Do I need a made for bass wah?

Framus-bass · #1 10-23-2009, 09:52 AM

Hi all.

I want to pick up a wah pedal. If for no other reason it will be just cool to play around with. Im actually looking at a Digitech Whammy because its noted that Justin Chancellor uses one. And I think he does awsome stuff with it.

My question is do I need something specifically designed for bass? Technically the Digitech is for "guitar." Is this a problem? Do bass wahs handle the tone better? Does it really matter?

Any thoughts, coments, or education is greatly aprecaited.

Thank you

St Drogo · #2 10-23-2009, 09:58 AM

A whammy is not a wah pedal, it is a pitchshifter that you can control through the expressionpedal. A wah pedal is (i think) a filter that you can control with the pedal.

I do have the whammy, the new one (i guess it's the Whammy IV? It's red :P). It is made for guitar, but it works good enough on bass. It tracks okay, though it does sound a bit digital. I personally like that though, and it has nothing to do with the usability of the pedal on bass versus guitar.

I'd say, go for it. The whammy is one of the most fun pedals I own. But it's not a wah.

Framus-bass · #3 10-23-2009, 10:02 AM

Ok. Thank you. I didnt know there was a specific difference. I thought the Whammy was a more advance wah. I will go for it when I get the cash.

Bassamatic · #4 10-23-2009, 10:04 AM

Since bass and guitar pedals are built for different frequency ranges, a guitar pedal may not give you what you want. Be sure to test one first.

St Drogo · #5 10-23-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Framus-bass

Hi all.

Im actually looking at a Digitech Whammy because its noted that Justin Chancellor uses one. And I think he does awsome stuff with it.

By the way, Justin (one of my favorites too) uses a *Bass* whammy. They have a few different settings, like a fifth up, that are missing from the current version (and he uses a whole lot). They are discontinued, and sell for major money second hand. Like, rediculous money.

gflowers · #6 10-23-2009, 10:15 AM

Try a Dunlop Cry Baby Bass Wah. I've had one for years and they're great. They're made specifically for bass.

Framus-bass · #7 10-23-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by St Drogo

By the way, Justin (one of my favorites too) uses a *Bass* whammy. They have a few different settings, like a fifth up, that are missing from the current version (and he uses a whole lot). They are discontinued, and sell for major money second hand. Like, rediculous money.

Then this would be a problem. lol I will do more research then, and will check out Dunlop

**jmattbassplaya** · #8 10-23-2009, 10:33 AM

As an added note, I believe the bass whammy is blue, as opposed to the red guitar version(which has a knack for breaking a ton).

guroove · #9 10-23-2009, 10:36 AM

Just to clarify to the OP, you need the bass crybaby. They are white and have no switch. The guitar crybaby cuts out every frequency that makes it sound like bass. You definitely don't want one. I have a friend who uses the Dimebag Darryl crybaby on bass, but it doesn't leave as much bass in the signal as the bass-specific one.

bigchiefbc · #10 10-23-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Framus-bass

Then this would be a problem. lol I will do more research then, and will check out Dunlop

First of all, if you want a Whammy effect like Chancellor uses in songs like Schism, Disposition, Third Eye, Right in Two, etc, you need a whammy. If you want a pedal that makes a WAH WAH WAH sound while you step on it, that is a wah pedal.

The Bass Whammy is crazy expensive. If you want all the modes from the Bass Whammy without the ridiculous price, track down a Digitech XP-100 Whammy/Wah. It sounds fine, I've used it on Tool covers no problem, and it has ALL the modes from all of the different whammy models. It's out of production, but they usually only go for between 100 and 150 on eBay. EDIT: I just went and looked, and there's 3 of them on eBay right now.

If you want a wah pedal, definitely try to go for something that is designed for bass or at least has a bass mode. The most well thought of ones around here are the Dunlop 105Q Bass Crybaby, the Ibanez Weeping Demon, various models of the Morley wahs, and the Wilson wahs. I'm sure there are more I'm forgetting as well.

Revvv · #11 10-23-2009, 12:15 PM

I use a Morley, which is for guitar. It has never let me down, and keeps the tone.

TheWoodShed · #12 10-23-2009, 12:17 PM

Morleys are usually an exception to the rule because the sweep is so big.

I use an old PWB and have no issues.

amroach · #13 10-23-2009, 12:28 PM

You need a bass wah. I tried my Jim dunlop Cry baby (for Guitar) on my bass, its not even worth talking about, it was funny at the time but it sounded terrible because of the different frequencies the bass and the guitar use. There is the Bass cry baby available but i have never used it.

Framus-bass · #14 10-23-2009, 06:03 PM

Ok

Thank you all for the input. Pry saved me alot of money. And thank you bigchiefbc for the sugestion on a whammy pedal.

I am going through a Tool phase right now and am having alot of fun, and frustration, recreating and using Justins sounds and techniques. But I also love to sit and make weird sounds and expirment with equipment. So far I have not done anything with a wah, or a whammy. (and I now know there is a difference between the two

)

TheHegemon · #15 11-28-2009, 02:20 PM

Yeah as far as wah pedals go Ive tried a few made for guitar and not many have worked well for me. However I had a Crybaby 535Q wah pedal which had different settings and ranges you could play around with, and it was fantastic wah pedal, worked well for bass when it was on the correct settings. I ended up selling it to buy a new head but I plan on getting a new one after the first of the year.