How to Convert a crybaby wah into a volume pedal

[Studiocat]

Hey guys,

I have a bunch of old (some broken) dunlop crybaby wah pedals laying around, GCB-95's and a JH-1.
I don't really need to fix the wahs, but rather convert one of them to a decent volume pedal. I've read scattered instructions on how to make this conversion, but haven't found a definitive guide.

Does anyone have some exact instructions on how to do this? And once I'm done, will it be worth the trouble?

Cheers
Adam

[mhammer]

Hey guys,

I have a bunch of old (some broken) dunlop crybaby wah pedals laying around, GCB-95's and a JH-1.
I don't really need to fix the wahs, but rather convert one of them to a decent volume pedal. I've read scattered instructions on how to make this conversion, but haven't found a definitive guide.

Does anyone have some exact instructions on how to do this? And once I'm done, will it be worth the trouble?

Cheers
Adam
Three approaches:
1) The old Maestro Boomerang, and several others, could be converted from volume to wah and back again with a toggle switch. It involves modifying the wah circuit itself.

2) Passive volume pedal with different/higher value pot installed. Wah guts moved elsewhere.

3) Electronic volume control or buffered volume control using existing wah pot. Electronics moved elsewhere or retained for some form of selectable functioning.

Your choice. Let me know what path is your preferred one.

Just exactly HOW are they "broken"If indeed you have a "bunch" of these things lying around, might I suggest converting one into an expression pedal, and another into a Uni-vibe type pedal that lets you control speed with your feet to achieve ramp-up/ramp-down effects?

Finally, just exactly how "broken" are they? It may be possible to repair them more easily than you think.

[Studiocat]

Thanks for the quick reply.

No need to have a switching wah/volume pedal, so I'd say options 2 or 3 would be best. Whichever retains the best sounding signal.

An expression pedal would be a good project for later, however I don't need it now.

The pedals aren't very broken. Inductors snapped off, broken jacks, dirty pots. All fixable.

A

[PaulS]

lift the negative side of the electrolytic cap (4.7uF) from the circuit. This will turn it into a volume pedal. Some pedals were built so that when you switched the wah off this connection got lifted thus a combo wah/vol pedal.
An easy expieriment....