CAE MC404 Wah

[HamerPlyr]

I considered Teese, Wilson, and Fulltone before I bought the CAE MC404 for the versatility of two separate inductors with a separate Q trim pot for each. The built-in boost is cool but I'm not sure that I'm gonna have a use for it. I like the idea of being able to switch inductors to accommodate single coils instead of humbuckers or for just a different sounding wah. So far, so good.

I originally bought a Crybaby 535Q but was amazed by what a tone-sucker it was. They say that it's almost true bypass with only a resistor on the input and output to reduce the pop from the switch, but that is apparently enough to eat the sparkle in your signal. On top of that, it was very processed sounding, kinda harsh and raspy and not what I was wanting. I tried and tried but I couldn't get a tone that was acceptable to my ears.

[gibson175]

It took me a little time to really dig the MXR, but after i'd trimmed the q pots it sits firmly at the top of my "best wah ever" list. HAving the two inductors is something like having a guitar with 2 pickups in it (what will they think of next? lol). Really good sounding and useable machine.
fwiw..i dont use the boost either.

[Gearjoneser]

They say that it's almost true bypass with only a resistor on the input and output to reduce the pop from the switch, but that is apparently enough to eat the sparkle in your signal.

That's an interesting description. I've come across a few pedals that are true bypass, and pop when turned on and off. And I don't even know what constitutes a 'buffered bypass.'

True bypass makes your pedals like a cable. That's where you get the "sparkle" in the signal. Without that, you get something that sounds like a cheaper cable, but silent switching.

[HamerPlyr]

From the Dunlop blog:

"The 535Q is almost true hardwire bypass. While the circuit is arranged for true hardwire bypass, there are very large resistors hanging off the input and output. These act to discharge any leakage from input and output capacitances, thus reducing the amount of ‘pop’ heard during switching. You must remove R41 and R42 in order to make the 535Q true hardwire bypass."

No matter how they describe it, it removes highs from the signal in a hard-to-miss kind of way. And it's not like I have great ears.

[Mr 9finger]

I <3 my MC404! It's the best wah I've ever used. I like the boost function, but I wish I could use it without the wah being engaged. I'm going to have to buy the CAE boost/OD pedal to get that on it's own. Not a big deal though. They're cheap and they both parts of the pedal sound great!

[Grindspine]

I have been interested in upgrading from my Crybaby Q-zone for a while. If I recall correctly, the Q-zone was pretty much a stationary (fixed wah) version of the 535Q. It can get a decent mid boost sound or a nice low vocal wah sound, but I do hate how it majorly cuts the bass response.


The CAE wah is fairly interesting, though I'd hate having to open it to mess with the trim pots while there are other wahs with external Q controls.

I hate the camo paint job on the Crybaby from Hell, but, have heard it is an upgrade from the 535Q with true bypass and a Fasel (red) inductor. Any comments on how it compares to the 535Q and the CAE? Do those wahs retain any low end when engaged?

[Mr 9finger]

Not yet, but I'm looking to pick one up once my Fulltone and Hammet sig wah's are sold/traded off. I've owned a crybaby from hell in the past, but not both at the same time. I like the Hammett wah because of the cut it has when using high gain. It doesn't turn to mush like more vintage sounding wahs do under a lot of gain, but that's all it's good for. It's way too harsh for anything else. I'm hoping the MC-404 and a Crybaby from hell will be the perfect pair covering all my Wah wankery needs. If I could only have 1 wah though, it would be the 404 by far.

[xntrick]

It took me a little time to really dig the MXR, but after i'd trimmed the q pots it sits firmly at the top of my "best wah ever" list. HAving the two inductors is something like having a guitar with 2 pickups in it (what will they think of next? lol). Really good sounding and useable machine.
fwiw..i dont use the boost either.

Which way did you adjust them? I'd like to experiment but the goop on mine is really thick.

[gibson175]

the goop comes off really easily. i Just adjusted the gain and q controls till i was happy. I just used a fine tip screwdriver.Once they are set, there is really no need to adjust them again.