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Issues with Chicago Iron

NKUSigEp

NKUSigEp

Supporting Member
Jun 6, 2006
5,232
208
Bright, IN
#1
Has anyone ever dealt with this company before? I read up on these guys and how they took over the parachute wah, octavian pedal and pedalflanger. And from youtube vids and soundclips their parachute wah sounded like what I was looking for. I contacted them twice before hearing back but bought one of the DIY kits off their site anyways - being reassured I would have it before a September 4th gig. However, it's been over 3 weeks now and after contacting them a couple times since, I still don't have a wah and I have heard absolutely nothing back from them.

Any suggestions, experiences, thoughts, etc?
 
#2
file a BBB complaint if they are members. if not, keep bumping this thread. they used to be on TB but got into some huge war over how they make the best wahs blah blah arrogant blah and started getting all copyright infrigement on wilson wah dude.

total jerks as far as online presence goes.
 
#4
markjazzbassist said:
file a BBB complaint if they are members. if not, keep bumping this thread. they used to be on TB but got into some huge war over how they make the best wahs blah blah arrogant blah and started getting all copyright infrigement on wilson wah dude.

total jerks as far as online presence goes.
Click to expand...

+1 - They totally turned me off with their attitude here. Anyone who was thinking of ordering a Parachute should consider the Freaker Wah by Wilson Effects. It is also based on the Tychobrahe Parapedal and is fantastic. I am so glad I got mine.
 
#6
Swimming Bird said:
That sucks man, any word on your order yet?

Is there a way to cancel payment?
Click to expand...

Yeah...I sent them this email:

I contacted you guys on Aug 24th about having a DIY kit installed in a CryBaby and didn't hear back from ya. I sent you another email on the 26th since there was a bit of urgency to get the pedal back before an important show we had coming up on Sept 4th. You responded that it would be no problem to do but that it would also be just as easy to install myself since there's no soldering and would take maybe 30 mins. So I went ahead and bought one off your website on the 26th, paid via paypal. It is now Sept 14th...10 days after I needed it and longer still after I wanted it. I read on your website it may take up to 4 weeks for delivery, but I live in Cincinnati which is a 2-day delivery from Chicago. And I would have NEVER bought one if I wasn't reassured that I would have had it before Sept 4th.

So you guys aren't rushing to get people's stuff out, ok no big deal. I've gone without it for a while and it's certainly not hurting me not to have it. But, the problem now is that I've emailed you since then and have not heard one peep back, and I'm tired of being patient. I'm sure your pedal sounds great but your customer service is horrendous! I know of a few builders with something very similar that are much more deserving of my money. I will give you until this Thursday Sept 16th to provide a tracking number for it on its way to me or I'm filing a claim with Paypal for no item/unresponsive seller. Plain and simple.
Click to expand...

I sent that Tuesday afternoon. I got their response today:

Hi Adam,
I have sent the circuit. I apologize for the delay.
Click to expand...

And there was a tracking number with it, but no mention of who it was shipped through (I figured it was USPS and sure enough, it is). I'm now bracing myself for a damaged circuit board wrapped in thin brown paper with pubic hair all over and snot dripping from it. :(
 
#10
Just got the circuit today, it's hardly a "drop-in unit with no soldering required". Seriously an effin joke! This looks like the simplest circuit ever too! What a bunch of lies! How do they stay in business? I should have done more research on them before buying - definitely DO NOT RECOMMEND!!!

It better be the best sounding wah ever to make up for the complete and utter lies and shady service or I'm driving up to Chicago to return it in person. And they're not going to like what I have to say! :mad:

I'm definitely thinking about copying the circuit and changing a few resistor values and selling it for $50 a pop!
 
#12
NKUSigEp said:
Just got the circuit today, it's hardly a "drop-in unit with no soldering required". Seriously an effin joke! This looks like the simplest circuit ever too! What a bunch of lies! How do they stay in business? I should have done more research on them before buying - definitely DO NOT RECOMMEND!!!

It better be the best sounding wah ever to make up for the complete and utter lies and shady service or I'm driving up to Chicago to return it in person. And they're not going to like what I have to say! :mad:

I'm definitely thinking about copying the circuit and changing a few resistor values and selling it for $50 a pop!
Click to expand...

Three responses:

1. I think you may have stumbled upon the reason for ToneFactor, et. al., dropping their lineup. Chicago Music Exchange has a communal obligation to carry their products; online vendors do not.

2. As for the best sounding wah, all I can say is this: Bring a change of clothes, beef jerky, Red Bull, and an iPod with a lot of GWAR albums on it. You are going to need them very soon.

3. Finally, If you sell it for $50, expect your first customer to be a long-winded chap from Madison, WI. One who warns people about such things.
 
#13
andvari7 said:
Three responses:

1. I think you may have stumbled upon the reason for ToneFactor, et. al., dropping their lineup. Chicago Music Exchange has a communal obligation to carry their products; online vendors do not.

2. As for the best sounding wah, all I can say is this: Bring a change of clothes, beef jerky, Red Bull, and an iPod with a lot of GWAR albums on it. You are going to need them very soon.

3. Finally, If you sell it for $50, expect your first customer to be a long-winded chap from Madison, WI. One who warns people about such things.
Click to expand...

I don't really understand number 2 and 3 but ok :D


Swimming Bird said:
Oooh, should we be on the lookout for 'Cincinnati Steel' bass wahs?

How was it not drop in/no soldering?
Click to expand...

The leads coming off the switch and for the power aren't attached to anything (not even a battery connector). There is literally nothing else left that could possibly mean "no soldering" since it's on a board!
 
#14
NKUSigEp said:
I don't really understand number 2 and 3 but ok :D
Click to expand...

Oh, I was sort of referring to your statement about driving to Chicago, and as someone with experience with this pedal, I'm cluing you in on more than a little potential for disappointment. Refer to "Never Meet Your Heroes, OR:" if you are a little lost. No other pedal has stirred up as much frustration as the Parachute, and not just because of its sound (which is similar to the DOD FX-17; a pedal I rather like).

As for the third option, that was a show of solidarity: you carry out your resistor-change-and-sell-it-for-cheap plan, and I'll buy. I'm that talkative Madisonian in question.
 
#15
andvari7 said:
Oh, I was sort of referring to your statement about driving to Chicago, and as someone with experience with this pedal, I'm cluing you in on more than a little potential for disappointment. Refer to "Never Meet Your Heroes, OR:" if you are a little lost. No other pedal has stirred up as much frustration as the Parachute, and not just because of its sound (which is similar to the DOD FX-17; a pedal I rather like).

As for the third option, that was a show of solidarity: you carry out your resistor-change-and-sell-it-for-cheap plan, and I'll buy. I'm that talkative Madisonian in question.
Click to expand...

Copy that! I'm not completely inept with diagrams but what they provide is a piss-poor representation and the pot doesn't come with a gear on it either...the one that's on the Dunlop cannot be retrofitted to the pot provided either since it's for a notched shaft and not a solid one.

Oh well...guess I learned a very expensive lesson. I will mess around with some of the components and values though to see if I can come up with something a little better.
 
#16
UPDATE:

I received a call from Kurt at Chicago Iron today and spent a good while talking with him. He seemed genuinely disappointed in the level of service they provided to me and offered to make things right. So that was very refreshing. He did offer some knowledge and left the line of communication open should I have any trouble with the pedal. So all is well that ends well I guess.
 
#18
Almost got it all put together...the power adapter jack doesn't fit the current hole and will probably need to be drilled out. Other than that, it went together pretty smoothly. Just waiting for practice this weekend to see if I got it right.
 

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