Best wah for clean funk tones?

[kurt1981]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a wah that's got good tone, won't clip, and isn't too over the top. I'm not into the modern super throaty wah tones, I want something that'll get tones like the 70's wahs, nice and fat, but not too over the top. I'm mostly doing soul and funk tunes think meters and some disco. I'm currently using a budda, but am wondering if there's something that would fit me more.
Thanks in advance,
Kurt

[Turiguiliano]

vox 848

[Jim Jones]

I've never owned one but everytime I hear clips of the old Colorsound wahs I think "funk".

Jim

[madscientist]

If you see one in a store, be sure to try out a Buddy Guy Signature Wah. Got mine a few weeks ago...clean wah tones are sweet!

[geetarman]

My Area 51 sounds great for clean wah tones.

[kurt1981]

Thanks guys much appreciated. I heard the vox is a tad harsh at the top end, is this true? Also, is the area 51 maybe too throaty, or is it pretty mellow? Sorry for the questions, it's hard to tell with these wahs, all the clips are of different gear, and most have overdrive with them. How about modded cry baby's, or is that not even worth investigating?
Thanks,
Kurt

[jamison162]

Area 51

[waynesmith]

+1...Area 51 wahs

[Cuthbert]

I've been searching for this for years and the best thing you can get is a Thomas Organ Co. Crybaby from the 70's.

[teletran1175]

Any good wah before a compressor.

[blackblack]

I've been searching for this for years and the best thing you can get is a Thomas Organ Co. Crybaby from the 70's.

I'd agree. A 70s Crybaby would most likely be what you hear on 70s Funk recordings. I have two of these and they're perfect for this application. They have a short pedal throw, in contrast to the Colorsound or some boutique wahs, which have a much longer sweep that's more suitable to psychedelic stuff. I like the Colorsound, but not for Funk.

Please note: Crybabys come with a variety of inductors depending on year of manufacture. They don't all sound the same. I much prefer the "stack-o-dimes" inductor, and don't particularly like the red TDK inductor. There's an indepth article somewhere on the Analogman website that goes into these details.

[soopajeanmi]

Thanks guys much appreciated. I heard the vox is a tad harsh at the top end, is this true? Also, is the area 51 maybe too throaty, or is it pretty mellow? Sorry for the questions, it's hard to tell with these wahs, all the clips are of different gear, and most have overdrive with them. How about modded cry baby's, or is that not even worth investigating?
Thanks,
Kurt

I played funk for years. The Vox 847 was always the wah getting the most praise for its authentic tone. Not harsh in the top end at all, unlike most of the cry babys.

[sockeye]

If you can afford a Fulltone Clyde Deluxe it'd probably make you happy. The Colorsound setting might be too "pukey" for you but the JH and Shaft settings should cover the rest of your needs...

[Structo]

I just got a Dunlop Crybaby Classic.
It is the one with the Fasel Inductor.

True bypass and works pretty darn good and has that old school wah vibe.

The only thing I don't like about it is the sweep range of the pedal.
It seems to be a real fine line between the cocked wah sound and the treble screamer tone.

This pedal is a surface mount pcb so it really is not moddable.
A lot of forum guys say to get the Crybaby original that has the component PCB because it is easy to mod.
But in the end the mods are, true bypass, adding a Fasel Inductor and maybe a led.

The Original is around $70 and the Classic is $100/

A switch and Fasel are around $35-40.

Simple math.

I have an old Morely wah that I bought back in the early 80's.
It uses an optical component for the wah.

When I opened it up years ago I couldn't believe how they did this.
There is a simple photo cell and a flap of fabric. The pilot light shines on the photo cell.
As the pedal is depressed the fabric starts obscuring the light and changes the wah.
I was never that thrilled with that pedal and it's probably why it has been in the parts bin for over 20 years....

[jake5]

Teese Wizard and Pic Wah are both pretty cool.

[Tomo]

Maestro Boomerang GB2.

Wah Wah uses this too.

Tomo

[jgyn]

Maestro Boomerang GB2.

Wah Wah uses this too.

Tomo

+1.
Supposedly the 'Shaft' wah.

[bandofthieves™]

watch close 4:10 minutes in to the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9nwcpGZE6A&feature=related

[Tomo]

+1.
Supposedly the 'Shaft' wah.

BG-2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6EeUi9evpw

Tomo

[shaneygoo]

comp after wah is the key

[blackblack]

Teese Wizard and Pic Wah are both pretty cool.


Teese Pic wah sounds a lot like a 70s Crybaby but has a wider sweep. Another good choice.

[kurt1981]

Hey thanks so much guys. What's the wah in that Mayfield vid? That's the sound for sure. Thanks so much for all the help.
Kurt

[dksouthpaw]

musician sound design silvermachine. i really dig it.
4 way rotary to adjust the depth of the wah
3 way switch to adjust the resonance
modern/vintage mode. modern you can adjust wet dry mix to make it more subtle which could add to your clean funk tone a bit more

[Aruntang]

Teese Pic Wah. I have been using it for the last three years.

I am not sure about the 70's Crybaby reference since the Tesse Picture wah was designed to capture the sounds of the Vox Clyde Picture Way from 1967. But heck, what do I know, I just think its funky. I think there are a few tunes on my myspace page with the Pic in it. Definitely the solo clip and I think 'Nobody Does it Better'.

[bbrunskill]

The best clean wah I have ever owned was the budda. I popped my Keeley comp after it for true vintage goodness.

[ProToneThinline]

I've been searching for this for years and the best thing you can get is a Thomas Organ Co. Crybaby from the 70's.

Absolutely. I have a TOCB from about '69, and it's one of the most "authentic" sounding wah's I've heard (at least as far as soul/funk/R&B is concerned). They're fairly easy to find, and not terribly expensive. However, you need to be prepared to install a true bypass mod in it. There's no buffer in the curcuit, so the bypass is terrible. The TBP mod cures that right away.

[windfeld]

RMC is not mentioned at all. They are not good for funk?

[blackblack]

Teese Pic Wah. I have been using it for the last three years.

I am not sure about the 70's Crybaby reference since the Tesse Picture wah was designed to capture the sounds of the Vox Clyde Picture Way from 1967. But heck, what do I know, I just think its funky. I think there are a few tunes on my myspace page with the Pic in it. Definitely the solo clip and I think 'Nobody Does it Better'.

Clyde Wah origins notwithstanding, the Teese Pic sounds a lot like my 70s Crybabys in regard to its tonal character. I prefer the Teese wahs that predate his addition of the buffer circuit (or whatever it is); I've compared a new Pic Wah to my early one and there is a difference (subtle, to be sure). Of course, the "fuzz friendly" issue never particularly bothered me - if it did I might prefer the new one. Anyway, Teese makes excellent wahs, no question there.

[blackblack]

+1.
Supposedly the 'Shaft' wah.

The Maestro Boomerangs I've used sounded great. Definitely a classic Funk sound. However, they use an odd value pot (25K, maybe?) that's almost impossible to find if the original wears out. Anyone buying one should make sure the pot isn't worn out, or have a dead spot from sitting in someone's basement for 25 years unused, before purchase.

[LowWatt]

The best clean wah I have ever owned was the budda. I popped my Keeley comp after it for true vintage goodness.

Absolutely agree. Not a fan of it dirty, but I mainly go for Cymande/Curtis Mayfield wah tones. The Budda is perfect for them. It has a shorter throw than most wahs soit's easy to get a good heel/toe rhythym going for funk wah. Very throaty and 70s soul dirty. 16 years of playing soul (and working at guitar stores). This is my favourite wah for it.

[sockeye]

Hey thanks so much guys. What's the wah in that Mayfield vid? That's the sound for sure. Thanks so much for all the help.
Kurt

I dunno...

http://i35.tinypic.com/vgpqth.jpg

Colorsound maybe?

http://www.tonefrenzy.com/images/effects/colorsound_wahwah.jpg

[kurt1981]

Hey all, this is great info, some killer playing by Tomo and Aaron. Thanks so much, I'm wondering if I ought to stick to my budda. Has anyone done the resistor mod to bring the boost of the budda down a bit? That's my main issue with it, boosts levels a lot when engaged. I know, a fixed filter will generally do that, but I have heard others with less drastic a boost.
Thank you guys so much, God bless,
Kurt

[jgyn]

The Maestro Boomerangs I've used sounded great. Definitely a classic Funk sound. However, they use an odd value pot (25K, maybe?) that's almost impossible to find if the original wears out. Anyone buying one should make sure the pot isn't worn out, or have a dead spot from sitting in someone's basement for 25 years unused, before purchase.

Tell me about it!
(been looking for that pot for years...)

[bandofthieves™]

I dunno...

http://i35.tinypic.com/vgpqth.jpg

Colorsound maybe?

http://www.tonefrenzy.com/images/effects/colorsound_wahwah.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL880/3449618/17122014/343998630.jpg

[ssss]

I think any decent wah should be able to do the job.

I just got me a used Dunlop 535 (old non-Q version), which has a six position rotary knob (and a selectable boost if needed) that lets you select between six pre-set frequency ranges. The unit sounds great and is super easy to adjust for brighter or darker sounding amps. Had Vox, Fulltone, Morley, Budda and some Auto-Wah's before and have never had a problem to get a decent funk tone with any of them too.

[Aruntang]

Clyde Wah origins notwithstanding, the Teese Pic sounds a lot like my 70s Crybabys in regard to its tonal character. I prefer the Teese wahs that predate his addition of the buffer circuit (or whatever it is); I've compared a new Pic Wah to my early one and there is a difference (subtle, to be sure). Of course, the "fuzz friendly" issue never particularly bothered me - if it did I might prefer the new one. Anyway, Teese makes excellent wahs, no question there.

Well, I was speaking for my older pic wah (pre-fuzz friendly technology). I didn't realize the new ones sounded different from the old ones. Personally, I say use what works best for you. Its not like the wah itself is going to turn a good funk player in to a bad one.

[sockeye]

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL880/3449618/17122014/343998630.jpg

There you go! That's it for sure. Thanks.

[-=solewheelin]

dont forget about the "easiest crybaby mod" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnJ2bB4bFfs)
to adjust the sweep range if you feel your wah is too "ice-picky"

[-=solewheelin]

BG-2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6EeUi9evpw

Tomo

This was great Tomo!
Thanks!

[Tomo]

This was great Tomo!
Thanks!

Thank you!

This is my '71 BG-2
http://tomofujita.com/us/GearPicturesRev08.htm

Tomo

[Festus]

The cleanest wah (no clipping at all) that I've played is a Fulltone Clyde Deluxe. Super clean. My favorite wah is an RMC 3. It stays pretty clean, though it will grit up just a bit if pushed. Haven't tried the Area 51 yet.

[teleman55]

I had an old Thomas one. It did that stuff well. It finally crapped out so I got a new Crybaby. It was OK but not as good. After adding fasels (plus bypass and an LED), it's there. I used a guy's recent vintage Vox once that did it pretty good too.

[jgyn]

The cleanest I've played, and my current wah of choice, is the Zvex Wah Probe:
http://zvex.com/wahprobe.html

[kurt1981]

Thanks all. I had an old thomas years ago when I first started playing, and getting into gear. Sold it because it sounded so bad when bypassed. I made a nice proffit too, but I wish I'd have held on to it and done some mods. I also had a v847 around that time too, and it sounded great except, again, the bypass tone. All the modded vox's I've tried since then never sounded right to me, that first one was just subtle and sweet, wish I'd have kept them both.
Kurt

[windfeld]

Any thougts on the RMC wah pedals for this?

[CryBaby]

I've never owned one but everytime I hear clips of the old Colorsound wahs I think "funk".

Jim


Spot on !

Colorsound is what You want.
Best for clean funk.
Wich is what I don't play, and sold my Colorsound.

You won't be sorry.

[bandofthieves™]

Any thoughts on the RMC wah pedals for this? Any of them would work. Funk is a style/technique not a SOUND. Most guys I hear trying to play funk with a wah don't get it. They are Cool,but have No Groove.
It is like what is the best wah for Clapton or Hendrix?? The answer would be what ever wah Clapton or Hendrix were using that day.A lot of what a wah can do starts at the output jack of the pedal,the rest is up to the application.IMHO

[Tomo]

Any of them would work. Funk is a style/technique not a SOUND. Most guys I hear trying to play funk with a wah don't get it. They are Cool,but have No Groove.
It is like what is the best wah for Clapton or Hendrix?? The answer would be what ever wah Clapton or Hendrix were using that day.A lot of what a wah can do starts at the output jack of the pedal,the rest is up to the application.IMHO

I think so.. but some of them would work on single note better? (w/ more mid and bite). For clean/funk... wah pedal w/sweep wider and less mid would work?

Tomo

[bandofthieves™]

I think so.. but some of them would work on single note better? (w/ more mid and bite). For clean/funk... wah pedal w/sweep wider and less mid would work?

Tomo
I think again it would depend on the player.It is something to realize Chicago,Bread,Motown,etc all used the same wah circuit to record all those different sounds/songs.:)

[Teahead]

The cleanest I've played, and my current wah of choice, is the Zvex Wah Probe:
http://zvex.com/wahprobe.html

+1 on both counts. With the boost knob set low the Wah Probe is amazingly clean and sounds great too.

[devnulljp]

I've been searching for this for years and the best thing you can get is a Thomas Organ Co. Crybaby from the 70's.I was just going to say that. I have a bunch of old (and not so old) wahs, and the funkiest (Shaft!) wah I have is the Thomas crybaby. Although, mine has a Whipple in it instead of the TDK. But I don't play funk, so what the hell do I know?

[-=solewheelin]

BG2 or Colorsound for funk. Clyde Dlx would work well here too.
Original Colorsounds are getting expensive nowadays.
I love the interesting range of my Korg Mr Multi and my Parachute wah, but not so much for funk... well maybe a little :)
View my YT for a demo of them in a few minutes..
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo302/steveyjoey/For%20Sale/100_8890.jpg

[-=solewheelin]

Here's the RI inductorless model. Sounds great but not as live as the older ones.
http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo302/steveyjoey/For%20Sale/100_8054.jpg

[cbpickin]

The fully loaded Area 51 lets you dial in the amount of Q and bass. You can back off some of the bass and clean it up.
It's my favorite wah to date.

[Tomo]

This is my GB-2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU2I_U2lXeg&feature=channel_page

Tomo

[Jahn]

That's it. I'm going home and practicing some chops with the Boomerang Wah. That inductor is pure liquid Shaft. Another inductor I have, the Whipple halo, is more biting, which is great for the OD'd/fuzz type of wah work. But if you want smooooth, the Boomerang is the way to go. More "wooahhh woooaahh" rather than "weaah weaah." Morley Black Gold Volume Wah was the worst, it was all washed out, sounded like "ooh ooh."

[Tomo]

That's it. I'm going home and practicing some chops with the Boomerang Wah. That inductor is pure liquid Shaft. Another inductor I have, the Whipple halo, is more biting, which is great for the OD'd/fuzz type of wah work. But if you want smooooth, the Boomerang is the way to go. More "wooahhh woooaahh" rather than "weaah weaah." Morley Black Gold Volume Wah was the worst, it was all washed out, sounded like "ooh ooh."

That's the best wah tone for me. I don't need to look for anything!

Tomo

[small axe]

i believe in the teese wahs as i own one and then the fulltone cyldes...u cant go wrong with either...buddas are nice too...but they are pricey....if not just go with a crybaby classic

[blkjazz]

The original wah used by Charlie "Skip" Pitts on the Shaft soundtrack is on display at the Stax Museum in Memphis. It ain't a Vox.

[bandofthieves™]

It probably is true that Skip used a Maestro in the studio..But maestro was trying to copy a Thomas organ Sound..Here is some Thomas Organ Funk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOfonsEH79E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE4dGkk6GS8
I have pretty much decided the RMC2 is one of the best currently produced Funk wahs out there.

[The Kid]

Budda Wah for me.

[BluesHarp]

Me too. Short throw and very vocal... I think funky every time I play it.

I still would like to try the pic and area 51 wahs. Have heard killer things about both. Ive just been so satisfied with the budda, Ive just put it off.

[MusicESP]

I just picked up a strange little beast that's perfect for funk. Takes some getting use to though. Find an old 80's DOD FX-17 Wah. The thing even looks funky!

http://www.diyguitarist.com/DIYStompboxes/FX-17.htm

[nic'o'caster]

the fffoonkiest wah I've ever played is the Colorsound. Maybe not the best one to play the Shaft thing because of its long throw but I love its almost liquid tone. Perfect for clean rhythms and runs, maybe less for overdriven ones though.

The Teese Picture wah is not bad either, maybe more commonly voiced, also more versatile when played with overdrive.

[Hemispheres]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a wah that's got good tone, won't clip, and isn't too over the top. I'm not into the modern super throaty wah tones, I want something that'll get tones like the 70's wahs, nice and fat, but not too over the top. I'm mostly doing soul and funk tunes think meters and some disco. I'm currently using a budda, but am wondering if there's something that would fit me more.
Thanks in advance,
Kurt


Teese Wheels of Fire wah.

[stratzrus]

Absolutely agree. Not a fan of it dirty, but I mainly go for Cymande/Curtis Mayfield wah tones. You're taking me back now...I haven't thought about Cymande in forever but immediately thought of their song "Bra". It was a big hit on the R&B stations in Philly.


M77TBtLjrOk&feature

[lv]

comp after wah is the key

+1 or get the Area 51 with the growl control so you can turn down the bass and not overdrive the amp's input. But still, comp after wah does wonders for clean wah tones.