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Jim Dunlop - Crybaby Wah Original

"When this baby was born and the doctor gave it its first spank, it cried out even more! Nothing gives the guitar a more expressive vocal quality effect than a wah pedal. The Jim Dunlop model here is an original model replete with instrument and amplifier jacks along the left and right edges plus a 3rd input for an a/c plug."

They Say

"When people talk about wah pedals, they’re talking about the Crybaby. This is the original—the one that created some of the most timeless sounds in rock. Relied on by Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, David Gilmour, and many other greats Features: Heavy die cast construction for years of reliability, 100K ohm Hot Potz potentiometer that allows for that quick, abrupt wah sound. Powered by the Dunlop ECB-003 AC Adapter and/or 9 volt battery."

In Use

Battery access is made available by unscrewing the 4 rubber feet surrounding Phillips screws. This is where the potentiometer and integral parts can also be found. Occasional cleaning would be performed here as the dust finds its way in and can force you to replace the pot or, to stop the from crackling sounds if it ever reaches that stage, you’ll need to simply "warm it up" before using it. Switching unit On or off is accomplished by depressing the top black movable foot control until a click is felt. (Note: the cry baby will suck your batteries dry if the instrument jack is left connected by cable when not in use, even if it’s in the off mode).

It sounds like the word ("wah") when a note is held and the pedal goes from heel to toe. Akin to a treble boost when opened up and bass umph when pulled back; the steady rocking of the pedal from one extreme to the other is the most often heard sound: "wawawaw".

Looks

Durable, sleek, simple, black with rubbery texture on its topside (keeping the foot from slipping off when doing those rapid wahs).

Who Uses It?

Listen to the Eric Clapton solo on "White Room" or Jimi perform the miraculous intro to "Voodoo Child (slight return)". Page on "No Quarter", Steve Vai’s amazing wah intro on "Yankee Rose" or try Steve Morses dynamic "Huron River Blues". As a tonal centre or EQ, some players have been known to find a sweet spot (with distortion on) where certain harmonic frequencies are emphasized. Just set it and leave it alone! For use on a songs melody, listen to Joe Satriani on "Summer Song" and for the ultimate in clean funkiness, Hendrix on "Belly Button Window" and "Up From the Skies" or on Steely Dans E. St. Louis Toodle-oo (that’s Walter Becker, the Dans’ co-founder).

Finally

Some pedals need frequent pot work done, others last forever. Some could use an expanded frequency range as they seem narrow in tonal variance. Having said that, if you play rock or blues guitar, this pedal is a MUST for you. An absolute essential for the player seeking tone and expression.

Links

Original CryBaby Wah on the jim dunlop website.

Modifications

Many users have made alterations to the standard Wah pedal. They are to improve the tone, to also add a tru-bypass switch, and swap out the stock inductor to the Fasel inductor for a more vintage sound.