Best Alternatives to the Morley Bad Horsie 2
Steve Vai's signature wah. Optical switching eliminates the click of mechanical bypass — step on to activate, lift off to bypass. The Bad Horsie 2 added contour and level controls over the original for better voicing flexibility.
BudgetUnder £150
The most commonly used wah pedal in the world — mechanical switching requires deliberately clicking the toe switch to engage, which is different muscle memory from the Morley's switchless optical sensing. The GCB95's voicing is darker and more mid-focused than the Bad Horsie 2's brighter, more aggressive contour; Hendrix and Clapton players gravitate toward the GCB95, Vai and Satriani players toward the Morley. Both are legitimate choices at different price points — the GCB95 is £44 cheaper.
Build a rig with this →Based on the original Thomas Organ wah circuit that Hendrix played — the V847 has a slightly brighter, more treble-forward voicing than the GCB95 and a mechanical Fasel-style inductor that gives the sweep a vintage character. Mechanical switching like the GCB95. The V847 is the choice for players who want 1960s vintage wah character at a budget price; the Bad Horsie 2's optical design and contour control make it more flexible for modern rock and metal applications.
Build a rig with this →Mid-Range£150–£500
The most adjustable production wah pedal at the same price as the Bad Horsie 2 — the 535Q allows adjustment of Q, frequency range, and boost level, covering everything from Hendrix-style vintage sweep to modern high-gain scooped settings. Mechanical switching and traditional Dunlop voicing rather than optical sensing. For players who want one wah that can approximate multiple voicings, the 535Q is the practical alternative; for players who specifically want the Morley's optical switching feel and Bad Horsie contour, the 535Q is a different tool.
Build a rig with this →Morley's combination wah and volume pedal using the same optical switching technology as the Bad Horsie 2 — the same switchless operation and similar voicing, with the added capability of functioning as a passive volume pedal when the wah is disengaged. For players who want both functions in one unit and prefer the optical wah feel, the 20/20 is the logical Bad Horsie 2 upgrade. The wah voicing is slightly smoother and less aggressive than the Bad Horsie 2's Vai-optimised contour.
Build a rig with this →Premium£500+
Boutique custom wah pedal hand-wired in the USA with fully adjustable inductor bias, Q, and frequency peak — the Wilson allows the wah's fundamental character to be set anywhere between vintage Clyde-style and modern high-resonance territory. Mechanical switching but built with audiophile-grade components. For players who find the Bad Horsie 2's fixed voicing too limited and want a wah they can dial in precisely to their amp and style, the Wah Wizard is the premium boutique alternative.
Build a rig with this →You Might Also Consider
Gear with similar tonal characteristics based on gain profile, sound traits, and genre fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best budget alternative to the Morley Bad Horsie 2?
The Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 (£75) is the top budget alternative with a 78% tone similarity. The most commonly used wah pedal in the world — mechanical switching requires deliberately clicking the toe switch to engage, which is different muscle memory from the Morley's switchless optical sensing. The GCB95's voicing is darker and more mid-focused than the Bad Horsie 2's brighter, more aggressive contour; Hendrix and Clapton players gravitate toward the GCB95, Vai and Satriani players toward the Morley. Both are legitimate choices at different price points — the GCB95 is £44 cheaper.
Is there a cheaper alternative that sounds similar to the Morley Bad Horsie 2?
Yes — the alternatives above are sorted by tone similarity score. Budget options under £100 are available for most wah gear. The similarity score tells you how close each one gets.
What does the tone similarity score mean?
The similarity score (0–100) rates how closely an alternative matches the original's tonal character, gain level, frequency response, and genre suitability. 90+ is near-identical. 70–89 is very close with minor differences. 60–69 is a good substitute with some character change.
What is the premium alternative to the Morley Bad Horsie 2?
The Wilson Effects Wah Wizard (£229) is the top premium alternative. Boutique custom wah pedal hand-wired in the USA with fully adjustable inductor bias, Q, and frequency peak — the Wilson allows the wah's fundamental character to be set anywhere between vintage Clyde-style and modern high-resonance territory. Mechanical switching but built with audiophile-grade components. For players who find the Bad Horsie 2's fixed voicing too limited and want a wah they can dial in precisely to their amp and style, the Wah Wizard is the premium boutique alternative.