Wah sounds octave like and dull

mattpas · Post by **mattpas** » 23 Aug 2010, 17:23

Hey all,
I just made a clone of the Clyde McCoy and incorporated the Foxrox buffer
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4235&hilit=foxrox

Everything works but for some reason, when I have the wah heel back (bass side) the notes sound like there is a slight octave and the higher strings are octave-like and flat sounding.
I bypassed the buffer and it still does it so it has to be something in the wah side of the circuit. I am using a Red Fasel inductor and had BC109Bs in there at 330 HFEs but switched them out to 5089s at 470 hfes to see if that made a difference and it didn't. Everything else is a standard Clyde McCoy and I have checked and rechecked everything.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

diggum12 · Post by **diggum12** » 17 Nov 2010, 14:51

You've got something wrong with the bias. No worries, it's just a simple resistor swap. My advice: put a 1k trimpot in the Emittor resistor of Q1. It's prolly supposed to be a 470 or 510, something like that...

mattpas · Post by **mattpas** » 17 Nov 2010, 15:02

diggum12 wrote:You've got something wrong with the bias. No worries, it's just a simple resistor swap. My advice: put a 1k trimpot in the Emittor resistor of Q1. It's prolly supposed to be a 470 or 510, something like that...

Thanks.
I tried that and it did clear up around 1k
I might try a really hot HFE transistor

Post by **azrael** » 17 Nov 2010, 17:07

That's weird. You should be able to have a lower value in there. I usually have mine around 300 ohms. DougH has set his as low as 100 ohms IIRC. Lower values sound nice and growly, IMO, good amount of bass and "honk".

How does it sound without the buffer?

BTW, love your work. I rec' StompUnderFoot on UG when I can.

mattpas · Post by **mattpas** » 17 Nov 2010, 17:18

azrael wrote:That's weird. You should be able to have a lower value in there. I usually have mine around 300 ohms. DougH has set his as low as 100 ohms IIRC. Lower values sound nice and growly, IMO, good amount of bass and "honk".

How does it sound without the buffer?

BTW, love your work. I rec' StompUnderFoot on UG when I can.

I tried it both ways.
It's weird because a buddy of mine has had the same results. I bypassed the buffer and it's the same.
I am going to make another and see if it's just something I just can't find in the circuit.

Post by **azrael** » 17 Nov 2010, 20:09

Is there any power filtering going on in the pedal? Just like 100uF cap. If not, maybe try adding it.

mattpas · Post by **mattpas** » 17 Nov 2010, 20:26

azrael wrote:Is there any power filtering going on in the pedal? Just like 100uF cap. If not, maybe try adding it.

I did that also.

diggum12 · Post by **diggum12** » 18 Nov 2010, 15:05

azrael wrote:That's weird. You should be able to have a lower value in there. I usually have mine around 300 ohms. DougH has set his as low as 100 ohms IIRC. Lower values sound nice and growly, IMO, good amount of bass and "honk".

How does it sound without the buffer?

Agreed. I'd think your useable range would be between 300 - 550 ohms. There's some other things going on. Maybe you should put the buffer back in. IMHO (and I've done several) removing the buffer can make things wacky sometimes on a wah. I don't remove them anymore, just true bypass.

Dunno man, I wish I was more helpful for you.

Post by **azrael** » 19 Nov 2010, 00:30

Have you tried a different inductor at all?