Problem with Wah pedal

Dark Soul · Post by **Dark Soul** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 4:05 am

I have a Vox wah pedal that has a little glitch. When I rock the pedal back, for the last inch or so I get a loud distorted sound of a most non-musical nature. Anyone have any idea what might be wrong with it? Other than that it appears to work fine. It's quite useable as long as I don't rock the pedal too far backward. Thanks

Jasaoke · Post by **Jasaoke** » Mon Jun 06, 2011 6:44 pm

I'd be suspicious of the potentiometer or its mount. It's possible that it got overextended and shifted the pot, so that every time you rock back, you're 'turning' it past is limit. Does the pedal function normally otherwise? (is the treble position just as treble-y as it ever was?)

Could just be a dirty pot or bad connection. Have you opened it yet?

Dark Soul · Post by **Dark Soul** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:10 pm

Yes, the pedal works fine other than that. Haven't opened it yet. Thought I'd ask for some advice first. I'm used to working with electronics but I've never messed with a wah pedal before.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:44 pm

It may just need an adjustment as Jasaoke wrote.

Most of these have a loop of plastic that keeps the gears set together. You can check the adjustment by unscrewing the screw that holds the loop of plastic and rotating the pinion gear on the pot. This enables the gears to separate and move freely from each other. Hold the pedal with the rack gear in either full forward or full backward position and adjust the pot to suit.

Test it by holding the rack gear against the pinion gear and rocking the pedal back and forth. If the problem persists, repeat until you have it. Its important to keep the gears together to keep the setting.

Once you have it, you can re-mount the plastic loop (or whatever your wah happens to have).

Dark Soul · Post by **Dark Soul** » Thu Jun 09, 2011 12:48 am

Ok thanks for the advice. I'll give it a try.