Wah

Best Alternatives to the Morley Bad Horsie 2

Steve Vai's signature wah. Optical switching (no click, no bypass noise), switchless operation — step on, it activates.

Reference price: £119
Quick answer: The best budget alternative to the Morley Bad Horsie 2 is the Dunlop Cry Baby GCB9575) with a 80% tone match. For mid-range players the Dunlop 535Q Multi-Wah119) gets even closer at 82%.

BudgetUnder £150

Top Pick
Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95
£75
80% similar-£44

Traditional wah with mechanical switching. Different voicing and activation method.

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Vox V847
£75
78% similar-£44

Original Vox voicing — slightly different tonal character from the Morley.

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Mid-Range£150–£500

Top Pick
Dunlop 535Q Multi-Wah
£119
82% similarSame price

Same price, adjustable Q and range. More versatile with traditional Dunlop voicing.

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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 80% tone similarity. Traditional wah with mechanical switching. Different voicing and activation method.

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.