Who is the primary artist associated with this pedal?

The pedal is a signature model for Mick Ronson, the guitarist most famous for his work with David Bowie.

Who helped Dunlop develop this specific wah model?

Legendary record producer Bob Rock provided input and engineering guidance to match the pedal to the original unit's feel.

What is unique about the way Mick Ronson used a wah pedal?

Ronson often used the wah in a fixed or 'cocked' position to create a specific melodic frequency filter rather than sweeping it constantly.

What type of inductor is used in the Mick Ronson Wah?

It uses a custom-voiced inductor specifically designed to replicate the response of Ronson's original Italian-made pedal.

Is the Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah a limited edition?

Yes, this model is produced as a limited edition recreation of Ronson’s distinctive tone-shaping tool.

How much does the Dunlop Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah typically cost?

The pedal is typically priced at approximately £259 in the UK market.

How does the sweep of this pedal differ from standard wahs?

It features a fast-reacting sweep that is balanced to be musical and smooth across its entire range without becoming shrill.

What components are used to achieve the vintage sound?

The pedal utilizes vintage-style internal components to ensure the circuit behaves like the original 1970s hardware.

Can this pedal be used for modern rock styles?

While designed for glam-era tones, its dynamic and smooth character makes it suitable for any genre requiring expressiveness.

Which guitarists currently use this gear?

Erham Alman is noted as an artist who utilizes the Dunlop Mick Ronson signature wah.

What is the physical build quality of the pedal?

It features the standard, heavy-duty metal construction associated with the Dunlop Cry Baby line for stage reliability.

Does this pedal include modern features like a noise gate?

No, this is a traditional analogue wah. For noise reduction, players often pair it with a separate pedal like the Boss NS-2.

Gear article

Dunlop Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah

The Dunlop Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah is a limited edition signature effect pedal designed to replicate the specific Italian-made wah used by David Bowie's legendary guitarist. Developed with input from producer Bob Rock, it is engineered to deliver the smooth, melodic filtered tones characteristic of the glam rock era.

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Background and History

The Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah is a faithful recreation of the original Italian-made wah pedal used by Mick Ronson during his tenure with David Bowie's Spiders from Mars. Ronson was renowned for using the wah-wah pedal not just for rhythmic 'wacka-wacka' effects, but as a fixed-position frequency filter to sculpt his lead guitar tone.

To ensure historical accuracy, Dunlop collaborated with acclaimed producer Bob Rock. The development process focused on matching the exact response and electronic feel of Ronson's original unit, which was foundational to the sound of classic albums like *The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars*.

Technical Features and Design

This limited edition model is built using vintage-style components and a custom-voiced inductor to replicate the specific sweep of the 1970s original. Key technical aspects include:

Custom Inductor: Specifically tuned to provide a balanced, musical filter.
Fast-Reacting Sweep: Engineered for immediate response and expressive control.
Vintage Layout: Designed to provide a bright yet smooth frequency transition.
Build Quality: Housed in a durable chassis typical of the Dunlop Cry Baby series.

Sound Character

The pedal is described as having a unique voice that is simultaneously bright, smooth, and dynamic. Unlike some modern wah pedals that may sound harsh or thin at the top of the sweep, the Ronson signature model is designed to enhance the guitar's natural tone without overpowering it. It excels when 'cocked'—left at a halfway position—to provide a mid-range boost that helps a guitar cut through a dense mix during solos.

Comparison to Alternatives

Compared to a standard Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby, the Mick Ronson model offers a more refined, musical sweep suited for melodic playing rather than aggressive funk. While modern digital alternatives or versatile units like the Digitech Whammy Ricochet offer pitch manipulation, the Ronson wah remains a strictly analogue filter. For players seeking broader modulation, pedals like the Fender Hammertone Flanger or Boss DD-3T offer different time-based textures, but they lack the specific manual frequency control provided by this signature wah.

Artists who play it

Erham Alman
Guitarist

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the primary artist associated with this pedal?: The pedal is a signature model for Mick Ronson, the guitarist most famous for his work with David Bowie.
Who helped Dunlop develop this specific wah model?: Legendary record producer Bob Rock provided input and engineering guidance to match the pedal to the original unit's feel.
What is unique about the way Mick Ronson used a wah pedal?: Ronson often used the wah in a fixed or 'cocked' position to create a specific melodic frequency filter rather than sweeping it constantly.
What type of inductor is used in the Mick Ronson Wah?: It uses a custom-voiced inductor specifically designed to replicate the response of Ronson's original Italian-made pedal.
Is the Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah a limited edition?: Yes, this model is produced as a limited edition recreation of Ronson’s distinctive tone-shaping tool.
How much does the Dunlop Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah typically cost?: The pedal is typically priced at approximately £259 in the UK market.
How does the sweep of this pedal differ from standard wahs?: It features a fast-reacting sweep that is balanced to be musical and smooth across its entire range without becoming shrill.
What components are used to achieve the vintage sound?: The pedal utilizes vintage-style internal components to ensure the circuit behaves like the original 1970s hardware.
Can this pedal be used for modern rock styles?: While designed for glam-era tones, its dynamic and smooth character makes it suitable for any genre requiring expressiveness.
Which guitarists currently use this gear?: Erham Alman is noted as an artist who utilizes the Dunlop Mick Ronson signature wah.
What is the physical build quality of the pedal?: It features the standard, heavy-duty metal construction associated with the Dunlop Cry Baby line for stage reliability.
Does this pedal include modern features like a noise gate?: No, this is a traditional analogue wah. For noise reduction, players often pair it with a separate pedal like the Boss NS-2.