Wah vs. crybaby

What's the difference, anyway? Is there one, or are they just different names for the same thing. I'm foolin' around with something right now that just cries out (pardon the pathetic pun) for just such an effect. If you've heard SRV do Voodoo Chile, that's just the kind of sound I'm looking for (talent not included) - anyone know what he used? Any other recommendations? Thanks. Oh, one other thing: my only other pedal is a Boss BD-2. Which should come first in order, or does it matter?

Wah is a type of effect. Crybaby is a brand name for that effect.

It's like the difference between "Facial Tissue" and "Kleenex"

There are many versions of the Crybaby wah pedal, from the original (which was kind of like the Vox was in American clothes) all the way to the modern Dunlop Crybabies with filter select switches and Q controls.

It depends on the tone you're looking for. A run of the mill Crybaby is an inexpensive place to start. Personally, I like Vox wahs, and I specifically like my King Vox, which isn't anything terribly special, but I like it's tone. (Red TDK inductor...not the Fasel...)

If you want SRV's Voodoo Chile, he was probably using a Vox, like Hendrix did on the original. You will get the same effect out of any wah, so if you're not particular, I would try a regular old Crybaby (usually $70).

Someone here will be happy to help you out to figure out if it's True Bypass or not, and then you'll officially be a gear geek. :)

Roger

Hey GibsonGuy - Rodgre is right - just get a standard Dunlop Crybaby to start with. I've been using a wah since the mid eighties when I got my first Crybaby - and I've still got it (and many others).

You'll probably need to get a good taste for using this effect before you're able to detect differences between the basic Dunlop and the more expensive boutique models. I've own a lot of wah pedals, including expensive ones, and I currently use the Dunlop with the selectable Q-filter (about $130 new).

As far as other pedals go...I've always perfered to have my wah directly after my guitar. Another toy that works REALLY WELL in conjunction with a wah, for getting Voodoo Chile-type tones, is a Uni-vibe. I really like using one directly after the wah. A really good sounding cheap uni-vibe clone is the Danelectro Chicken Salad (about $30 new).

I'll pretty much second the others, pick up a used crybaby or Vox as a starting point. It does take a bit of technique to get the wah effect working. Some models are now true bypass, and many times people mod them to be so. It is the one effect that really needs the mod.

Excellent suggestions gentlemen, particularly the uni-vibe idea. I like it! Hard to go wrong with Dunlop or Vox I guess. I've heard mixed reviews of the Danno's though. You guys like 'em? Sure can't beat the price.

IF you're just using for bedroom play, and can get a really good price the Dano wah is ok. I have the shift daddy which uses the same housing, and its sturdier than It seems. I don't think it would stand up to much gigging though.

Excellent suggestions gentlemen, particularly the uni-vibe idea. I like it! Hard to go wrong with Dunlop or Vox I guess. I've heard mixed reviews of the Danno's though. You guys like 'em? Sure can't beat the price.

On a whim, I bought a Dano wah on closeout from GC for $20.00. It's the one that has 3 60's type wahs and 3 70's type wahs along with a nasty ( and I mean it's NASTY!! ) fuzz and octave effect. I've had a crybaby and an Ibanez WH-10 as my only past wah's. Liked the Cry-Baby. The Ibanez ( although many people love em ) was not my cup-o-tea. The Dano wah is really pretty cool for a cheap little thing. Guitar Player ( for what it's worth ) gave them good reviews when they came out. I don't use a wah very much, so I may be the wrong person to give an opinion here, but for a cheap wah, I like it. If you can get one for a good price, or used, give it a shot. It's a nice, inexpensive way to find out if a wah is going to be an effect you like and use. If you do, then you can sell it and move up to a Vox, Teese, Buddah or other great wahs.

I've heard mixed reviews of the Danno's though. You guys like 'em? Sure can't beat the price.

I wasn't talking about the Dano wah - I really don't like them, and I wouldn't suggest it to anyone for their first wah.

I was talking about the Dano uni-vibe - the "Chicken Salad". Also good for bedroom/house use...for the price. I would not suggest it for gigging.

Wah's can be a lot of fun (although they tend to be one of the pedals that gets overused). Hopefully, you can find a used one pretty cheap - you might try Songbird. As far as the order, traditionally wahs go first BUT, here's a little tidbit that you might find interesting from SRV's tech Don Opperman:

"When it went to the effects, it would hit the Tube Screamer first, and then the wah - which is the opposite of how most guys do it. It's a Joe Walsh trick that I passed on to Stevie. He liked the way the wah sounded better when it came after the Tube Screamer - he got a little more tone out of it."

Just goes to show there's no right or wrong way, so give it a go and see what works for you.

GenelovesJez?

Fan of the Aston brothers, are you? I was back in the day....

Roger