Wah component modifications

[forsaknazrael]

So I've modded my GCB-95 heavily, added TB, a buffer, gain, volume, midrange, vocal mods...Huge improvement.
But I'd like to know a few things.
I've read that replacing the stock transistors with BC109C's is a good idea. Any truth to that? Any experience?
Is it worth changing out the inductor to a red Fasel reissue? Or the wah pot to a Fulltone one, or a just a 200K ICAR pot?

Are any of the tonal improvements worth the hassle/cash?

[jonathan perez]

200k icar pot? where? 

before i go on, i must say that if your wah tone sounds good, why bother dicking with it even more? it may not even be worth the cash...but if you must, here goes.

the 100k icar pot will definitely be an improvement...sort of. smallbear sells cheap ICAR pots...work great, too!

bc109s are good. i think it depends on the wah tone youre going after, though. ive built wahs with germaniums, high gain, low gain...and they all sound different, slightly, but surely. more gain will give you more bite and presence, while lower gain will make it less aggressive.

dont buy the fasels. go on ebay, search HALO INDUCTOR, and youll find a $20 black halo inductor replacement called the whipple. buy it.

the end.

[rockgardenlove]

I'm not a fan of the 200k pots.  The sweep is too smooth and has no bite.  It utilizes the whole foot range, but it makes it awkward for playing fast with wah. 

100k ICAR sounds great.  Smallbear.

I'm personally very happy with a Yellow Fasel, and recommend one from Aron.  Good stuff.

BC109s sound great IMO.  A 2n5089 is very close though in my experience.

[forsaknazrael]

^Pink? *waves* I'm still rockin' that boost. I was wondering, is the full range one like an LPB?

Woops, I meant, just 200K pots, or 100K icar pots. Haha.

I'll consider that whipple thingie.

Wow, never even considered buildings wahs with Germanium transistors. What kind did you use? Any benefits?

Okay, Sounds like I'll grab a 100K icar pot and some BC109C's. I'll have to think more about inductors..

[Paul Marossy]

I have a 200K ProPot in my vintage Fasel equipped wah. The original pot in it was a 100K, but actually measured 200K - I had to replace it because it was majorly scratchy. I think it sounds a little too bright with the 200K pot in it, though... 

[tcobretti]

The good thing about the 200k pot is that you can try it out, an if you don't like it run a 100k resistor across the outside lugs of the pot and voila you have a 100k pot.  It give you the opportunity to compare different values.  You could even temporarily put the resistor on a switch so you could easily switch back and forth for comparison's sake.

[forsaknazrael]

^Right. That's what I do sometimes with pots in guitars.

So what's the deal with an ICAR taper? what does that mean?

[enigmur]

The good thing about the 200k pot is that you can try it out, an if you don't like it run a 100k resistor across the outside lugs of the pot and voila you have a 100k pot.  It give you the opportunity to compare different values.  You could even temporarily put the resistor on a switch so you could easily switch back and forth for comparison's sake.

So do you run the resistor between pot 1 and 3? I thought for some reason it was just to ground...

Cheers for that info!

[Paul Marossy]

So do you run the resistor between pot 1 and 3? I thought for some reason it was just to ground...

Yep, that's all there is to it. 

[jonathan perez]

The good thing about the 200k pot is that you can try it out, an if you don't like it run a 100k resistor across the outside lugs of the pot and voila you have a 100k pot.  It give you the opportunity to compare different values.  You could even temporarily put the resistor on a switch so you could easily switch back and forth for comparison's sake.

while youre at it, you could also swap the .22 cap going to the wiper to a .33 cap to simulate Icar taper.

simulate icar taper with a 200k pot, brilliant!

[Paul Marossy]

while youre at it, you could also swap the .22 cap going to the wiper to a .33 cap to simulate Icar taper.

simulate icar taper with a 200k pot, brilliant!

Hmm.. that's an interesting idea. Have you tried this?

[jonathan perez]

yes. subtle difference to the untrained ear, but works. i tried it with an old hot potz, and it works pretty darned good. kinda like more high end of the sweep...

[Paul Marossy]

yes. subtle difference to the untrained ear, but works. i tried it with an old hot potz, and it works pretty darned good. kinda like more high end of the sweep...

Huh, cool. 

[rockgardenlove]

I don't think it's worth going all nitty gritty on the transistor choice.  I find they all sound basically the same within the same gain ranges.  All you really *need* for the wah to function though is enough gain, and so as long as you have that you can do all kinds of hacks.

And hey Forsak, didn't even notice it was you. 
It's some JFET circuit IIRC. 

[forsaknazrael]

^I noticed a diode in there, is that for clipping purposes? I use the rangemaster side more, so I don't even know, haha, if it adds clipping.

[m-theory]

I can second the "Whipple" inductor.  I put one in my wah build and another in a stationary wah build, and they're really fantastic inductors.  Very vocal, very impressive, and very reasonably priced. 

I can't speak to the transistor changes.  I believe both of my circuits have 2n5088s in them, and they sound terrific.  I never did any swapping for comparative analysis. 

The pot change to the Fulltone ICAR is certainly a worthy change, although the original Hotpotz in my old Crybaby was pretty good.  You won't be disappointed with swapping that with the Fulltone, although you may not be as blown away with the change as you will with an inductor change. 

As for whether any of these changes are worth the hassle/cash, that's up to you, I suppose.  If you're seeking true improvements, it's definitely worth the minor hassle and cash outlay.  If you just want something that goes "whackity whackity," leaving it as is will probably suffice. 

[jonathan perez]

yeah, you can get ALOT of different tones with changes of resistors/caps...without having to buy new inductors, pots, all that jazz.

[forsaknazrael]

Okay, cool. I don't see Fulltone's pot for sale on their...And I don't feel like buying one that says it's a Fulltone pot off eBay...

[Phorhas]

After I installed an ArielFX HALO inductor in my 535Q wah, it made me send my vintage VOX ('67) from my board to the closet... I totally love that inductor

[rockgardenlove]

The diode is just some reverse voltage protection.  Leave it there.