The History of the Cry Baby Wah

The wah-wah pedal is known for its expressive, vocal-like wails, squawks, and crying tones—sounds that have become essential to genres like rock, funk, blues, and soul. Originally designed to mimic the muted trumpet’s crying effect, the wah pedal revolutionized guitar music. When it hit the scene, it quickly became synonymous with one name: Cry Baby.

Where It All Began

In 1966, engineer Brad Plunkett at the Thomas Organ Company was working on a tone circuit. During testing, he accidentally created something far more dynamic than a standard tone control. He installed the circuit into a volume pedal housing, and just like that, the wah-wah pedal was born.

Soon dubbed the Cry Baby, the pedal made an immediate impact on the music world. Guitar legends like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and later David Gilmour embraced the wah’s expressive capabilities, helping define the sound of an era.

However, due to variable components and poor quality control, the original Thomas Organ Cry Baby pedals were notorious for inconsistent build quality and sonic variation. In fact, players like Hendrix often had to try several units before finding one that sounded right.

The Cry Baby Hits Pause

In 1981, the Thomas Organ Company shut down, and with it, Cry Baby Wah production ceased. It seemed like the end of an era for the iconic effect.

The Dunlop Revival

Thankfully, history had other plans. In 1982, Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc. acquired the Cry Baby brand and brought it back to life with renewed focus on quality and consistency. Their first model, the GCB95 Cry Baby Standard Wah, introduced a more defined frequency sweep and reliable construction, bringing new life to the beloved effect.

Dunlop’s engineers scrutinized every component:

• Potentiometers
• Switches
• Inductors
• Capacitors

This attention to detail drastically reduced the sonic inconsistencies that plagued the early models and made the Cry Baby a trusted tool for both touring pros and bedroom players alike.

Over time, Dunlop continued to refine the design, improving reliability and shielding against RF interference. Though the core sound stayed true to the original, modern Cry Baby pedals are a testament to how a classic effect can evolve without losing its soul.

The Evolution of the Cry Baby Wah: 1990s and Beyond

1994: The 535Q Multi-Wah — The Swiss Army Knife

• Range Selector: Allowed players to choose from initially four frequency ranges, later expanded to six, tailoring the pedal’s tonal sweep.
• Variable Q Control: Adjusted the sharpness or breadth of the wah effect’s peak response.
• Switchable Boost: Offered up to +18dB volume boost, enabling the wah to push amplifiers harder or stand out in the mix.

The 535Q became a favorite among players who needed versatility and precision, including musicians like Marcus Miller and bands such as Soundgarden, Tool, and the Allman Brothers.

1999: The 105Q Bass Wah — Tailored for Bassists
Recognizing that bass players require a different frequency response, Dunlop introduced the Cry Baby 105Q Bass Wah. It emphasized the midrange and higher frequencies to cut through mixes with clarity, delivering a deep, groovy wah tone with a thick, powerful sound.

2000: The 95Q — A Hybrid Wah
The Cry Baby 95Q combined the aggressive wah circuit of the GCB95 with tonal control and boost features inspired by the 105Q. It offered players the classic Cry Baby bite with enhanced control over boost intensity and wah response.

2003: The GCB95F Classic Wah
The GCB95F, also known as the Cry Baby Classic Wah, revisited the original GCB95 circuit with subtle tweaks. Its frequency center was lowered to soften the wah’s attack, resulting in a darker, warmer, and more vocal-like tone. The inclusion of the red Fasel inductor contributed to its lush, expressive sound.

2014: The CM95 Clyde McCoy Model — Signature Sound
In 2014, Dunlop honored Clyde McCoy by releasing the CM95 Cry Baby Wah, designed to replicate the sound of the original Clyde McCoy wah pedals used in the 1960s. This model featured Dunlop’s proprietary Halo inductors with a stabilized cup core to minimize noise and interference.

2015: The CBM95 Cry Baby Mini Wah — Compact Power
The CBM95 Cry Baby Mini Wah, launched in 2015, was the first mini wah pedal that packed the full Cry Baby tone into a pedal almost half the size of the original. It retained premium components like the Fasel inductor and offered three selectable frequency ranges through an internal switch:

• H (High): Delivers the classic GCB95 sound.
• M (Mid): Offers a vintage or classic tone.
• L (Low): Produces a darker, thicker sound.

Following the CBM95’s success, Dunlop expanded the mini line with models like the 105Q Mini Bass Wah and the Jimi Hendrix™ Cry Baby Mini Wah.

Summary

From its origins as a revolutionary tone circuit in the 1960s to today’s modern, versatile designs, the Dunlop Cry Baby Wah remains a go-to for many guitarists. Its history is defined by continuous innovation, legendary users, and a sound that is instantly recognizable.