Wah problem

[ratherdashing]

Just recently, my BYOC Wah started having two problems:

1. lots of hum when on

2. microphonic feedback in certain parts of the sweep

Based on these symptoms I'm guessing the inductor's crapped out. Anyone else care to take a guess, or offer any suggestions?

[astrozombie]

Re: Wah problem

I don't know about the feedback, but the hum could be due to a broken or damaged solder connection. This happened to me with a Wah once, I opened it up and everything looked fine, but then I realized that one of the wires was barely making it's connection.

I still wonder how the hell that happened. unless youre throwing your wah pedal around, it wouldnt make sense of anything to come loose inside a wah pedal.

[Chickenwings]

Re: Wah problem

they will do that if some parts of your circuitboard come into contact with the casing.

[Chickenwings]

Re: Wah problem

astro....katy looks better dark.

[astrozombie]

Re: Wah problem

astro....katy looks better dark.

You're not into it?

what happened to the wah?

[ratherdashing]

Re: Wah problem

they will do that if some parts of your circuitboard come into contact with the casing.

Hm, that's entirely possible. The lid/bottom piece of the casing has started to buckle a bit and one of the screws fell out recently. It's an old enclosure that I re-purposed for the BYOC kit.

I think I'll just use this as an excuse to finally get a new wah. I've been wanting one for a while now.

[ratherdashing]

Re: Wah problem

Just checked the enclosure and although it's pretty beat up it's definitely not touching the PCB anywhere.

[GoldenVulture]

Re: Wah problem

Does the feedback sound a bit like an oscillation squeal?
I'd check for a dry joint, or a shot pot.

[ratherdashing]

Re: Wah problem

It's microphonic feedback, like a broken pickup, not like when your loud amp makes the body vibrate into righteous awesomeness.

And I know the pot is dying - forgot to mention that. It's been scratchy for a while.

My plan now is to start from scratch with this wah. I've been a. wanting to replace it for over a year now, and b. looking for a fun, low pressure pedal project.

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Wah problem

Wah's are nothing but problems...