Morley Vintage (Chrome) Power Wah Boost Mods...

[blastjv]

SO,

Here is what I'm looking to do:

I'd like to retain all the current functionality of the pedal as it is. I had some reservations about doing any modifications to a 'vintage' pedal, but at the end of the day this would make it my ideal wah, so I'll tear it up as I need to.

I'd also like to add the following:

1 - Add LED indicators to the current two footswitches to light when in Wah mode (off when in Volume mode), and when in Boost mode (off when in 'regular', non-boost mode). I know I would need to replace the switches themselves and add resistors. I don't need these to be true bypass themselves, just to perform their current functions in addition to lighting an LED. (see #2 for the true bypass part of my mod plans) I want these to stay lit when the bypass I describe below is bypassing the effect so that I can look and see what to expect when I step on the pedal. I figured I'd install a 9v adapter jack to power the LED's unless someone can figure out how to steal power safely from the mains.

2 - Add a momentary true bypass switch to the treadle itself so that when I step on the treadle and in so doing, depress the switch sticking through the top of the treadle, the pedal is in my signal chain, and when I take my foot off the pedal it is 'true bypassed'.

I have SOME idea of what I need to do, but could use some help figuring out the details of exactly what I need (DPDT vs 3PDT, resistor values, etc...), and how to go about it (Diagrams would be very helpful...


Thanks and let me know what you think of the idea...


-John

[andvari7]

Fulltone does make a momentary true bypass switch for their MDV-2 Uni-Vibe clone. I've never been all that happy with momentary bypasses, because they almost always require spring-loaded action, for which I care not. I know the MDV-2 doesn't, but the Morleys of today do. I would just rather use the Tech 21 system, but without any change in functionality (wah/volume/boost).

I do, however, agree with you on the LED.

Other modifications: replace that plug with something grounded; change the nylon bushings, nuts, washers and bolts in the treadle mechanism; new boost pot; new caps of equal value; replace the light bulb with an LED, if possible; possibly new tape on the shroud, and lube the treadle very, very sparsely with synthetic bike lube.

[blastjv]

What's the 'Tech21 sytem'?

I'm thinking that the switch sticking through the top of the treadle will allow me to hit the switch where ever the treadle is (toe up - toe down)

-John

[blastjv]

PS - I'm thinking of a similar, but much simpler, version of this idea:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Foot...ybaby-wah-mod/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAc0W5btqUU

Nothing's new under the sun, they say.....


-John

[blastjv]

Any more advice, comments, guidance would be appreciated....

Thanks again,

-John

[andvari7]

Originally Posted by blastjv

What's the 'Tech21 sytem'?

I'm thinking that the switch sticking through the top of the treadle will allow me to hit the switch where ever the treadle is (toe up - toe down)

-John

I apologize for the confusion. From what I've gathered, the way Tech 21 does bypass is with a much smoother switch. It's more like a momentary kill switch, only bigger, and more reliable. They also have it mapped in such a way that makes it work really, really well. I have no idea what that entails. That's what I meant by their way of doing bypass.

[blastjv]

Anyone else have any ideas for me???

-John

[blastjv]

THEY SAID I WAS MAD!!!!!

(But it works like a charm)

Special thanks to SanfordandSonny for advice and being a valuable sounding board.


-JV

[luckynumber16]

Originally Posted by blastjv

THEY SAID I WAS MAD!!!!!

(But it works like a charm)

Special thanks to SanfordandSonny for advice and being a valuable sounding board.


-JV

*stares longingly at it* where'd you get it?

[blastjv]

Used at GC a while ago...