Switchless Wah - Dunlop vs. Morley vs. Jerry Cantrell

[Maguchi]

I got both a Dunlop CBJ95 Cry Baby Junior and a Morley 20/20 Power Wah/Volume. I use them both and like both of them. They do sound a bit diffrent. The Dunlop has the traditional maybe darker less defined sounding wah. And the Morley has a slightly crisper brighter sound. However both sound good and I can see both coming in handy for diffrent situations.

The Morley also has a switchable volume pedal function that I use a lot for volume swells. Morley also makes a Distortion/Wah, Fuzz/Wah and a Boost/Wah if a volume pedal is not your cup of tea.

BTW; Vox also makes a pretty good wah, the 847.

 

[skoora]

I got both a Dunlop CBJ95 Cry Baby Junior and a Morley 20/20 Power Wah/Volume. I use them both and like both of them. They do sound a bit diffrent. The Dunlop has the traditional maybe darker less defined sounding wah. And the Morley has a slightly crisper brighter sound. However both sound good and I can see both coming in handy for diffrent situations.

The Morley also has a switchable volume pedal function that I use a lot for volume swells. Morley also makes a Distortion/Wah, Fuzz/Wah and a Boost/Wah if a volume pedal is not your cup of tea.
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BTW; Vox also makes a pretty good wah, the 847.
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How do you find the top end response when using the Morley as a volume pedal? Does it get dark/muddy when you reduce volume

 

[Maguchi]

How do you find the top end response when using the Morley as a volume pedal? Does it get dark/muddy when you reduce volume

I'll have to listen for that next time I use it. I usually start out quiet and get louder, so haven't really concentrated on the sound with the volume low.

 

[stephen sawall]

Seems to me Dunlop sells the parts so you can convert any of the wah pedals into auto return switching ?

 

[Anxiety Serum]

UPDATE:

So I just got the 95Q. First impressions. Much better functionality than a switch Wah with no tone suck that my ear could hear after A/Bing with pedal in and out of the signal chain.

Tone is not as dark as the Cantrell, but its still good if I avoid full toe-down. I need to to roll the Q knob all the way counter clockwise and it still is a bit bright for my tastes at when the toe is fully down on the pedal. I think I remember reading that Jerry had them voice his pedal so that the top end never got as high as the normal Dunlop Wah, even when fully compressed. And even on his pedal I rolled back the top end half way. I like it warm and dark.

If you are not familiar with the Q knob this is from the manual:

Rotate the VARIABLE Q knob clockwise for a narrower frequency range to emphasize higher end harmonics or counterclockwise for a wider frequency range that emphasizes lower end harmonics.

 

[skoora]

UPDATE:

So I just got the 95Q. First impressions. Much better functionality than a switch Wah with no tone suck that my ear could hear after A/Bing with pedal in and out of the signal chain.

Tone is not as dark as the Cantrell, but its still good if I avoid full toe-down. I need to to roll the Q knob all the way counter clockwise and it still is a bit bright for my tastes at when the toe is fully down on the pedal. I think I remember reading that Jerry had them voice his pedal so that the top end never got as high as the normal Dunlop Wah, even when fully compressed. And even on his pedal I rolled back the top end half way. I like it warm and dark.

If you are not familiar with the Q knob this is from the manual:

Rotate the VARIABLE Q knob clockwise for a narrower frequency range to emphasize higher end harmonics or counterclockwise for a wider frequency range that emphasizes lower end harmonics.

I’m pretty sure they make a bass version of that wah. It might be more to your liking.

 

[Anxiety Serum]

I’m pretty sure they make a bass version of that wah. It might be more to your liking.

Yeah D-Rock mentioned that after I ordered the 95Q. I might try that bass 105Q. If Justin Cancellor's Bass Wah wasn't so big and $300, I might try his pedal. Tool is right up my alley.

 

[stephen sawall]

If you turn the Q all the way up that is how most wah pedals are. As you turn it down it smooths out the voice.

On most Dunlop pedals you can open it and adjust the teeth / gear / pot. That will give you more or less high end range. That might get you closer.

I like a fair amount of highs. I want to be able to simulate being attacked by bees and mice for the listener. That and the Howard the Duck thing.

I have the Bass version. It leaves the bass on all the time. Even with toe full down. It's a envelope filter and a pretty unique voice compared with the rest of the Dunlop wahs. Much more of a synthesizer type voice. Definitely can be intense on guitar.

 

[skoora]

If you turn the Q all the way up that is how most wah pedals are. As you turn it down it smooths out the voice.

On most Dunlop pedals you can open it and adjust the teeth / gear / pot. That will give you more or less high end range. That might get you closer.

I like a fair amount of highs. I want to be able to simulate being attacked by bees and mice for the listener. That and the Howard the Duck thing.

I have the Bass version. It leaves the bass on all the time. Even with toe full down. It's a envelope filter and a pretty unique voice compared with the rest of the Dunlop wahs. Much more of a synthesizer type voice. Definitely can be intense on guitar.

Mrs. McFly showin’ Marty how it’s done.

 

[napalmdeath]

The Petrucci is the best wah I've ever used. With a built-in EQ of dipswitches inside, it's hard to beat. Sounds fantastic!

 

[jabps]

Any drawback to be aware of with a switchless vs. the ones with a Switch. I mean I guess I'll find out when it arrives, but just wondering if there is anything to look out for.

Only drawback is you can't leave it and forget in a static position for that cocked wah sound. For me that's no issue.

I love the 95q, been on my board for years. I love switchless, it's just so easy. In, out without having to rely on turning the damn thing on toe down.

Before the 95q I went through several Morley's. The Bad Horsie, the Orange Lynch one and the Tremonti. By far the Tremonti is the best of that bunch "in my opinion". And tonally it's the closest you will get to the Cry Baby stuff. In fact the only reason I originally took it off my board is it took up to much space.

The grail wah for me is the Billy Duffy Cry Baby. Basically looks like a 535q but switchless and white. Limited release years ago and whenever you do see one used it's over $500. The Bradshaw Wah is fantastic, unfortunately not switchless. Love my 95q so I'm good.