Everything is built in-house. The maker states "I am a one man operation"2, and each wah is individually voiced and tested against a reference for consistency3. The product line also includes the Alienist and fuzzwah pedals4.
The wah pedals
The current flagship is the Rev 10a All Options Wah, handmade in Fremont, with each pedal individually voiced and tested against a reference for consistency3. The Wah Standard is built in advance so stock is available at any given time, and its construction is deliberately repairable: as the maker puts it, "If it ever does need repairs - it CAN be repaired!", unlike many modern pedals built for robotic assembly6.
The Clone McCoy Wah is a special wah featuring a hand-wound and tuned inductor7. The range also includes the Area 51 Alienist and fuzzwah pedals4.
The Box buffer pedal
The Box is Area 51's buffer pedal, handmade at the Fremont shop with what the maker calls high-reliability construction, priced at $149.95 plus shipping5. The shop also publishes a manual for its Buffer Pedal8, and its Wah Output Buffer Kit board can be installed in its own enclosure so a player can build a custom buffer pedal9.
Kits and parts for working on your own wah
A large part of the catalog exists for players who service wahs themselves:
- Wah pedal refurb kit ($22 plus shipping): an ICAR taper wah pot, new battery snap, new switch felt, new bumpers, and a new battery pad10
- Range Control Kit: a wah pedal range control modification kit11
- DC Jack Kit: specifically geared for vintage wah pedals12
- Wah PCB: the board plus a choice of mounts, screws or self-adhesive for Chinese-made Vox shells, and a Powered by Area 51 logo plate13
- True Bypass Kit: can be used with many other pedals besides wahs, if you know what you are doing14
- Wah Output Buffer Kit: installable inside a wah or in its own enclosure as a buffer pedal9
- ICAR Taper Wah Pot, 100K: a replacement wah pot the maker has used in his own wahs for many years, calling it "part of the recipe for smooth wah"15
- A51 Wah Kit: a pedal kit for rewiring your wah pedal16
Voicing kits are also offered, including the Clyde wah voicing kit.
Wah repairs, mods and support
Area 51 offers a complete repair and mod service for many makes and models of wah pedals, not just its own12. The process is straightforward:
- Send the pedal in ("Got a wah pedal that needs some attention? Send it on over!")1
- The maker contacts you on arrival with a diagnosis and estimate1
- When the repair is done, you are billed through PayPal, fundable with a credit or debit card or a PayPal account1
The Complete Wah Tune-up special includes pot replacement, a new battery snap, switch replacement or a true bypass mod, a check of all connections and jack cleaning, a new switch felt, and replacement bumpers if needed1. Optional add-ons:
| Add-on | Price |
|---|---|
| Pedalboard mounting plate with grounding | $25 (20% discount when included with other services)1 |
| Gain/impedance adjust feature, knob on outside | $351 |
For newer wahs with board-mounted jacks and tiny surface mount components, the maker warns that a repair can exceed the cost of the wah itself, and a drop-in kit is usually recommended instead1.
Ordering from the UK or EU
Area 51 does not collect VAT for UK or EU orders. Orders are declared for their value on the USPS customs form, and the buyer pays any import charges their country levies2.
The range (2)
| Type | Pedals |
|---|---|
| Boost | Area 51 Tube Audio Designs Area 51 Alienist, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs Area 51 The Alienist Voicing Boost |
Questions
Where is Area 51 Tube Audio Designs located?
The shop is in Fremont, Michigan, and everything it sells is handmade there. The maker describes its wahs and its The Box buffer pedal as handmade in the USA at the Fremont shop.
Does Area 51 repair wah pedals from other brands?
Yes. Area 51 offers a complete repair and mod service for many makes and models of wah pedals, not just its own. The maker has been building and servicing wah pedals for over 20 years and describes the business as a wah pedal repair shop as well as a small manufacturer.
How do I contact Area 51 Tube Audio Designs?
By email at dan@area51tone.com. For repairs, you send the pedal in and the maker contacts you on arrival with a diagnosis and an estimate before any work is billed. Payment is handled through PayPal invoices, which can be funded with a credit or debit card or a PayPal account.
Do UK and EU buyers pay import charges on Area 51 pedals?
Yes. Area 51 does not collect VAT for UK or EU orders. Orders are declared for their value on the USPS customs form, and the buyer is responsible for any import charges their country applies on delivery.
Who builds Area 51 pedals?
Area 51 is a one-man operation. Every pedal is handmade by the maker himself at the shop in Fremont, Michigan, and each wah is individually voiced and tested against a reference for consistency before it ships.
Sources (16)
- Wah pedal repair service, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2023
- Area 51 diy pedal kits, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2021
- Area 51 - All options wah, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2020
- Area 51 Effects, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2021
- Buffer pedal, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2015
- Area 51 Wah, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2020
- Area 51 Clone McCoy Wah, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2020
- Subject:, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2020
- Area 51 Wah Output Buffer Kit, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2020
- Wah pedal refurb kit, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2020
- Wah pedal range control, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2020
- Area 51 DC Kit, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2015
- Area 51 Wah circuit board kit, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2020
- True Bypass Kit for your Wah, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2020
- Replacement Wah Pedal Pot, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2015
- Area 51 Wah Kit, Area 51 Tube Audio Designs, 2020