Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

The Dunlop Cry Baby is the wah pedal — the sound of Hendrix, Clapton, Metallica, and countless others. From the original GCB95 to signature models and boutique variants, it defines what a wah should sound like.

How It Works

A rocker pedal sweeps a bandpass filter through a range of frequencies, creating the distinctive "wah" voice. Press the toe down to emphasise treble frequencies, rock back to the heel for bass emphasis. The speed and range of your foot movement shapes the expression — slow, lazy sweeps for funk rhythm, fast rocking for aggressive lead work.

The Range

Dunlop offers dozens of Cry Baby variants, each with a distinct voice:

The GCB95 (standard) is the entry point and the best-selling wah pedal in history. Its voice is bright and aggressive — the sound most people think of when they hear "wah pedal." The 95Q adds an adjustable Q (bandwidth) control and volume boost, giving more flexibility without changing models.

Signature models are voiced for specific players. The Jerry Cantrell Cry Baby emphasises a darker, grungier sweep. The Jimi Hendrix Cry Baby recreates the vintage Vox wah tone. The Kirk Hammett model has a wider sweep range suited to metal lead work.

Premium versions use vintage-style Fasel inductors — the component most responsible for the wah's character. Red Fasel inductors produce a warmer, rounder tone. Yellow Fasel inductors are brighter and more vocal. True bypass switching is available on select models for zero signal coloration when disengaged.

Build

The cast-metal enclosure and treadle design have remained largely unchanged since the 1960s. The pot, inductor, and sweep range define each model's character — and replacement pots are readily available for maintenance.

Who Is This For?

• Rock and blues players using traditional wah techniques
• Metal guitarists seeking aggressive, wide frequency sweeps
• Funk players getting the rhythmic wacka-wacka sound
• Beginners starting with the industry-standard wah pedal
• Collectors exploring signature models voiced for specific players