Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q vs Vox V847 Wah
The 535Q wins for adjustability — Q, frequency and boost controls let you dial in a wide range of wah characters. The V847 wins for classic simplicity and the specific Hendrix-era Vox vocal character without extra controls.
Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q
The professional multi-purpose Cry Baby — six selectable Q settings, a built-in boost (+6dB), and adjustable Q bandwidth. The 535Q solves the standard Cry Baby's volume drop issue and adds the adjustable Q that professional players require.
Players who need more control over their wah character — particularly metal players who need a sharper peak and blues players who need volume compensation
Vox V847 Wah
The Vox V847 reissues the original Thomas Organ Vox wah circuit — the inductor-based design that defined the sound of the late 1960s. Slightly different character from the Cry Baby: more vocal, less harsh in the top end, with a narrower Q.
Classic rock and blues players who want a more refined, vocal wah sound than the Cry Baby — particularly those influenced by Eric Clapton or early Hendrix
Tone Character
Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q
- ✓ Six selectable Q settings for narrow to wide sweep
- ✓ Built-in boost eliminates volume drop
- ✓ Wide range of wah characters from subtle to dramatic
- ✓ Buffered bypass with active boost
- ✗ Controls are set with screwdriver — not live-adjustable
- ✗ More expensive than standard Cry Baby
- ✗ Buffered bypass (not true bypass)
Vox V847 Wah
- ✓ More vocal, narrower Q sweep than Cry Baby
- ✓ Original-circuit Vox tone
- ✓ Preferred by many blues and classic rock players
- ✓ Reasonably priced reissue
- ✗ Narrower Q means less dramatic wah effect for some players
- ✗ True bypass modification recommended
- ✗ Less aftermarket support than Cry Baby
When To Choose Each
Players who want to customise wah character and compensate for volume drop with the built-in boost switch.
Players who want the classic simple Vox wah character without the complexity of extra controls.
Final Verdict — Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q vs Vox V847 Wah
Best for beginners
Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q
Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q scores higher on versatility (72/100) and lower on gain (5/100) — a more forgiving starting point than Vox V847 Wah.
Best for metal tones
Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q
Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q leads on gain (5/100) and bass response (45/100) — the two tonal pillars of metal playing.
Best value
Vox V847 Wah
At £79 vs £139, Vox V847 Wah delivers 43% cost savings. The tonal trade-off is meaningful.
Specification Summary
| Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q | Vox V847 Wah | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £139 | £79 |
| Category | Wah | Wah |
| Gain | 5/100 | 0/100 |
| Warmth | 55/100 | 58/100 |
| Treble | 68/100 | 62/100 |
| Bass | 45/100 | 48/100 |
| Versatility | 72/100 | 48/100 |
| Best for | Players who need more control over their wah character | Classic rock and blues players who want a more refined, vocal wah sound than the Cry Baby |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Adjusts the resonance peak width — low Q for a wide, smooth sweep; high Q for a sharp, vocal spike.
More flexible, but the extra controls can be a distraction. V847 is plug-and-play.
Approximately — set frequency to mid-position and Q to low. Not identical but close.
A switchable +6dB boost to compensate for volume drop inherent in some wah circuits.