Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Shag101 on September 12, 2007, 02:34:50 PM

Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: Shag101 on September 12, 2007, 02:34:50 PM
Hi Guys,

I'm buying a wah soon and the one I'm getting has the below add-ons ranging from $20 to $30 usd extra each.  Are any a must have?

My thinking is that most people are out to get that original wah sound.  If this wah has it then why add stuff on to effect the sound.  

Any input welcome...thanks!!


Optional items:

5 position range selector:  Gives you five different wah personalities.   Two above, and two below the stock range.  Many great tone options.

Growl control:  Allows the user to adjust how much "growl" is present in the low end.  Very useful control for those who sometimes require a very clean wah tone.

Q control:  Controls the resonant peak level - English translation: it controls the amount of "quack".

Output buffer circuit:  This allows the pedal to be used "in front of" a fuzz face type effect.  Because of the fuzz face's low impedance input, a wah will not normally work in front of it.  There will be no range, or "no wah" - or....it may just sit there and squeal.  This circuit fixes that - and there is NO signal loss.  It does not color the tone of the wah in any way.  The board has a level control so that you can set the output to better match your particular fuzz pedal.  The circuit board is also completely bypass-able (via a mini slide switch on the board).
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: hunter on September 12, 2007, 02:42:43 PM
What's the make? What's the base price?

If you want all the options, you might be cheaper off with the RMC3, which basically has all of these except it's true bypass and no buffer amp.
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: Shag101 on September 12, 2007, 02:46:03 PM
http://www.area51tubeaudiodesigns.com/area51_wah.htm

Base is $200

If I had a cr@ppy wah already, I could go for the $139 drop in kit..
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on September 12, 2007, 02:50:49 PM
That trem pedal looks outrageous!!
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: bucketshred on September 12, 2007, 03:04:01 PM
Tbh, instead of going for a wah with everything on it - just get one really nice one.  Cheaper and easier to use!

Andy!
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: hunter on September 12, 2007, 03:04:45 PM
Quote from: TwilightOdyssey
That trem pedal looks outrageous!!


Hmm, actually reading the product description it is not a pedal but needs to be connected with the guts of the amp, as it modulates the bias. Seems only works well with fixed bias amps, except for EL84 amps.
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: Shag101 on September 12, 2007, 03:14:03 PM
Quote from: bucketshred
Tbh, instead of going for a wah with everything on it - just get one really nice one.  Cheaper and easier to use!

Andy!


Thanks Andy,

My point exactly.  Posted this just to get input if maybe someone has a good reason to add one of these on.
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: Dane on September 12, 2007, 03:14:53 PM
I'd get RMC in a heartbeat, the add ons are a standard for RMC and it cost lesser. Plus you can choose different wah to suit your taste or go for RMC3 for endless tweaking. RMC is as good as Area51 if not better. Unless you feel it is more cost effective to get the add ons from Area 51 to a wah that you already own but i rather invest abit more for that versatility. :D

http://www.realmccoycustom.com/  ( But the problem here is the waiting time )
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: the_bleeding on September 12, 2007, 04:37:37 PM
man.,.. to tell you the truth, i'd get all of the options. The only ones that i MIGHT not get are the output buffer (because i dont use fuzzes) and, in the case that the wah sounds like sex, i wouldnt need the 5 way rotary switch to change the sound :D
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: HTH AMPS on September 12, 2007, 06:53:17 PM
Quote from: Shag101
http://www.area51tubeaudiodesigns.com/area51_wah.htm

Base is $200

If I had a cr@ppy wah already, I could go for the $139 drop in kit..


Listened to the MP3s and really didn't like the way the wah sounded on any of the clips.  It's got that 'false wah' sound that Morley wahs have.

I've had an RMC3 and it was a really nice pedal - go for the Tesse if you can get it for the same price.

fwiw, If I was going to spend $200+ on a wah I'd be buying a vintage one.

 :twisted:
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: Shag101 on September 12, 2007, 06:57:10 PM
Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL
Quote from: Shag101


fwiw, If I was going to spend $200+ on a wah I'd be buying a vintage one.

 :twisted:


True.  Did not think of that.
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: WezV on September 12, 2007, 08:09:12 PM
i would get a simple crybaby or vox and mod it for the extra stuff you want - atcually i would just try out a few different capcitors/resistors till i liked the sound of the wah  and not bother with switches... In fact - thats what i did do!!

I would also look at the byoc wah kit that has internal trim pots for setting the sound.  these can all be replaced with chassis mounted pots and that is all covered in the instruction manual

http://www.buildyourownclone.com/wah.html
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: Doctor X on September 12, 2007, 09:46:32 PM
I have a Teese RMC Picture Wah, which doesn't have any adjustable nobs and sounds great.  Out of the options you gave though, the only one I thought might be worth having would be the 'Q' control.
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: pagan7 on September 12, 2007, 09:55:07 PM
If you want a wah with a bit more control than just on/off then something like the Ibanez Weeping Demon wah might be worth checking out.
Never used one myself but they score highly in all the reviews I've read on them and they are reasonabley priced.
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: Shag101 on September 12, 2007, 11:37:27 PM
Thanks all for the input.

Just to clarify

I want a simple wah with no extra knobs or switches

I posted this to get input on whether someone feels I should get one of the add-ons and why.   Just incase I was missing something...

I will get either the Area 51 or Teese Wizard Wah as they seem the simplest and get great reviews.  
The RMC3 looks cool but I cant deal with all those settings.  I really want something sweet out the box with no tweaking.  Something that likes single coils and buckers.  Something that likes clean, overdrive and distortion.  

If anyone got any recommendation, please chime in.....

Must have true bypass!
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: HTH AMPS on September 12, 2007, 11:53:47 PM
The RMC3 sounds great right out the box, it just has all those options inside IF you want to tweak it.

If you don't want all the options then the Tesse Picture Wah is the one to go for.

Oh, I've forgot about the Fulltone wah - it's supposed to be badass.

 :twisted:
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: Twisted Louie on September 13, 2007, 04:53:35 AM
Just bought an RMC3 - it shipped on Tuesday. You're welcome to take it for a spin. If it gets here by Saturday and if you have the time to stop by to pick it up, you can take it with you to Phil's if you like (that is if you are going).

LP
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: bucketshred on September 13, 2007, 10:13:13 AM
Vox - either one will do.

Not sure if it is true bypass but just mod it.  It works well for clean, crunch and distortion, has an awesome, smooth range (unlike 'fake'Morleys and 'screechy' CryBabys). Used mine at practice last night and my band members were in awe of the sound (but not my playing!)

Andy!
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: Shag101 on September 13, 2007, 01:39:37 PM
Quote from: Twisted Louie
Just bought an RMC3 - it shipped on Tuesday. You're welcome to take it for a spin. If it gets here by Saturday and if you have the time to stop by to pick it up, you can take it with you to Phil's if you like (that is if you are going).

LP


Hey Louie,  

Thanks for the offer.  I actually decided on the picture wah per HTH's recommendation and all the great reviews.  I realize the RMC3 can do all the Teese sounds but the less adjustments I have the better..lol  

If I already had a cheap wah, I prolly would have went with the Area 51 drop-in kit.  

thanks
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: Twisted Louie on September 13, 2007, 03:31:26 PM
Quote from: Shag101

Hey Louie,  

Thanks for the offer.  I actually decided on the picture wah per HTH's recommendation and all the great reviews.  I realize the RMC3 can do all the Teese sounds but the less adjustments I have the better..lol  

If I already had a cheap wah, I prolly would have went with the Area 51 drop-in kit.  

thanks



No sweat.

Good luck and let us know how you like it.

LP
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: Shag101 on September 14, 2007, 11:43:27 PM
Bought the picture wah during lunch today.  i never played a boutique wah, but all I got to say is WOW!

thanks all
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: funkychiken70 on September 15, 2007, 11:51:01 AM
hi!
i have a teese rmc1 without any control, and it sound incredible in a srv/hendrix way. but... the output volume is so high i can't have a real clean sound for funk. so it lacks a volume control. but again what a sound! teese wah are really juicy...
i bought a xotic robotalk for funky stuff, he he he!!!
i think you're right to choose the rmc3 ( if i can, i go for the upgrade of the rmc3 instead the rmc1, to have the vol. control).
be funky!!!
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: funkychiken70 on September 15, 2007, 11:53:40 AM
oups... i mean the picture wah... :D
is there any vol control on this one, and if not, it doesn't bother you?
is there any volume boost when you activate it?
thanks
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: Shag101 on September 15, 2007, 08:38:46 PM
Quote from: funkychiken70
oups... i mean the picture wah... :D
is there any vol control on this one, and if not, it doesn't bother you?
is there any volume boost when you activate it?
thanks


There is a slight volume boost when activated which to me is perfect.  As far as volume control, there are no knobs but on the included paper work it says "The unmarked board-mounted trimmer can control wah-wah's output volume"
I've yet to unscrew it to verify since I am happy with the output.
Title: Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???
Post by: Joe Dorcia on September 16, 2007, 06:53:36 PM
Those picture wahs are awesome.
Just wondering why no one likes Morley's? I have a Bad Horsie (but am definately not a vai fan, fingertapping idiot, talented, but boring) and i love the massive sweep on it.

I'm guessing people would dislike it for not have the classic wah sounds like Vox or crybaby, but to me they just don't have big enough ranges. Could just be a personal thing, i want a waaaaaaah, not a wah :)

Hope you like the picture

Joe

PS, i dont have to switch my wah on or off, no horrible push switches like cyrbabys or vox's..... just saying :)