#1
Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby
Inductor-based wah · Fasel inductor, 30K-500K pot sweep, true hardwire bypass, standard 9V, traditional rocker design$60–$85 usedBest for: Classic wah tone, Hendrix and Clapton sound, affordable starting point
The Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 is the most iconic wah pedal in production — it's the direct descendant of the original Cry Baby that Jimi Hendrix used on 'Voodoo Child,' Eric Clapton used on 'White Room,' and that appears on thousands of rock, blues, and funk recordings. The Fasel inductor produces the characteristic 'vocal' wah sweep that has defined the effect since 1966. Used at $60–$85, the GCB95 is the starting point for any wah discussion.
What to check used: The GCB95 uses a hardwire bypass switch at the heel position rather than true bypass — when switched off, your signal still passes through the inductor circuit which adds a slight tone coloration compared to true bypass. For most amp and pedal setups this is inaudible, but purists prefer true bypass. The pot can develop scratchy noise over time — contact cleaner solves this in 5 minutes.
#2
Vox V847 Wah
Inductor-based wah · Halo inductor, vintage circuit, wider frequency sweep than Cry Baby, 9V or AC$80–$110 usedBest for: Alternative wah character, slightly different voicing than Cry Baby, UK rock sound
The Vox V847 is the other classic wah pedal — alongside the Cry Baby. Where the Cry Baby has a nasal, vocal character, the Vox V847 has a broader, slightly smoother sweep with more high-frequency content. The Vox wah was used by Jimi Hendrix's contemporaries in the UK rock scene and has appeared on countless British Invasion and classic rock recordings. For players who find the Cry Baby too narrow or nasal, the V847 is the alternative. Used at $80–$110.
What to check used: The V847 wah can accept AC power from a standard 9V AC adapter as well as DC — verify you're using the correct power supply type for your setup. The halo inductor sound is slightly more open than the Fasel in Cry Baby GCBs. Some players find the V847 too bright — verify the sweep character works for your amp and tone.
#3
Dunlop 535Q Cry Baby
Variable-Q wah · Adjustable Q (sweep range) from tight to wide, adjustable frequency range, boost switch, Fasel inductor$110–$155 usedBest for: Players wanting wah customization, funk (tight Q), rock (wide Q), variable sound
The Dunlop 535Q is the Cry Baby with controls — a Q knob adjusts the sweep's resonance peak from tight (narrow, more vocal) to wide (open, more comprehensive frequency sweep). An adjustable boost switch adds up to 18dB of volume for wah-heavy leads. The frequency range adjustment shifts the entire sweep range up or down. For players who have tried standard wahs and found them too narrow or too broad, the 535Q's adjustability solves the problem. Used at $110–$155.
What to check used: The 535Q has multiple controls that require time to dial in correctly. Start with Q at noon, boost off, and frequency range at mid, then adjust from there. The additional controls add useful flexibility but also add a learning curve compared to standard fixed-Q wahs.
#4
Morley Bad Horsie 2
Optical wah (no pot) · Optical switching (no mechanical pot), springless rocker, switchless auto-engage, contour control$80–$120 usedBest for: Players who break pots, Steve Vai's wah sound, switchless auto-engage, smooth rocker
The Morley Bad Horsie 2 is Steve Vai's signature wah — designed with Morley's optical sensor instead of a mechanical potentiometer. This means: no worn-out pot, no scratching noise, and no mechanical failure of the wah sweep. The auto-engage feature detects when your foot is on the pedal and activates the effect without a separate switch. The result is more fluid wah expression with fewer maintenance concerns. Used at $80–$120.
What to check used: The Morley optical system produces a different character than inductor-based wahs — it's generally cleaner and smoother, which some players find less interesting than the Cry Baby's nasal peak. If you specifically want classic Jimi Hendrix wah tone, the Cry Baby GCB95 is closer. The auto-engage threshold is not user-adjustable on the Bad Horsie 2.
#5
Fulltone Clyde Deluxe
Boutique wah with adjustable voicing · Three voicing modes (normal/vintage/swept), Icar inductor, true bypass, adjustable Q$150–$220 usedBest for: Boutique wah variety, vintage Clyde McCoy voicing, true bypass, serious wah player
The Fulltone Clyde Deluxe is one of the most respected boutique wah pedals — it models the original Clyde McCoy wah that Jimi Hendrix used in 1968 (a different circuit from later Cry Babies) with three voicing modes: Normal (current standard voicing), Vintage (1960s Clyde McCoy voicing), and Swept (wider frequency range). The true bypass preserves tone when off. For players who want authentic vintage wah character with modern quality control, the Clyde Deluxe is the reference instrument.
What to check used: Fulltone had controversies in 2020 that affected brand reputation, but the Clyde Deluxe circuit design is highly regarded by players. Verify it's genuine. The Icar inductor is the key component — verify it's original and producing the characteristic Clyde voicing (the vintage mode should have a distinctly different character from modern wahs).
#6
Dunlop Jimi Hendrix JH-1D
Signature wah (Cry Baby series) · Fasel inductor, custom voicing approved by Hendrix estate, hardwire bypass, Foxy Lady decal$90–$130 usedBest for: Hendrix tone specifically, tribute players, collectors
The Dunlop Jimi Hendrix JH-1D is the Cry Baby GCB95 with a custom voice circuit tuned to match the specific wah settings Hendrix preferred — a slightly different Q and frequency peak than the standard GCB95. Approved by the Hendrix estate, it's the definitive choice for players specifically targeting the wah sound on 'Voodoo Child,' 'Machine Gun,' and other Hendrix recordings. Used at $90–$130, it's a modest premium over the standard GCB95 for the Hendrix-specific voicing.
What to check used: For most players who aren't specifically chasing Hendrix tone, the standard GCB95 is identical in build and close in voicing for less money. The Hendrix signature is worth the premium only if the specific vintage Cry Baby voicing is your target. Both use the Fasel inductor and same physical construction.
#7
Xotic XW-1 Wah
Boutique wah with variable inductor · Three inductor options (Fasel, Halo, custom), 3-way voicing switch, true bypass, internal dip switches$180–$260 usedBest for: Players wanting multiple wah characters, studio and session work, boutique build quality
The Xotic XW-1 is the most versatile boutique wah pedal — it comes loaded with three different inductors (Fasel for Cry Baby character, Halo for Vox character, and Xotic custom) that can be switched between via internal DIP switches. A three-way voicing switch changes the overall character within each inductor setting. For studio players or tone experimenters who want to match their wah to specific sounds, the XW-1 covers all the classic wah characters in one pedal. Used at $180–$260.
What to check used: Switching inductors requires opening the pedal and setting internal DIP switches — this is a set-once configuration, not a live performance switching option. Verify all three inductors are present and the DIP switch mechanism is functioning. True bypass operation should produce no signal difference when engaged at unity.
