Dunlop Crybaby 105Q Bass Wah
Dunlop Manufacturing · 1997
What It Is
The Dunlop Crybaby 105Q is a wah pedal specifically designed for bass guitar. Standard guitar wah pedals sweep a frequency range optimized for guitar — when used on bass, they tend to thin out or lose the fundamental low frequencies. The 105Q addresses this with a high-pass filter that keeps the bottom end locked in while sweeping the upper harmonic content. It also has a Q (resonance) control to adjust how pronounced the wah peak is, and a boost control that compensates for any perceived level drop.
Tonal Character
Funky and vocal, with a retained low end that standard wah pedals can't provide. The adjustable Q control makes it possible to dial in a mild, musical wah or a sharp, pronounced peak depending on style. At low Q settings the wah is subtle and almost auto-wah-like. At high Q settings it's more aggressive and peak-y.
Found In
| Platform | Model Names |
|---|---|
| HeadRush | White Bass Wah |
Videos
Manual
View ManualFamous Uses
- →Bootsy Collins — funk bass legend; defined bass wah
- →Cliff Burton — Metallica (different wah, but defined bass wah in rock)
Best For
Controls Explained
Descriptions reflect the real-world gear these models are inspired by. Your modeler's implementation may vary. Use as a starting point — always trust your ears.
Rocker pedal
The rocker controls the wah sweep in real time. Heel position (pedal back) places the wah at its lowest frequency — producing a darker, more vowel-like tone. Toe position (pedal forward) sweeps to the highest frequency — the bright, vocal 'wah' peak. The speed and rhythm of movement through the sweep creates the characteristic 'wah' effect. For bass, most players use the rocker more slowly and selectively than guitar players — the effect translates bass overtones in a way that's rhythmically powerful when used strategically rather than continuously.
Q
Controls the resonance (sharpness) of the wah frequency peak. A low Q setting produces a wide, gentle frequency boost that sweeps smoothly — the effect is subtle and almost like an auto-wah. A high Q setting produces a narrow, sharp peak that sounds more aggressive and 'cocked wah'-like at any fixed position. For expressive, musical wah playing, mid-Q settings tend to work well. For aggressive funk rhythm bass, high Q produces a more cutting, pronounced effect.
Boost
Output level boost to compensate for any volume reduction caused by the wah circuit. The 105Q can produce a slight perceived level drop when engaged due to the frequency filtering. Setting boost slightly above unity compensates for this without producing a noticeable volume jump when engaged. On a modeler, matching the engaged and bypassed levels is important for consistent patch behavior.
Sample Configurations
Starting points for common tones — dial in from here.
| Name | Q | Boost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subtle Funk | 3 | 5 | Low Q for smooth, wide wah sweep. Musical and not overly dramatic. |
| Punchy Funk | 6 | 5 | Mid-Q for the classic pronounced bass wah effect. |
| Aggressive Peak | 9 | 5 | High Q for a sharp, cutting wah peak. Best for slow, deliberate movements. |