Dunlop Cry Baby issue?

Nitefly

A mate has acquired a Dunlop Cry Baby, model GCB-95, and asked me to test it for him.  I have tried it with 9v battery, 9v power supply, and both together.

The problem is that, while it works, it suffers a large drop in volume when the wah mode is engaged - it's fine when it goes straight through.

Does anyone have any ideas as to where the drop in volume might originate?  I thought at first that the battery might be an old one, but should this matter if it's running from the adaptor?

Any ideas welcome, thanks!

skullfunkerry

It's not one of the ones with a boost is it? And the boost mode has been turned right down/pot has moved?

Nitefly

Hmm, no mention of a boost mode anywhere on the pedal, and it only has one foot-switch at the toe, nothing at the heel, so I guess not, @skullfunkerry .  Would there be any obvious sign externally?  (I haven't opened it up yet, was hoping not to!)

Funkfingers

Might be worthwhile squirting some electrolube into the pot.

I do not know whether the inductor is adjustable on the GCB-95.

skullfunkerry

Nitefly said:

Hmm, no mention of a boost mode anywhere on the pedal, and it only has one foot-switch at the toe, nothing at the heel, so I guess not, @skullfunkerry .  Would there be any obvious sign externally?  (I haven't opened it up yet, was hoping not to!)

I think the ones with a boost usually have a little button on the right, near the heel. Doesn't sound like this one has it.

digitalscream

Moved to FX.

WYNIR0

I have that model. No volume drop on mine when I turn it on.

Cols

The most obvious potential cause if it ‘wahs’ properly would be a faulty foot switch which isn’t passing signal fully when the effect is engaged.

Roland

skullfunkerry said:

It's not one of the ones with a boost is it? And the boost mode has been turned right down/pot has moved?

The 95Q has knobs and a switch, and is easily identifiable, so it’s probably not that model:

Hopefully it’s a switch contact problem, which can be sorted by taking the base off by unscrewing the feet, and using contact cleaner. It might also be a loose wire. Wahs are liable to physical damage because they get kicked around. I’ve had both of those problems in the past.

 If it’s an electronic problem then the solution depends on how old it is, and that’s where we need @ICBM.

WYNIR0

Base of mine, same model as OP

Nitefly

@WYNIR0 - yes, that's exactly the same model as the one we have. 

I'll take it apart and try some contact cleaner in the pot, and look for any other signs of damage. 

@digitalscream - sorry about that, it seems I had inadvertently hidden the "FX" section 

Thanks for all replies.

ICBM

Roland said:

 If it’s an electronic problem then the solution depends on how old it is, and that’s where we need @ICBM.

Not sure, but it’s a simple circuit and not difficult to troubleshoot. I don’t think it’s a failed choke, as the symptom of that is that it becomes a volume pedal rather than quiet.

The switch would be the first suspect, but if the volume is *consistently* low, it may not be that…

Babones

Is the foot switch not engaging correctly maybe when 'on'?

UnclePsychosis

Stupid question: are you plugging it in the right way round?

My, erm, friend told me that's a thing you should check. Don't ask me, I mean him, how he knows.