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Friday, June 24, 2011

"Adjustable Torque Clutch Mod" for Vox Big Bad Wah

I really love the "Big Bad Wah" (a.k.a "BB" wah). It's the best wah pedal that I've ever owned.
It sounds great and versatile. It's lightweight, just about the half weight of Crybaby wah pedal.

The only problem is the expression pedal will become loose and won't hold on certain position.
If I put it heel down, it just slides down to toe down. Even I tried to tighten up that two screws on the metal strap,
it won't hold there tight as Dunlop Crybaby wah pedal.

Therefore, I modified my Vox "Big Bad Wah" with "adjustable torque clutch" from Dunlop Crybaby.

Access to the inside of wah pedal and loosen the two screws which hold the metal strap.


Hammer out the original knurl pin by using another old knurl pin.


Use pliers to pull out the whole knurl pin from the other side.


"Big Bad Wah" pedal was separated.


Replaced the traditional metal strap by the "adjustable torque clutch".
Need to drilled a little hole on the chassis for the screw of torsion block bracket.


"Adjustable Torque Clutch" was properly set.


Compare the traditional metal strap with "adjustable torque clutch" from Dunlop Crybaby.


"Before and After".



Now I can adjust the expression pedal tension of my Vox "Big Bad Wah" easily as much as Dunlop Crybaby.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Torsion Block Bracket/Knurl Pin Replacement for Crybaby Wah Pedal (Separate Wah Pedal)

Some metal parts on my Crybaby From Hell were rusted.
Joe Lam, eletronic manufacturing manager from Dunlop sent me the replacement parts directly from U.S.
What a great customer service ! Thanks, Joe and Dunlop !

Knurl pins on the left side and Torsion Block Brackets on the right side.


Follow the instructions from Joe, I need to loosen the torque clutch by allen screw first.


Gently hammer the Old rusted Knurl Pin out by using the New Knurl Pin.


The New Knurl Pin was hammered into the half-way of the pedal.


Stop the procedure above and totally pull the New Knurl Pin out.
Turned pedal to the other side, you will see the Old rusted Knurl Pin was about the half-way out.
Use pliers to slowly remove it out from the pedal.


The Old Knurl Pin was rusted.


The expression pedal was successfully separated.


Old Torsion Block Bracket was rusted which need to be replaced by a new one.


Hammer the New Knurl Pin back to pedal.


Adjust and match back the pot gear and rack perfectly.
(Picture from Joe Lam)


Congratulation. The replacement was done.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

MXR Wylde Phase (a.k.a "ZW-90")

I bought two Zakk Wylde signature pedals -
MXR Black Label Chorus, ZW-38
MXR Wylde Phase, ZW-90


ZW-90 is a great Phase 90 pedal. It sounds warm and smooth to me.
It won't harsh or overpowered your tone.

HOW does it compare with other models of MXR Phase 90 ?
However according to Dunlop, Zakk Wylde uses a Phase 90 and wanted one named after him so hence we have the ZW-90. The ZW-90 "Wylde Phase" and the regular block logo Phase 90, M101 are the same pedal.
Also an EVH Phase 90 with "Script" button OFF, it will sound the same as ZW-90 or M101.
MXR Custom Shop Script Phase 90, CSP101CL is an EVH Phase 90 with "Script" button permanently ON.
Only the model, CSP026 is a hand-wired Phase 90 and has all the same old components that MXR used back in the 1970's. But it'll be powered by 9v battery ONLY, no jack for an 9VAC adapter.







Friday, June 10, 2011

My 3rd ENGL amp head - ENGL Powerball II (E645/2)

Happy NAD (New Amp Day) ! My 3rd ENGL amp head was just arrived !


Here is my ENGL Powerball II (E645/2).
NEW EVOLUTION from Powerball V1/V2 to Powerball II.

The differences between "Old Ball", Powerball version V1 and V2 -
a) The treble control of lead channel on V2 was altered from linear to logarithmic curve.
b) Improve noise gate on V2.
c) The LEDs inside the head are more red on V2.

Now the "New Ball", Powerball II has 4 independent gain controls from each channel.
It comes with BLACK facelift and a RED color power switch (instead of orange color on "Old Ball").
According to ENGL website, there are also special built transformers for Powerball II
to having richer harmonics and faster picking attack which is better for cutting through
on any stage or recording situation.



The ENGL Powerball II was introduced since Winter NAMM show 2010.
Powerball II offers more tone, more control, and more options than ever before!

1) Separate Gain controls for each channel,
-> YES. Let the Powerball II becomes a "truely" 4 channels amp during live show.
The "New Ball" comes with separate gain controls and solid BLACK facelift,
Who will interest with "Old Ball" anymore ?! That's why it was discontinued.

Ch1. Typical ENGL clean tone. Some people hate it.
Ch2. Low gain Crunchy !
Ch3. Typical ENGL modern higain tone. Many ENGL fans love it.
Ch4. Just like Ch3 with little bit higher gain and more bite towards hi mid-frequency voicing.

2) Remote controllable, switchable FX Loop,
-> YES. That's a good improvement. Thanks, ENGL amps !
-> NO. With that price, the new Powerball still isn't MIDI capable as "Old Ball",
even though the Z5 footswitch port was replaced by Z9 MIDI footswitch port for better overall control.
ENGL pedals are great, but they're expensive too ! Ripping off my money again ! LOL

3) Middle-boosted sound option,
-> YES. Better mid voicing. Even with the extreme mid-scooped setting (below 9 o'clock),
I still can hear the FULL HD grind tone ! LOL ... "New Ball cuts thru the mix better than Old Ball ?!"
I hope my Powerball II will be like exactly what they say. Will test it during band rehearsal soon.

4) New improved tube monitoring system.
-> HHHMMMmmmm ... No difference to me. LOL

S.A.C (Serial Amp Control) port for ENGL Z9 footswitch.


Special built transformers ?
For rich harmonics and fast attack to cut through on any stage or recording situation.


Standard ENGL tube task chart
Using 4 gain stages to create such superb higain tone. Thank you, Horst Langer !


TAD 6L6GC powertubes (Chinese 6L6GC, relabeled by ENGL).


ENGL relabel ECC83 tubes look and sound exactly like Chinese 12AX7 to me.


My new Powerball II with my beloved Mesa/Boogie Mark V.
Tight and brutal as my Mark V, but they are totally different. Powerball is COMPRESSED type of tightness to me.
My ENGL Invader does sound more organic and breathe than Powerball II.


The new artist signature model from ENGL year 2011 - Victor Smolski Limited Edition (E646)
which is based on the circuit design of ENGL new Powerball II.

I have played the Victor Smolski model.
It has slightly saturated tone in both Ch.3 and Ch.4 which probably due to higher gain level.
Other than that, I hear no difference between Victor Smolski model and Powerball II.

Powerball II --> Victor Smolski model
Invader --> Steve Morse model
Savage --> Ritchie Blackmore model

Why did Victor Smolski need more gain on his signature model ?
As an Invader owner, you know when the "higain mode" is enganged,
the gain level on Invader is boosted and a lot more than Powerball can be.

Even the noise gate nearly can't handle the noise from the Ch4 of Invader with maxinium gain under "higain mode".
I think Victor Smolski maybe wants Powerball can be comparable with the Invader.

Unlike the Powerball II, they took off the "Bright and Bottom" buttons on E646.
If I were Victor Smolski, I'd probably ask ENGL to remove the USELESS "Bottom" buttons on Ch3 and Ch4,
they are still too BOOMY even with the "Depth Punch" reduced.
Directly integrate both "Bright and Bottom tone character" into Ch1 and Ch2
and removing another two un-footswitchable control buttons.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Maxon OD808



I've tried several OD pedals from Ibanez, Boss, Digitech, Maxon to Fulltone and etc.
The Maxon OD808 is the best booster for modern higain amp.
OD808 really tighten up the botton end, add extra gain(sustain) to your tone,
and let it become more aggressive and crunchier.
You can balance the sweet spot and noise level easily.

"DJENT ! DJENT ! DJENT !".

Maxon OD808 is the KING of amp boosters.