Morley Bad Horsie 2 vs Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95
The Bad Horsie wins for long-term reliability and optical switching — no moving parts in the signal path means no wear and no crackle. The Cry Baby wins for the traditional wah sound that has defined rock from Hendrix to Slash.
Morley Bad Horsie 2
Steve Vai's signature wah — optical (photo-cell) switching with no pot wear, a switchable contour mode for a different frequency peak, and a self-latching buffer that activates when the pedal is depressed. The reliable alternative to inductor-based wahs.
Rock and metal players who prioritise long-term reliability over traditional tone — particularly those who use wah frequently and want to avoid pot maintenance
Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95
The world's best-selling wah pedal — Fasel inductor, standard pot sweep, and the classic Cry Baby voicing that Jimi Hendrix, Slash, Kirk Hammett and countless others have used to define rock wah tone. The reference wah pedal.
Any player who wants the standard classic wah tone — blues, rock, metal, funk. The universal starting point for wah pedals.
Tone Character
Morley Bad Horsie 2
- ✓ Optical switching — no pot wear or crackle ever
- ✓ Self-latching buffer for reliable switching
- ✓ Contour mode for alternative peak frequency
- ✓ Steve Vai signature design
- ✓ More reliable than pot-based wahs long-term
- ✗ Sweep profile differs from Cry Baby — requires adjustment period
- ✗ Optical circuit has a different frequency response than inductor-based wahs
- ✗ Less traditional sound for classic rock players
- ✗ Larger footprint than Cry Baby
Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95
- ✓ The classic wah sound used on thousands of recordings
- ✓ Durable and widely available
- ✓ Simple operation with no controls to adjust
- ✓ Huge aftermarket of mods and replacement components
- ✗ Volume drop when engaged without modification
- ✗ Pot consistency can vary between units
- ✗ No adjustable Q or boost — one sound only
When To Choose Each
Players who want maximum reliability and low maintenance — the optical circuit never wears out.
Players who want the classic inductor-based wah sound heard on all the iconic rock recordings.
Final Verdict — Morley Bad Horsie 2 vs Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95
Best for beginners
Morley Bad Horsie 2
Morley Bad Horsie 2 scores higher on versatility (55/100) and lower on gain (0/100) — a more forgiving starting point than Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95.
Best for metal tones
Morley Bad Horsie 2
Morley Bad Horsie 2 leads on gain (0/100) and bass response (48/100) — the two tonal pillars of metal playing.
Best value
Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95
At £79 vs £99, Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 delivers 20% cost savings. The tonal trade-off is minor.
Specification Summary
| Morley Bad Horsie 2 | Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £99 | £79 |
| Category | Wah | Wah |
| Gain | 0/100 | 0/100 |
| Warmth | 50/100 | 55/100 |
| Treble | 65/100 | 65/100 |
| Bass | 48/100 | 45/100 |
| Versatility | 55/100 | 50/100 |
| Best for | Rock and metal players who prioritise long-term reliability over traditional tone | Any player who wants the standard classic wah tone |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Optical (photo-cell) switching means no moving parts in the signal path, no crackle or pot wear. The sweep profile also suits his dramatic style.
Morley — optical circuit has no mechanical wear. Cry Baby pots eventually need cleaning or replacing.
Cry Baby — the inductor-based sweep is the classic wah sound heard on Hendrix, Clapton and Slash recordings.
Bad Horsie — its bright, aggressive peak cuts through high-gain better than the Cry Baby's warmer profile.