[AcousticSmash]

There is something wrong with my Dunlop Crybaby Classic and it has something to do with the signal when on, there is no sound when I turn on the switch. So rather then chuck it and buy a new one for 150 dollars, can I just gut it and replace the old parts with a clone that is better quality? I want a wah with better tone anyway so this is a good opportunity to fix it without spending a lot of money.

[Bside2234]

Yeah, you can gut it and put just about whatever you want in there. Did you have a circuit in mind?

[expaceks73]

Hey,

Just got an order from Musicians Friend and in the Closeout catalog there is listed the Dunlop Limited Edition Crybaby Wah. Its listed at 59.99

Item - 151028
Source Code - 512T

If the Crybaby is what youre looking for this looks like the best price for a new one.

[AcousticSmash]

I would sooner buy the circuit for a vintage Crybaby or Vox wah then buy a new pedal that is crappy, because the cheapest one is the Classic which is what I have and all their new ones sound like junk, plus it's cheaper to replace the circuit and do the mods all in one go.

[Sizzler]

So rather then chuck it and buy a new one for 150 dollars, can I just gut it and replace the old parts with a clone that is better quality?

Check out what these folks offer:
http://area51tubeaud...ory_Code=cat002

[miklax]

Hi tere,

If you have any experience with the soldering iron, I recomend a few mods.

"VOCAL MOD"

Replace the 33K resistor in parallel with the inductor with a 68K. This gives a more vocal quality to the wah. Some Vox Clyde McCoy wahs had 100K resistors here.

--------->>>>>>>> I've used a 47K resistor


"GAIN AND BASS RESPONSE"

Replace the 470 ohm resistor (some have 390 or 510) at the emitter of Q1 with a lower value. This increases gain, which is useful if you've converted to true bypass. The bass response is also increased. Too low a value here may introduce some distortion and make the wah sound muddy. Try 270 - 330 ohms to start with.

-------->>>>>>>>>> 300 ohm here


"MIDRANGE"

Replace the 1K5 resistor between the base of Q1 and the inductor with a larger value. This increases the midrange and helps if your wah sounds dull and muted when you rock the pedal back. Try 1K8 to 2K7. Higher values than stock also smooth out the bass-treble transition. Most people refer to the 33K as the "Q" resistor, but this resistor also affects the Q.

----------->>>> 2k2 here


"SWEEP RANGE"

Change the sweep by swapping the 0.01µF cap between the emitter of Q2 and the inductor. A smaller value will make the wah sweep more trebly and vice-versa. If you're converting to or from a bass wah, this is the one to change. Try 0.068µF for a bass wah.

------------------->>>>>>> 0.022µF here

"Volume"

If you've converted to true bypass, replace the 68K series input resistor with a lower value, say 47K. This gives a slight increase in volume. Too low a value is likely to result in the pedal picking up radio interference. This can be addressed by adding small value (10 - 20pF) capacitors between the collector and base of each transistor.

--------------->>>>> you dont need to do this if you dont convert it to true bypass...


I hope I've helped

Best regards

[Bside2234]

^ The Crybaby Classic is a different circuit than the Crybaby GCB-95. Where I'm sure some of these mods can be done on the Classic, I am pretty sure the Classic is SMT and would be very hard for the average DIY'er to do.

[nealmac]

What's with all the newbies in this thread? Anyway, welcome to the forum

As for modding a CryBaby, I think "Kurtlives" is a good bet on asking for advice. He seems to know his stuff when it comes to that sort of thing.

[miklax]

What's with all the newbies in this thread?

what's the problem?? only veterans can answer??

[nealmac]

Er.....no.

1. It just doesn't happen that often, and I was just curious.

2. I did welcome you all.

and

3. No need to get all defensive

[AcousticSmash]

So rather then chuck it and buy a new one for 150 dollars, can I just gut it and replace the old parts with a clone that is better quality?

Check out what these folks offer:
http://area51tubeaud...ory_Code=cat002

140 dollars? F*ck that is insanely overpriced just because it happens to be custom, I could probably get an eyelet board and all the components to make my own for half the price.

What's with all the newbies in this thread? Anyway, welcome to the forum

As for modding a CryBaby, I think "Kurtlives" is a good bet on asking for advice. He seems to know his stuff when it comes to that sort of thing.

Yeah I will probably shoot him a PM sometime, I think he is busy with college and like me, doesn't have time for electronics right now, though I might do something over my 3 week Christmas holiday

[Bside2234]

Check out the wah projects here: General Guitar Gadgets Modable Wah

[caprico]

I would sooner buy the circuit for a vintage Crybaby or Vox wah then buy a new pedal that is crappy, because the cheapest one is the Classic which is what I have and all their new ones sound like junk, plus it's cheaper to replace the circuit and do the mods all in one go.

actually of the crybabies the cheapest one is the crybaby original.. which is what i have..

check it out

[kurtlives]

My first pedal was the Crybaby GCB-95. It was a decent pedal but nothing special. Luckily it is easy to mod and the mods actually make it sound good.

Here is my second wah, it is a scratch build. Got an enclosure, etched a PCB and put the circuit together.

All "mojo" components here. Carbon composition resistors, tropical fish capacitors, metal can transistors, specialty inductor and wah pot, cloth covered wire, Switch-craft jacks, Carling switch.


(that''s a plexiglass bottom btw)


I would gut your wah and add a brand new circuit. General Guitar Gadgets has a good PCB layout for wahs.

[AcousticSmash]

Alrighty, thanks Chris, I will get on fixing it up during the holidays. Gonna look around for some schematics on wiring it up to be unique.

[caprico]

acousticsmash, have you ever done this kind of thing before (moddin pedals, changing pickups etc, soldering and all)?

coz i havent and i i wish to, so if you are just starting out then i'd like to hear from you your experience.. like small things which can go wrong and what we must look out for...