A Simpler DIY Wah Project - Check This Out!

[Paul Marossy]

I decided to try out some new ideas for a DIY wah. My first one was pretty hardcore DIY, but I think this one is within the grasp of the average DIY'er. All of the parts are easily obtainable and easily fabricated with very basic tools. The circuit is a Maestro Boomerang, and I think it sounds really good with the yellow reissue Fasel inductor that I used.

Check it out: http://www.diyguitarist.com/DIYStompboxes/DIY-Wah2.htm

Don't let the plastic RadioShack enclosure fool you, it's tough when it's all together!

[puretube]

[MartyMart]

Paul - Thank's for your efforts .... AGAIN ....
That is an inspiring project and a superb set of "step by step" photo's
well done, I can see myself trying that one ........  soon

Marty.

[soggybag]

Very ingenius! Burning the midnight oil by the barrel I see.

[j.frad]

Great work as always!

[Myriad Society]

Paul, that is a genious bit of enclosure construction there...I never would have thought of that! A couple of questions though. I'm a little confused on how it all stays together at the treadle.

Is the spacer the key to that :?:  It looks like you cut the spacer to fit exactly into the inside of the bracket and then bolted the paddle plate through the spacer to the treadle which allows the whole assembly to rock freely on the bracket with no side to side movement. Hmm...I guess I just answered my own question.

One last question, how did you cut the rectangular slots that the bracket fits through. I suppose if nothing else it could be muscled through on a plastic enclosure but how would you do it on a steel or aluminum one :?:

Anyway, thanks for sharing that build, that is truly inspiring.

[petemoore]

My question is about the gears. Where did you get the Rack gear and pinion...looks like it fits on a 'regualar potshaft...?
 I think it looks totally functional, relaible !!! Lightweight / Strong enough looking.
 #1 looks like it took more 'strokes', and is most interesting of the three for me to look at.
 I like VOX's pedal tread, this lets a design top be used, and keeps the sole of your shoe from scratching it.
 Your mechanical design choices again, on this one look well thought out, very good.

[Bill Bergman]

Quite inovative Paul !!

[Paul Marossy]

Paul, that is a genious bit of enclosure construction there...I never would have thought of that! A couple of questions though. I'm a little confused on how it all stays together at the treadle.

Is the spacer the key to that :?:  It looks like you cut the spacer to fit exactly into the inside of the bracket and then bolted the paddle plate through the spacer to the treadle which allows the whole assembly to rock freely on the bracket with no side to side movement. Hmm...I guess I just answered my own question.

One last question, how did you cut the rectangular slots that the bracket fits through. I suppose if nothing else it could be muscled through on a plastic enclosure but how would you do it on a steel or aluminum one :?:



Anyway, thanks for sharing that build, that is truly inspiring.

You are correct on the treadle arrangement. I cut all of the rectangular openings with my trusty Dremel Tool equipped with a cutting wheel.

My question is about the gears. Where did you get the Rack gear and pinion...looks like it fits on a 'regualar potshaft...?

I got the rack and pinion from http://www.tubesandmore.com (Antique Electonics). I used a regular 50KB Alpha pot with a 47K resistor wired in parallel to make it a +/- 25K pot. I'm not sure where to find a heavy duty 25K pot similar to the 100K ones employed in most wah pedals today...

Thanks to everyone else for the kind words.  

[jimbob]

very amazing! i now have a new hero!!!

[Eric H]

10 hours including R&D?
That's focus, Paul

-Eric

[Paul Marossy]

10 hours including R&D?
That's focus, Paul

-Eric

I think it's an obsession! Of course, I am always thinking about how to do stuff wherever I am, whatever I am doing. My mind is still going even when I'm sleeping!  :x

[neon333]

Great work Paul  Nice and neat.

[Doug_H]

Who'd a thunk it? What we needed all along to solve the "diy-able wah" dilemma was a bona fide mechanical engineer who wanted to dig into it.  :lol:

Great work, Paul!

Doug

[Paul Marossy]

Who'd a thunk it? What we needed all along to solve the "diy-able wah" dilemma was a bona fide mechanical engineer who wanted to dig into it.  :lol:

Great work, Paul!

Doug

You forgot to add crazy in there somewhere!  :lol:

Well, you know this started out as a "wah kick". I was interested in the other wah circuits out there besides CryBaby/Vox. Morley never entered my mind, but I had heard of Colorsound and the Maestro Boomerang is considered a really good sounding wah. So, anyhow, I thought a DIY wah would be the last type of DIY project for me to conquer, so I went full bore. At the same time, I wanted it to be something that the average DIYer could build. My first one I don't think quite fit in that category, but I like the badass look of it.  :wink:

Anyhow, I think this one could be built by a determined DIYer...  

[petemoore]

A gear assembly that fits any standard potshaft [means any size pot can be used], this is nice, speed control of a Univibe or Phaser anyone?

[moeburn]

I'm still gonna use a 1Mohm pot directly attached to the axle :p

Where did you find the thick aluminum pieces?  My hardware store didnt seem to have any that thick.

[Paul Marossy]

Where did you find the thick aluminum pieces? My hardware store didnt seem to have any that thick.

That's the only thing that I didn't buy at my local hardware store. It's from a 10"x10" piece of aluminum that was given to me. I'm not sure where you could get that from, but you could probably get some diamond plate stuff to make the foot paddle. That would look pretty cool!

[Myriad Society]

Paul, for a metal enclosure for the wah, how about the Hammond 1455 Series enclosure. The dimensions on #1455L2201 are 8.66" x 4.06" x 1.20". A little larger than what the plastic Radio Shack one is but still within the realm of possibility plus they are extruded aluminum so shouldn't need to worry about durability and the bottom plate is removeable for easy access. It looks like it might require a little redesigning of how the bracket attaches to the main housing but not a lot and maybe some routing on the sides to fit the jacks in there.

[moeburn]

Where did you find the thick aluminum pieces? My hardware store didnt seem to have any that thick.

That's the only thing that I didn't buy at my local hardware store. It's from a 10"x10" piece of aluminum that was given to me. I'm not sure where you could get that from, but you could probably get some diamond plate stuff to make the foot paddle. That would look pretty cool!

I thought the metal for the pedal part was given to you.  I'm referring to the 3/4x1/8" strips.  Or did you cut those yourself?