Behringer wah HB01: doesn't bypass

[demym]

Hi,

i've bought an used Behringer HB01 wah, just to keep it at home.. This wah is sold as true bypass; but, when i bypass it (that is, when i take off my foot, as it has an ptical switch), the sound seems to me still with wah on.... The bypass led works fine (it goes off if i take off my foot); only, to me it's not the bypassed sound that i'm hearing; the sound is 'wuhing' as if the wah was on at his minimum point... In fact, when i switch the wah mode knobs, the sound changes, also in bypass..

I've opened it and checked the optical switch, and it seems to work correctly;

Now i'm thinking of making a true bypass mod (for TRUE this time); i'm a little disappointed to install a DPDT switch, as i really like the optical behaviour; but the current behaviour is not the right one (i had a Morley Bad Horsie in the past, which is claimed NOT to be true bypass, but didn't had this drastical sound change in bypass mode);

if anyone of you had the same experience with this wah and was able to fix it, please let me know.

If no way to fix it, i would also like to replace the internal circuit with a DIY wah schematic;

Thanks in advance

[petemoore]

  True Bypass looper, simple, outside, neat, works with any looped pedals.
  Same basic thing except in the wah, for the wah only, DPDT just taps basically the input output jack tips...bypass jumper/to circuit where it used to go.
  I'm pretty sure you're describing the way the HB works as new.

[demym]

Thanks, i was thinking about that... i know how to build a mono looper, have already done in the past...

So you are saying that it is normal that HB01 works that way ? I find it a little strange, as it is claimed to be true bypass; well, my BadHorsie wasn't TB, but didn't have this problem at all .... i mean, when it was off, it was off !

Just hate the idea of having to use a supplementar box (the looper). and also hate the idea that i loose optical switch advantage... Also very surprised that i didn't find news about this problem on th web prior to buying it.

Anyway, thanks very much

[jkokura]

http://www.behringer.de/EN/Products/HB01.aspx

No mention of being True Bypass. I think you need a mechanical switch to do true bypass, and since this is optical you will obviously not have any mechanical switching. Perhaps you can TB it, but if you don't want to tinker with the insides you'll need to go with an external bypass box.

Personally, I'd gut it and build a real wah. I played with one beside my Vox 847 and it suck b@lls.

Jacob

[demym]

What is a simple but effective DIY wah that i can build, in case i would substitute the internals  ?

Is there a simple way to make the bypass optical sensor switch to true bypass when off ?

Just considering the options; if i'm in difficulty, i will simple install a DPDT switch (trying to use the already existing jacks).

Thanks very much.

P.S: i'm sure that i've read somewhere that it was true bypass, but now that you pointed me to the product and the manual, i have to say that you're right: no mention of TB....

Excuse me.

Thanks, have a nice time

[jkokura]

No worries! You don't need to apologize - I just pointed it out to help you solve the problem you were experiencing.

As for easy wah's, I recommend either Tonepad or GGG to look at. I know that there's a DIY wah from BYOC also. There are tonnes of schems out there for popular wahs.

Perhaps be pre-emptivly gutting the pedal it would be a good idea to see if you can 'upgrade' the current circuit. Open it up, see if you can follow it a little bit. Look at the other popular wahs out there and see how it compares. It may be that you can make some subtle adjustments to improve it greatly.

True Bypass is the only Mod I'll ever do to my Vox wah personally. If I want a custom wah I won't buy a wah just to gut it. But if there's no salvaging the Behringer circuit...

Jacob