Think my wah (Vox) is broken

[_tom_]

Sometimes it works fine, other times when you "wah" it theres hardly any sweep so it sounds more like a rolled down tone pot with a very narrow range. Toward the top of the sweep I get a lot of feedback. Any ideas?

Its just a normal V847 btw, it was true bypass modded before I bought it.

[hunter]

Have you opened it and checked for bad solder joints or any loose parts?

Other than that I'd try contact spray in the pot.

[_tom_]

Havent done that yet, I'll do it soon :)

[_tom_]

Think the contact cleaner in the pot has solved it, should've tried that first! Cheers hunter

[_tom_]

Actually I dont think its worked. When you turn the pedal on it seems like the gain has been reduced and the volume is much lower. I might try those mods on wah-wah.co.uk, the mid boost and volume boost ones. I've been meaning to for ages so I guess now is as good a time as ever!

[HTH AMPS]

could be the bypass switch - I've fixed my mate's wah twice this year so far - he bought Carling switches as they're supposed to be the best and the first one lasted all of three months.

try hard-wiring the effect without the bypass switch to see if the effect works - you should also try tracing the signal from the input to see where the signal stops.

I would advise against mods before it's working - you might make things worse for whoever eventually fixes it for you.  I'm speaking from experience here on having to repair peoples attempted repair work on top of what was originally wrong. 

[_tom_]

I have no idea how to hardwire the pedal without the bypass, I'm pretty cr@p with electrics :\ Reckon its worth spraying some contact cleaner into the switch a few times?

[HTH AMPS]

I have no idea how to hardwire the pedal without the bypass, I'm pretty cr@p with electrics :\ Reckon its worth spraying some contact cleaner into the switch a few times?

sounds like the pedal needs looked at by someone who knows what they're doing Tom.  the bypass switch is mechanical and contact cleaner is unlikely to make any difference, plus footswitches are sealed parts.

[_tom_]

I dont even know where to take it to, our local shops dont really do that sort of thing.

I'd like to learn how to fix it myself if possible. I've built a BYOC tubescreamer so I sort of have a very vague idea of working in a pedal (though I did completely mutilate the first footswitch I had :lol: ).

btw the problem seems to be intermittent if that helps diagnose at all. Some days it will seem fine and others will be weak/feedbacky.