Crybaby Wah Pedals from 1971 to 2014 | A Close Up Inside and Out review with Audio | Tony Mckenzie

We have probably all bought Cry Baby Wah Wah's over the years... But which one is best for you? and what about those vintage ones right through to today's signature pedals? Here is an inside and out review spanning over 45 years of pedals! Choose your favorite.
If you like this review I have some others coming up presently including strings and a Klon Centaur (which should be fun) so watch my channel for more.
Visit www.tonymckenzi... for more reviews or my KZbin channel.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE AND RING THE BELL. And if you like the video then thumbs up! Thanks - its always appreciated and I won't bombard you with reviews!
(c) A B Mckenzie 2017. All Rights Reserved
All Trademarks Acknowledged.
#wahpedals #effects #history #crybaby #thomasorgan

[@jamalabdul2009]

Thanks for the video!!! Been too long between videos!!!

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Yes I know... I have slowed a bit of recent times my sister passed in January or thereabouts and it all became a haze for a while... but I have more videos planned as stuff comes out etc. so watch for them as I put them on here there are some interesting subjects to hopefully get guys to think about the contents of the review and whether some of it is worth the money or not - anytime soon. Thanks for watching.

[@jamalabdul2009]

tonymckenziecom Thank you for your content!!! Your reviews are honest and unbiased, and really enjoyed the guitar builds you've done over the years . 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Thanks Ahmed... I appreciate your comments greatly... very kind words. Maybe I'll make another guitar and dedicate it to you ;-). Thanks.

[@AustinDouglas75]

tonymckenziecom Sorry 2 hear ur sister passed🙏. Can u do a video showing some wah techniques. Like how and when 2 use a wah and a good way 2 phase with the pedal. Something 4 beginner wah pedal users.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Yes in February that was and she really was delayed in getting treatment from the GP so the inevitable happened. On the wah stuff I tend to use it myself in a very weird way and for what I do it only works with 'some' of the pedals. If you see me tapping notes then likely the wah is involved but not as we know it. It was something I picked up a very long time ago while messing around. But yes I could create a video showing the how to's - problem is, you would only get how I use them :) But even that might be interesting if I was to demo the tapping when it works right with what I do with the wah. Interesting suggestion... and BTW thank you kindly for mentioning my sister... many never even notice... appreciated.

[@hasans]

Welcome back!

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Thanks Hasan... and thanks for watching.

[@MrMongo321]

Fantastic vid Tony! Not only informative but also good ammunition when I go shopping for a wah pedal.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

That was the idea - to have a video that guys can check out authenticity for the older ones and to hear some of the newer signature pedals too which is always a question when we're all looking at wah pedals - at least it is for me. Hopefully it will help some guys. The EVH was nice as was the Cantrell of the newer stuff, but those original style were great - nothing like a great wah pedal is there. Thanks for watching.

[@jaymillard8033]

very interesting video, i have a cry baby that i bought second so now im curious to find out the year. Ive just gotten into your channel and im loving the fact that your taking your videos to the next level. Opening up the gear and really giving your opinion, great stuff.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Yes it's one way to see exactly what you buy. Also on this video I did it to try and offer some useful stuff re the determination of the older stuff as well as to show just how much its all moved on with extras on the pedals. Thanks for watching.

[@MrMongo321]

Great to see you again Tony!

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Yes I have a few vids coming up. The next one is about strings - its more a talking review really, but I do highlight what I reckon many guys have thought for a while but no one in the music business really says it. Thanks for watching.

[@1961jscofield]

Really glad to see someone really dig into these pedal, thanks Tony & welcome back! I'm currently using the Jimi Hendrix sig, wah because I got it dirt cheap used on Ebay & it's "okay."

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Actually all of the four signature pedals you see here were second user. Here in the UK (the ones not discontinued) they are about £170 (that's $200 at least) and really in my opinion they are really not worth that cost. The 'simple' originals are worlds apart also but not really in a bad way. I have not tried one of the newer Hendrix pedals but I did have one of those purple ones some time back. Best way to buy wah pedals second user for sure. Thanks for watching.

[@cgbadtelecaster8646]

good to see you back ....hope your well... chuck

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Yes I'm OK. I have lots of different things to do and doing this stuff is always great. I have two more coming up and then two more when the gear arrives. Thanks for watching.

[@cgbadtelecaster8646]

looking forward to them

[@Gma7788]

You don't understand they have a voltage trick up their sleeve. When you buy into the brand called Jimi Hendrix, you'll learn their 3 pedals in 1 set of pedals don't do anything jimi Hendrix. You'll quickly realise DUNLOP BRAND WAH PEDALS require the dunlop rotovibe pedal to be in the end position of the signal path. Every dunlop wah requires the dunlop rotovibe pedal to activate its true humped boost sweep sound. EVH wah requires its brothers from EVH. It doesn't require the dunlop rotovibe pedal. The other thing you should have noticed is the EVH is clearly labelled as having nothing to do with dunlop other than they assembled it. Cause it's got an electrical trick which is exclusive to EVH you must not waste your time and money buying it. All signature brand products have sneaky electrical tricks installed into their signal path. Don't waste your time and money buying them if you intend to never finish buying their full set-ups. The zakk Wylde, is just for his low impedance pickup signals. If you don't play EMG active pickups, you're wasting your time and money buying that wah pedal. If you don't own mid impedance pickups then stay away from dime's wah too. Stop tell the public the manufacturers are stupid cause they aren't. The public is in a buying frenzy mode which must be stopped ✋️

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

A very useful post and that's appreciated. Good useful info and thanks for taking the time to do it. And thanks for watching.

[@amphetamineblue4172]

Good to see you back Tony, hope you are well

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Yes here I am... :) some more coming presently. Thanks for watching.

[@keiranbradley3238]

The first wah on your table was made by Jen in Italy who made all the Vox pedals except the 1967 Vox "grey wah" used by the Beatles and Jimmy Page, that's the one in the volume pedal shell borrowed from the continental/jaguar organs by Vox. Del Cashers' prototype was built in one of those too. Your probably correct about when yours was made, '70/'71. That was the last of the great of the great one's imho?.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Thanks for that very good info. Yes that 70/71 pedal really is different than the later stuff IMO too. It has lots of noise when first turned on, then after about 5 mins it goes nice and quiet (relatively). I bought that when I was 'a lad' :) and kept it because its sounds really good. Thanks for watching too.

[@keiranbradley3238]

@tonymckenziecom I went down a wah wah rabbit-hole during the "wuhan wobbly" adventure. I've got a few really nice old Italian one's. Getting crazy expensive now though like most old pedals!. I know this is an older video but I've always liked your no nonsense style. You're an OG guitar gear youtuber!. Thanks Tony, Peace.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Ha great comment ww :) In any case glad you liked it... not sure when I recorded it but a while back. I still have all the pedals and a few more :). Thanks.

[@kingdarko]

The dime wah could have the signal spilt if you wanted, you could either have it wet/wet or wet/dry if i remember correctly. Might of actually been handy for dime seen as he used a different rig for clean and a different rig for dirty. Not exacly sure how he used that though because he had that pedal in the damage plan days.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Ah thanks for the info... I simply forgot to check that) I wondered a bit about that one - its a cool wah but man there is a lot to work through on it. Thanks for watching.

[@burnbacktime]

Very nice! Good to see you back! Awesome video, been using a dimebag wah since 2004. Cheers!

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

That's a good pedal. Hey I never figured the second 'extra' connector... what was that for (I missed checking in the video). Thanks fore watching.

[@burnbacktime]

tonymckenziecom The extra connector is a parallel output to split the wah signal into two different effect chains. It can be reconfigured by a switch inside the pedal to be an unaffected "pass through" signal. I don't use the extra jack at all. from there my signal goes into a mesa flux drive, boss tuner, EH micro pog, EH electric mistress, boss NS-2 gate into my Mesa Triple Rectifier. I have an Ibanez AD-9 in the loop for some echo when I need it and the amp feeds into a mesa recto 4x12 traditional straight front cab with v30s. I need to get a decent recording setup so I can post some samples of how it sounds. It shakes the house!

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Thanks for that info - mine was second user (its obsolete now I believe) and had no paperwork... but that sounds like I won't use the extra out either... not sure how many would really. I have had two triple recto's and they can once you 'get it' really breathe fire for sure... a great amp. You might try a ts-808 OR a BBE Sonic Maximizer in the loop sometime - it can change that amp like you would not believe. Thanks for the info again.

[@burnbacktime]

tonymckenziecom I haven't had a chance to try an 808 yet. I goose the input with the flux drive a bit and that really seems to tighten it up. Before that I used a Boss Super Overdrive. I go back and forth between those two from time to time. I like the independent bass and treble control of the flux drive. I usually run them right up the middle and cut or add as I need. Like any mesa product, it took some time to dial in but it was worth it. I would like to try the grid slammer, I think it is there take on an 808. Did you ever tried EL34s in your triple? I have a set in right now with a set of 5u4 "coke bottle" rectifier tubes and I really am digging how it sounds. Anyway enough of me rambling. Have a good one!

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Try them in the loop... also that BBE can change the amp incredibly. I did not go the EL34's with the amps I had. Ultimately I sold them and bought an Road King II which is awesome.

[@mp-ov9dh]

Thanks for the shout out Tony! Great review as always! I enjoyed having you in the shop and it was a pleasure to wait on you. If you get back to the States come see me! Marcus Pryor Sam Ash Dallas, Texas 75231

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Marcus - the man! Hey guys if ever you want to buy from a real gentleman Marcus is your man and I know he will do you a deal especially if you say to him 'Hey Tony sent me' :) Actually I'll be over there later in August but a completely different area... I'll be with the other gators :) Florida... Yes it was great visiting you in Dallas and you guys have pretty cool shops - I try and visit some every time I'm over there in one place or another. The wah I bought from Marcus was one reviewed in here. Thanks for watching and when I get back to Dallas I'll be sure to come and say hello. Regards.

[@dougfrancis1166]

been a while--good to hear from ya mate--thanks for the new vid------

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Yes I have a couple more over the next week or so, one is about strings and the other a Klon Centaur and its version two after that. Then there are two things coming (when they arrive). One is a very good sustain pedal (at any volume) and the other is a new roland/boss pedal. Thanks for watching.

[@MrElrojo1]

You make them all sound pretty good, but what series is the black Ibanez you are playing?

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

The Black Ibanez is actually an RG550LTD from around the 90's made in Japan and modified as follows: EVO II in the bridge and 'Jazz' pickup in the neck so that neck notes don't go 'flubby' when the amp is cranked... that works well. Also screamin demon in the middle but I never use it. There is a review of that guitar here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZKXip-Yh6xohrc just so you can really see it up close. Thanks for watching.

[@tgorycki]

Nice rundown! I have a 1977 Thomas Organ wah, which is similar to your 1974 wah. I don't have the small hole on the pot casing to squirt DeOxit into, so I bent back the tabs and pried the back open a bit and squirted away. It still sounds very scratchy, much like your '74, so I believe I will be changing out the pot.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Thanks for watching... great info from your post. Yes I do think those older ones sound better really... try and find an older pot if you can. I also like the Cantrell wah (modern) that has a particular tone to it. Thanks for watching.

[@Gma7788]

Stop it! Don't buy signature brand products if you have no intention to finish buying their full setups. You're just misleading the public and wasting their time and money.

[@Gma7788]

1977 doesn't last forever! By now you should have worn that copper strip out several times before now. Your extreme thriftiness has ruined your life.

[@aipsong]

great video - I have the Real McCoy Custom, which I like, but I have not owned the others

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

I also have a Fulltone wah and that is pretty cool but not quite like some of the originals... Thanks for watching.

[@AustinDouglas75]

There is Nothing like those 1st 4 pedals.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

:) As you might have guessed I like wah pedals :) Thanks for watching.

[@eliasthorngren8827]

what´s your thoughts on the jimi hendrix cry baby wah ?

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Depends.... which one! There are a few. I have only really used the purple one from a number of years ago and all I would say on that one is that I sold it. There's a current one which I don't have though. Jimi was the guy who made me look at wah pedals all those years ago and I'm sure glad that was the case. I did try the Vox pedal (I think it was something like an 847 but can't be sure) There's a review of that on my channel. Thanks for watching.

[@themuzzfuzz7045]

Hey Tony! I just picked up a JEN crybaby Super wah on ebay for 32 quid. Not arrived yet, yellow fazel inductor and dc jack. Any thoughts on these? Think its a later one. Thanks mate!!

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

What year is it?

[@themuzzfuzz7045]

@@tonymckenzieofficial no idea tbh it's got a code 250.422?

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Don't know :( probably some clues in it somewhere though...

[@Hugh_Jaynus_00]

I just want to hang out with you. Enjoyed.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Glad you liked it - I have not really seen any video review in this way so it was time I made it :) Thanks for watching.

[@baronvonchickenpants6564]

Try some snarling dogs too! I had a Jen cry baby in the early eighty's the pot went bad but it did sound good, but it did affect the tone when switched off

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Indeed! I remember the 'snarling dogs' are they still around? Let me know. Yes as these pedals move forward through time the turned off issues change a little on some of them. I like the early Cry Baby stuff but some of the newer ones like the Jerry Cantrell I can recommend as a brilliant all around pedal. I use that one these days all the time. Thanks....

[@Mega_trav]

Which one is your favorite?

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

My 71 Thomas Organ pedal is actually the best pedal there... however, the EVH was the best 'modern' signature pedal in my view with the Jerry Cantrell as a third choice. Both of those sig models had in my opinion a really nice (almost perfect) sweep and had just the drive from the pedal for the 2555X amp that I was using for the demo. The best build was the Zak Wylde but it had the worst wah out of the box. Thanks for watching.

[@basiledaudet5774]

Sorry I have a vox wah

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Ha that's OK :) I have some of them too! Chrome... Thanks and stay safe.

[@mijit.859]

Lol I'm a little 👉 'Cry Baby' 😆

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Ha... reminds me of some of the guys at work :). Thanks for watching.

[@TheSpiritOfLight]

wahs of 2030's will have pc motherboards-like in them, with cpu's, usb & and instead of knobs you will use an app on your smartphone

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Ha they might! But for me... well those old early 60 wah pedals are pretty cool and the Jerry Cantrell wah remains my fave today... you should check one of those.

[@davids9192]

Z

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

A man of one letter Zzzzzzz. Thanks for watching.

[@davids9192]

tonymckenziecom I meant to say something more profound but my finger slipped. Then the moment passed. Enjoyed the dissection of the Cry Baby's. Bought my first c.1974.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Ha ha classic :) Hey I hope you still have it! Your one Z made me laugh though.. good job :) and thanks for watching.

[@dalepal]

I have never had a wah pedal so I enjoyed learning how each one is built and how they sound. I think I like the sound of the EVH pedal the best.

[@tonymckenzieofficial]

Actually I loved that EVH pedal too. If I did not have that 71 pedal then the EVH (or just maybe the Cantrell) would be my go to pedal absolutely. They have a certain way of working that is nigh on perfect compared to some of the others. Thanks for watching and you should get one even if its just to play around with... you might be very surprised how they can change the way you play in a good way.