Author Topic: What does a wammy pedal do? (Read 6011 times)

Johnny Mac · « **on:** January 19, 2006, 02:05:39 PM »

Anyone got one? Can you do harmonising with them?

rinse_master · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2006, 02:07:52 PM »

Basically raises or lowers the pitch using the expression pedal, I don't know the details (range etc.), I think the newer one can do harmony as well, I'm sure I read that somewhere...

tewboss · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2006, 03:28:29 PM »

Just to point out that the reissue of the original whammy is not the same as the original - close but no cigar! The reason is that the company who wrote the "software" for it no longer work with Digitech. Listen to Tom Morello if you want to know what it is capable of (Jonny Greenwood also uses one).

Ratrod · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2006, 03:43:20 PM »

The late Dimebag was also very fond of the whammy.

Brow · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2006, 04:35:39 PM »

Basically, its a pitch shifter that can go up or down 1 or 2 octaves and is also a Harmoniser. It has several settings for harmonisation, both of which has 2 'modes' depending on the position of the expression pedal (toe up or toe down)

Johnny Mac · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2006, 05:15:37 PM »

Cheers lads. I'll have to have a go on one.

Kilby · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2006, 07:42:02 PM »

If you are looking octave shift and or harmoniser try looking at the EH POG as the reviews claim that it copes with chords.

From what I read the original whammy (as used by Dave Gilmour too) coped with chords (the re-release dosn't cope very well at all).

Rob...

tewboss · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2006, 01:02:11 AM »

ooh I didn't realise Mr Gilmour used one as well.

i should add the original pedals go for an absolute fortune. they are one of the few digital pedals that are popular amongst the boutique pedal people.

Kilby · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2006, 07:49:44 PM »

Yeah the originals apparently cope with double stops & chords unlike the later ones.

I beleive that Mr Gilmour uses it for some of the huge bends that he did on non fender guitars in the studio.

I finally have to ask A Flock of Seagulls, Why ?
Apart from the usage of a BC Rich when appearing on TV

Rob...

tewboss · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2006, 11:49:08 PM »

ah somebody else asked me why I had AFOS as my avatar. my friend is the son of the drummer.

Kilby · « **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2006, 12:27:21 AM »

I'm just saddeded that I recognised them ;)

blue · « **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2006, 02:14:43 PM »

hello, whammy pedal?
as far as i know none of the whammy pedals can properly handle more than one note, although the bizarre squawking noise they make when you try is kinda cool :lol: ! i have an xp1oo whammy-wah, which is pretty good. i tried an original whammy and couldn't really see much difference, except the xp100 adds some decent wah models. the original whammy is ridiculously expensive these days and the reissue isn't exactly cheap, but you might find an xp100 for a good price.
i have an electro-harmonix POG as well, it's nothing like a whammy. yes, you can play chords, which is great. it doubles the notes an octave down, an octave up and two octaves up, also adds detuned versions of both +1 and +2, for a chorusy 12 string effect. it doesn't have any kind of expression pedal so you can't do dive bombs and it doesn't do harmonising, it does octaves. it is, however, brilliant! once you've heard your guitar sounding like a hammond organ, you'll smile for at least 12 minutes :P !

_tom_ · « **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2006, 04:17:50 PM »

Quote from: blue

hello, whammy pedal?
as far as i know none of the whammy pedals can properly handle more than one note, although the bizarre squawking noise they make when you try is kinda cool :lol: !

Is that the noise Tom Morello makes in songs such as the verse bit in Bullet in Your Head? I want a whammy if thats the case, I love that!

Ratrod · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2006, 04:49:33 PM »

Quote from: _tom_

Quote from: blue
hello, whammy pedal?
as far as i know none of the whammy pedals can properly handle more than one note, although the bizarre squawking noise they make when you try is kinda cool :lol: !

Is that the noise Tom Morello makes in songs such as the verse bit in Bullet in Your Head? I want a whammy if thats the case, I love that!

Indeed he uses the whammy on that. In combination with his toggle switch for the tremolo effect. The transcribtion is in Total Guitar June 2005.

_tom_ · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2006, 06:32:19 PM »

Oh yeah I forgot I had that TG :lol: I really want a whammy to piss around with some stupid noises 8)