All user reviews for the Area 51 Vintage Italian Kit "Board Only"

This is the drop-in kit Area51 Vintage Italian Wah, but designed as "board-only".



This kit is open only to those who:

- A wah enclosure.
- A switch (3PDT or DPDT).
- Two jacks (one mono, one stereo).
- A potentiometer (100Kohms).
- A "battery clip" for the battery.

If you do not have these items, you must either get them or direct you to the normal drop-in kit, or the complete Area51 wah.

The characteristics of this wah:

- Based on a wah sound "vintage" style made-in-Italy 60 years' (Jen, Vox, McCoy, etc..) But with the advantages of a modern wah.
- True-bypass
- Custom-type Halo inductor, wound by hand
- Components sorted and selected for their sound quality but also their silence.
- Possible options. For my part, I added the kit 9VDC (filtered and regulated), which allows the feeding transformer.

I used a 3PDT switch, a Vox Box 847-A, Switchcraft jacks, and a potentiometer Mc Con-O-wah type ICAR (one of the best wah for knobs, by far!).


UTILIZATION

The assembly instructions are well explained, very clear pattern, and Dan Area51 is very responsive if you have a question.
The complete assembly, taking my time well, took me 45min, to get a clean result.

As for the use ... well it's a wah! it snaps and play.

SOUND QUALITY

The most important point, the sound!

Firstly, in terms of my liabilities wah ... I have owned:

- Dunlop Crybaby GCB95, my first wah ... I did my arms above, I enjoyed it for its versatility on clear / saturated, despite its very showy this rating.
- Vox 847 (USD), I had changed (true-bypass selector condo sweep), which was relatively good job, but I unfortunately was stolen ...
- Vox 847-A (China), purchased following the theft of my Vox US amended in gale (true-bypass selector condo sweep, The Whipple inductor). She did a good job, but definitely missing something.

This time I wanted to find THE wah, one that would stick in my rig and my style, and remain attached to my PB for good ...

My criteria:

- Definitely oriented "vintage" (insofar as this means anything), that is to say in the spirit of McCoy, Jen, Vox and whatnot 60s.
- Build quality.
- True-bypass (fed up with that puff wah sound)
- Sweep and progressive voice.
- Deep bass.
- Not shrill treble.
- Good compatibility with my gear, especially Fuzz and Vibe.
- Versatility of a light crunch and fuzz old-style (no hi-gain).
- Possibility of future mods if necessary (Q, growl, beach sweeps, etc..).
- Short ... What is the Grail.

I tried:

- Budda Wah (the old) ... not bad, but not true-bypass and too expensive in Cygnus' for the old version ... the new one has not convinced me of the possibility of such mods.
- Fulltone Clyde (standard and deluxe). Yes, but ... blah expensive and a bit disappointed compared to all the praise I've heard. Lacks a little je ne sais quoi.
- Colorsound Wah. Good, very good even (superb beach sweep, his voice well), but unaffordable, the rating has exploded and reached ridiculous price given effect.

I then scoured the forums and specialized applications advice of guitarists around me, which took me about wah customs that are offered by several brands, including Area51.
I had the opportunity to try one (Minneapolis is a city full of musicians ... thank you the forum, it helps to try the stuff!) With my equipment.
I was immediately seduced!

Good sweep of beach, although progressive, without "peak" on one side or the other. But not messy bass, treble well articulated without being garish, sound "vintage" good voice, music (the sound of trumpet wah characteristic of the 60s, this "whacka-whacka-whacka" typical Shaft).
Beautiful building, clean and clear that inspires confidence. PCB has wide tracks which allows mods if needed.

Anyway ... I found my happiness, was one final problem ... the price!
Wah the base (without DC kit among others) is a $ 200. I was ready to ay that price, but still thinking.
I visited the site and Area51 I saw that it offered the drop-in kits ($ 140) and board-only kit is $ 70!
Not being too penguins with a soldering iron, and with the required documents, I jumped at the chance.

/! attention: for it get along with old-school fuzz (Si or Ge), must be added to an output buffer (the kit is available on the site Area51) otherwise-> squeal (Jimi Isle of Wight, ca you speak?).

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for almost 6 months, do not get enough and it does not find a fault ("touch wood").

I love his vocal qualities, his "whack", its simplicity, robustness, versatility compared to my material.

I spent time in my search, but it paid off.
If it were to do again, for sure I replongerai eyes closed!

I do not in general note 10 ... she deserves - without problems - but the sound is always a subjective and personal.
Try, where possible, with YOUR stuff before you decide! I like it myself, can not be not you like it does to you!