Jim Dunlop Slash Wah (Ranking sports and Music)

[guitarman78]

I recently purchased a SW-95 Jim Dunlop Wah pedal from Ranking Sports and Music at Bras Basah. I tested the sample pc at the store, and it sounds great! So I picked up a unit and went home... regrettably forgotten to test the pc that I bought!

When I got home, plugged in the pedal, everything was fine except one thing... it produced scratchy noise at the lowest point of the PotentialMeter. I brought the pedal back to the store to ask for a replacement, they agreed. So I came back 2 days later to collect the replacement pc. However, disappointed as I was, the replacement pc has the same problem.

Ranking's attitude was defensive... they even offered to sell me the display pc instead (with no discount!!). They resisted the idea of having to contact Dunlop again and was reluntant to bring in another replacement.

Is it normal for Jim Dunlop wah pedals to have scratchy noise at the lowest point of the Pot? Or is it normal? It will sound very obvious during live performances and recording. Is there anything I can do to clean up the Pot or something? Anyone can help?

[CyanideJunkie]

...it produced scratchy noise at the lowest point of the potentiometer...

Corrected.

Well, the Dunlop Hot Potz that come stock aren't exactly the best on the market. Ranking could have just suay suaygotten a bad batch. Regarding the noise issue, you could try taking it down to a reputable service centre like TYMC, Guitar Connection, or Sound Alchemy and have them spray the pot with some electronic contact cleaner. However, if the problem persists then you'll most likely have to switch out the pot if you really can't live with the noise.

[relinquish69]

You could have saved a lot of time and effort by getting a can of contact cleaner, spray a little on the problematic pot and test. If that works problem solved. If not, do what you just did and get a replacement.

IMO I really think the staff at Ranking Sports are very kind to let you exchange an item twice. most stores won't even look at you in such a situation.

[MrBig]

yup... it's very nice of Ranking.

Are you using a Solid State amp?
Becos "scratches" do sound more apparent on an SS amp.

Is it terribly scratchy or more like a short "stch"?

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

hmmm, why do ss amp result in more apparent scratch?

how about tube amp? Lesser scratch?

[MrBig]

Because SS amps project everything that goes in.
If you realise ... Tube amps give that warm sound coz honestly ... it's got natural compression and a slightly degraded quality.
Whereas when you compare it say .... digital or solid state .... what goes in ... comes out as clear as it went in.

So .... question is whether it's really scratchy or just a "scht"?

[zesn]

Too much forum talk.
Not all tube amps have tube warmth.
Not all SS amps are bad.
All electronic components are prone to aging and wear and tear.
So how is it that tube amps don't have that scratch?

Mine does.
Anyway, your argument is invalid.

[MrBig]

Too much forum talk.
Not all tube amps have tube warmth.
Not all SS amps are bad.
All electronic components are prone to aging and wear and tear.
So how is it that tube amps don't have that scratch?

Mine does.
Anyway, your argument is invalid.

1. I nv mentioned SS amps were bad
2. I mentioned natural tube compression and degraded quality(of sound, not parts)- thus the scratch is not as apparent as on a tube amp
3. How do I know? Becos it happened to me. If the scratch is just a "scht" sound, it is less obvious or doesn't even appear on a tube amp. But it was very clear and pronouced on a SS amp. Just sharing what happened to moi and frankly do not need ur validation.
4. Not here to argue, if ur tube amp produces the scratch go change the potentiometer on your wah.
5. Dunlop hot potz do not have an opening like the pots on ur guitar volume/tone, so you cant spray lubricant or contact spray

[MadWerewolfBoy]

haha funniest thing i've heard today