Store Front   Account  Search  Product List  Basket Contents Checkout
Sign In

Tube Guitar Amplifiers from Area 51
Effects - Best vintage style wah pedal.
Wah Pedal Mod Kits - Wah Mods
Wah Pedal Parts & Supplies
Funk Off String Cleaning Wipes - Clean guitar or bass strings
Tube Amplifier Mod Kits - Tube Amp Mods
Tube Amplifier Overhaul Kits - Tube Amp Repair and Servicing
T-Shirts

Vintage Italian Wah Kit - "Drop in" Version
 
Quantity in Basket: none
Code: viwkdropin
Price: $139.95

Shipping Weight: 0.80 pounds
 
 
Pre-wired DC jack - $15.00
 
D.C. Jack Kit (solder yourself) - $9.95
 
With pre-wired Area 51 Output Buffer - $40.00
 
With pre-wired LED indicator - $15.00
 
Quantity:
 

Now Available: Pre-wired DC jack option. (requires 1/2 inch mounting hole)

mp3 Samples

After many requests for an easier to install kit, we're proud to introduce the Vintage Italian "Drop-in" Kit. This kit comes fully assembled, wired, and ready to install. The only things that you need to install it are a phillips head screwdriver, 1/2" open end wrench, 9/16" open end wrench, and a 1/2" nut driver or socket. NO SOLDERING REQUIRED!!!! It is a direct drop in kit for all of the Dunlop and Vox pedals, such as the GCB-95 and V847 models.

No push on "molex" connectors are used. All connections are pre-soldered. Installation instructions are supplied. Included in the instructions:
How to remove your old parts.
Installing/adjusting the switch.
Installing/adjusting the new pot.
Proper installation of the new jacks.

Included with each kit:

  • (1) Area 51 "Vintage Italian" wah board with Area 51 inductor, selected transistors, and carbon composition resistors.
  • (2) High quality Switchcraft jacks.
  • (1)Footswitch wired for true bypass.
  • Complete installation instructions with full color diagram.
  • (2) Replacement screws for board installation.
  • (2) Internal tooth washers.
  • (1) Black hole plug (if no d.c. jack will be used)
  • Optional d.c. jack add-on. (requires soldering)
  • Area 51 brass logo plate.
  • CTS Icar taper 100K pot.
  • Comes completely wired up and ready to install.

If a wah pedal with warm lows, singing top end and tons of "quack" is what you seek...look no further!
Click here to read what some owners had to say about it.

In stock!

NOTE: If you are installing this kit in the latest Vox V847-A (the one that has the dc jack), the pcb mounting holes will not line up. No problem - send us an email, and I'll include a set of adhesive circuit board mounts with your kit.

INTERNATIONAL orders: We now have the option of sending this item via a less costly Priority international method. It is $18 for any country outside of the U.S. This option is not available on our webstore shipping system, so please email me at sales@area51tubeaudiodesigns.com and I'll take care of your order personally. - Dan


Testimonials

Dan,

I am absolutely blown away with how this wah sounds and responds.  I'm almost speechless.  I have tried and purchased so many wahs over the years from 535's, Roger Mayer Red Lion and BOYC kits, RMC3s, etc. and this one makes me want to cry.  We must have the same appreciation for what we both like hearing in wah pedals because this one is it.  From the volume to the Q, tone, sweep and responsiveness I'm just finding it hard to believe that the wah in my head is now on the floor in front of me.

I'm so rarely impressed with a piece of gear but it is perfect for me.  You're the man.

Thanks,

Timmy Strong
Valencia, CA




Hi Dan

Just wanted to let you know you did an outstanding job on my wah!  You nailed it!  It's so hard to find an authentic sounding wah.....well, at least it used to be.  Nice job.  And I know of what I speak - 30 years ago I was in a Hendrix cover band with an old Cry Baby Wah and an original Uni-Vibe.  I know what it's supposed to sound like....

Thanks again!

Doug Miller




DAN!!!!!!  holy **** !!!! this thing sounds un-f****** beliveable!!!! Man ,you do great work i"m telling you this verison sounds great, you took something that i thought was great before and took it to the next level of wah wah's . i hope you sell alot of wah's and kits because your wah's sound the best !!!!!


thank you so much,
jerry

p.s. can't wait to blow evereybodys mind  when i click this beast on and win my crown back!!!HA!!HA!!

Back story on the above comment:  This gentleman sent his older Area 51 Wah to me for an upgrade/update to current spec after he heard another local player using a new Area 51  – Dan




Dan,

I bought a drop-in wah kit from you on e-bay a couple of weeks ago. You probably don't need any more endorsements but here's another one anyway.
I've been playing gigs since 1976. I've owned most brands of conventional wahs, plus a digital modeling wah. I used yours for a gig last night for the first time.  At last everything I wanted in wah voicing, with the added bonus of no noise.  A joy to use.

Many thanks,

Ant White, Nottingham U.K.




Dear Dan,

I just wanted to send you a quick email to tell you that I am loving your pedal, it is truly amazing!

Thanks for that!

Camilo Salazar, Manchester U.K.




Dan,

I've been very happy with the greatest wah I have ever played.  And I played thru them all.  Crybaby, Vox, F******e, T***e, all of them sound weak to me. This is by far the greatest investment I have made in terms of pedals.

Ben Durbin
Burlington, IA




Hi,

Please feel free to use this as a testimonial if you so desire. You have tons already, but just in case. (don't mind if I do....- Dan;)
I put the battery eliminator kit in and assembled the wah tonight.  WOW, Holy ****!  I just purchased an original "film canister" inductor off ebay recently and put it in my very aged Vox wah and it is awesome, but it is noisy.  Believe me I paid a pretty penny for it.  I have to figure the part is somehow microphonic.  It does sound killer at the same time.  Your little "brainchild" sounds every bit as good and at the same time is very quiet with a simply and absolutely killer vibe. Holy smoke, this sucker smokes, I'm afraid you might just be letting the cat out of the bag here!  Soon the world will find out and we'll all be defenseless. A Huge Applause!!!

Sincerely,
Jim Tharp (Area 51 Drop in kit)
Des Moines, IA




Hi Dan!

Received the wah today.  Wow, I'm very pleased.  There are so many options and it's really a world of discovery for me right now.  But certainly enjoyable.  I've started with the standard settings and adjusting from there.  I assume the buffer was turned on already.  I'll save tuning that for last (if necessary).

Thanks!
Doug Johnson
Lemont, IL
(using his Area 51 Wah with an upright bass)




Dan,

Thanks so much! I am a wah addict and yours is the closest I've heard to my old Italian one. I love it.  It will be on the road soon.

Thanks again,

Ryan Wariner
Franklin, TN




Dan,

If I was there I'd have to grab you and give you a hug!  This is without a doubt the best and funnest wah I've ever played.  You've got the sound nailed perfectly.  That's what a wah should sound like.  Will refer you to all concerned.

Thanks again,

Mike - San Francisco, CA




Hey Dan,

I just got done installing your wah drop in kit.  I ended up using a different housing than we originally discussed.  The RMC we initially talked about was kinda narrow, not much room in there, and the pot didn't want to mount on the mounting ridge very well.  (If anybody out there has this problem, email me - I have a solution -  Dan)
I also had an old Dunlop GCB95-F that I didn't care for, so I used that housing and it worked just fine.  Drilled out the AC adapter plug hole to 1/2" and it mounted flawlessly.  I also had no issues soldering the included components onto your pc board.  Plugged it up and it worked perfectly.  I am compelled to tell you that this pedal is the real deal!  It is very musical, which is what it's all about anyway.  My band played 130 gigs last year, and on track to do 110 this year, and I can honestly say that I hardly ever wanted to use my old wah pedals on a gig.  We are now performing more tunes that specifically call for wah effects, which is what led me to find the Area 51 wah.  Gigs are starting to slow down a bit, we've been canceled on a few gigs because of the economic situation.  So, I am "jobbing" out a with various bands and shows, and I'm finding the wah pedal is a staple sound needed by versatile guitarists.  In quantifying what makes your pedal so great... your wah is "usable" through the entire sweep.  No harsh highs, and not muddy with the heel down.  "Great musical voice" is the only way to describe it!!

Thanks for creating a great wah!  You rock!

Bing Burris
Redford, MI




Greetings,

I just installed your drop in wah kit in a brand new Dunlop GCB-95 box.  Installation was simple.  All I can say is WOW. The difference in the quality of the tone and the overall output from the original is amazing.  Also, I found your customer service to be excellent.  Shipping and delivery was prompt and reasonable in price.  This is a great product and I will not hesitate to recommend it to anyone I know.  Thank you..............keep up the good work, it is a pleasure to do business with people who come through in a prompt, courteous manner and provide a quality product at a reasonable price.

Regards,
Phil Paramore




Heya....Just a short note to thank you again for getting the wah out in time.  Recording went great and last night was my first gig with it.  Tremendously great pedal!  I love it a lot.  I still feel like I've only figured out a fraction of the possible tonal qualities...

Thanks again!
Chris Barrus
Glendale, CA




Hi Dan,

Just a bit of feedback for you on the wah pedal I bought.
I think it's great!  Best sounding wah I have ever played out of the box (I've owned various Dunlop, Vox and Morley and played Boss, Fulltone and Roger Mayer - Area 51 beats them all!) So far I've only really been using the "stock" tone.  That is a great wah sound.  I got the extra controls and range selector too so I'm sure I'll be finding other great tones in the future.  My only initial criticism was I thought the treadle/rocker was too loose.  Then I read the manual and a feature of it is it's adjustable!  Perfect!

Mark Gardiner
Rosyth, Fife
U.K.




Dan,

She sounds Great!!!  I'm putting her into her new spot to work with my 1970 Marshall small box 50!  It has great quack and growl too!  Quite simply the BEST boutique wah pedal being built today PERIOD!

Mitch Mills (Sugarwall)
Nashville, TN





Shipping Info

To place an order by phone, call us at (231)335-2137 9am-5pm ET.

Email me at:

Join Our Mailing List
Email:

Click here to download our mail order form. (You must have Adobe Reader version 5.0 or newer.)

For US and Canada orders, we accept all major credit cards, Paypal, check, and money order.

We accept Paypal.®

All sales final - no cancellations.

For orders outside of the US or Canada, we ONLY accept Paypal, or international money orders in US funds. (no credit cards) Go to our overseas ordering page for more details.

Click here for info on our shipping rates.