Dunlop Launches a Downsized Version of the Auto-Returning Wah

July 15, 2020 · 5 sources

Dunlop announced a half-sized version of its auto-returning wah, the Cry Baby CBM535AR. Guitar.com's Daniel Seah described it as "a pint-sized auto-returning wah, the Crybaby CBM535AR," sporting a similar form factor to the Cry Baby Mini 535Q wah¹. Guitar World reported that the new pedal was an auto-return version of what it called the half-sized wonder, the Cry Baby Mini 535Q².

The pedal's headline feature is its auto-return function: the wah effect engages as soon as you place your foot on the pedal, allowing quick bursts of wah on-the-fly¹. GuitarPlayer noted that Dunlop had added Auto Return to its Cry Baby Mini 535Q wah pedal³.

The CBM535AR carries over the control set of the Mini 535Q¹:

• A variable Q knob to set the wah's intensity¹
• A four-position range selector for selecting the effect's frequency range¹
• A boost switch with its own volume knob that goes up to +16dB¹

According to Dunlop's manual, the four range selector positions cover these frequency sweeps: position 1 from 270Hz to 1300Hz, position 2 from 320Hz to 1650Hz, position 3 from 360Hz to 1840Hz, and position 4 from 420Hz to 2100Hz. The manual lists the filter gain with the Q control at maximum clockwise and the boost off as 16 dB⁴. GuitarPlayer reported that the pedal's Volume knob and Boost switch allow users to bump their Cry Baby signal straight to the front of the mix³.

Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson highlighted the continuity with the earlier pedal, noting it came "with the same 4-mode Frequency Range selector" as the CBM535Q⁵.

The Cry Baby CBM535AR was available now for $149.99 at launch, as reported by Guitar World². Guitar.com gave the same price of $149.99¹.