Worth a mention: The guitarist in the band Khruangbin uses wah brilliantly, and it’s “always on” (either cocked or sweeping). Brilliant contemporary wah stuff, with crazy groove! Check them out...
Yes... Dan, if I ever meet you, and I hope you can gig up north(I should really get in touch about such things, ;-) ).... I would greet you appropriately....
The Crybaby has a buffer in front of the wah circuit so there is no tone suck when the pedal is bypassed, this is due to the switch that Dunlop use. It's bypassed signal is not buffered, that's why the crybaby turned off demo didn't change the fuzz sound much at all. I think a lot of people see/read there's a buffer in a Crybaby and think it's a bad thing; has tone suck, doesn't work etc etc. I'm glad this video disproves that.
So.....My wife and I are on vacation in Oyster Bay, Jamaica. I had a glorious morning run along the beach listening to this episode the entire time. How perfect it was listening to your hilarious banter as you “wah”ed away. It fit perfectly with the scenery and laid back culture here (if you know what I mean). Great job mon!!
Gotta say, I honestly preferred the sound of the CryBaby to all of the boutique wahs you demo'ed, with the exception of the Fulltone, which makes me feel good about my Clyde Deluxe. 😁 The boutiques were wonderfully full and smooth, but TO ME seemed like they would not cut through a band mix at all. The SuperQuack, in particular, sounded like you'd thrown a blanket over the amps. The CryBaby felt like it was voiced with more treble range, and the Clyde seemed a sweeter/smoother version of that same sound. Anyway... great episode as usual!
Love it. Really like the exploration. Doesn't matter if you accomplished what you set out to tackle. The important part is the discovery along the way. Thank you for showing it and not editing it all out. Where I live, middle of the US, TPS uploads at 6 am, and I can get most of it in before work. Thank you thank you thank you for your quality content.
sweet jesus guys, your older vids make me laugh my ass off. i do miss that. i used to start my day w coffee and laughter and you knuckleheads rather than the news. ahhhh, it was divine. still watching, and revisiting. cheers and happy new year.😂
Somehow you guys always know right when I want to see a new episode... and BAM it's posted. I don't even like playing electric guitar, but I look forward to this show. :) Thanks guys!
Real question of the day: is there a jam pedal that doesn’t sound fantastic? Everything you’ve had on your show has been stellar. Retro vibe, wahcko+, delay llama supreme, etc etc
Another great show! I’ve been displeased with my wah pedal (RMC 3) for awhile. I, rather mindlessly, always put my wah first in my chain. I much preferred the wah after the fuzz in your video. I’m going to try it after my fuzz and distortion today. Thanks!
Great show as always. Really made my head spin. Been happy with my budwah before my fuzz-pedals.. Now, after hearing that Hendrix silicon fuzz into a wah it smashed me back to Freak Powers self titled track intro. Such a great sound. May just have to get a second fuzz face to go before my wah... thanks! Really! 🙄 ... 🤗
I just know I’m going to particularly enjoy this one. Love the show guys. I remember the original show in question, and I think it was then that I exchanged a couple of messages with Mick about the wah/fuzz face issue & volume clean up. I now have a Clyde + Hendrix FFM3, so I’m looking forward to seeing what results/thoughts you have on your combination. Also, big yes to getting Justin on the show. A great teacher and seemingly lovely bloke.
The crybaby switch is a SPDT, so it is not true bypass, some of the signal goest into the circuit when it is off, that is why some people say there is a tone suck or tone loss when it is off
Great episode, thank you gents. I really struggled with wah placement as I started building my board / I happened across a YT episode someplace with Steve Vai talking pedal placement / he puts wah post ODs pre modulation (at least for that particular board) / works really well for my pedal setup and amp’s gain stages. Like you always advise, move things around until you get the tones you’re after 🤙🏻
The piece of info that served me well was fuzz (Mini Band of Gypsys) in front of Wah (Hendrix Wah) . My rig has always sounded exceptionally tinty when I kicked the Wah on and that made all the difference. Thanks again for a very informative show guys Tom
2 comments - 1.. the one thing I learned is I had no idea that the world of wahs was so huge and I need to learn more -- number 2 .. I hope you guys have a wonderful life full of wonderful new journeys BUT selfishly for me I hope you continue to do this same thing forever - you both are awesome!
Great episode !!! I find the Q on wahs to be very interesting when concerning fuzz. I was just thinking of this the other night as I was using a wah with a fuzzface and tonebender type pedal. Even though they (the fuzz) have similarities between them , I had noticed that the tonebender seemed more effected when my Q was thinner and the fuzzface seemed like it sounded best with a wider Q.
Your fan from Idaho, United States, here. Thanks for the video and the silliness. I don't use Wah really, because it's not me, but I still love learning more about guitar related things. Stay inspired, curious, but not too serious, yeah? Much love guys.
Great episode, cool sounds. Three things.... The missus loved the Tassie reference having grown up there. Kempsters! Yeah! The place of dreams in my teenage years late 70s early 80s. Very helpful people. The sound of wah reminds me of a film I saw once where a helpful man came to fix the washing machine...
The silicone Fuzz Face is probably my favourite pedal of all time, but saying that the more I hear it, the more I'm tempted to try a Sun Face. I loved the swapping about of the pedals, fuzz before and after wah etc and hearing Dan explain why and what the differences are. My one small disappointment is that you didn't try a Vox V847, which to my ear is more subtle and has a nicer sweep than the Dunlop. Anyhoo, cheers for another great episode and I hope you're having fun at NAMM.
Thanks as always, Gents! I have the Wah off the board but I have a dedicated output from one of my GigRig Isolators ready to power it up (neatly rolled up and secured with a rubber band) - don't want to have to think about batteries, etc. Please, do get Justin Sandercoe on the show, he's an amazingly generous teacher…
@@deanjohnston104 They once said why they don't use straps on the show. The reason also has to do with the fact they're not wearing any t-shirt that says "that pedal show" and are wearing others instead... Think of where the strap would cover the t-shirt and the results of that, haha
At least the straps stayed on, watch Johnny Marr interview by Shaun Keaveny . If ever there was a time to ditch the damn thing ( as I would have done) it’s then.
Another interesting and informative video, I'm now considering moving my wah further down the chain. I thought I'd also highlight the Glab wowee-wah ww-1 which I've had for years, the nice thing is that it doesn't need to be kicked on (you just step on it and it works). Apparently it has a photo element instead of a regular potentiometer, to my ears it makes it less "quacky" but super reliable and really useful as a tone shaper and inducing momentary feedback.
I think that wahs sound better when you don’t actually “play” them rhythmically or specifically with what you are playing on the guitar. It takes a bit of practice, but just a simple, slow, steady movement of the pedal in no particular time whilst playing seems to work best. This is why auto-wahs are so useful. It’s also nice to use a wah as an extreme mid-range tone control, leaving it in one position for a while then changing (maybe) to another fixed position.
I do love these shows. After 30 mins we get to the conclusion, that there isn't a conclusion. We then move on in a 'quickfire' style for another 20 mins. Keep on going chaps!!! You are an oasis of 'something' in a sea of click bait and 'be an expert in 5 sec'. 5*
Loved this one. I'm not a fuzz user - I like it, but just know that it's not my thing. However, today just sounded like what rock & roll sounds like in my head. What a joy! As an aside, I've been a user of the 535Q for about 15 years. Suits me to a T.
Cry baby i had is semi-true bypass. It has a single ended bypass switch. It still ate tone. Same for the morley Classic wah. I replaced the switch on my Classic wah from a 2-PDT to a 3-PDT (real true bypass) and it improved my bypassed signal.
Wha-ka-cheeky & fiddly-diddly! All you need to summarize uses of wah in 15 seconds! My first and only wah was a purple budda wah which I got at age 16 and still use to this day. I’ve always liked they way it sounded.
I have a GCB-95 from the early 2000s and an "original crybaby"-labeled version from the 90s. Both pass signal when disengaged and w/out power (w/ the same loss of fidelity i get in bypass when powered). Normally I run one through a true-bypass loop which allows the added bonus of turning it on half-cocked (which is my preference).
Fuzz and Wah .. magnificent ! Thanks Gents !! Mick think you need a touch of electrical cleaner in your Fulltone wah, i heard some scratchiness when you were playing clean... anyone else hear that ?
Oh man...my first ever pedal was Jimi Hendrix Cry baby wah and I bought it 1988. I had time to test it couple of times before it was stolen in our bands playing facilities. I was devastaded… I bought my second pedal 30 years later (last year) and it was Mad professors Royal blue overdrive and now I have some other stuff too ;) But maybe it is time now to buy new wah and maybe fuzz-pedal too. Thanks for this!
I know it’s an old one. But I never thought of putting the Fuzz before the Wah… That sounded amazing, so much better than afterward. I seriously need to rethink the outline of my pedal board.
He’s probably a too “weird” guitarist for Mick, Dan, and most of their audience, but that’s what Robert Fripp has done since way back in the day. He’s also uses the wah in a more nuanced and expressive fashion than most guitarists. Certainly so do Satriani and Vai. They use the wah to sing, and produce sounds akin to flute, violin, cello, sax, synth, and awaken spirits…
I was expecting far more chaos with you guys trying to use the wah's whilst staying in shot etc, but as ever the production lengths you guys go to is great. Loved the episode as usual, I'm always surprised that there aren't more mini wah pedals, but glad that more manufacturers are gradually getting around to it. Trying to find a wah for use on bass and guitar, it seems like the Dunlop 105q (bass wah) works well for guitar and obviously great for bass but any other ideas would be great.
I really like how you guys start every show with an open mind testing out the gears to see how they really reacts because most other demos are done in a way to prove what they think or read is right. Everyone else will tell us that the CryBaby is buffered bypass full stop.
I used to own a Real McCoy Wheels of Fire Wah. Spent a lot on it and it had three knobs to tune it. I never could get a sound out of it that wasn't harsh to my ears. I am sure I just didn't use the right gear with it, but I sold it and bought your cheap Dunlop CryBaby and have never looked back. Not a lot of character to it but it works with everything and I never flinch when I turn it on. Good episode.
Great show guys!! I’ve that buffer problem with my wah in front of my treble booster, but I thought u would show the fuzzface after the buffer, where I think the problem fuzz/wah lives!! 🤔🤔
Really looking forward to seeing: Your NAMM coverage; your thoughts on the new Strymon delay; your video on that aforementioned Quilter amp; more videos on stereo and wet/dry. One thing I'd LOVE to see in future: giving headphones another go, this time using stereo effects and stereo cab sims. Changed my home practice experience! Another suggestion I've made a few times: any scope of a video on just rare/uknown/sleeper amps you guys have? I'd love to see The Mallard again, the Audio Kitchen Amp... Any weird kit you've got.
Hi Mic, I think you might of been referring to a Snarling Dawgs Wah! I have a Blues Bawls Wah. Love it! Although it does some very quirky things. Not sure what is going on with it. It has an overdrive built in, mild to quasi-wild. The Wah has three selections, White Room, Voo Doo and Shaft (for that funky tone). The pedal travel is very wide which gives you a great frequency sweep depending on the Wah mode selected.
Hi guys, thanks again for another excellent episode, couple of questions for the VCQs; What would be your recommended wah(s) that has no extra dials or twiddly bits and just sounds good to run in front of a jhs mini footfuzz. (Already have a Buddha bud Wah from years ago on the big pedal board, but it stays on there and isn’t coming off, looking for a battery powered Wah to bring along to gigs with the small board I’m building.) Also a quick question on Fuzz in general, I struggle to get my fuzzes to cut through the mix of a live band, wether I’m using my 100watt marshall satriani head or 15watt Fender Bassbreaker, I always have enough volume, clarity, etc with all other drive pedals and settings for the gig, but when I step on the Fuzz I struggle to get clarity. Do I just need to adjust my ears to the creamy-ness of fuzz still or do you have any recommendations to help? Thanks again! Tom
"He makes that guitar talk" as they say (who's they)? My favourite in the 80's was Colour sound Fuzz/Suzz/Wah pedal... Maybe I should get another? Great to hear the differences between Fuzz (s) and Wah(s) we know you guys could be doing one a week for a year. The 535Q Mick mentioned is very versatile but for me the one Wah to rule them all is the 'Dime Bag Wah ' super tweekable plus it has boost switch on the side(if needed). Well worth the money because you only need the one. But as for the perfect marriage with a Fuzz that's still a work in progress. Cheers TPS guys!
Mick, once you re-hydrate your fingerboard a bit, try some TUNG oil on the board. It will seal the pours helping to stabilize the wood. The TUNG oil is not a top coat, like a poly or lacquer. It is absorbed by the wood and sits within the fibers.
The original Crybaby circuit was never buffered bypass. The output of the circuit remains connected to the output jack when in bypass, but the input signal is switched between the input of the circuit and the output jack. So, with no power, the signal will still pass in bypass (it's just a mechanical switch), but the circuit is still bleeding signal (mostly highs) off the circuit, as it is providing a pretty heavy capacitive load. This is why true bypass is a pretty important decision for wahs. Maybe you want it, maybe not, but the decision is important.
Hello. I tryed few wah pedals included CAE, BBE, Vox but CryBaby is the only one which have that classic tone and sweep, specialy for funk rythm stuff. I just order CryBaby Mini Wah becouse of true bypass and Fasel inductor. Will see, if it will stay in my pedalboard. I m big fan of you guys since you start TPS. Greatings from Slovakia
Thanks guys ,,, because of “ that pedal show” I don’t have to buy another pedal that I don’t like. I just watch your show , your the QVC shopping network for guitar players , I know I want a full tone wah . It sounds better than the Dunlop wah ,, as with other shows , I listen , an write down which pedal to put on my wishlist
Hey guys also from Minnesota!! I absolutely loved this video because I use a lot of fuzz into my sound along with a crybaby 5535q wah. My main to fuzz that I use is a way huge swollen pickle mark ii As well as a fuzz face however germanium circuitry. Never had any issues whatsoever versus if I get any of my fuzz before after my wah. I too wonder if there is a difference when using the fuzz face germanium versus silicone
Dan - I am so jealous that you have a cool local music store to go to. Here in NJ, we mostly just have Guitar Center, and while they are OK, its not the same as going to a "mom and pop" music store where the folks actually know what they are talking about and care about you. There is very cool store like that (2 locations actually), but they are about an hour away so I don't get there very often. Cherish the existence of those little music stores as they are disappearing.
Great episode guys!! I noticed that my cry baby 535Q is also true bypass which I didn’t realise till recently!! Have you guys tried the xotic wah? That thing looks amazing but it’s so expensive!! Never really delved into the world or fuzz, can you recommend one if you are after that all out over the top gain for shred etc? I was wondering if you guys are going to look at specific frequencies that work/ don’t work in a live setting like targeting the right frequencies that you want to remove to help find the perfect tone for your ears? You have done stuff on this but would love to see more on this subject. Also, you should sell some TPS straps as I want one for sure!! 😁
I think they all sounded great, the flexibility of the laa reminded me of one of the rmc wahs that had like a million trimpots and dipswitches, i would personally like a dr no wah
Lovely video. I just have no aptitude or ability to use a wah or filter pedal in a way that seems 'right', so it's always nice seeing someone get something out of that sound
I would love to see a video from you guys on proper guitar cleaning and care. So many different products it can be confusing to know what is safe and effective. I would like to know what you guys do and use.
Nice video guys. I've always loved the sound of wah, but never really got on with them, probably for the same reason I don't use volume pedals for swells - head to foot co-ordination! Be interested in your thoughts on autowahs/envelope filters in the territory of wah tones (maybe a part 2 episode, wahs v. envelope filters?) Some of the good ones have real nice touch sensitivity these days (some adjustable) that playing dynamics can get "in the zone" for "opening up the wah" similar to the foot, like 3 Leaf Audio's Proton, Analog Man's Envelope Filter (based on the old, delicious sounding MXR unit from the 70s) etc. Side note: Dunlop had a great "cocked wah" pedal a long time ago, Q Zone if I recall. Wish I held onto it!
I've had every version of the Fulltone wahs and a number of other brands, I finally set on the v1 Fulltone Clyde. Love that way but I hear the Buddy Guy one is a banger as well. Cheers
