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Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

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  • #1

    Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

    Hi all,

    First time poster and newb, so be gentle

    I've modified my GCB-96 Cry Baby with the following changes:

    - Removed buffer and converted to true bypass
    - Replaced the 33K resistor in parallel with the inductor with a 68K
    - Replaced the 390 ohm resistor at the emitter of Q1 with 270 ohm resistor
    - Replaced the 1K5 resistor between the base of Q1 and the inductor with 2K2 resistor.
    - Replaced the 68K series input resistor with 47K

    When I tested it, it was all working, but I have since discovered that there is a random volume drop, and it sometimes cuts out completely (even when not engaged). Seems to be that stomping on it can make it happen more often than not. Before I did the mods, the wah was a bit temperamental, thinking about it.... would sometimes cut out.

    Here's a pic:



    I also accidentally burnt and lifted a part of the track on the rear of the PCB, but bridged the gap by using a wire and soldering the contacts directly.

    In work at the moment so unable to provide voltages etc., but will see what I can do when I get home.... but does anyone have any idea what the issue could potentially be?
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

    If it happened before the mods it could be the switch going bad. . .
    Join me in the fight against muscular atrophy!

    Originally posted by Douglas Adams
    This planet has - or rather had - a problem, which was this: most of the people living on it were unhappy for pretty much of the time. Many solutions were suggested for this problem, but most of these were largely concerned with the movements of small green pieces of paper, which is odd because on the whole it wasn't the small green pieces of paper that were unhappy.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

      Initially I'd be inclined to look at the bypass switch and wiring, especially if it cuts out while not engaged.
      Oh no.....


      Oh Yeah!

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

        Originally posted by GuitarStv View Post
        If it happened before the mods it could be the switch going bad. . .
        Just so I'm clear - are you referring to the switch that engages and disengages the effect? If so, I replaced that as well...

        Initially I'd be inclined to look at the bypass switch and wiring, especially if it cuts out while not engaged.
        Is that also the switch that engages the effect (as above)...?

        Cheers guys!

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

          Yes, the switch that engages and disengages the effect, and the wiring off of it is what would be most likely to give cutting out problems while the effect is off. Check for cold solder joints, make sure there's nothing that's connected where it shouldn't be, worst case replace the switch again.
          Join me in the fight against muscular atrophy!

          Originally posted by Douglas Adams
          This planet has - or rather had - a problem, which was this: most of the people living on it were unhappy for pretty much of the time. Many solutions were suggested for this problem, but most of these were largely concerned with the movements of small green pieces of paper, which is odd because on the whole it wasn't the small green pieces of paper that were unhappy.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

            OK... this is very odd.....

            Just took the back off the pedal, and connected it as the sole pedal in the chain to the amp. No FX loop or anything else. Different cables as well.

            ....and it seems fine. I've also used a one spot instead of a daisy chain from the Pedal Power 2 Plus I normally use... tried the PP2+ and it was OK as well... very odd!

            Just got a 3pDT switch arrive so I'll be adding an LED and re-soldering a few bits - watch this space...

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

              Modding those can be finiky... My guess is one of your connections isn't solid and a slight movement breaks the connection.

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

                Well, that sucks..... removing some of the solder removed some of the contact point parts of the tracks, so it's a right mess.

                Just going to order a replacement PCB and start again

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

                  Ditch the PCB, why not rearrange the circuit on tagboard? It's a lot easier to work with and is more forgiving of soldering/unsoldering multiple times.
                  Join me in the fight against muscular atrophy!

                  Originally posted by Douglas Adams
                  This planet has - or rather had - a problem, which was this: most of the people living on it were unhappy for pretty much of the time. Many solutions were suggested for this problem, but most of these were largely concerned with the movements of small green pieces of paper, which is odd because on the whole it wasn't the small green pieces of paper that were unhappy.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

                    Hi again all!

                    Finally got all the parts needed - I'm going to also attempt the momentary switch upgrade / mod, as seen here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Foot...ybaby-wah-mod/

                    However, I noticed something - the momentary switch I have has '1 2 3' on the side, instead of the 'C NO NC' on the wiring diagram for the mod. Does anyone have any idea how the numbers on the switch relate to the wiring? The diagrams are below:

                    The switch I have:



                    And the wiring diagram, where it references the switch having C NO and NC:



                    Any help would be really really appreciated!

                    Thanks

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

                      Every DPDT switch I've wired up has the same six lugs on the bottom. As long as you've wired it up so it looks the same as in the diagram I would think it should be right. Are you using the right type of switch? It should be open (off) in the center position, closed (on) when togged either direction.
                      Join me in the fight against muscular atrophy!

                      Originally posted by Douglas Adams
                      This planet has - or rather had - a problem, which was this: most of the people living on it were unhappy for pretty much of the time. Many solutions were suggested for this problem, but most of these were largely concerned with the movements of small green pieces of paper, which is odd because on the whole it wasn't the small green pieces of paper that were unhappy.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

                        Originally posted by GuitarStv View Post
                        Every DPDT switch I've wired up has the same six lugs on the bottom. As long as you've wired it up so it looks the same as in the diagram I would think it should be right. Are you using the right type of switch? It should be open (off) in the center position, closed (on) when togged either direction.
                        I believe so, it's the momentary version of this:

                        Error Page | eBay
                        http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=161400782832

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

                          Me again....! So all the mods didn't wor out, and I thought I'd attempt just the true bypass and LED ones... and, the wah ind of wors when it's not engaged or powered, so the bypass is O.... and the LED lights when it's engaged, so that's cool.... but when I engage the wah, there's no sound at all. Occasionally, it does a very high pitched squel that changes with wah movement....! Really stumped.

                          Here are some pics:

                          Click image for larger version Name: 2015-03-10 23.10.59.jpg Views: 1 Size: 82.1 KB ID: 5784531Click image for larger version Name: 2015-03-10 23.11.17.jpg Views: 1 Size: 85.4 KB ID: 5784532Click image for larger version Name: 2015-03-10 23.11.34.jpg Views: 1 Size: 65.6 KB ID: 5784533Click image for larger version Name: 2015-03-10 23.11.48.jpg Views: 1 Size: 75.5 KB ID: 5784534Click image for larger version Name: 2015-03-10 23.12.41.jpg Views: 1 Size: 55.5 KB ID: 5784535

                          The only issue when I was doing all the work was that I soldered through one of the standard blue wires - but from looking at pics, it seems that the one from the PCB connector goes to the pot, and then the one I burnt goes from the pot to the switch, which I replicated. I've tried connecting both blue wires to the switch as well, but same issue.

                          Anyone have any ideas...?
                          Last edited by FarleyUK; 03-10-2015, 06:01 PM.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Modded Cry Baby - random volume drop

                            Managed to fix it, in case anyone else has the same issue.

                            By soldering the new input wire to the green wire, and the purple wire to the blue wires, you can induce the wah effect. If there's no sound it's likely (as in my case) the new input wire is not installed correctly.

                            I replaced the wire, and it worked - so I then used a new 3PDT switch, and have a working wah with an LED now

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