Help With Certain Combos Of Pedals...

R41N570RM · #1 08-21-2007, 01:32 PM

Hello again friends,

So I picked up that Agent 00 Funk, I love it!

Anyways, before buying it, my pedal board configuration of one pedal was the Snarling Dogs Bootsy Collins Funk Bass Wah.

I've tried numerous pedals with it, looking to find something that will play nice. If you have one, you know that it gives a bit of funky edge to a plain bass tone, which I loved for it being my only pedal.

My situation now is that anything that is plugged into it (I've tried the Digitech Bass Synth, and now the Agent, among others) completely ruins everything a bass is, playing the bass doesn't activate any sound except pure static clicking, and when it does, its squelchy bad distortion staticyness, if anyone knows what I'm trying to describe, its complete trash, you can't just play the instrument.

The only way to partially overcome this is to turn off the pedal completely, which involves a switch that is under the actual wah-foot. And owners of the pedal know thats very unaccessible.

So I ask you fine people, is there any way to overcome this? Do I have to get rid of the pedal? If I do, is there any alternatives for wah-harmony? Thanks!

assboglin · #2 08-21-2007, 01:35 PM

Wait a minute. The switch under the wah foot is activated/deactivated by stepping on the wah hard, not by hand. What you said made it sound like you didn't realize that. You "kick" the wah on when you need it but otherwise leave it off. It sounds like from your description that you're having problems because you're always leaving your wah on. Just kick it off.

syciprider · #3 08-21-2007, 02:53 PM

Or get a Morley

vegas532 · #4 08-21-2007, 02:58 PM

You know...I've played three different Bootsy Wahs at three different stores to see if maybe the first one I plugged into was broken. My conclusion? They're not very good, to say the least.

assboglin · #5 08-21-2007, 03:27 PM

105Q is also switchless.

R41N570RM · #6 08-21-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by assboglin

Wait a minute. The switch under the wah foot is activated/deactivated by stepping on the wah hard, not by hand. What you said made it sound like you didn't realize that. You "kick" the wah on when you need it but otherwise leave it off. It sounds like from your description that you're having problems because you're always leaving your wah on. Just kick it off.

You know, I actually didn't realize that. I have had that wah on 24/7 while playing. You've gotta step on it pretty hard in my experience, feels like I'm gonna ruin it. And if that is true, I find that very annoying to have to get it kicking before I can use it, then the same to turn it off... Switchless, sounds nice now...

niftydog · #7 08-21-2007, 09:25 PM

Usually the switch has a long thread and a nut either side of the metal housing. Loosen the bottom nut and tighten the top one and the switch will be raised up. This brings it closer to the treadle making it easier to stomp on and off.

R41N570RM · #8 08-22-2007, 12:57 AM

Meh, too much hassle to have to use the pedal "correctly" for what I do with it, lets hear about these "switchless" wahs! The Morley looks nice, any more info?

niftydog · #9 08-22-2007, 01:11 AM

Wow... you must be a very busy person then!

It works best if you tell us what you want and what you are hoping to achieve and then we'll suggest wahs to suit. For a start, search the forums (or indeed the 'net) for Morley and Jim Dunlop - both offer "switchless" wahs.

bongomania · #10 08-22-2007, 01:38 AM

Too much hassle to use the gear correctly or to search for common terms like Morley. Tell us, R41N, why should we bother with the hassle of helping you?

R41N570RM · #11 08-22-2007, 01:43 AM

Search Function Used.
Apologies.
Now to make the choice... Dunlop or Morley...
Thanks for clearing my original problem up.

niftydog · #12 08-22-2007, 04:46 PM

Wow... and easily influenced too!

Say, I have this package a friend wants to send to me from Nigeria, don't suppose you'd be interested in a little adventure?

R41N570RM · #13 08-22-2007, 08:19 PM

Very Easily Influenced. I take you people as very knowledgeable.

Oh, and my uncle is a pilot, give me GPS coordinates, and I think we can get that package delivered.
>_>

rollo47 · #14 08-22-2007, 08:36 PM

Well, I own both, so here's my two cents.

The Morley is a cool sounding wah - very funky, but that's the problem. I can't honestly say that it'd work with much else than funk. Granted, I haven't tried it out with the rest of my pedals yet, but that was my first impression.

The Dunlop, on the other hand, is good for long, slow sweeps - really good for atmospheric type stuff, but maybe not so good for funk.

assboglin · #15 08-22-2007, 08:49 PM

I assure you you won't hurt your wah pedal by kicking it hard enough to flip the switch under the treadle. That's the way it is meant to be used.

But if you are interested in a switchless wah, I highly recommend the Dunlop 105Q, that's the white wah pedal they make for bass. I have posted a couple soundclips of it here:

Dunlop 105Q SOUNDCLIP

and here:

MXR Bass D.I. Distortion SOUNDCLIPS

While the Dunlop is great for atmospheric sweeps, I also like it for rock and funk because it's great at retaining bottom. You can be the judge on how it sounds by listening to my samples. I've owned several different Morleys and prefer the 105Q, but check both out and decide for yourself. Hope that helps.

coolrunner989 · #16 08-22-2007, 08:53 PM

check out both the morely and the dunlop, but also try the Ibanez weeping demon - a very cool wah and better than the other two in my opinion.

It can be switchless or stomp - take your pick by flipping a lever. You can also set the amount of lows you want, what range to have it in (guitar or bass - both sound good, just depends which octave you play in), and the peak.

I love it.