What is the primary purpose of the Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Signature Wah?

The pedal is designed to reproduce the specific wah-wah tones used by Jimi Hendrix beginning in 1967. It offers a frequency sweep tuned to mimic the vintage pedals Hendrix used for his iconic lead and rhythm parts.

Who is a notable artist known for using this specific signature pedal?

Erham Alman is a notable artist associated with the use of the Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Signature Wah. The pedal is designed for any guitarist seeking to replicate Hendrix's specific expressive style.

How does the price of this pedal compare to other effects?

The pedal typically retails at approximately GBP 177. This places it in the mid-to-high price bracket for signature wah-wah pedals, reflecting its specialised components and artist branding.

Is this pedal suitable for rhythmic playing?

Yes, the manufacturer specifies that the pedal is designed for both 'killer wah leads' and 'wicked wah-driven syncopated rhythms.' The sweep is tuned to provide clarity and expression during rhythmic movement.

Can this pedal be used with other distortion effects?

The pedal is often used in conjunction with distortion units like the Electro Harmonix Big Muff. Because it is a vintage-voiced wah, it interacts musically with fuzz and overdrive to create classic rock textures.

How does it differ from a standard Cry Baby?

While based on the Cry Baby platform, the Hendrix Signature model features different internal specifications. These changes are intended to provide the unmistakable, throaty wah tone unique to Hendrix's 1967 setup.

What kind of power supply does the pedal require?

Like most Dunlop pedals, it typically operates on a 9-volt battery or a compatible 9V DC power adapter. Users should ensure the polarity matches standard Dunlop specifications.

Is the pedal built for professional touring use?

The pedal is manufactured by Dunlop, a brand known for durable, road-worthy guitar effects. It features a heavy-duty housing similar to their other professional-grade wah-wah pedals.

Does this pedal include modern features like digital delay or chorus?

No, this is a dedicated analogue wah-wah pedal. For chorus or delay, players would look to products like the Behringer UC200 or the Boss DD-3T respectively.

How does it compare to the Yamaha FC7?

The Yamaha FC7 is an expression pedal used to control parameters on keyboards or digital units, whereas the Dunlop Hendrix Wah is a self-contained audio effect pedal. They serve entirely different purposes in a signal chain.

What is the historical significance of the wah pedal to Hendrix?

The wah-wah was invented shortly before Hendrix arrived on the scene in 1967. He became the most synonymous name with the effect, using it to pioneer new sounds in rock music.

Can this pedal handle high-gain settings?

While designed for vintage tones, it can be used with high-gain setups. However, players concerned with noise at high volumes might pair it with a utility like the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor.

Gear article

Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Signature Wah Pedal

The Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Signature Wah Pedal is a guitar effects unit designed to replicate the specific wah-wah tones pioneered by Jimi Hendrix in the late 1960s. Produced by Dunlop, this signature model focuses on the frequency sweep and tonal characteristics associated with Hendrix's landmark recordings and performances.

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Background and History

The wah-wah pedal was a relatively new invention when Jimi Hendrix first rose to international prominence in 1967. Hendrix became one of the most significant early adopters of the effect, utilizing it to create expressive, vocal-like lead lines and complex syncopated rhythm parts. The Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Signature model was developed to provide guitarists with a recreation of the specific internal circuitry and frequency response found in the pedals Hendrix utilized during his career.

Design and Functionality

This pedal operates on the standard rocker-plate mechanism common to the Dunlop Cry Baby series. By tilting the pedal forward (toe down) or backward (heel down), the player alters the peak frequency of a filter, creating the 'wah' sound. The signature model is specifically tuned to the lower frequency range favoured by Hendrix, offering a sweep that differs from the standard modern GCB95 Cry Baby.

Tonal Character

The sonic profile of the Jimi Hendrix Signature Wah is defined by a throaty, expressive sweep. It is engineered to capture the 'wicked wah-driven rhythms' and 'killer wah leads' mentioned in its design brief. Compared to more modern, high-gain wah pedals, this unit typically offers a more vintage-voiced response that complements overdrive and fuzz effects particularly well.

Comparison and Suitability

This pedal is primarily suited for blues-rock and psychedelic rock guitarists seeking a vintage 1960s aesthetic. While modern alternatives like the Behringer UC200 Ultra Chorus or the Boss DD-3T Digital Delay offer different modulation and time-based effects, the Hendrix Wah remains a foundational tool for expression. For players requiring specific artist-voiced wahs, it sits alongside other signature models like the Dunlop Mick Ronson Cry Baby, though it maintains a distinct focus on the Hendrix tonal legacy.

Artists who play it

Erham Alman
Guitarist

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary purpose of the Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Signature Wah?: The pedal is designed to reproduce the specific wah-wah tones used by Jimi Hendrix beginning in 1967. It offers a frequency sweep tuned to mimic the vintage pedals Hendrix used for his iconic lead and rhythm parts.
Who is a notable artist known for using this specific signature pedal?: Erham Alman is a notable artist associated with the use of the Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Signature Wah. The pedal is designed for any guitarist seeking to replicate Hendrix's specific expressive style.
How does the price of this pedal compare to other effects?: The pedal typically retails at approximately GBP 177. This places it in the mid-to-high price bracket for signature wah-wah pedals, reflecting its specialised components and artist branding.
Is this pedal suitable for rhythmic playing?: Yes, the manufacturer specifies that the pedal is designed for both 'killer wah leads' and 'wicked wah-driven syncopated rhythms.' The sweep is tuned to provide clarity and expression during rhythmic movement.
Can this pedal be used with other distortion effects?: The pedal is often used in conjunction with distortion units like the Electro Harmonix Big Muff. Because it is a vintage-voiced wah, it interacts musically with fuzz and overdrive to create classic rock textures.
How does it differ from a standard Cry Baby?: While based on the Cry Baby platform, the Hendrix Signature model features different internal specifications. These changes are intended to provide the unmistakable, throaty wah tone unique to Hendrix's 1967 setup.
What kind of power supply does the pedal require?: Like most Dunlop pedals, it typically operates on a 9-volt battery or a compatible 9V DC power adapter. Users should ensure the polarity matches standard Dunlop specifications.
Is the pedal built for professional touring use?: The pedal is manufactured by Dunlop, a brand known for durable, road-worthy guitar effects. It features a heavy-duty housing similar to their other professional-grade wah-wah pedals.
Does this pedal include modern features like digital delay or chorus?: No, this is a dedicated analogue wah-wah pedal. For chorus or delay, players would look to products like the Behringer UC200 or the Boss DD-3T respectively.
How does it compare to the Yamaha FC7?: The Yamaha FC7 is an expression pedal used to control parameters on keyboards or digital units, whereas the Dunlop Hendrix Wah is a self-contained audio effect pedal. They serve entirely different purposes in a signal chain.
What is the historical significance of the wah pedal to Hendrix?: The wah-wah was invented shortly before Hendrix arrived on the scene in 1967. He became the most synonymous name with the effect, using it to pioneer new sounds in rock music.
Can this pedal handle high-gain settings?: While designed for vintage tones, it can be used with high-gain setups. However, players concerned with noise at high volumes might pair it with a utility like the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor.