The Cry Baby wah: A Timeless Classic That Deserves More Love
The wah-wah pedal, frequently enough overlooked in the realm of electric guitar effects, holds a special place in music history.
Critics frequently dismiss it, citing its overuse in retro adult film soundtracks and the signature solos of Kirk Hammett. However, the wah has been a key element in countless iconic tracks, from Jimi Hendrix’s Voodoo Child (Slight Return) and Isaac Hayes’ Theme from Shaft to david Lee Roth’s Yankee Rose and Alice In Chains’ Man in the box. It’s hard to deny the wah’s impact on the music landscape.
The Birth of the Wah Pedal
The first commercial wah pedal was an unexpected innovation by Vox/Thomas Organ. Engineer Brad Plunkett created a variable midrange circuit intended to replace preset buttons on the Vox Super Beatle amplifier.
As Plunkett tweaked the control while a guitarist played, the resulting vocal-like sounds sparked excitement within the Thomas Organ team. this led to the decision to encase the circuit in a volume pedal housing, allowing musicians to manually control the sweep.
Initially, the wah was designed as a hands-free mute for horn players and was marketed as the “Clyde McCoy wah-wah,” endorsed by jazz trumpeter Clyde McCoy. However, it quickly captured the attention of guitarists, especially after Eric Clapton and Hendrix showcased the effect in their 1967 recordings.
From Clyde McCoy to the Cry Baby
With Vox based in the U.K.and Thomas Organ in the U.S., a strategic decision was made in 1968 to market the wah pedal separately. The Vox wah was sold in the U.K., while the U.S. market received the newly branded “Cry Baby” wah.
Initially produced in different locations, production was consolidated at the JEN factory in Italy during the late Sixties. Though, due to Thomas Organ’s inability to secure a patent, JEN began manufacturing competing models under various names.
eventually, production returned to the U.S. until Thomas Organ ceased operations in 1979, at which point Dunlop acquired the rights to the Cry Baby name, which they still own today.
The enduring Popularity of the Cry Baby
The original Cry Baby wah has remained an affordable staple for guitarists over the years. dunlop has expanded its offerings to include a variety of artist models and enhanced designs featuring adjustable Q and range settings.
Expressive Possibilities of the Wah Pedal
The wah pedal is one of the most expressive effects available to guitarists. The simplest technique involves rocking the pedal in a steady rhythm,but advanced players can master the sweep to highlight specific notes or rhythmic patterns. With skill,musicians can even mimic speech,as Steve Vai did on Yankee Rose. A slow sweep can create sounds reminiscent of a phase shifter or flanger, adding subtle texture to the music.
Another often-overlooked use of the wah pedal is as a midrange boost or filter. By setting the treadle in a fixed position at a sweet spot, players can achieve a rich tone. Michael Schenker famously employed this technique to craft his powerful solos with UFO in the Seventies, inspiring many guitarists to adopt a similar approach.
