Dunlop 95Q Crybaby

A Modernized Cry Baby: The Spirit of 1967, Today's Ergonomics

Since the Cry Baby's debut in the late 1960s, the wah-wah has become a sonic reflex to give voice to the guitar: an expressive filter sweep, almost "vocal," capable of transforming a simple riff into a musical phrase. The Dunlop Cry Baby 95Q continues this tradition by preserving the signature sound that made the Cry Baby famous, while adding improvements designed for real playing: on stage, in rehearsal, and on a modern pedalboard.

Its concept is simple: take the base of a "classic" Cry Baby and integrate three highly requested evolutions. The result: a versatile wah, quick to master, that keeps the original model's DNA but with more control and a much smoother user experience.

For Which Guitarist, Styles, and Situations?

The 95Q is aimed at all guitarists who use the wah as an expressive tool rather than a sporadic effect that's hard to trigger. Its automatic activation system changes the game: no more hunting for a switch at the end of the sweep, you place your foot, you play, and the wah immediately follows your intent. This is especially comfortable if you sing, frequently switch between rhythm and lead playing, or need to chain very dynamic parts live.

Style-wise, it feels at home everywhere: funk for tight chicken picking, rock for edgy leads, blues for "speaking" attacks, and even saturated tones (hard rock, metal) thanks to its well-defined character that cuts through the mix. In the studio, the Q Control helps precisely position the wah in the spectrum; on stage, the boost provides extra presence at key moments without relying on an external booster.

Controls, Modes, and Design: Everything You Need, Without Complication

The Dunlop Cry Baby 95Q focuses on straightforward ergonomics. On the side, you have two essential controls: the Variable Q to shape the effect's intensity and focus (wide and subtle, or tight and very pronounced), and the Volume which controls the boost level. The dedicated red footswitch allows you to activate or deactivate this boost independently, so you can keep a "standard" wah for rhythm parts and push the signal when it's solo time.

The major strength of this version remains the switchless activation: the effect engages automatically when you press the pedal and bypasses when you lift your foot, with the pedal returning to the raised position. Add to this a buffered bypass: useful for maintaining a stable signal and avoiding a loss of tone, especially if your chain includes long cables or multiple pedals in series. Finally, the red Fasel inductor contributes to the classic and expressive character of the wah while being designed to limit microphonic issues.

The Sound

Expect a wah with a distinctive Cry Baby grain: a present low end, a "talking" midrange, and a controlled edge of aggressiveness that helps the guitar cut through, even with thick saturation. The response to playing is very expressive: the harder you attack, the more the effect seems to articulate harmonics and emphasize dynamics. With the Q Control, you can choose a creamier, wider texture for subtle grooves or, conversely, a narrower, sharper sweep for cutting leads.

The adjustable boost is a real musical plus: it's not just about raising volume, it also allows you to highlight the wah in the mix. In a live context, this is exactly what you want when the wah becomes a performance moment: an expressive effect that remains audible and controlled.

Technical specifications

Effects	Wah, Volume, Boost	Number of tracks	1
Technology	Analog	EQ	Filter
Format	Pedal	Settings	volume, hot potz, intensity
Inputs	Jack	Use	guitar
Outputs	Jack	Color	Black
Switch	On/Off	Power supply included	No
Number of effects	1	Power supply	9V battery, DC 9 V

Category	wah	True bypass	no
Adjustments	hot potz, intensity, volume	Buffered bypass	yes, to preserve signal integrity in the effects chain
Q Control	adjustment of wah intensity/bandwidth	Power	DC 9 V
Boost	up to +15 dB, adjustable level	Compatible power adapter	Dunlop MDU ECB003E (not included)
Switchless wah design	automatic activation (instant-on)	Battery access	clip-on door under the pedal