SW95 Slash Cry Baby® Wah

SW95 | Overview

According to Dunlop, the SW95 Slash Cry Baby® Wah is 'both revolutionary and classic, right down to its hot rod metallic red finish and cutting edge circuit design.' It is basically a double-duty pedal, combining the classic Fasel® wah circuit with high gain distortion. And in a nod to user-friendliness, LEDs have also been incorporated into the design, clearly indicating the status of each effect. The SW95 may be powered by two 9V batteries, an 18V adapter; or the DC Brick™, Iso-Brick™ and Mini Iso-Brick™ power supplies. Seen below is is the SW95 Product Manual.

SW95 Product Manual Cover

SW95 Product Manual Contents

SW95 | Rocker Pedal

The SW95 rocker pedal, or treadle; features a non-slip black rubber footpad. Incorporated into the top of this treadle is a compartment for two 9V batteries, accessed by lifting a flush mounted door. No specialized tools are required to open or close this door.  

SW95 - Top of Rocker Pedal

Battery Compartment Door

Battery Compartment. ©2014 Nathan Marchack.

  

SW95 | Toe and Heel Ends

Beneath the toe end of rocker pedal is a large DPDT footswitch that activates/deactivates the SW95 and wah effect. Meanwhile, at the heel end of the rocker pedal, on the lower right side; is a small switch that toggles the distortion effect on or off. 

SW95 - Toe End

Wah Pedal On/Off Footswitch

SW95 - Heel End

 

SW95 | Features on the Right Side

The main features located on the right side of the SW95 are the Distortion On/Off Switch, Distortion Status LED, Wah Status LED, Instrument/Input Jack, Volume Knob, and Gain Knob.

SW95 - Right Side

Right Side - Labeled Diagram

L-R: Distortion Switch, Distortion LED, Wah LED

L-R: Input Jack, Volume Knob, Gain Knob

SW95 | Features on the Left Side

The main features of the left side of the SW95 are the Wah Status LED, Distortion Status LED, Amplifier/Output Jack, and 18V AC Adapter Jack.

SW95 - Left Side

Left Side - Labeled Diagram

L-R: Wah LED, Distortion LED

L-R: Output Jack, AC Adapter Jack

SW95 | Activating/Deactivating the Wah Effect

A dedicated footswitch located beneath the toe end of the rocker pedal turns the wah effect on or off. The wah effect is turned on or off by pressing firmly down on the toe end of the rocker pedal until the footswitch clicks. When the wah effect is off, both Wah Status LEDs on either side of the SW85 remain inactive. However, when the wah effect is turned on, both these LEDs will light up, glowing bright blue. In actual use, one's foot is used to engage or disengage the footswitch. However, in the images below, you can see me using my left hand to simulate the same operation.

Pushing Down on the Toe End

Wah Pedal Turned On

Blue LEDs Activated

SW95 | Activating/Deactivating the Distortion Effect

A dedicated push/push switch located on the lower right side of the SW95 toggles the distortion effect on or off. The distortion effect is turned on or off by pushing in this switch. When the distortion effect is off, both Distortion Status LEDs on either side of the SW85 remain inactive. However, when the distortion effect is engaged, both these LEDs will light up, glowing bright red. In a real-world situation, the side of one's foot is used to push in the distortion on/off switch. Nevertheless, as seen below, I'm using my left hand index finger to accomplish a similar purpose.

Pushing In the Distortion Switch

Distortion Turned On

Red LEDs Activated

SW95 | Function of the Volume Knob

A dedicated Volume Knob controls overall distortion volume when the effect is engaged. To raise the distortion volume, rotate the Volume Knob clockwise. In contrast, to reduce the volume, turn this knob in the opposite direction.

Adjusting the Volume Knob

SW95 | Function of the Gain Knob

On the right of the Volume Knob is the Gain Knob, which controls gain and distortion levels when the effect is engaged. To increase the overall amount of distortion, turn the Gain Knob clockwise. Conversely, rotate this knob counter-clockwise to reduce the same.

Adjusting the Gain Knob