Average-Joe
Yep.
So much more interesting than flogging it for next to nothing to someone i dont know.
MikeM
I mean the schematic. It doesn't function like a true wah, which uses a LCR filter. By the looks of things (I'm not great with solid state), it shifts between 2 different capacitors to simulate the shifting resonant peak.
Can anyone confirm this?
Chocklit_Thunda
I'd go the way of the passive potentiometer route for simplicity but I think it would be a fun DIY project to convert the wah into a vol pedal that runs like a Morley via the photoresistor and stuff
The other schematic is basically a jack into a potentiometer (low resistance like 100k or something) and then to the output jack...
Average-Joe
If i'm going to take a hatchet to this thing i'd like do do it the best way.
Although useless to me, it will still cost 1000 bucks new.
So i only want to do this if i'm confident i'll have a pro standard workin pedal at the end.
Chocklit_Thunda
Ok then instead of ripping out the wah parts (unless that's what you want then send them my way ?) but who don't you just add a passive volume control and then add a 2 way switch to go between wah or volume? Unless that wah is as crappy as it seems then I rate you can just pull it out and replace it with the vol control
MikeM
On the one hand, I think it'd be a fun thing to do. But on the other, it'll eq your tone, maybe for good, maybe for bad but probably quite a bit. And I can't think of a way to tweak this so you get a sweep from full off, to full on (Very, very limited SS knowledge though, so I could be wrong).
They cost R1k new, for a FAR FAR FAR better product. Like I mentioned, no inductors there even. Honestly, looking at the schematic for this, it's worth as much as you think the chassis, jacks, stomp and power plugs are worth. The circuit is not really useful.
You might be able to mangle the circuit, pull out 70% of the resistors and caps, changing the photoresistor and putting it in a different place, putting a true bypass in as well. It'll almost be building the circuit from scratch.
If I'm really, 100%, earnestly honest about this... Give it to some kid that can't afford a wah or something. And buy a proper volume pedal. I picked up a Visual Volume second hand for R800. Stereo, passive or active, built in booster, noise cancelling, the works. You'll spend R100 on components and then use up a couple hours for a pedal that'll probably end up having a really shitty sweep to it...
Average-Joe
Ouch.
Glad your not my doctor ?
What is the simplest mod i can do - but still worthwhile....
Can I rip out the wah including the optical whatsits?
Even if the sweep is not 100, maybe i can at least use it to add a bit of volume for a solo bit.
Or just drop te vplume a bit if i switch from my strat to a humbucker tele.
MikeM
Hypothetically, you would save someone's life if I were your doc ?
Hahahha, honestly man, if I have read this right, I'd say Makepeace. There's no quick fix, there's no handy "One mod that most guitar techs don't want you to know". He might be able to build you a wah into that housing, or maybe even something like a phaser style wah pedal like so
=
He'd probably be able to build a volume pedal into it if you're still settled on that. I still don't think it's ideal, and would rather do something fun and special if I was going to put some money into it.
But no bullshit, there's not much that you can do with that circuit. Compare it to their modern wahs
http://www.morleypedals.com/pwo2009es.pdf
Chocklit_Thunda
Average Joe wrote:
Ouch.
Glad your not my doctor ?
What is the simplest mod i can do - but still worthwhile....
Can I rip out the wah including the optical whatsits?
Even if the sweep is not 100, maybe i can at least use it to add a bit of volume for a solo bit.
Or just drop te vplume a bit if i switch from my strat to a humbucker tele.
Ok. I may have found your solution from right under my nose.... Ernie ball pedals don't just use the regular gear onto the pot for the sweep which only turns the pot about 70% of its full sweep. EB use a string mechanism on a larger wheel (like gearing ratios) which allows you to get the full sweep from the pot.
If you use the regular mechanism you could add volume or drop volume a bit but with the steig method you can go from full volume to completely off.
Here's the plan:
1. Donate the wah guts to me for added karma points ?
2. Find the appropriate ratio pulley wheel and strong enough nylon string and a 250 or 500K pot with a treble bleed mod
3. Assemble passive wah.
4. Relish in how awesome you are on stage when you do super sick volume swells
MikeM
CT, link to EB's mechanism?
Average-Joe
Is it worth couriering the intestines up to you?
I like your plan.
Do you reckon a hacker like me can manage it alone?
MikeM
The parts inside are worth R25 or so.
Average-Joe
Not sure i'm that badly in need of karma points.
I'll store them so long... Drop them off next time I play Sun City
Chocklit_Thunda
MikeM wrote:
CT, link to EB's mechanism?
Don't have a link.... I actually found it out by looking at my earnie ball wah. I was wondering how to get the full range of the pot and then happened to remember I had a the EB and took a look at the innards. It's a string attached to the back of the foot pedal, running to a small dual wheel (small then big) then out to the potentiometer and then up to the front of the pedal. I think I'll have to draw it out and show you coz it's hard to explain but yeah it should work. I've always read about the EB wags having an extended range and sweep and I figure this is how they got it
Average-Joe
Thanks!
A diagram I can read ?
I reckon I'll take a scalpel to her.
I can picture what you mean with the double wheel string Macgyver.
Not sure where I get the hardware though...
Scared it'll look like a boy scout constructed it with Macano.
A picture would be good.
And any tips.
Average-Joe
I guess it should be easy for me to leave in the bypass switch.
Is it a big deal to set it so that it attenuates as you pull back from middle.
And amplifies from middle forward?
And will it be an advantage / big deal to make it buffered.
Not sure what "buffered" even means..... what is the function / advantage?
It does have the active 9V parts in already after all.
I reckon that could potentially be a very funcky toy.
And any suggestions for utilizing the old volume knob?
Chocklit_Thunda
Well the wheel is a small one stuck onto a big one. The cable loops in from under the small one, goes through a small hole and into the big one and loops that one and out to the pot. I'll try and get pics of what I mean.
Buffering is just a simple circuit put in place instead of true bypass to keep the signal level constant and matching when the pedal is not true bypass. If this wasn't on place, the pedal would load the output signal which would affect tone.
If you have another buffered pedal in line your signal should be fine with the schematic I found for the passive pedal.
Basically you'd just have to rip out the guys of the pedal, mount a pot in there and have fun
MikeM
I believe it's actually a wheel and a cam btw.
Average-Joe
Sorry - I'm almost totally ignorant....
Not sure what a true bypass is...
I'd guess it means a switch shortcutting the circuit
As opposed to just turning the pot to max?
Does my pedal then not have a true bypass already that I can just leave in?
And would there then be any use for a buffer?
