🎸 Jim Dunlop Cry Baby Wah GCB95 Review: The Pedal That Cries (In a Cool Way)

It doesn’t actually cry—but your solos might make someone else weep.

Every guitarist reaches a point where they crave more expression. More soul. More wah. That’s where the legendary Jim Dunlop Cry Baby Wah (GCB95) stomps into the spotlight—literally.

Used by legends from Hendrix to Slash, this pedal isn’t just gear—it’s a rite of passage. And if you’re wondering whether the GCB95 is still worth buying in 2025, the answer is: absolutely (unless you hate fun).

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🧠 What Is the Cry Baby Wah Anyway?

In the simplest terms, the Cry Baby takes your tone and lets you sweep the EQ with your foot—producing that vocal, funky, expressive “wah-wah” effect.

It’s the sound you hear in:

Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)”
Slash’s “Sweet Child O’ Mine” solos
Basically every funk guitar riff ever

The GCB95 is the standard model—no frills, no nonsense, just iconic tone in a rugged black metal shell.

🔍 Key Specs

True analog circuitry
Heavy-duty die-cast construction (you could run it over… but maybe don’t)
100K Ohm Hot Potz potentiometer for quick response
Classic voicing with strong mids and a tight sweep
Powered by 9V battery or power supply (not included)

🎶 How Does It Sound?

Two words: vintage fire.

On clean tones, it gives you that wah-wah funk that instantly makes rhythm parts 10x more interesting.
With gain or distortion, it becomes a lead guitar weapon—perfect for screaming solos, bluesy bends, and face-melting expression.

The sweep range is tight, focused, and in-your-face. If you want subtle and nuanced… this ain’t it. This is the pedal equivalent of a raised eyebrow and a leather jacket.

🛠 Build Quality: Tougher Than Your First Gig

The Cry Baby GCB95 is built like a tank. Seriously, it feels like it was designed for bar fights.

Heavy die-cast chassis won’t slide or tip
Footswitch is solid and responsive
The pot is smooth (and easily replaceable if it ever wears out—though it’ll take years)

This is a pedal you’ll outgrow only if you start playing ambient synth jazz on a spaceship.

⚡ Setup Tips

Use a standard 9V power supply (center-negative) or a 9V battery
Place it before your distortion pedal in the chain for classic wah tones
Want it to scream? Boost mids on your amp or EQ pedal

😎 Who Should Buy the GCB95?

Blues, rock, funk, and metal players who want iconic wah tone
Pedalboard minimalists who want just the essentials
Players on a budget who still demand pro-level tone
Anyone who wants to do the “foot dance” during solos

👎 What Could Be Better?

No true bypass – can slightly color your tone when off (most don’t notice, but tone purists might)
No adjustable Q or voicing – what you hear is what you get
Not ideal for ambient genres or synthy tones—this is a rock pedal, through and through

✅ Verdict: Is the Cry Baby Wah GCB95 Still Worth It?

Absolutely. The Cry Baby GCB95 is still the go-to wah for beginners, pros, and tone chasers alike. It’s got decades of mojo, a sound recognized worldwide, and it just flat-out works.

If you’re buying your first wah, this is a no-brainer. If you’re building a pedalboard and want instant expression and character, add this beast to the chain.

🎸 👉 Check Current Price on Amazon

⚖️ Pros & Cons Recap

Pros:

Legendary wah tone used by the greats
Rock-solid construction
Affordable and reliable
Instant expression boost for your playing

Cons:

No true bypass
Fixed voicing—no tone tweaking
May inspire extended soloing (your bandmates might object)

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