Buying a WAH - Should I go for any optional add-ons???

[Shag101]

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).

[hunter]

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.

[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..

[TwilightOdyssey]

That trem pedal looks outrageous!!

[bucketshred]

Tbh, instead of going for a wah with everything on it - just get one really nice one.  Cheaper and easier to use!

Andy!

[hunter]

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.

[Shag101]

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.

[Dane]

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 )

[the_bleeding]

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

[HTH AMPS]

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:

[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.

[WezV]

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

[Doctor X]

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.

[pagan7]

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.

[Shag101]

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!