Danelectro DAN-O-WHA

The Danelectro Dan-O-Wah is a cool wah wah pedal for your electric guitar. I’ve only had the chance to use this pedal in the studio since I don’t own one for myself. One of the studios that I work out of a lot has one and this is where I’ve used it since my Cry Baby wah is getting fixed up. This is a pretty straight forward pedal and should be easy to use for anyone regardless of experience with wah wah pedals. It’s easy to set up since it has ¼” connections for input and output and runs on a 9 volt battery or power supply. It’s not rack mountable since it’s a foot controlled pedal.


UTILIZATION

There aren’t really any parameters or controls to be aware of with the Danelectro Dan-O-Wah. You control the effect with your foot via the expression pedal. You also turn it on and off this way. Those who have used a wah pedal before will know what this means. One thing about it is that it isn’t the easiest pedal to engage the effect as you have to push down somewhat hard to get it to go on. Other than this, it’s super easy to use and a manual shouldn’t be necessary.


SOUND QUALITY

I really like the sound of the Danelectro Dan-O-Wah. It seems to have more of a sweep and be more precise with it’s filtering than many of the pedals that I’ve used before. I probably would prefer it to the simple Cry Baby, but both are good for what they are. I’m not huge into using wah, but it’s definitely a nice thing to have for any guitar player. If you’re using it a lot I’d probably recommend springing from the Dan-O-Wah since it has a superb tone.


OVERALL OPINION

While not as popular as the Dunlop Cry Baby, the Danelectro Dan-O-Wah is a fine choice for a wah pedal. It’s definitely got a cooler design and color as it’s quite retro, which seems to be a theme with Danelectro gear. I’ve found Danelectro pedals to be pretty hit or miss, but they are usually nice for the price you will pay. The Dan-O-Wah is definitely a hit in my book and should be checked out for any prospective wah owners.

- Beautiful design, it is shaped car cadillac style in the 50s 60.
- 6 preset sound wha accessible by six buttons either side of the pedal 3 typed 70 'and 3 60' memory
- A button to select the portion of its wha left or right
- Mains power or 9V battery
- An integrated fuzz
- Input and output jack on the front instead of the headlights

Drawbacks: the "tray" and the rack are made of plastic but the housing. In my case, the board cracked at the pivot point but a friend remade me a aluminum tray so more risk of breakage. I said it's cracked pressing with all my weight on it while I was trying to turn the wha pedal and another simultaneously.

UTILIZATION

In use, it's easy, it's still a wha. The choice of sound wha can only be done with the fingers. on the other hand you can choose the left or right edge at the foot during the game It can "program" a sound 70 and 60 and the foot switch during the game

The foot control fuzz is very accessible.

SOUND QUALITY

Frankly with 6 different sounds over the fuzz, hard not to find something that suits. I think this is wha's versatile enough shot but takes a little time to find the settings or you prefer.

OVERALL OPINION

This must be 10 years that I have this pedal. I was seduced by the design and the different sounds and wha I have not been disappointed.
After the break the plateau I bought a cry baby not knowing that I will find someone to repair my o Dan wha.
Finally I kept the two but I have never removed the cry baby of my pedal board, most by big lazy than preference. The dan o wha could very well come back

Danelectro reborn from the ashes since 1998 and offers products that are cheap and look decidedly vintage and original.

This wah is sort of vintage Swiss Army knife:
- Look antique car very successful in every detail!
- Input / output device in the headlights
- 9V battery power or mains (at the grille)
- Rack and mechanical switches
- 2 "banks" wah: 3 wahs typed the 60 'and 3 typed wahs 70'
- Distortion and integrated octaver

This pedal is virtually untraceable. I found mine used at 40 euros against 100 euros new. The rack was broken. Repaired and strengthened, so good. The rest of the pedal was in very good condition. The strength does not seem to be his forte!
This pedal is dressed in plastic, not very strong, closer to the toy pedal serious.

For 100 euros it is better built on the market!

UTILIZATION

The usage is well thought out:
- Bank of wahs 60 'left, with their dedicated octaver
- Bank of wahs 70 'right, with their dedicated octaver
- 1 switch to select the wah 60 'or wah 70'
- 1 switch to turn the distortion regardless of the wah
- The switch triggering the effect for the rocker

The switches are quite difficult to engage. Those for the selection or to engage the wah distortion are located on top of the pedal, next to the rocker. One could therefore trigger by accident they were not so hard. It is a compromise eventually.

All is well thought anyway, can trigger the distortion or change the wah foot very easily. The rear lights are used to see which bank wah is engaged and to identify the activation of the distortion or wah. In addition each "bank" has its octave. The only cons octaves snaps with the distortion.

on the other hand, black, the "distortion" has a really high output level and it is impossible to reduce it. Impossible to initiate without tearing their ears! We must therefore play with the volume of the guitar to calm the "beast".

SOUND QUALITY

Well this is where it is astonishing.
Sounds wahs 60 'are fairly round with 3 levels of brightness.
Sounds wahs 70 'are very funky with these 3 levels of brightness.
The distortion is actually a fuzz, while slobbering and dirty. Its output level and gain is high. It is therefore essential to playing the guitar volume to control the gain and output level.
The octave is pretty impressive.

The range of sounds is impressive: from blues to funk to rock and edgy psychedelic. This wah is needed with great presence and character.

OVERALL OPINION

Some problems of quality and ergonomics, strength questionable, a fuzz wild to tame, and yet impossible not to succumb.
Wah character, including a versatile integrated octafuzz most diabolical, a really original and vintage design an affordable price.
His only real fault is to be so rare. A true collectible.