Crybaby problems...

Jimbo Jr.

Jimbo Jr.

New member
I got a dunlop "classic crybaby" for Christmas. It worked great for quite a few months, but recently it's sounded like crap. It isn't able to get a full sweep, it gets stuck in the WWW and never really makes it to the AAAHHH. I haven't taken it apart since I have no experience working on electronics or instruments, and I have really no idea what's causing the problem. Suggestions on what's wrong or what I should do?
 
Re: Crybaby problems...

Ok,

Just whipped the cover off mine. It's a very simple mechanism, and my guess is that you either have some dirt/grit in the rack and pinion gearing, or worse some in the Pot. Or your pot has collapsed from lots of use, in which case you'll need a replacement pot. If cleaning the rack, and some fresh grease doesn't solve the issue[Use a silicon based grease as the gears are plastic], take it to a re-seller, or contact one for the replacement pot. If you have a mate who knows anything about electronics, he should be able to find a generic replacement from an electronic wholesaler/spares outlet.
 
Re: Crybaby problems...

I had another thought!

If the Pot in there isn't a 360 degree unit, you may have jumped the rack at some point so the pot's hitting its end stop in one direction of travel. It may just need setting up.
 
Re: Crybaby problems...

Philcguitars said:
I had another thought!

If the Pot in there isn't a 360 degree unit, you may have jumped the rack at some point so the pot's hitting its end stop in one direction of travel. It may just need setting up.
Click to expand...

That was my first guess. The pots in the dunlop wahs only go through about half their total sweep, so it's possible that the gear just slipped a little.

Also, I had this same problem with my Dunlop and it turns out it was due to a crappy soldier joint on the pot. Quality control? Who knows.
 
Re: Crybaby problems...

If the pot needs to be replaced (which it proably does) replace it with a Fullertone pot. The Dunlop pots are sealed and this prevents you from spraying a cleaner effectively in them. If you look at the tone or volume pot on a guitar there is an opening where the leads connect to it. there you can spray a pot cleaner and get at the wipers. Usually you can tell when a pot is dirty because it makes a scratchy sound when you roll it back and fourth. In the case of a Wah when you rock the pedal up/down. If its not scratchy, chances are the pot is shot and it needs to be replaced. This is not a difficult repair. I have replaced them many times, and I am a spaz with a soldering iron. The most difficut part is timing the trow of the foot pedal to get the wah the way you want it.
 
Re: Crybaby problems...

Bludave said:
If the pot needs to be replaced (which it proably does) replace it with a Fullertone pot. The Dunlop pots are sealed and this prevents you from spraying a cleaner effectively in them. If you look at the tone or volume pot on a guitar there is an opening where the leads connect to it. there you can spray a pot cleaner and get at the wipers. Usually you can tell when a pot is dirty because it makes a scratchy sound when you roll it back and fourth. In the case of a Wah when you rock the pedal up/down. If its not scratchy, chances are the pot is shot and it needs to be replaced. This is not a difficult repair. I have replaced them many times, and I am a spaz with a soldering iron. The most difficut part is timing the trow of the foot pedal to get the wah the way you want it.
Click to expand...

Dave......That's "Fulltone"......LOL
 
Re: Crybaby problems...

I checked the pot and it only turned most of the way, now it turns all the way. I'll try it out tonight and see if it works. Thanks for all the help guys.:)
 
Re: Crybaby problems...

HolyDirt said:
The pots in the dunlop wahs only go through about half their total sweep,
Click to expand...

Yup.

I "tune" the rotation of the pot into a range that sounds better to me, usually more bass & 'growl' and less of the piercing top that comes from the toe down position.
 
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