Hi, I have a question and I was wondering if the online Satriani Fan community could help. :D

I am thinking about adding a Digitech Whammy IV to my rig, but have heard some bad things about it not having a true by pass. I can handle it changing the tone when it is on, after all that is what it is there for. But I don't want it if it is going to change the sound I get when it is turned off.

So for those of you who own one of these red devils could you post your opinions? I am not worried about how it compares to the original I am really more interested in the by-pass issue.

Many Thanks
Rock On!
:rock2:

Its really hit and miss. I have the Whammy I , II and got rid of my IV.

It needed to be re-calibrated and I found out that this was a common issue from time to time. True by pass was not the issue. It just never hit the octave up %100 of the time. Basically it was always out of tune. Not a very good product for a re-issue. If your going to be making one of these part of your rig...I would suggest getting the original or Whammy II. (Whammy II can be adjusted by foot during a live show. -- and has a toggle feature.)

G

the whammy 4 is cool, i have a wh1 and a 4 the 1 is a lot glitchier.. the 4 is cool never had a problem.

Hmm, interesting.

GuitarDojo:

My main concern is the by pass and coloration of tone when it is turned off. I doubt I will be able to get a I or II so it would have to be the IV. I suppose all I can hope is that the latest IV's have maybe solved some of the issues you had. Thanks for your input, it is much appreciated.

cube:

Thanks for the help, that one will go in the positive column. :)

No complaints about my Whammy II. I have noticed though I do get far more sustain out of notes when the pedal is down than when its off !! Any one else get this?

I should update. I recently tried out a Whammy IV in my local shop and I have to say I couldn't really notice any difference with the pedal in line to the amp and with it not. So as soon as I can afford it, I will be adding one to the rig. Thanks for your help guys.

You might also want to consider the new digitech expression factory that's got a whammy mode. I've not had the chance to play with one but since I've been after an XP300 Spacestation for months I might have to give it a try!

Looks like the only whammy mode missing from the EX7 that I'd use is the 5th below.

T

Thanks for the tip. I hadn't paid any attention to this. If I can get a chance I will try one out. It is debatable how long the music shops round my way will take to get it though.

But anyway thanks for the tip. :clap:

u can do so many cool harmonys on that pedal

One difference I've noticed between the Wh 1, the XP-100 and the
WH-IV is that the 1 and the XP are not as bright sounding when using a wah in front of them for tone. I often leave the wah on just for the extra bite and tone it gives and when engaging the IV for the effect of an octave up for example, the tone gets to bright for my tastes. The Wh-1 and XP-100, did not seem to do this to the degree the IV does. Sadly, my WH-1 has died again, and my XP-100 needs to be recalibrated for the third time. (It's beyond the normal recalibration procedure), so I'm stuck with the IV. I now turn the wah off when using it and it works fine.

the XP100 and wh1 still sound a bit different from each other