Modifying my Wah

Joe Castro

New member
I was thinking of modifying my (recent) Dunlop Cry-Baby and was wondering if anyone else had done this? I know you can buy whole replacement boards that you just drop in, has anyone done this? If so, where did you go? I can't really post the pedal anywhere, so the mod must be something I can do myself. I was looking at the Torres Amps kits, and also at www.wah-wah.co.uk, has anyone used any of these?

Any help would be great.

Joe
 
Re: Modifying my Wah

I did the Torres mod to mine. The 5 way rotary switch is a Lil' over the
top IMHO. I only found one useable sound from it. When that Wah died
on me, I just took the Cap. I liked off the switch and soldered it on to
my new Wah. I just soldered it in parrarell w/t one of the resistors on
the board.( I don't remember the values) The Mod hepled smooth out
the tone a bit. Took some of the shrillness out of it. :D
Maybe STRATDELUX97 will chime in? He's the pedal Mod Guru around here !
 
Re: Modifying my Wah

Really? 'Cos I was thinking of installing the 5-way mod. I was a little concerned about the drilling bit though. What I really want is a replacement circuit-board, with true-bypass and with a warmer tone than the original. Does anyone know where I can buy one?

Joe.
 
Re: Modifying my Wah

WAH pedal circuits

Dunlop CB WAH mods

stomp switch wiring

WAH pedals are one of the easiest effects to modify. The circuit board is large. Relatively uncluttered (few components).

Changing a single capacitor will have a dramatic effect on the center frequency / range. (capacitors cost less than $1.00)

Bypassing is simple because you don’t need a 3PDT switch (unless you can’t tell your wah is actuated without a LED)

I would review the above sites (search for others) before I would fork over the money for a complete drop-in circuit board.
 
Re: Modifying my Wah

You really don't need all those extra switches and stuff...All you're entitled to,is one great wah tone...The only way to get it is to have the right pot and inductor..After that it's board tweaks to get more vocalness and range,plus mids,and lows out of the wah...It's not rocket science,but you do have to know what part of the circuit to change? My mod prices are inexpensive but the wah parts sure aren't.... ;o)

John
 
Re: Modifying my Wah

Joe Castro said:
Really? 'Cos I was thinking of installing the 5-way mod. I was a little concerned about the drilling bit though. What I really want is a replacement circuit-board, with true-bypass and with a warmer tone than the original. Does anyone know where I can buy one?

Joe.

Try modding the board you have in your wah now by using the info Chaos sent you...A board will set you back at least a $100 or higher depending on where you buy it from and how many extras you add to it....Most of the mods are subtle,with the inductor and pot making the most difference..You're dealing basically with a filter and you tweak the filter until you get the vocalness out of your wah..By the Fulltone pot and inductor,it's superior to any of the Dunlop stuff...I've used the red and yellow fasels,and the whole series of Dunlop pots,and the Fulltone is the best...I Like the Teese stuff,but you can't currently buy it..

John
 
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Re: Modifying my Wah

Hey,

Thanks for all the info. Here's the question though: I have about £50 (about $80) to spend, and all the soldering experience I have is from my guitar. Also, I don't want to break or damage my pedal beyond repair. What exactly should I buy?

Sorry for all the questions, but when it comes to modifying a pedal, i'm afraid i'm completely lost.

Thanks

Joe
 
Re: Modifying my Wah

Joe Castro said:
Hey,

Thanks for all the info. Here's the question though: I have about £50 (about $80) to spend, and all the soldering experience I have is from my guitar. Also, I don't want to break or damage my pedal beyond repair. What exactly should I buy?

Sorry for all the questions, but when it comes to modifying a pedal, i'm afraid i'm completely lost.

Thanks

Joe

The best 2 things you can do and that are very noticible,would be to replace the pot and inductor...I've tryed several pots and inductors and I still like the Fulltone stuff the best...Look around the net because some places sell the Fulltone pot and inductor cheaper than if you buy it right from Fulltone..

John
 
Re: Modifying my Wah

Would that solve the whole 'bypass' problem? (or at least make it better?) My signal sounds pretty awful after it's gone through the pedal, how easy it installing a DPDT switch to fix it?
 
Re: Modifying my Wah

Joe Castro said:
Would that solve the whole 'bypass' problem? (or at least make it better?) My signal sounds pretty awful after it's gone through the pedal, how easy it installing a DPDT switch to fix it?
Very easy. Replace the SPDT switch with a DPDT. move a few wires, add a couple more and your done.
See the dunlop link posted above - step 3
 
Re: Modifying my Wah

Joe Castro said:
Would that solve the whole 'bypass' problem? (or at least make it better?) My signal sounds pretty awful after it's gone through the pedal, how easy it installing a DPDT switch to fix it?

Go on over to www.fulltone.com and print his wiring diagram for your wah...You again,have to know what you're doing..You have to know which wires go where etc...

John
 
Re: Modifying my Wah

Ok, one LAST QUESTION (thanks for the help and for being so patient).

I'm gonna get the Fulltone pot and the inductor, as well as a DPDT switch and do the mod myself. But, where can I buy them from? I can't seem to find any one place that sells them all, except Fulltone who won't accept credit cards issued outside the US.

Does anyone know anywhere that sells these things? (I don't mind paying a little more to buy them all from the same place as i'd save on shipping).

Thanks

Joe
 
Re: Modifying my Wah

Joe Castro said:
Ok, one LAST QUESTION (thanks for the help and for being so patient).

I'm gonna get the Fulltone pot and the inductor, as well as a DPDT switch and do the mod myself. But, where can I buy them from? I can't seem to find any one place that sells them all, except Fulltone who won't accept credit cards issued outside the US.

Does anyone know anywhere that sells these things? (I don't mind paying a little more to buy them all from the same place as i'd save on shipping).

Thanks

Joe

Clueless?????

http://www.wah-wah.co.uk/
 
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Re: Modifying my Wah

Curly said:
try MusicToyz


Sorted. Many thanks. Might hassle y'all in a couple of weeks with how to fit the inductor though, just to give you a 'heads up'.

Thanks to all for all the help.

Adios.
 
Re: Modifying my Wah

Joe Castro said:
Sorted. Many thanks. Might hassle y'all in a couple of weeks with how to fit the inductor though, just to give you a 'heads up'.

Thanks to all for all the help.

Adios.

No problem....Shoot an IM at me..
 
Re: Modifying my Wah

Shoot, thought I had it. Unfortunatly, postage is $24.99. Why do they insist on using UPS when all I want is the parts put in an envelope and posted? I don't need to flown to me specially in 12 hours?

So, one more time, if anyone knows anywhere in EUROPE or anywhere in america that won't charge me some extortionate amount for postage, if they could let me know, i'd be most grateful. This whole experience is starting to wear me down...
 
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