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-on-pedal-True-Bypass-crybaby-wah-mod/



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


-John

 

[blastjv]

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

Thanks again,

-John

 

[andvari7]

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]

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...