Digitech Whammy WH-1

[optimus_prime_1985]

Anybody have a project for this beast? Not sure how much stuff is going on in this one or if any of the parts are discontinued, but they are so dang expensive. Thought I would check before selling one of my kidneys to buy one. Thanks Guys

Karl

[travissk]

Nope, sorry - It's proprietary, digital, and complicated. I don't think you'll be able to build one unless you've been collecting pieces of broken WH-1 pedals.

I'm not 100% familiar with the history, so I might be effectively making this up, but here goes:

The WH-1 Whammy uses some sought-after chip that a third party made. They fetch pretty steep prices. I've never played one to see if they're really that much better or not, but some people swear by them and others laugh all the way to the bank after selling them for up to $500. The IPS-33B (but not the IPS-33) and the GHP/DHP (forgot the name) use this same chip, and are rackmount units.

The WH-2 uses something different, as the Digitech and that chip maker had a falling out (I'm not 100% of this - anyone?). Trey of Phish used one of these. This one's black and supposedly sounds and tracks well.

The WH-3 is the XP-100 Whammy/Wah, and it seems that for 6 months, these things are popular as a cheaper alternative to the WH-1 and WH-4, then the next 6 months, they're unpopular, etc. It's a multieffect in the XP series, and sounds about as good as the shifter patches on the RP series of that era.

The WH-4 is the current one Digitech produces and is -not- an exact duplicate of the WH-1. It uses a new chip and most people say it's inferior to the original. That said, I got one of these broken and repaired it, and it does some cool stuff. I don't think these are too expensive, but then again it can be seen as something as a toy.


Edit: for spelling

[Johnny G]

building a WH-1 would not only be damn hard but seriouslly, seriouslly impressive impressive.

like travissk said, its digital chips and funkyness.

ive got mine and i couldnt be happier with it. granted it cost me a fair bit since i got stung for import tax on it even tho it was second hand goods bought off ebay (ggrrrrrr)

but it was definatelly money well spent imho

[space_ryerson]

I have a WH-2, and it does track and sound good. I should mention that the WH-2's have a slight advantage in that you can change which pitch shift/harmony you are using without having to bend over. The WH-4's have the added feature of MIDI, which if properly implemented could do some neat stuff as well. I have seen a schematic of the WH-3, but you would be better off buying one, trust me.

[chrisaxeman]

I have a WH-2, and it does track and sound good. I should mention that the WH-2's have a slight advantage in that you can change which pitch shift/harmony you are using without having to bend over. The WH-4's have the added feature of MIDI, which if properly implemented could do some neat stuff as well. I have seen a schematic of the WH-3, but you would be better off buying one, trust me.

Is the WH2 the red XP100?

I did TB mods to it with LEDS and it works great and looks silly.

I have the WH4(the midi one)in my rack.It is a POS without using midi.....on the floor is need to be calibarated each time I used it,and the pedal is mechanically "loose",so it's pretty in-accurate.If you don't have midi with the WH4,don't bother!

Chris...........

[ninoman123]

Ive got the newest Whammy, and yah not many other uses except as a toy. It doesnt sound all too amazing. The new Dive Bomb feature on it is COMPLETELY useless. It makes the bass sooooo low that you cant even hear it anymore. Pointless....

Pretty much a toy...if that...I like making high pitched annoying sounds with it but thats about it.

[jmasciswannabe]

I sold my old WH-4 to buy a broken WH-2 and fixed it. I work at a guitar store and set two of them up with an a/b and it was obvious to me that the WH-2 didn't just track better, but smoother. The little gin knob on the back of the WH-2 is a pain and that's what was broken in mine. I cat the old one out and wired in a new smaller one on the inside.

[space_ryerson]

Is the WH2 the red XP100?

No, it's the black one. It came out a couple of years before the XP100. I think the XP100 is the WH3.