The truth behind the Dunlop JH-1 Hendrix Wah

Jono_L

Jono_L

New member
The standard GCB-95 Crybaby original sells for $69. The JH-1 Hendrix wah, sells for $89. So what exactly is the difference between them both?

Dunlop's site states the following:

The Hendrix Series Wah is an original 60's design with modified circuitry to provide for a more open (or fatter) sound by lowering the frequency of the operating range.
Click to expand...

So for an extra $20, you get a 'modified circuitry' that gives you a fatter sound.

Whether or not its worth the $20, is up to the consumer to decide. Looking further into the schematic reveals that the difference between the two wahs are JUST 2 extra caps on the JH-1. So for $2, the GCB-95 can be modded to JH-1 specs, and you can use the extra $18 on something else, such as a Fasel Inductor.

To make things even better, the Rev G. boards on the post-'92 GCB-95s, just so happen to have 2 unused spaces on the circuit board - these are predrilled, and one of them is labelled "C2"

Guess what? Tracing back the tracks on the PCB, they are exactly where the two extra caps on the JH-1 would be mounted. Needless to say, I'm picking up the 2 extra caps this week, and am going to convert my GCB-95 to JH-1 specs.

So basically, if you want a JH-1 wah, why don't you do yourself a favor, get a GCB-95 with 2 caps, and pocket the extra $18
 
Re: The truth behind the Dunlop JH-1 Hendrix Wah

so your paying for the name???? would jimmy have liked that if he wass till alive?
 
Re: The truth behind the Dunlop JH-1 Hendrix Wah

Theres T/B info on crybabys all over the place - I'll be doing mine according to this site;

http://www.green-fuz.freeserve.co.uk/wahtb.html

As for the 2 extra caps - here they are, marked with a *

http://www.geocities.com/j4_student/crybaby95.gif

As far as I can tell from tracing my circuit board, the empty space on the PCB labelled "C2" is the .01uf cap. The empty space between "C2" and the AC jack is the .022uf cap. Mines a Rev G board
 
Re: The truth behind the Dunlop JH-1 Hendrix Wah

I found the Hendrix wah to be a bit dark sounding? It was a little more
throaty than the GCB-95. But aside from hav'in his name on it, I couldn't
associate it with Jimi's tone at all? ( That may be why it's $20 xtra)
I'm sure Dunlop has to kick some money up to the Hendrix estate for
the use of his name. I've found if you want more bass responce from
your 95. You can loosen the nylon loop that holds the gear to the pot
and adjust it so it sweeps in the lower frequncies. But Hmmmm?
now ya got me think'in :smack: What would it sound like with the Jimi
mod and the gear adjusted to the higher freaquncies ??? maybe my
next project? :scratchch
 
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Re: The truth behind the Dunlop JH-1 Hendrix Wah

kmcguitars said:
I've found if you want more bass responce from
you 95. You can loosen the nylon loop that holds the gear to the pot
and adjust it so it sweeps in the lower frequncies. But Hmmmm?
now ya got me think'in :smack: What would it sound like with the Jimi
mod and the gear adjusted to the higher freaquncies ??? maybe my
next project? :scratchch
Click to expand...

Done the nylon loop trick - my rig is on the bright side, so the stocker was VERY bright for my taste. The sweep range is fine, but the top end of it just sounds too thin. Didnt like the effect of the gain/bass response resistor change - I'm looking for more fatness in my sound, which is what the JH-1 is advertised for. After all, for the price of 2 caps, you've got nothing to lose, and if I dont like the result, I can always de-mod it.
 
Re: The truth behind the Dunlop JH-1 Hendrix Wah

Jono_L said:
Done the nylon loop trick - my rig is on the bright side, so the stocker was VERY bright for my taste. The sweep range is fine, but the top end of it just sounds too thin. Didnt like the effect of the gain/bass response resistor change - I'm looking for more fatness in my sound, which is what the JH-1 is advertised for. After all, for the price of 2 caps, you've got nothing to lose, and if I dont like the result, I can always de-mod it.
Click to expand...
Yeah Man !! Post your results?? I might have to fire up the old solder iron. :)
 
Re: The truth behind the Dunlop JH-1 Hendrix Wah

Dunlop's site states the following:

Quote:
"The Hendrix Series Wah is an original 60's design with modified circuitry to provide for a more open (or fatter) sound by lowering the frequency of the operating range."

That is a very contradictive statement, IMO. Generally fatter, means denser and thicker to me! So how could it be more "open" if it's all filled up with "fat"?

Anyways, the real, '67 era, first generation Italian made Vox wahs I've owned and played do have a more open sound and breathy or airy sound.

By the early 70's, that sound was lost and the original Vox Crybabys do not have that same open tone.

I don't have much experiance with Dunlap Wahs. I repaired one recently and got it working properly and liked it...but it had a thicker, growlier tone...not the original Vox Clyde McCoy tone which is more like a muted trumpet.

Don't know the model number of the one I repaired...it was a quicky repair.

Lew
 
Re: The truth behind the Dunlop JH-1 Hendrix Wah

I have failed.

As far as I've experimented, putting in the 2 caps causes the wah to cease function - it doesn't sweep at all. I'm sure its somethign to do with the .01uf in parrallel to the inductor, as thats connected to the cap which sweeps the wah.

Will experiment later on ;)

On the plus side, I'm getting a Fasel inductor through my dealer, so that should keep me occupied :D
 
Re: The truth behind the Dunlop JH-1 Hendrix Wah

ANCIENT ZOMBIE THREAD REVIVAL!

I was poking around inside my stock crybaby making it true bypass and adding and LED and saw the blank slots on the board. I was wondering if anyone made this one actually worked?

Adding a couple caps is easy enough and that's a big old board to work on so it might be fun. Just don't want to waste my time if the board is not routed for it.

Thanks!
 
Re: The truth behind the Dunlop JH-1 Hendrix Wah

I say wire them to a switch and that way you can A/B it at worst.
At best you like both sounds and can switch between them.
 
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