How to Fix Wah and Fuzz Problems - Wah Before Fuzz 

I really appreciate that you followed the old Aristotle trick: 1. Tell them what you're going to tell them 2. Tell them 3. Tell them what you just told them It can be pretty annoying to watch a 10 min video only to find out there's nothing of substance.

Haha I'd stopped using my DC Brick and all my pedals for a few rehearsals and wondered why my fuzz and wah had stopped getting along. All along it was because they missed their good friend Boss Tuner which had kept the peace between them. Great video thanks a lot!

I have this exact problem. Thanks for explaining this so well! I've got an old Boss BF-2 that's perfect for the job.

I have the MXR/CAE wah. Havent had any problems w fuzz yet. Ive a bunch of fuzz pedals, so I guess the MXR/CAE does the trick. Havent tried it with a PNP Germanium type yet. I have tried it w Ge ones that have the neg tip 9v mod and they work fine. Ill have to throw my Fulltone '69 in there and see how it reacts. Cool vid. Thanks man.

I like this video because it explained the need for buffers occasionally to me in a way I understood. In this particular example though I know you can just put the fuzz first. So.... On the other hand I have been considering a two amp setup. I wanted one to have all my dirt pedals and the other to be clean and I've been wrestling with how to route all of this so it sounds good and also includes all effects pedals for both and only some on the other amp. They're both 4 watt vox ac4's so no effects loop. Meh we'll see.

I always had my distortion through fuzz through wah and finally through my modulation pedals. always worked the best for me

Hey it worked! Thanks for posting this! Since I used a little Attenuator, the pot adjusts the intensity of the Wah pedal. Some guy on youtube suggested that you can just switch the two pedals, one in front of the other, that didn't work. Thanks again!

I have a fulltone clyde deluxe with a built in buffer and it seems to sound good. Always use wah before fuzz. I like wah first on my pedalboard. I'm left footed

ScreaminFX. This Dude knows what he's talking about. Purchased a Dunlope Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face mini ran it before my Dunlope 535Q wah and it sounded fantastic. Rearranged my pedal board and I thought the Hendrix Fuzz Face mini was broke. The output had dropped and I returned it for an exchange. Same problem, couldn't figure it out. Googled "Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face mini wah problem and I found this video. This man said you need a buffer before the Fuzz, so I tried an old Boss pedal turned off like he said and, Low and Behold, great sound again. I then realized I must of had the Fuzz Face after my Boss TU2, which is buffered. That was it. Thank you ScreaminFX! Your on my watch list now for new gear, would love to try out some of your pedals!

What was Jimi Hendrix's favorite breakfast food? Wahfuzz with maple syrup

I built a Marshall Supa Fuzz (Tonebender MK. II) clone. I also like to use the wah first, but it sounded really harsh. I ended up putting a 100k pot after the input jack to add series resistance. It completely fixed the problem. For my other two fuzzes, I'm going to build a box with the pots in them.

THANK YOU MXR Classic 108 is designed to work after a wah. It has a switchable buffer. It's a good alternative to a fuzzface. But I like my Jimi Hendrix Dunlop mini FF (si) Gonna try a few different buffered pedals and my dedicated buffer, the MI Boost 'n Buff.

I have also designed a few buffers for this. Actually installing the board in the wah pedal. The buffer before a fuzz or wah pedal circuit should have nice low output impedance that resembles the output of an electric guitar. The output Z of a wah is too high for the fuzz. So the best buffer for this application would have a 1M input Z like an amp, and around a 10k-50k ohm output Z like a guitar. The Pete Cornish buffer would work great.

cool man, realy helpful!!

Low Impedance fuzz face. I use the Deep Trip BOG, which is Si, and low impedance. I used a boss pedal, that I also used for OD when not using the Fuzz. My BC108 Si Fuzz Face was weird though, as sometimes it worked fine with the wah, but other times it didn’t. When I think about it now, the cause was likely when I was trying different OD/Dist/Fuzz after the Fuzz Face, and some most have had buffers. I’ve asked designers for years why they didn’t put a buffer switch on pedals with this problem. Wish I had found you sooner. I’ll have to check out your work.

Stupid question, couldn’t you use a boss tuner in between for the buffer?

Try to use Fuzz Face before Crybaby or use a Vox wah before FF like Hendrix did, they react differently. I use FF>dunlop octavio>boss octave>TS> Crybaby... then al the dirt section (overdrive, distortion, big muff). That really works for me! (Yes, boss OC-2 before crybaby, it's an amazing sound!)

I have a DIY fuzz that has had several circuit modifications over the years. One was to add a source impedance control. It's nothing more than a potentiometer wired as a variable resistor inline with the input. This modification is easy and should be suitable for most vintage style fuzzes. It also allows you to do away with the extra device between the wah and fuzz. You can also do similar to your guitar. In my case, I have an American Strat. I repurposed the last tone knob to what is frequently called a Bass Cut Tone Control. I think it's better described as a Focus or Contour control. These modifications both allow for a wide range of tonal options. But, don't try to use an original no-load type potentiometer; it won't work. Ask me how I know this.

With regards to the jimi hendrix myth with the long cable, please do remember that cables back then had a lot more signal loss.

Great video! Thanks a ton!

I've got an issue with a reverb going into a fuzz causing the fuzz, when engaged, to be super noisy; more like television white noise rather than 60 cycle hum. Would a buffer fix that?

Thank you so much!!!

Hendrix was always turning his guitar volume off after he got done playing a song because his rig would start oscillating if a note wasn't being played before he could stomp his fuzz off. Most people reportedly couldn't play his rig because of this. I did notice you have your fuzz face maxed out on your pedal. I have the Band of Gypsy's fuzz pedal and could not use that much fuzz because it would rob my Marshall of natural tube overdrive and tone...Just saying...Thanks for the video

i use a boss BD2 before the fuzzface, for the buffer to cut oscillation and also it can boost the signal and make the fuzz even more fuzz

I could use an attenuator I made that has a 100k resistor, a 250k pot and two jacks in a little box. Worth a try.

the new set up im thinking be nice for playing motley crue....friend has a awesome set up...we are in a tribute ..shout at the devil...on fb also...he would do great taking over for mick mars...best i have seen

I gig pretty extensively, and use both a silicon and a germanium fuzz face, with one of them on at all times. I eliminate the oscillation issue by simply turning the wah on, and leaving it in the cocked back position, while nudging the fuzz knob down slightly until the oscillation goes away. This works great, because it's usually where I would want the fuzz knob anyway--slightly backed off from full. Your mileage may vary.

I use the Dunlop Jimi hendrix band of gypsy's Fuzz Face - Crybaby Classic Wah with Fassel inductor its perfect

I've got a Suhr Buffer, a mini Cry Baby Dunlop (true bypass) and a JHS Mini Fuzz (true bypass). Does it work the same way?

I have a jimi Hendrix fuzz face and the Hendrix Wah in a Marshall half stack and I can't get them to work at all they don't make a wah or fuzz sound they just turn the volume on and off and I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.

I haven't experienced this problem. I used to be Wah first but I now go Fuzz first usually ,it seems to sound marginally better. I use a Williams Audio Vintage Tone MkI and the Wah is an ancient (70's?) JHS (John Hornby Skewes) plastic cased item.

Thanx for this video. This is so helpfull Would a DI Box fix that oscillation problem too? If so, where should I put it in my chain?

Very helpful, thanks! Do you think a tuner in between would work?

To be fair that GE7 had the output volume on Max, not unity.

hi, have you ever used a crybaby 535 ? (not the Q model)

Do the problems only occur when both pedals are on? Say if the fuzz was not on, the wah would be fine?

nice shoe dude

@ScreaminEFX what Amp are you playing through??

ty man; this problem was driving me crazy lately, now my wah works :)

The best solution is to have a high quality buffer on the the wah wah output "preferably switchable"! And true bypass switching of course on the wha to maintain the guitar volume pot cleanup on the fuzz when the wah is turned off.

There is still a difference. My pedal board is like: Guitar->RMC 2 old version (no fuzz friendly circuit) wah->Mesa Boogie V Twin (as an overdrive)->Fulltone Octafuzz->Amp. I can hear the kind of fuzz-wah sound just like the one in the video if every pedal is switched on (overdrive backup fuzz). The wah sound is not as good as Guitar->Fulltone Octafuzz->RMC 2 wah->Mesa Boogie V Twin->Amp when every pedal is on, whereas it is not fuzz sound any more (fuzz backup overdrive). But if I switch off the Mesa Boogie V Twin and only use Guitar->Fulltone Octafuzz->RMC 2 wah->Amp to get the fuzz sound, the wah swallows the fuzz tone. I'm wondering if there is a better way to solve my problem.

Will a chromatic tuner work just fine ?

Hi phenixreturns - should be the same problem because true bypass just takes it completely out of your signal path when its off. When on, it will probably oscillate under the right conditions...

ScreaminFX, you have to use a Buffer that has an adjustable Impedance knob also to match the wahs output impedance with the fuzz face input impedance. Why doesn't you have that on your buffer pedal? If you look at Jimi Hendrix Live at Rainbow bridge you can see the extra long cable from his wah output jack going to the input of his fuzz face. The extra long cable must cut down on oscillations or something is going on why he is using extra long cables it looks like a rats nest of cables on his rainbow bridge pedal board very sloppy looking

It seems like not all fuzz pedals works well with buffer. For example I faced with problems with Zvex Fuzz Factory and buffered output of Digitech Whammy

Nice!

and with the mini fuzz face true bypass?

hey anybody here ever tried using the tuner pedal as a buffer to go between wah and fuzz? I'm thinking of having the korg tuner act as buffer - supposedly has a "ultra" buffer. Does this work?

Guitar to drive/fuzz to wah to amp. Equals lots of wah. No oscillation. No need of buffer. Well, i only speak for myself but this setup works for me.

would my boss tuner be a good buffer

I've never had this problem because I run my Wah first, then my modulation pedals, then my overdrive/gain pedals THEN I hit my JHS Tiny Foot Fuzz then into my EHX Big Muff pedal. After that is my reverb then my stereo split from my DD-3

very good

a couple of recordings jimi does you can actually hear the wah squeak. i think he struggled with this problem himself.

Great idea for a very useful pedal. My Fuzz Face screams like a Banshee when I stick a wah pedal first. This may be the answer. I have 2 questions: (1) which Fuzz Face are you using in this demo (sounds bloody good), and (2) how the hell did Hendrix *not* get this problem - his wah was most definitely before his Fuzz Face.

My wah pedal doesn't work with all the pedals I own, I tried various positions but nothing to do. My wah pedal only works with amp distortion is it a wah pedal fault? what can i do to fix this problem?

How can I order one of these from you. I can't get through on your website.

Does Clarionix in the middle can make the fuzz sound clean on guitar 7 vol knob n get dirt back when on full volume?

what wah do you use then...i been thinking to get new set up .all new.amp...metaltronics.pedal board..and a jackson...or wylde audio.and set up to go with my zakk wylde les paul custom camo..only made a few.so they worth a few bucks now...

Where can I get one of those buffers?

Does the fuzz/wah problem only occur when both pedals are on at the same time? Meaning will the fuzz sound fine if the wah is off and vice versa?

Hello, I am interested in the buffer you used in this video. Is this pedal model for sale? If so will it work with a big muff and cry baby?thanks.

will any eq pedal work as a buffer?

Dude i have a electro harmonix double muff and a vox v47 wah wich has a buffer and both are very quiet with almost no noise mind you. They work wonders thanks for the vox wah buffer but i get a really tiny sweep from the wah (not fault of the ehx) so i was thinking of getting a dunlop crybaby wah and an electro harmonix little big nuff (or the regular big muff) because the double muff ain't got much fuzz and i was wondering if you have tried a big muff with a crybaby? and also what crybaby of the bunch that dublop has would you recommend me? The vox does wha wha but the crybabies do WHUAA WHUAA!!!!!!!!!! and i want that, a strong sweep with strong treble

There is a buffer in the full tone clyde deluxe wah.. would that work then?

ok.. I have a germanium mini red fuzz face, I have a cry baby classic...and a floor tuner that goes on the pedal board.. so which should go 1st.. someone said to always put the fuzz face, no matter what else goes on the board.. what about putting the tuner between the wah and fuzz? I just dont know.. darn..

I have those exact same pedals and the same problem. I don't suppose you'd be willing to provide a schematic for the Clarionix buffer, would you?

Would a surpressor be effective in fixing this problem?

Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini Germanium hardwired after Dunlop Clyde McCoy CM95 hardwired then Univibe Moen Tru bypass any problem?

Are you still making these small pedal buffers? Emailed you 2 weeks ago still no reply. Thanks in advance!

do you sell your wah buffer?

and i use a noise gate by boss afterwards to clean up issues...

Strange I have several Wah Peddles and distortion peddles and I always put the wah first with no noise

3:03 is straight up an Elk call

Any 535Q and Big Muff usets?

I got problem: I've got Guitar > Big muff > Vox wah pedal. When I try to use wah pedal with fuzz (on), wah just cut my signal off and my amp stays quiet. (when I switch 'em like Guitar > Wah > Fuzz, they'll do the same thing, but wah works and fuzz cuts the signal). WIll the buffer help? (pedals works when they're alone [just Guitar > Fuzz > Amp / Guitar > wah > amp].) Im pretty pissed, cause I wanna combine my Big muff with Wah n it ain't workin at all.... please help me guys.

Could I use a looper in that buffer spot?

how did Jimi do it?

Do you still make these?

See that wah sounds terrible to me. You can barely hear the sweep. why not just place fuzz before the wah? it will sound much better.

Does the jhs prestige work for this?

Or you could just get a Buffered BP wah

That's exactly how it is

my problem is not with oscillation. With both my Swollen Pickle and Sub Machine they neuter the sweep of the wah. It's the same with both my crybaby and weeping demon. I put a tc electronics bonafide buffer between them and it did nothing. Both wahs work great with my dual rectifier distortion - tons of sweep. I don't get it. Some will say put the fuzz before the wah and while there is certainly more sweep that way it just doesn't sound as good as when the distortion (working properly) follows a wah.

Another solution is just to slighty turn down the fuzz potard to avoid screeming.

In my humble opinion the setup should be drive/fuzz then wah

I love wah and fuzz oscillation honestly. 4:07 Sounds fucking awesome.

That is why Jimi moved to using Vox wahs etc.....

my 77 CB does not like any of my Fuzztones My Vox wha were OK ....You should sell your buffers on ebay..thanks again

What happens if you switch them and put the wah after the fuzz... so it goes GUUTAR -- FUZZZ - WAH - AMP?

My wah and fuzz dont sound right together lol

But with a buffer the guitar volume won’t clean up - because it’s buffered!

dont crank everything to max

When you demonstrated the Boss pedal's ability to ruin the fuzz sound, I felt like you were vengefully stomping on cockroaches when you were trying to make the bad sounds go away.

or just use the fuzz before wah.

The secret is 2, 100 ft coily cords.😉

Just don't put your wah first. Why put it first anyway?

You gotta get the two pedals away from each other

Man your wah is broken

and thats why I hate the fuzz face

cry baby 5350 no problems with noise