We demonstrate a novel all-fiber acousto-optic tunable notch filter based on coupling to cladding modes in a single-mode fiber. The device has the advantage of low loss (<0.1 dB) and low polarization dependence. By coupling input light to multiple cladding modes by use of multiple acoustic waves, we achieved an electronically controllable variable spectral profile without a significant coherent cross-talk problem. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.