Wah output buffer

[Don]

In the 25 years that I've been using wah pedals I've had a love hate (mostly hate) relationship with them!

The problem is that I can get a great sound from them with a clean amp and no overdrive or fuzz pedal but as soon as I add an overdrive or fuzz the wah sounds awful! At times I can get it to sound good, but the next day, the same setup sounds bad to me!

I've used my fuzz before the wah with great results, but that's a more radical, less natural tone.

I've been considering a wah output buffer.

There are three that I'm considering-

-Fuzz Central's wah buffer instructions (this is my first choice)
-Foxrox buffer
-Area 51 buffer

If you have any experience with any of these buffers, or any other alternative, let me know.

BTW, how did Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Beck, etc... deal with this. They all had great wah sounds, even when they used fuzz pedals.

[Gris]

Not certain, but I'd guess it was the nature/type of the fuzz they used. I find that when I use the Jimmy (Page) Tonebender side of my fuzz it doesn't sound so good with my wah. But, when I use the Jimi (Hendrix) Arbiter Fuzz-Face it does sound good. Coincidentally, the Fuzz-face cleans up really well with guitar volume, but the Tonebender does not... ;-)

[Kap'n]

A buffer isn't going to fix it. Old school fuzzes don't react properly unless they're first in line.

[chuckocaster]

true bypass, fuzz first.

mine are all true bypass, but i don't use fuzz only DS and OD, which are after. works fine for me, YMMV.

[Don]

I like fuzz followed by wah. It gives a good Jeff Beck kind of sound.

It's just that when I use the wah in front of any distorted or overdriven signal (not just germanium fuzz) it goes "ooh-ahh" instead of "wah-wah".

I've had this complaint about a few different wahs.

[Don]

true bypass, fuzz first.

mine are all true bypass, but i don't use fuzz only DS and OD, which are after. works fine for me, YMMV.

My wah is true bypass as well.

[chuckocaster]

worth a shot. maybe a buffer is what you need then. like i said, mine seems just fine. but one's person's "bright" is another's "just right".

best of luck buddy.

[Don]

The buffer worked! My wah works well before my fuzz now!

I built a discrete buffer based on a 2N5457 JFET. There are 2 resistors, a trim pot, 2 caps and the tranny. I used instructions from Fuzz Central. I built it on perf board.

I had it up and running a few days ago but wanted to try it with my band before commenting.

That wah sounds as strong as it did after the fuzz (fuzz-wah) but less exagerated.

[chuckocaster]

cool beans!

[Gris]

Hmmm, I wonder if I my tuner or OD works as a buffer before my wah...???