Need Wah advice

[elvis]

Yes, I searched. Either the search function is not working or I am an idiot. Likely the latter.

I have an old-school Cry Baby, a Bad Horsie II, and the wah built into the G system. None are wah-ey enough. Any recommendations, either for a different pedal, or a way to get the pedal to give more effect?

I use them with humbucker super-strats into my MR and Dyne. I want to be able to get really swampy lows and really whiny highs, but mostly to get it to really be noticeable. I find that often you almost can't even tell I'm using the wah. So it may not be a problem with the pedals at all.

I use them on clean channel, dirt channels, and dirt + OD or fuzz. The best results have been through the fuzz. The worst is through overdrives. The wah is the first thing in my signal chain.

Any advice will be appreciated, and refuted ad nauseum :lol:

 

[screamingdaisy]

Dunlop Zakk Wylde.

It has a huge sweep with a lot more highs and lows than other wahs I've used.

 

[gonzo]

wahs are very personal.

best advice is to try every single one you can get your hands on, and then do more research from there.

i use a Budda Bud Wah, and i really dig it.

 

[elvis]

Sure, but I have 3 reputable ones, and they are REALLY underwhelming. I've never had problems like this with wah before. Even the ones I have are not as good as they used to be.

 

[Monsta-Tone]

I've never had a Crybaby that I liked. Maybe the 535Q, but that was a love/hate thing.

I had a Bad Horsie II for years. Great for boosted solo wah sounds, but not so great for 70's porno rock!

I've been using the Fulltone Clyde Deluxe Wah for a few years now. I keep it set to the Jimi setting with the volume at 11:00 and I love it!
It's not over powering at that volume setting, it cuts through the mix like a chainsaw, and it just sounds awesome!
The Shaft and Whacked settings are really great for more powerful wah sound or different sweeps when needed.

It's also the 1st wah with a toe switch that I have ever liked. The switch is smooth and easy to use, unlike most of the Crybaby pedals I've had.
The only thing I don't like is that the LED is on the side and it's not very bright. Guess I'm qualified to fix that, but I never think about it when I'm out in the shop......

 

[elvis]

Bought a wah almost by accident this week. I found a used Buddy Guy for $80 and bought it more for the polka dots than anything else. I never even tried it out :shock:

I used it last night and it worked really well. I wasn't as happy with the deep option, but the BG setting was great, and it's a good wah. It certainly cut through at high gain much better than the Bad Horsie.

I'm not thrilled with the switch, I really like the switchless.

 

[screamingdaisy]

The switch will become second nature after awhile.

 

[Jackie]

Dunlop Zakk Wylde.

It has a huge sweep with a lot more highs and lows than other wahs I've used.

Yep, stated so by the man himself in the Crybaby documentary. I dunno I found the Bad Horsie pretty wah-y but I never liked the operation of those wahs. I love the good ol' crybaby.

 

[elvis]

Played the BG wah last night with a band. Still hate the switch, but I did like that I could leave it cocked and walk away. Tone was perfect.

 

[reruam]

A little on the expensive side of things, even so an RMC wah is worth considering. Everything I have read about them has me salavating. Check them out. Especially intrigued by Joe Walsh's sig model.

http://www.buyanalogman.com/RMC_Wahs_by_Teese_s/204.htm

 

[Daxman73]

I know this is an older post, but had to chime in on something I've experienced. I use a Budda wah and absolutely love it. When I'm playing, whether it'd be in a live application or a late night practice, it would always seem as though the "wah-yness" was very subtle and almost hard to hear. It was there, but not dominate like I'd hear when other players played through one (a wah pedal in general that is). It bothered me, but I loved the tone I was getting and I guess it didn't eat at me that much, so I gave it little attention. I then recorded myself playing a solo with it. Wow is all I could say. It was just what I was looking for in a wah sound, very noticable and obvious. Then, at a gig, I walked out to FOH and played both solo and with the band and yep, there it was. So....What you think might not be there, might actually be there, lol. Just a little piece of info I thought I'd share. Not sure if anybody else has experienced this, but I sure did.

 

[Mrjason]

I'm a fan of the Dunlop 535Q myself. A basic Dunlop wah has a volume drop and I don't really like the basic tone. I much more prefer the adjustable 535Q. You can adjust the amount of "quack" with the Variable Q adjustment knob. You can adjust the response by changing the resistance of the potentiometer with a 5 position switch. There is also an optional and adjustable volume boost I like. Although, I only adjust the adjustable features once to my liking and leave them there forever. It is by far my favorite wah pedal. The newer ones run off of 9v and are true bypass for what that is worth to you.

 

[boogieman60]

Dunlop 535Q.. adjustable tone and volume. I also tweaked mine on the more trebely side by holding the rack back and moving the geared pot forward. you can do that with any wah to tweak it.

 

[Jorn218]

I've owned and used a Dime Wah for the past 6 years. I am getting to the point where I hate it with a passion, and really want a Bad Horsie 2. For all the controls on the pedal, they really don't do much and seem to be there more for looks than anything. The only real redeeming feature is the built in gain boost when engaging the pedal. I've never liked any of the other Dunlop Cry Baby pedals amd only use this one as it was given to me, and Ive been too darn cheap to get something else.

I used to own a Vox 847 which had more oomph to it, but for death metal wasn't cutting enough. I really really would like one of the RMC wahs, but that is a lot of coin for a wah. I am settled on the Bad Horsie due to the optical on off. Having to find the switch to turn off the Cry Baby when you are trading solos with another guitar during fast lead spots can be a pain at times.