5F6-A
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I have 2 Wah-wah pedals. Both are excellent and yet, slightly different. One is a 1997 Dunlop Crybaby casing and pot (Hotpotz II) with a Roger Mayer Red Lion original card in (HALO type inductor). My other wah pedal is a 1985 Italian-made JEN Crybaby Super (green FASEL inductor) modded by Stu Castledine for true-bypass and a replacement Castledine CTS ICAR type 100K pot as the original was dirty.
I was playing both pedals at volume today into my JTM45 type amp with KT66s, Greenbacks type speakers in closed-back 2x12" cab. Very nice.....
Observations:
- Both have a lot of personality. None lack character like some of modern recreations.
- They are not hugely dissimilar but there's no confusion when you're playing one or the other
- The Mayer/Dunlop has less highs and lows and it's very smooth. Slight notch in the mids that never goes away completely. Very Hendrixy, especially at volume. It roars in a very appealing way.
- Regardless of volume, it always sounds velvety, balanced and clear with no booming lows or piercing highs. The low-end might seem conservative but with such an amp as a JTM45 head at volume, this is a Godsend.
- Also, mechanically it is very predictable and well built (albeit heavy). Not an issue with the pedal... ever.
- On the other hand, the JEN has that late 70s JEN tone is spades. Slightly more quirky and aggressive sounding than the Mayer/Dunlop; also a bit different to the first Italian JENs. This is apparently, due to the change in transistor type. The one I have sounds bold and persistent.
- The JEN is more vocal and it's arguably funkier than the Red Lion. Very loud. Loads of highs and an insane amount of robust low end than can get in the way if not dealt appropriately.
- The midrange of the JEN is substantial but, compared to the Red Lion, a lot more slender. Not a hint of mud... thank goodness!!
- Wider range in the pot travel. More quirky in character and NOT subtle. It can 'talk' and scream at ease.
- Lighter chassis and -from an engineering perspective- arguably a bit less sturdy than the 90s Dunlop.
- Perhaps more suited to mid-rich amps rather than brighter combos (e.g. Fender blackface type)
Have you got anything similar? Do you share my observations? Thanks!!!
I was playing both pedals at volume today into my JTM45 type amp with KT66s, Greenbacks type speakers in closed-back 2x12" cab. Very nice.....
Observations:
- Both have a lot of personality. None lack character like some of modern recreations.
- They are not hugely dissimilar but there's no confusion when you're playing one or the other
- The Mayer/Dunlop has less highs and lows and it's very smooth. Slight notch in the mids that never goes away completely. Very Hendrixy, especially at volume. It roars in a very appealing way.
- Regardless of volume, it always sounds velvety, balanced and clear with no booming lows or piercing highs. The low-end might seem conservative but with such an amp as a JTM45 head at volume, this is a Godsend.
- Also, mechanically it is very predictable and well built (albeit heavy). Not an issue with the pedal... ever.
- On the other hand, the JEN has that late 70s JEN tone is spades. Slightly more quirky and aggressive sounding than the Mayer/Dunlop; also a bit different to the first Italian JENs. This is apparently, due to the change in transistor type. The one I have sounds bold and persistent.
- The JEN is more vocal and it's arguably funkier than the Red Lion. Very loud. Loads of highs and an insane amount of robust low end than can get in the way if not dealt appropriately.
- The midrange of the JEN is substantial but, compared to the Red Lion, a lot more slender. Not a hint of mud... thank goodness!!
- Wider range in the pot travel. More quirky in character and NOT subtle. It can 'talk' and scream at ease.
- Lighter chassis and -from an engineering perspective- arguably a bit less sturdy than the 90s Dunlop.
- Perhaps more suited to mid-rich amps rather than brighter combos (e.g. Fender blackface type)
Have you got anything similar? Do you share my observations? Thanks!!!
