Dunlop 105q Wah or EHX Micro Q-Tron?

karter2000 · #1 09-04-2007, 10:22 AM

Hi all,

Given the choice between the Dunlop 105q wah or Micro Q-Tron, what would you rather have and why? I can't afford both, and would like to know which would be more useful.

Thanks,

Lyle

JanusZarate · #2 09-04-2007, 11:05 AM

This is a tough one... Both are equally useful, but very dependent on what you use it for.

One's a wah pedal - funky sweeps that you can control with your foot. The other is an envelope filter, which responds to your playing dynamics - how you play affects how and when it reacts. It's a different sort of funky sound.

You need to ask yourself... which sound do you prefer? And how do you prefer to control that sound?

Someone like Flea, for example, uses both, simply because they're different enough to justify owning both.

I don't know which one you'd like better. You'd have to find a store that has both to try out. Most stores tend to carry one of the Q-Tron models, but the 105Q can be a bit trickier to find in a shop.

If it were up to me, I'd opt for the 105Q because of how I'd use it for soloing. I currently use a manual wah pedal (a Morley Power Wah) for tones I wouldn't get from an envelope filter. But in my case, I'm a rock bassist - envelope filters don't really work for some of the styles I play.

assboglin · #3 09-04-2007, 11:49 AM

Shooting from the hip I'm just going to go ahead and recommend the 105Q. It's a great bass pedal. I am a former envelope filter junkie but my 105Q has stayed an my board.

markjazzbassist · #4 09-04-2007, 12:44 PM

q-tron no question.

Webtroll · #5 09-04-2007, 02:12 PM

I haven't played the wah but I'm a bit too lazy to keep working it when I can kick an effect on and let it do it's thing. I have a QTron and love it (tried it in a store with a lot of other pedals in an attempt to find something that reminded me of the sound Chris Squire got on Silent Wings of Freedom).

andvari7 · #6 09-04-2007, 02:26 PM

That is truly a toughie. Both are incredibly useful pedals, but if you had to choose, I'd start with the wah. I really like that wah (I like my Morley better, but that's another story).

I'd also suggest eBay for similar wah pedals (the blue Morley bass wah is the closest to the 105Q, in my opinion).

Petary791 · #7 09-04-2007, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

q-tron no question.

Agreed. I really find no use for manual wahs on bass.

smo · #8 09-04-2007, 10:20 PM

I'd go for the wah - and I did!

Great thing about a wah is you don't have to use it at a given rate like the envelope filter - you can use it at your discretion.

Seriously - try 'em out - see what you think - and more importantly - think about how they'd fit in your band, and if they'd fit (or get lost) in the mix.

KeithBMI · #9 09-04-2007, 10:33 PM

Dunlop.

I feel cool when I reach my foot out and rock a wah.

karter2000 · #10 09-04-2007, 11:17 PM

Thanks for everyone's input, I really appreciate it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

I currently use a manual wah pedal (a Morley Power Wah) for tones I wouldn't get from an envelope filter.

I've actually wanted to add the Morley wah to my list. Boo, your wah is the PWO reissue, correct? Looking on ebay, there seems to be lots of chrome PWO (don't believe they are PWBs) for decent prices. Are they worth buying?

Thanks,

Lyle

JanusZarate · #11 09-04-2007, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karter2000

I've actually wanted to add the Morley wah to my list. Boo, your wah is the PWO reissue, correct? Looking on ebay, there seems to be lots of chrome PWO (don't believe they are PWBs) for decent prices. Are they worth buying?

I really can't say; I did own an original chrome PWO, but it needed a lot of work, so I could never get it to work to its full potential. However, it sounded great (when it was working), and it had a more dramatic sweep (both sonically and physically) than the reissue.

The reissue is not really like the old PWO - it's more like the PWB (Power Wah Boost) because of its Boost knob. The original PWO has no knob or control of any kind.

Mudfuzz · #12 09-05-2007, 12:48 AM

First I'd say 105Q, I've had mine a long time and still love the thing, but a Q-tron into 105Q is a world of rubbery funk.

Vic Winters · #13 09-05-2007, 08:36 AM

If you're more funk based - Micro Q-Tron

If you're more rock based - 105Q

Fun Size Nick · #14 09-05-2007, 09:09 AM

I had a 105Q but ended up mostly trying to make it sound like an envelope filter! It fell into disuse, so I sold it and later bought a Q-Tron. Maybe have a think about what kind of 'effect' (sound) you want to get and, if you can, try both and see what floats your boat better.

Petary791 · #15 09-05-2007, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Winters

If you're more funk based - Micro Q-Tron

If you're more rock based - 105Q

There you have it! +1

karter2000 · #16 09-07-2007, 11:52 PM

Thanks for everyone's input!

Just a note, I tried the Dunlop 105q tonight, and it really didn't do anything for me. Nice wah, but as noted previously I was trying to make it sound like an envelope filter.

I would have liked to try a Mini or Micro Q-Tron, but neither can be found in the entire lower mainland in BC. If I could ever find one, I would love to give it a whirl!

Thanks again,

Lyle