I want to make a DIY Wah- is the Behringer wah casing good to reuse for my project?

Nic. · #1 11-17-2009, 06:45 PM

I'm planning to build a Wah. Worked out what circuit I'll be using already, and so on.

Recently, I saw a Behringer Hell Babe (http://www.behringer.de/EN/Products/HB01.aspx) going up on sale on a local forum for around US$25. I'm expecting it to be not working too well.

Does anyone have any experience with this pedal? I intend to rip out the innards and fit in my own circuit, might make slight modifications to the casing.

From what I understand, it is a plastic casing. Does it have bad durability? I would think plastic isn't the most ideal material to make something that you'll be rocking back and forth with your feet.

So, should I reuse this casing for my DIY, or should I try building my own casing for it?

rratajski · #2 11-18-2009, 12:12 PM

Let's put it this way...most expression pedals are plastic and they last as long as you need them to, rarely breaking with easy use.

For $25, if the treadle breaks or something on the housing breaks, rehouse the guts you placed in there.

phatbass · #3 11-18-2009, 12:37 PM

You might want to check this out...

http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=548

Bofee · #4 11-18-2009, 12:51 PM

With a little patience you can pick up a Dunlop for next to nothing. Look for broken pedals. I bought 2 Dunlops and a DeArmond on eBay a few months ago and payed less than $20 each, including shipping. (One for my daughter and two for projects.) Both the Dunlops were fully functional, and the DeArmond had only a broken battery wire.

Happynoj · #5 11-18-2009, 09:26 PM

Remember that the Behringer wah is optical, and therefore does not have the ratchet thingy that turns the pot, or a hole for one. You will have to create your own. Probably best buying the expression shell that was posted earlier.

Nic. · #6 11-19-2009, 01:21 AM

Thanks for the advice!

Getting a new one seems pretty pricey to me for an experimental project.

The broken one sounds like a good option, but picking up shipped items is a bit of a problem for me.

Didn't know it doesn't have the ratchet thingy. I guess it's good that I didn't pick it up in the end, then.