Best Alternatives To Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95
The definitive wah pedal — the Cry Baby GCB95 is the most-sold wah pedal in history. A rocking treadle controls a bandpass filter sweep from bass to treble, producing the vocal wah character of Hendrix, Clapton, and virtually every rock wah solo.
The best alternatives to the Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95, ranked by tone similarity:
- Dunlop 535Q Multi-Wah — £119, 92% tone match. Adjustable sweep frequency, boost switch, and variable Q control — the same Cry Baby chassis with six-position range control that dials in the exact wah character you need. The 535Q is the step-up Cry Baby for players who find the GCB95's fixed character doesn't sit correctly in their rig; the adjustable Q and frequency range make it significantly more versatile.
- Wilson Ten Spot II — £149, 88% tone match. Boutique wah with selectable voicing (Classic, Fasel, Smoothed) and adjustable Q — boutique build quality in a standard-size chassis. True bypass, no tone-sucking in bypass mode, and three distinct wah characters in one pedal. The premium destination for wah players who want the best-built version of the classic Cry Baby concept.
- Vox V847 — £79, 85% tone match. The other foundational wah pedal — Hendrix and Clapton used Vox wahs before the Cry Baby became standard. The V847 has a slightly different frequency sweep range and Q character from the GCB95; many players prefer its more vocal, less "honky" top-end character. At the same price, the choice between them is tonal preference.
Vox V847
The other foundational wah pedal — Hendrix and Clapton used Vox wahs before the Cry Baby became standard. The V847 has a slightly different frequency sweep range and Q character from the GCB95; many players prefer its more vocal, less "honky" top-end character. At the same price, the choice between them is tonal preference.
All Alternatives at a Glance
| Alternative | Price | vs Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 | Tone Match | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunlop 535Q Multi-Wah | £119 | +£40 | 92% | mid |
| Wilson Ten Spot II | £149 | +£70 | 88% | premium |
| Vox V847 | £79 | Same price | 85% | budget |
The other foundational wah pedal — Hendrix and Clapton used Vox wahs before the Cry Baby became standard. The V847 has a slightly different frequency sweep range and Q character from the GCB95; many players prefer its more vocal, less "honky" top-end character. At the same price, the choice between them is tonal preference.
Alternatives to Vox V847 →Adjustable sweep frequency, boost switch, and variable Q control — the same Cry Baby chassis with six-position range control that dials in the exact wah character you need. The 535Q is the step-up Cry Baby for players who find the GCB95's fixed character doesn't sit correctly in their rig; the adjustable Q and frequency range make it significantly more versatile.
Alternatives to Dunlop 535Q Multi-Wah →Boutique wah with selectable voicing (Classic, Fasel, Smoothed) and adjustable Q — boutique build quality in a standard-size chassis. True bypass, no tone-sucking in bypass mode, and three distinct wah characters in one pedal. The premium destination for wah players who want the best-built version of the classic Cry Baby concept.
Alternatives to Wilson Ten Spot II →FAQ
Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 Alternatives — Common Questions
The best alternative to the Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 is the Dunlop 535Q Multi-Wah (92% tone match at £119). Adjustable sweep frequency, boost switch, and variable Q control — the same Cry Baby chassis with six-position range control that dials in the exact wah character you need. The 535Q is the step-up Cry Baby for players who find the GCB95's fixed character doesn't sit correctly in their rig; the adjustable Q and frequency range make it significantly more versatile.
The best budget alternative is the Vox V847 at £79 (85% tone match). The other foundational wah pedal — Hendrix and Clapton used Vox wahs before the Cry Baby became standard. The V847 has a slightly different frequency sweep range and Q character from the GCB95; many players prefer its more vocal, less "honky" top-end character. At the same price, the choice between them is tonal preference.
Pedals that sound similar to the Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95: Dunlop 535Q Multi-Wah (92% match, £119); Wilson Ten Spot II (88% match, £149); Vox V847 (85% match, £79).
The Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 is already competitively priced. Budget alternatives are available from £79.