Whammy IV vs. Whammy II

Silver Hammer · #1 12-25-2008, 06:25 PM

How do the two stack up for bass? I've heard people say the Whammy II sounds better because of a chip it uses but how much does that really affect us low end brothers? Also do the modes the IV have that the II doesn't have really add much usability or do you find you don't use them that often? Probably going to get a IV as I can't afford a Bass Whammy and it has more modes but I'm curious.

Btw I searched and didn't see anything like this, all comparisons to WH1 and Bass Whammy. If it's been done let me know.

Tbirdbassist · #2 12-25-2008, 08:19 PM

The Bass Whammy and WHII are basically the same thing. Just with differnt settings.

I think someone here has a Whammy II but I'm not sure who. Yo will do fine with a Whammy IV, I made a huge thread sampling the IV in every setting and there's more than enough testimonials from people who have used the IV to let you know how it does on bass.

SnakeAnthony · #3 12-25-2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbirdbassist

The Bass Whammy and WHII are basically the same thing. Just with differnt settings.

I think someone here has a Whammy II but I'm not sure who. Yo will do fine with a Whammy IV, I made a huge thread sampling the IV in every setting and there's more than enough testimonials from people who have used the IV to let you know how it does on bass.

So you're saying that the II holds the low end as well as the Bass Whammy?

jimmyjam · #4 12-25-2008, 09:42 PM

G'Day,
Just spotted this thread, I'm also interested in a comparison.
I have a whammy II, and I love it!
The obvious differences are that the IV has MIDI control, so it can do more things, but it does have the stupid dial to select your settings...
The whammy II allows you to scroll through the settings by tapping one of the buttons with your foot, so you can still be playing... Also you can store two presets and toggle between them easily with your feet again.
As for tracking it's pretty damn good!
If you are using it to shift down, it will even work off a low B string!
If you are shifting up though, it goes to chaos around the open G...
The chaos sound can be VERY cool though...
As for tone, it isn't true bypass, so it sucks a bit of tone, and if you want the octave down effect, my EBS Octabass and Chunk Systems Octavius Squeezer are both much fatter sounding...
That said, I sometimes use the Whammy II for "light" octave effects... There is a Whammy II on ebay with one hour to go, so good luck!

Tbirdbassist · #5 12-25-2008, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeAnthony

So you're saying that the II holds the low end as well as the Bass Whammy?

It was never an issue of them not handling low end well. If you go into the Molten Voltage mods thread he explains it pretty clearly.

SnakeAnthony · #6 12-26-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbirdbassist

It was never an issue of them not handling low end well. If you go into the Molten Voltage mods thread he explains it pretty clearly.

By hold the low end I meant tracks well on lower strings. But according to jimmyjam, you can track down from a B string well (

) but the tracking sucks from the G string up (

).

katri · #7 12-26-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeAnthony

(

).

+1

SnakeAnthony · #8 01-08-2009, 09:32 PM

I'm bumping this. My question was never answered.

TaySte_2000 · #9 01-09-2009, 07:45 AM

If you are seriously considering the WH-4 check the Boss PS-5 out I swear it's just as good/bad which ever your take on the whammy is

giglawyer · #10 01-09-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaySte_2000

If you are seriously considering the WH-4 check the Boss PS-5 out I swear it's just as good/bad which ever your take on the whammy is

Which do you think is easier to use?

TaySte_2000 · #11 01-09-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by giglawyer

Which do you think is easier to use?

PS-5 covers everything the whammy does and it's smaller and 9v.

As for ease of use they are about on par, maybe the whammy is slightly easy to mess with as it has less on it but if you have a set sound in there you are using the boss is the winner.

Chronicle · #12 01-09-2009, 08:52 AM

No way Tayste. No way. lol

Me and tbird have gone through the whammy scenario for years now. PS5/3 is way too digital sounding and has a tremolo effect when toe down.
And ease of use, you have to bend over to change the setting and good luck figuring out which one means what.

TaySte_2000 · #13 01-09-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chronicle

No way Tayste. No way. lol

Me and tbird have gone through the whammy scenario for years now. PS5/3 is way too digital sounding and has a tremolo effect when toe down.

Pfft what do you know, you work at GC.

Anyway I've had 2 WH-4's and sold both of them, still got the PS-5

None of them tick many boxes for me but the PS-5 is great with distortion and covers what pitch shifting I need, I say go try them they are in pretty much every guitar shop, it can't hurt can it.

Chronicle · #14 01-09-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaySte_2000

Pfft what do you know, you work at GC.

Anyway I've had 2 WH-4's and sold both of them, still got the PS-5

None of them tick many boxes for me but the PS-5 is great with distortion and covers what pitch shifting I need, I say go try them they are in pretty much every guitar shop, it can't hurt can it.

I've played with the PS-5 and PS-3 quite extensively. Whammys are so much easier and better sounding. Especially on the low notes and two-note chords.

TaySte_2000 · #15 01-09-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chronicle

I've played with the PS-5 and PS-3 quite extensively. Whammys are so much easier and better sounding. Especially on the low notes and two-note chords.

They are all crap on chords.

I'm not a fan of pitch shifting I just got an Mpog and blah boring.

I don't know for me the PS-5 does the job its smaller and easier to power than the whammy and I've not got bored of it yet.

Chronicle · #16 01-09-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaySte_2000

They are all crap on chords.

I'm not a fan of pitch shifting I just got an Mpog and blah boring.

I don't know for me the PS-5 does the job its smaller and easier to power than the whammy and I've not got bored of it yet.

The whammy 2 and Bass whammy can do chords pretty well. At least octaves and 2 note power chords in my playing.

skulletwhip · #17 01-09-2009, 09:42 AM

the ps3 has so many modes that its hard to think of it as just a whammy sub.

the whammy 2 is awesome btw.

SnakeAnthony · #18 01-09-2009, 10:45 AM

I already own the WH-4. I love it, don't get me wrong, I'm just wondering about some improvements, like if the II would handle octave downs better in lower areas of the neck than the WH-4, or if it will track the harmony mode better in the lower registers.

skulletwhip · #19 01-09-2009, 11:08 AM

it tracks very well. but the whammy 4 does to if you dont make it clip. the2 has an input trim which is useful.

i dont use it much these days. its on loan right now. i mostly use the ps3 these days. i pair with delay and do 'whale calls'.

jimmyjam · #20 01-14-2009, 03:22 AM

Sorry guys, haven't been on here for a while!

The Whammy II tracks better when shifting the pitch down than up...

Hope that makes sense...

Therefore, I was saying that if you are shifting the pitch down, you can play "any" note, including a low "B".

However, if you are shifting the pitch up, it does not track (or shift) very well below the open "G".

This of course all depends on the bass, playing style etc... but as a rough guide...

Hope this Helps!