The Jim Dunlop Akira Takasaki AT95 Cry Baby Fuzz Wah is a signature wah pedal built with Akira Takasaki of Japanese metal band Loudness. It combines a traditional wah circuit, with an adjustable low-frequency sweep, and an onboard fuzz circuit, so stepping on the treadle brings both effects at once if the fuzz is engaged1. Dunlop's manual lists the product as the AT95M Cry Baby Akira Takasaki Fuzz Wah2.
What it does to your sound
The pedal pairs a conventional Cry Baby wah sweep with a high-gain fuzz that runs alongside it. Takasaki's own description, quoted by MusicRadar, puts it plainly1:
"From the moment you step on the pedal, this badass effect simultaneously roars out fuzz along with the traditional Cry Baby Wah sound!"
The fuzz section is switchable, so the pedal can also work as a straight wah. Dunlop's manual gives separate figures for the two modes: maximum output is +8.7 dBu in wah mode and +5.0 dBu in fuzz-wah mode, and maximum gain is +22 dB in wah mode against +60 dB in fuzz-wah mode2. Noise floor figures from the manual are -105 dBu with the effect off, -98 dBu in wah mode heel down, -91 dBu in wah mode toe down, and -72 dBu in fuzz-wah mode heel down2.
Controls and switching
The fuzz is toggled by a side-mounted button that MusicRadar describes as easily reachable by foot, so you can turn the high-gain circuit on and off without bending down1. The wah itself works in the familiar Cry Baby way, rocking the treadle to sweep the filter.
Auto-return switching is the feature MusicRadar singled out: it lets you engage the effect and then disengage it simply by taking your foot off the treadle. For players who use wah in short bursts mid-riff, that removes the extra step of hitting a switch to turn it off1.
Physically, the pedal keeps the traditional Cry Baby rocker pedal format, with a signature logo on the rubber treadle1.
Power
The pedal runs on 9V, either from a battery or from a pedalboard power supply1. The manual lists a current draw of 7 mA2, a light load that most supplies handle without trouble.
Availability and price
Jim Dunlop announced the AT95 on 15 August 2023, priced at £285 / $229 street1. At announcement, MusicRadar reported it was available to order, with Sweetwater taking orders, but not yet widely stocked by all the usual retailers1.
The AT95 keeps a familiar form, with a traditional Cry Baby rocker pedal format and a signature logo on the rubber tread1.
Videos
Psychedelic Spider Productions
Tech Perception
Questions
Can the Akira Takasaki AT95 Cry Baby Fuzz Wah run on a battery?
Yes. MusicRadar reports that the pedal can be operated by 9V from a battery or from a pedalboard power supply, so it works either way. The maker's manual lists a current draw of 7 mA, which is a light load for a power supply.
What does auto-return switching do on the AT95?
Auto-return switching lets you engage the effect and then disengage it simply by taking your foot off the treadle. MusicRadar highlighted this as a notable feature of Takasaki's Cry Baby, since it means you do not have to press a separate switch to turn the effect off.
How much does the AT95 Cry Baby Fuzz Wah cost in the US?
MusicRadar gave a US street price of $229 when the pedal was announced on 15 August 2023, alongside a UK price of £285. Prices can change over time, but that was the figure given at launch.
Can you use the wah without the fuzz on the AT95?
Yes. A side-mounted button, easily reachable by foot, switches the high-gain fuzz circuit on and off, so you can run the wah on its own. The maker's manual lists separate specifications for wah mode and fuzz-wah mode, including a maximum output level of +8.7 dBu in wah mode and +5.0 dBu in fuzz-wah mode.
How much current does the AT95M draw?
The maker's manual lists a current draw of 7 mA. That is a small draw, so the pedal is easy on a battery or a pedalboard power supply.
Sources (2)
- Jim Dunlop combines fuzz and a low-frequency wah sweep on Japanese shred legend Akira Takasaki's signature Cry Baby, MusicRadar, 2023-08-15
- AT95.pdf, Jim Dunlop, 2023
