madbeanpedals::forum

General => Open Discussion => Topic started by: aran.e666 on November 26, 2014, 10:11:28 PM

Title: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 26, 2014, 10:11:28 PM
hi all, i haven't  had time to post in a very long time because i have beed busy with work and lots of guitar builds  8) but i know this is the best place for help on pedals. ok so my target is very simple-take a basic wah vero layout, build it and make a wooden pivoting enclosure thing to activate the wah wah effect, but anyways theres a few problems. 1. it shows 16uf capacitors and i cannot find them anywhere at all like no where that would be small enough, also im not sure what type of capacitors the 10nf capacitors would be and what type the 16uf caps would have to be. any advice would be great-im not sure if this is the right place to post this build but any advice would be hugely appreciated so i can finally make my dream (well, some cheap wooden) wah pedal. thanks

aran.
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: jball85 on November 26, 2014, 11:24:37 PM
This isn't your run of the mill wah. You could use 22uf electrolytic (usually polarized) caps in place of the 16uf's. The 10nf's ( .01uf ) should be film box capacitors (non-polarized). There are links on the project's page for stores, where you can buy these caps.
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on November 27, 2014, 12:45:43 AM
You could also go with 15uF tantulum caps in place of the 16uFs.  You can grab those at Small Bear IIRC.  Like Jball stated, this does not look like a run of the mill wah project.  If thats whay you are after you may want to look for a different project.

Jon
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 27, 2014, 08:04:27 AM
Thank you all for the helpful replys but I cant find abyvwah pedal schematics that are controlled by p foot pedal
Thanks

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 27, 2014, 08:37:41 AM
Any wah*
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 27, 2014, 04:19:24 PM
also i forgot to say that when i look i cannot find any schematics on vero that use a foot pedal to control the frequency, like a cry baby wah. this is what i achieve to build. thanks

aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on November 27, 2014, 04:44:15 PM
Here is a link to a couple wah projects, including a crybaby:

http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/search/label/Wah?m=0
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 27, 2014, 04:55:14 PM
thank you so much im probably going to make the cry baby. also what was wrong with the first schematic i showed, wouldn't it work like a regular wah? thanks

aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 27, 2014, 05:44:45 PM
i also forgot to ask, the inductor on the cry baby, does it have to be a fasel since i live in the uk and the only one i can find is a 500mh axial inductor. thanks

aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on November 27, 2014, 05:50:42 PM
Quote from: aran.e666 on November 27, 2014, 04:55:14 PM
thank you so much im probably going to make the cry baby. also what was wrong with the first schematic i showed, wouldn't it work like a regular wah? thanks

aran

I don't know anything about it but it did not appear to have an inductor which is the heart and soul of the classic wah circuit.
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 27, 2014, 06:43:13 PM
thanks stomptown, do you think a 500mh axial inductor could work?

aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on November 27, 2014, 06:55:40 PM
I don't see why not , but I don't know much about choosing an inductor for wah's to be honest.  I would think the biggest issue would be whether or not it will work with the layout.  Maybe someone else can chime in?
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 27, 2014, 07:07:19 PM
well thank you for all the great replies, unfortunately i don't have the inductor and some parts yet but on the bright side, i found almost all the resistors needed. thanks

aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: GermanCdn on November 27, 2014, 08:52:25 PM
You can get Fasel inductors from the following places

Banzai

http://www.banzaimusic.com/Fasel-Inductor-Red.html

Musikding

http://www.musikding.de/Dunlop-Fasel-Wah-inductor-yellow

Thomann

http://www.thomann.de/gb/jim_dunlop_fl02r_fasel_inductor_toroidal.htm
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 29, 2014, 10:23:44 AM
I also forgot to add, the two blue circles on the crybaby schematic, what are they? Thanks

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: wgc on November 29, 2014, 03:23:42 PM
Look up joe gagen for a pot and inductor.  Great stuff.

You could also try inductorless, like color sound inductorless wah
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: jball85 on November 29, 2014, 06:45:51 PM
Quote from: aran.e666 on November 29, 2014, 10:23:44 AM
I also forgot to add, the two blue circles on the crybaby schematic, what are they? Thanks

Aran

Those circles, if I'm understanding the question correctly, are polarized electrolytic capacitors. The large circle/cap at the top is a 220uf capacitor. The smaller cap near the bottom is a 4.7uf capacitor. The stripe at the bottom of each circle indicates the negative lead or cathode.
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: jball85 on November 29, 2014, 06:47:15 PM
Check these links out.

http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2012/09/vero-layout-guide.html

beavisaudio.com
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 29, 2014, 06:49:47 PM
Thanks for the reply, but im talking about if you look around the middle, behing the links there are two mini blue circles with white holes in the middle. Thanks

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 29, 2014, 07:37:32 PM
Also I forgot to ask, if the pot only has 1 and 2 wah wires going to it, is the 3rd wire ground?
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on November 29, 2014, 08:44:45 PM
I'm not too sure but I am wondering if the mini blue circles are associated with the output of the circuit. This layout is a buffered cry baby so I think you are supposed to run wires from the mini blue circles to the outer lugs of the SPDT (or DPDT if you need led) switch and another wire from the center lug to the output jack.  If you noticed, the output wire is blue and matched the color if the circles, which would make sense. If you were planning to build a true bypass wah, we will need to find you the simplified true bypass version of the circuit. I personally don't like true bypass wahs for various reasons, mainly the fact that 3pdts are not quite long enough and make it hard to engage the effect. However, you may find a good dpdt that would work for true bypass assuming you do not need to use an led.

Again, I'm not totally sure on out those circles. Is anyone else familiar with them?
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 29, 2014, 11:03:43 PM
First off now that does kind of make sense but im using a spdt and well... about building a true bypass circuit... ive already built the crybaby so yeah but I think I know what you mean so what il do is hook it up when I get the inductor and trannies and than if it dosent work il use your idea and see if that works. Thanks again

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on November 29, 2014, 11:22:06 PM
No problem. When I get to my computer I'm going to look a little closer to see where the blue circles tap into the circuit. While I do think they have to do with the buffered bypass I don't think my wiring suggestion is quite right.
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 29, 2014, 11:25:32 PM
Well in my opinion that was truly a great idea because I guess it makes sense. Also what should go to pin 3 on the 100k pot? Thanks

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on November 30, 2014, 12:06:56 AM
I just noticed the layout lists "14 cuts and 8 links" but if you look at the layout there are only 6 jumpers! This seems to indicate the mini blue circles are supposed to be electrically connected to the overlying jumpers, hence 8 links! If you follow the schematic and compare to the layout it makes sense. I just didn't see it at first. You will need to tie the mini blue circle pads into your jumpers if you already soldered them in place.

Also, pin 3 goes to the output but we need to sort out the buffered bypass switching before we know if it goes to the switch or directly to the output jack.
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 30, 2014, 12:16:33 AM
Thanks. I didnt know that! Also it already has an output wire so im not sure? Thank you

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on November 30, 2014, 12:24:13 AM
Yeah, I will dig a little more but my guess is that these two wires connect to the outer SPDT lugs and the middle lug connects to the output jack.
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 30, 2014, 12:31:01 AM
Yeah awesome let me know if you find anything else on the wiring or how I should wire the bypass. Thanks

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 30, 2014, 11:44:20 AM
By the way how would I join the links when Iive allready soldered the links in allready? Thanks

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 30, 2014, 03:40:33 PM
Almost done the enclosure!
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: snz728 on November 30, 2014, 04:57:58 PM
AFAIK the blue dots are where two links meet and are soldered to the same strip.  you only have to hook up two wires to the pot because it is acting like a variable resistor.  And wire the input, output, ground to the switch like madbean's general wiring diagram and 9v goes to the power plug or battery.
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on November 30, 2014, 06:19:29 PM
Quote from: snz728 on November 30, 2014, 04:57:58 PM
AFAIK the blue dots are where two links meet and are soldered to the same strip.  you only have to hook up two wires to the pot because it is acting like a variable resistor.  And wire the input, output, ground to the switch like madbean's general wiring diagram and 9v goes to the power plug or battery.

I'm glad someone verified that those were links! Lug 3 of the pot does need to be connected to the output according to  IvIark.mThis is a buffered wah so the mad bean diagram in not applicable unless he wants a true bypass pedal with a buffer.  Most propel remove the buffer if they go that route...


Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 30, 2014, 06:21:11 PM
So I dont need the 3rd pin on the pot wired to the output on the switch? Thanks
Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on November 30, 2014, 06:24:38 PM
Also im using a 6 pin spdt switch with the basic two top pins linked, middle lugs to output and last lugs to the mobo in/out. Thanks

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on December 02, 2014, 04:42:01 PM
I have finally finished the enclosure and also have ordered last parts. Thanks

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: snz728 on December 02, 2014, 10:06:24 PM
Sorry, my bad about the 3rd lug of pot, etc. Havent built a wah in a while but I do recommend trying out different transistors with different hfes
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on December 02, 2014, 10:13:28 PM
Currently ive ordered the ones the layout shows but I will tty some time when I managed to put the whole build in a 1590b (lol) im building support bolts so it dosent lift up when I rock my foot forward and also im trying to get more 'action' on the pot by raising it (im using a lego gear and track). Any recommendations for transistors?  Thanks

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on December 02, 2014, 10:36:36 PM
Going off now so drop a reply and il check later :) cheers

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on December 04, 2014, 06:48:44 PM
Guys I really need help, ive fully assembled the wah and checked everything 20 times over. When I have the bypass on I hear the sound of the amp which is of course what bypassing is but as I switch to the wah effect, I hear no sound at all e.g when I have my killswitch on and it makes a tiny fuzz sound because of the amp. Any ideas? Ive even probed the switch and it works how it should :( . Thanks

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on December 04, 2014, 09:41:42 PM
Did you wire lug 3 to output jack AND the wire connected to board output? Are you wiring switch for true bypass? Pics?
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on December 04, 2014, 09:56:52 PM
Yeah im wiring a dpdt switch so I wire the circuit output wo lug 3 on the pot and chain that to the switch? Thanks

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on December 06, 2014, 06:26:40 AM
Quote from: aran.e666 on December 04, 2014, 09:56:52 PM
Yeah im wiring a dpdt switch so I wire the circuit output wo lug 3 on the pot and chain that to the switch? Thanks

Aran

Can you post a picture or a link to the wiring diagram you are using? I'm not sure I understand how you wired it up.
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on December 06, 2014, 10:11:39 AM
Ok so I found out that the reason it wasn't working was because I used multi core wire as a link so I used solid core and well it works but it isn't a wah pedal, its a volume pedal? Any idea? If uou need I can post pics of the board and il post the voltages of the trannies. ThAnks

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on December 06, 2014, 04:11:36 PM
Quote from: aran.e666 on December 06, 2014, 10:11:39 AM
Ok so I found out that the reason it wasn't working was because I used multi core wire as a link so I used solid core and well it works but it isn't a wah pedal, its a volume pedal? Any idea? If uou need I can post pics of the board and il post the voltages of the trannies. ThAnks

Aran

I would post pics. It shouldn't my matter if you use solid or multi core
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on December 06, 2014, 04:47:05 PM
Ok so now I dont touch it for a day and now it dosent work again! It works as a volume pedal then later nothing!
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on December 06, 2014, 04:49:54 PM
Heres the bottom side

P.s the photos keep rotating, sorry about that

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on December 06, 2014, 06:00:26 PM
It's a bit hard to see whats going on with the wiring so I thought it would be easier to show you how it should be wired up.  A pdf is attached below if you want to print it off.

Jon

(http://i515.photobucket.com/albums/t358/stomptown/WahDiagram_zps642c8a89.jpg)
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: alanp on December 06, 2014, 06:01:56 PM
I'm not going to make myself popular with this opinion, but I think vero is bad for new people to learn on. It's too prone to error (solder jumping tracks, tracks not broken right, etc) compared to a quality designed fabbed PCB. I can't help but think that vero's popularity is a consequence of the old days, where it was either vero, perf, or try and etch (scary if you're new), all from magazine projects.
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on December 06, 2014, 06:19:06 PM
Alanp, sorry but im quite experienced with vero and have made lots of pedals. Yesterday I got the pedal to work as a volume pedal?! And today it dosent work again. Thank you for the wiring il redo the switch
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on December 06, 2014, 06:21:56 PM
Quote from: alanp on December 06, 2014, 06:01:56 PM
I'm not going to make myself popular with this opinion, but I think vero is bad for new people to learn on. It's too prone to error (solder jumping tracks, tracks not broken right, etc) compared to a quality designed fabbed PCB. I can't help but think that vero's popularity is a consequence of the old days, where it was either vero, perf, or try and etch (scary if you're new), all from magazine projects.

I would tend to agree, but I only got into this about 4 years ago so PCBs were already widely available so I'm not personally attached to vero, etc.  I do like the challenge from time to time but there's always a bit of anxiety that goes along with it.  I would put etching into this category as well.  I threw quite a few of those into the box of fail in my first year.
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: alanp on December 06, 2014, 06:30:11 PM
Deeply sorry about that, early morning after too much last night, and I was going off your post count :-( :-(
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on December 06, 2014, 06:36:54 PM
Dont worry its ok I fully understand (I did sound big headed) like I say im not the best builder since im only 15 but I do build I just cant think why it wont work. Im currently plugging my guitar in to see if the new switch wiring works. Il get back to all of you in a min. Thanks

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on December 06, 2014, 06:40:06 PM
Okay, I got nothing, when I engage the effect I get loud popping noise and unengage I get nothing

Aran
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: Stomptown on December 06, 2014, 06:58:51 PM
Did you check the orientation of electorlytics?  Did you use MPSA 18 transistors?  IF not, did you verify the pinout and orient them accordingly?
Title: Re: building a wah pedal?
Post by: aran.e666 on December 06, 2014, 07:02:42 PM
Yes I checked all of them but It 'popped' when I rotated the pot and I got nothing when I bypass the effect. Thanks

Aran