0QQitemZ250521341798QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item3a543c4f66#ht_720wt_1165
both me and a mate have owned RMC pedals and while they're very nice, we both preferred the old Jen wahs with a few simple mods of mine.
the one on ebay above is less than £100
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could i not just mod my existing crybaby to similar specs?
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Look I know the brief here is for a cheap wah and mines one of the most expensive, but it's been said many times on guitar forums that you're much more likely to get a keeper when you shell out. I've got a Roger Mayer vision wah, loads of money I know (£250), but it's a great piece of kit. 16 sweeps, blend control (wah to dry) and an output control which gives some boost plus it's very low profile which helps ergonomically. If you're going to get into wah it makes as much a contribution sonically as your guitar or amp so perhaps should be judged thus financially. Here's a little taste of what it sounds like. The 1st part through a humble Microcube, the 2nd through a valve amp.
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8286653
Oups !What's this?I like it :headphones1:!Nice music!And the 2° part has on incredible wah sound ! PDT_003
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could i not just mod my existing crybaby to similar specs?
yep, you certainly could. there are plenty of websites detailing wah mods, its not rocket science. if you have a newer crybaby, upgrade the inductor too - the Fulltone ones are good and Stuart Castledine might still be making inductors too (his stuff rocks)... www.wah-wah.co.uk
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thanks. I've come across that website before, but I have a feeling he didn't have any inductors on his site last time i checked (around the time i made this thread).
do you have any links to the mods? I found one or two pages/websites of mods doing a google search, but that was about it.
I've found this one: http://www.diyguitarist.com/DIYStompboxes/WahMod.htm and this one: http://www.stinkfoot.se/andreas/diy/mods/dunlop.htm so far, plus some general info on geofex (which got pretty complex pretty quickly). any other obvious ones I'm missing?
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those stinkfoot mods look about right - try those out, you will be happy :D
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excellent, thanks :D