VAN HALEN NEWS DESK

Cry Baby: The Pedal That Rocked The World

From Dunlop:

PROMO_SPA_CRYBABY_MOVIE_1

Guard House Pictures is proud to announce the trailer release of Cry Baby: The Pedal That Rocks the World, a definitive documentary that tells the story of the #1-selling effects pedal of all time, from its invention in 1966 through its evolution into the present day. The effect was an essential ingredient in the creation of classics like Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” and Guns ‘n’ Roses’ “Sweet Child o’ Mine.”

This film looks at how engineer Brad Plunkett discovered and developed the legendary wah sound and how artists have used it to express themselves throughout its evolution. Guitar icons such as Buddy Guy, Eddie Van Halen, Kirk Hammett, Slash, and Zakk Wylde talk about how the wah has become a part of their signature sounds, while rock journalists such as Rolling Stone’s Ben Fong-Torres and Guitar Player’s Art Thompson explore the pedal’s cultural significance.

Learn how a simple effect became one of the most important tools of expression for guitarists everywhere. Full film coming in February 2011.

Featuring:
Eddie Van Halen
Jerry Cantrell
Slash
Buddy Guy
Kirk Hammett
Zakk Wylde
Dweezil Zappa
Eddie Kramer
Paul Gilbert
Bob Bradshaw
Brad Plunkett
Wah Wah Watson
Jim Dunlop
Jimmy Dunlop
Jasmin Powell
And many more…

See Eddie Van Halen’s Signature Wah Pedal

  • Dan Halen

    Always got a cigarette in his hand! Other than that, LEGEND!

  • Lupercal

    Definitely worth watching. Its not so much the pedal that intrigues me but all the artists involved looking back at the 60s and the revolutionary time they had then.

    Bad to see the only like, 5 seconds that Ed gets on camera he has a cigarette in his hand, but oh well. Old habits die hard!

  • Top Jimmy

    I’m so glad that Eddie put out his signature wah. Now I can finally replicate those wah tones he used on classic songs like… uh…. hmmm…. wait a minute I’m sure one will come to me…

  • leeroyhightower

    For every 1 guitar player who has done something significant with a wah there are 1000 who have used it to cover up a lack of talent……….

  • ikethebird

    Cool to see EVH talking gear in his own way.

  • Keith

    Cool… Got an EVH wah, don’t think Ed used one much though until much later in his career.

  • =VH=OZ MAN

    Can anyone tell me which VH song first featured a Wah Wah sound?

  • the joker

    songs like Top of the World…and i think thats it.

  • Van Foot

    EVH isn’t really known for using a WAH. Jerry Cantrell on the other hand is a master.

    The flanger and phaser are more up Ed’s alley. MXR for both.

  • Tim

    Ed used the Wah Wah all over F.U.C.K..In and Out, Pleasure Dome, Runaround, Poundcake, Spanked,

  • Tim

    oh, and Top of the World

  • Keith

    Dunlop should have issued a Delay before a Wah, as Ed’s top 3 effects are the Flanger, Phaser, & Delay … IMHO

  • http://heavymellowmusic.com johnny beane

    Hey Carl!
    Gimme some of that Wah wah!
    Eddie used a Wah in his guitar solo in 1976.

  • Fear of a Sparkless Horizon

    Signature shmignature. Anyway, Im partial to the Bad Horsie (ok, a Vai sig.) primarily because you don’t have to click it on. The ting is always on.

  • http://james5313@sbcglobal.net james

    The first time I ever heard Eddie using Wah was on F.U.C.K. I belive he uses it on three songs in that album. “Spank Line” “In and Out” and “Top of the World” That’s the Only album I think he does it on except for the Best of VH where he uses it for both solo’s to ” Can’t get this stuff no More” and ” Me Wise Magic” Please anybody correct me if you know of anymore that I’m missing. Thanks.

  • F’n Rockstar

    … Poundcake, Top of the World and others during the FUCK album and tour. …

  • F’n Rockstar

    Damn…Ed has lost his voice…wonder if he can still sing?

  • Tater Salad

    Ive never played with a wah pedal before, I’ll probably get one once I save up some money/get a little better. I don’t want to hide behind effects lol. I play through a spider iv so I’ll probably get their pedal when the time comes

  • J5150C

    “It goes ‘WAHHH, WAHHH!’ and it drives you nuts.”
    Must’ve driven him nuts cause he never used one till the F.U.C.K album. I personally don’t like to use a wah because it thins out the sound too much (treblely). Don’t get me wrong though, when used correctly and agressively they sound bad ass.

    OUT!

  • Jake

    He’s used it since Carnal Knowledge with Poundcake, Runaround, Top of the World, and here and there throughout the album. Then he’s used it throughout Balance and VH3. It really does no good for the Roth-fanatics that just try to diss every bit of the Hagar era, including Eddie’s playing. You just can’t face that Van Hagar had massive hits while Roth faded away. (To clarify, I love both eras equally, but for different reasons)

  • Fred Gruber

    Me Wise Magic
    The Dream is over
    Rock Steady (demo)
    Amsterdam
    Runaround
    In and Out
    Bottoms Up
    5150

    There are others I can’t think of right now. Some Are easier to hear and others you have to listen closely.

  • The Booger Man

    The solo in Without You has wah too!

  • whambamsam

    A movie about a piece of gear…?

    I’ll wait for the sequel: “The Pick! – The invention that allowed guitar players to finally cut their fingernails!”

    Jeez!

  • dirtyfacedkidinagarbagecan

    Your right Fred, the wah sound was easily distinguished around the Knowledge era, but its there in plenty of places you just dont notice Ed’s subtle use of it, and the way his tone isnt altered that much by the effect.

  • Diamond Dean

    Eddie looks like hes in great health ,

    Just a quick question , does everyone like the song ‘RISE’? I LUV IT ! not saying its eruption but its got something about it.

    Will the new album have a solo? instrumental in it??wldnt ya luv an album with some wailin guitars all the way through it , little bits of solos

  • MisiekLolek

    no no no… Cabo Wabo I believe was the first song using a Wah Wah.

    Anyway, nice to see Edward behind the console at 5150 – they should make the next album cover with him, but as a skeleton, with cobwebs, dust, and a lit cigarette, in that same position behind the console, alone, with all that in the background…

  • Corey

    Do any of you even own F.U.C.K.? Every single song on that album has wah used on it except 316. During that tour he used the wah more than any other effect. He also used wah on one or more of the new songs from 2004. I also think Balance and VH III have some songs on them with wah. I think Can’t get this stuff no more has some on it but I could be wrong about that. Super cool seeing Paul Gilbert in that trailer as well as Ed, my two biggest guitar influences. Gotta see this movie when it comes out!

  • the joker

    i also might add, why isn’t Steve Vai on the list? i mean damn, The Audience is Listening has Wah written all over it.

  • leeroyhightower

    I believe Cabo was technically the first wah song of Van Halen. He only used it as a filter though, so thats why people don’t recognize it.

  • papichulo

    He first used it on Cabo Wabo on OU812.

  • papichulo

    And thats a talk box on Can’t get this stuff no more.

  • Karl

    Fuck me, they made a film about a guitar pedal? Seriously?

  • Ted

    Hehe, It’s funny when everybody does the wah-wah sound :D

  • Karl

    And why no Michael Schenker? One of the best tones in rock and much due to a half depressed wah. Take a listen to Courvoisier Concerto off One Night at Budokan if you haven’t heard it.

  • dude

    Ed’s voice does sound weird. Looks healthy, though!

  • chriso

    whambamsam says:

    November 25th, 2010 at 1:08 am
    A movie about a piece of gear…?

    I’ll wait for the sequel: “The Pick! – The invention that allowed guitar players to finally cut their fingernails!”

    Jeez!

    Or maybe “Groupies” the phenomenon that allowed ugly musicians to finally get laid” ha ha :)

  • dude

    Whoops … royally messing up your solo? Quick! Kick on the wah-wah! : )

  • Keith

    @Karl … right on brother ! why even mention Ed or make a “signature” wah. There’s a TON of other players more worthy. Schenker For SURE !!! The Greatest unsung guitar hero and true living legend !!! Long Live the Schenker Bros

  • Myron T. Philpot

    @Joker:

    No Steve Via because he uses Morley Bad Horsie wahs. This “movie” is all about the Cry-Baby Wah and I’m sure fully funded by Dunlop. In other words, it’s an hour-long commercial to get you to buy their wahs. And while you’re at it, here’s a nice MXR flanger for you too…

    @Leeroyhightower:

    “‘Tis better to be presumed a poor guitarist than include a wah in your rig and remove all doubt.” – ancient Chinese proverb

  • Skibble5150

    Steve Vai…Guitar God was excluded from the list.

  • patrick

    @F’n Rockstar…i really dont think eddie could ever sing but he’s the real king of rock because of his guitar anyways.

  • Adrian

    Eddie please stop fucking smoking you sound fucking awful!! And for all the idiots who claim Ed doesn’t use wah gimme a break! Wah has been all over his recording since the early days later on its worked into more obvious parts that the common idiot can hear… Go watch some live vids from the last tour as well I would argue he abuses that wah a lil bit… O well all guitar player go overboard with it some times its just such a great fucking effect…

  • http://vhnd Jimmy

    CABO WABO is the first…

  • Ted

    Tom Morello should be on the list he uses the wah in almost every song…

  • JBP

    and no mention of Michael Schenker????

  • phillster

    patrick:”I really don`t think Ed can sing anyways…”
    Is there Anything you actually
    DO like about =VH= other than Sam&Mike`s input?
    CryBaby.

  • evhua

    hey guys , can you please tell me what is the title of the song used for this awesome presentation??

    thanks in advance :-)