The heavy-duty diecast build can handle any amount of pressure and rocking that you give it with a 100K ohm Hot Potz potentiometer being the driving force behind this pedal’s quick wah sound. The Cry Baby’s build makes for a highly durable unit designed to withstand the wear-and-tear something like a wah pedal is going to endure after all, it’s a much more involved experience than just tapping on a button. And while there have definitely been some amazing wah pedals that have been introduced since the introduction of the GCB95, the grandaddy of them all still has a rightful seat at the head of the table. This unit has been used by legends like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, forever shaping the sounds of musicians that would follow in their footsteps. Truth be told, Jim Dunlop’s original Cry Baby Wah Wah GCB95 is synonymous with what most people hear and imagine when they think of the wah effect. This pedal also has some great visual character, thanks to its oxidized “road worn” brass casting it truly looks like it has been sitting in “the box” for quite some time. As a result, you’re able to get deep and dark tones or reach up to the higher frequencies to really make your tone sing. Alternately, the range of frequencies that this Cry Baby can sweep through is quite wide, diving down to 350 Hz and peaking all the way up to roughly 2000 Hz. Jim Dunlop paired with the AiC guitarist for their Jerry Cantrell Signature Cry Baby Wah Wah, a pedal that emulates his preference for wider, darker frequency sweep response.Ī key factor in emulating Cantrell’s sound with this pedal is its narrow band, which results in a tighter and punchier sound as you’re getting a far more pronounced wah. A significant part of the guitarist’s identity could be found in his use of wah wah for songs like “The Rooster” and “Man in the Box". There were a lot of factors contributing to the meteoric rise of 90s grunge band Alice in Chains, not the least of which was the smoldering guitar heroics of lead axeman Jerry Cantrell. Whatever you opt for, this pedal is definitely a welcome addition to any player looking for an in-your-face wah tone. It also features a foot switchable second mode that gives players the ability to craft their own tone, with adjustable Q and wah levels. If you’re looking for Vai’s wah tone, the Bad Horsie 2 has got you covered.
![plash say wah plash say wah](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PlsCH1qqPjg/hqdefault.jpg)
This feature is also helpful in that it bypasses the typical wah design involving pedal pots which are usually the first things to start to wear down and detrimentally affect the tone of the pedal. One unique element of the Bad Horsie 2 is its switchless design activating this effect is as easy as simply stepping on it, and deactivates just by removing your foot from the pedal.
![plash say wah plash say wah](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/j13ZxK4hUtw/hqdefault.jpg)
Morely teamed with Vai on their last collaborative pedal, but the Bad Horsie 2 Contour Wah steps things up a notch, providing players with the ability to dial in Vai’s exact tones or make their own. A huge part of Vai’s sound has been his expressive use of the wah pedal. 6-string assassin Steve Vai is a legend to guitarists worldwide, having played with a range of artists including Ozzy Osbourne, Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, and Whitesnake, to say nothing of his own solo work.