auto-Q (also called an auto-wha) and how to use

[st.bede]

It seems like auto-Qs are a subject that comes up a bit. I will share how I approach them.

First important thing to remember is that the gate is volume sensitive.
Second, it is important to listen to how the gate closes (including the speed at which it closes).

Given those two principles one can finesse the auto Q with their playing skills and understand why the auto-Q is not working the way someone might want it to.

Typically different guitar have different levels of output coming from their PUs so that has an impact. Also each string has different levels of out put given the same amount of forced used when picking the string.

So when I set my auto-Q I dial it in using my D string. If I dial it in using my higher string then on the low string the gate opens up too easily. But what you what to achieve will or how you play will determine what works best for you.

How the gate closes will help you understand how you will want to approach the next following note. If you do a run and you want to have one note open all the way up, you will have to give enough time for the gate to close. If you do a run and you want the notes to all open up after a certain point then that is not as difficult except the higher strings will need more force.

When playing an auto-Q you are really also playing the pedal, like a wha. When I practice I do certain things. I play the same note and try to get the Q to open up slowly. I also think of the D and, G strings as my starting points and work from there paying attention to how soft and hard I am picking. I work on head-ons and pull offs which are very tricky. I think of playing runs where I only hit the Q hard enough to emphasize single note that are emphasize-able. Think like a jazz horn or wind player. If I open the gate up accidentally when playing I do two things. First, I try and turn that mistake into a musical moment. Second, I repeat the phrase over until I get what I want.

I am not sure if this helps anyone but I wanted to share my experience any way. The auto-Q is a quirky pedal but can become very musical given the effort.

[Guitar Freak]

I don't even use that effect and I found that interesting.

[GrouchyDog]

Sorry to be dense, but what's an auto-Q? Is that an auto-wah? I had one for a couple of days a few years ago & returned it. I probably didn't take the time to figure it out. Or I was being lazy and expecting it to be a Cry Baby without me having to use my foot...

[Guitar Freak]

Originally Posted by GrouchyDog

Sorry to be dense, but what's an auto-Q? Is that an auto-wah? I had one for a couple of days a few years ago & returned it. I probably didn't take the time to figure it out. Or I was being lazy and expecting it to be a Cry Baby without me having to use my foot...

Yup, it's an auto-wah. I'll admit that I couldn't find a use for one until I read this. Sounds like it would be a neat effect if you can get it to work the way you want it to.

[Hector Arcadius]

Thanks for taking the time to write this up man. It's a rather under-estimated effect I would say.

And to G-Dog: I think that yes, the proper Autowah can actually function like a normal-way for those with a lazy foot (like me...). But not in the sense like Kirk Hammett uses his wah, with very slow sweeps in order to emphasize certain parts of your solo. But for faster styles, it could be so much better than a foot-controlled one.

[Guitar Freak]

Originally Posted by Hector Arcadius

Thanks for taking the time to write this up man. It's a rather under-estimated effect I would say.

And to G-Dog: I think that yes, the proper Autowah can actually function like a normal-way for those with a lazy foot (like me...). But not in the sense like Kirk Hammett uses his wah, with very slow sweeps in order to emphasize certain parts of your solo. But for faster styles, it could be so much better than a foot-controlled one.

I do know that you can get slower auto wah's, I can't think of any, but I know someone has done it. I'm a lazy foot as well, I barely use my wah anymore. Now I have one more thing to research, thanks st.Bede!