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Dunlop ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature Cry Baby Wah

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Dunlop ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature Cry Baby Wah

^# 18

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$209.99 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (56)

2 Critic Reviews

11 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Dunlop ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature

7 community setups

8 wishlisted

112 saved

Page last updated Jul 07, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated July 2, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

3.0 (1)

$209.99

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5.0 (20)

$209.99 1 available New

$79.99 22 available Used

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Average Price: $203

Standard/Professional

$75

$251+

Price Tier

In the Wah Pedals category, Dunlop ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature Cry Baby Wah is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Dunlop ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature Cry Baby Wah". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash your inner rockstar with the Dunlop ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature Cry Baby Wah pedal. Designed in collaboration with the metal legend himself, this pedal is packed with high-gain specifications that guarantee a high-octane performance. Its robust metal casing is as rugged as the sound it produces, promising durability along with an intense, screaming wail that can pierce through any mix. This Cry Baby pedal is your ticket to embodying the Wylde signature sound.

Key Features:

Collaboratively designed with Zakk Wylde
High-gain specifications for intense sound
Durable raw metal casing
Produces loud, screaming wails
Designed to cut through any mix
Signature Cry Baby Wah pedal design

Product specs

Brand	Dunlop
Model	ZW45 Zakk Wylde Signature Cry Baby Wah
Finish	Brushed Metal
Year	2005 - 2018
Made In	United States
Categories	Filter and Wah Pedals
Pedal Format	Standard

FAQs

What makes the Dunlop ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature Cry Baby Wah different from other Cry Baby models?: The ZW-45 is specifically tuned to Zakk Wylde's specifications, offering a thicker and more aggressive tone, ideal for heavy rock and metal genres. Its robust construction and unique voicing distinguish it from standard Cry Baby models.
Is the Dunlop ZW-45 suitable for live performances?: Yes, the ZW-45 is designed for live use, with a durable construction and a powerful wah effect that cuts through the mix, making it ideal for stage performances.
Does the Dunlop ZW-45 require a specific power supply?: The Dunlop ZW-45 can be powered by a 9V battery or a standard 9V DC power adapter, making it compatible with most pedalboard setups.
Can the ZW-45 be used with both clean and distorted tones?: Absolutely, the ZW-45 is versatile enough to enhance both clean and distorted tones, providing a signature wah effect that complements a wide range of guitar sounds.
How does the ZW-45 perform with different pickup types?: The ZW-45 works well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups, delivering a consistent and dynamic wah effect across various guitar setups.

Videos

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ProGuitarShopDemos

Dunlop Zakk Wylde Signature Wah Pedal ZW-45

ProGuitarShopDemos

Zakk Wylde Signature Cry Baby

jimdunlopusa

Dunlop Cry Baby Shootout - Zakk Wylde, Van Halen, Kirk Hammett & Dimebag Darrell signature models

Fuzzville

Comparison #6: Cry Baby 95Q vs. Cry Baby Zakk Wylde ZW45 Wah

Pedal Sessions

CRYBABY - GCB 95 vs ZAKK WYLDE ZW 45

Leonardo Santos

Dunlop Crybaby ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature Series Wylde Wah

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Crybaby Wah Shootout // Zakk Wylde vs Original @jimdunlopusa

The Shreddly

Dunlop Cry Baby ZW45 Zakk Wylde Signature Wah

Pedal Sessions

Reviews

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PROS

Robust build, durable design
Aggressive, cutting wah tone perfect for mixes
Versatile across multiple music genres
Maintains instrument tone well
Huge sweep range, great for rhythm
Signature specs chosen by Zakk Wylde himself
Aesthetic appeal; looks as good as it sounds

CONS

Frequency sweep can get sharp at the top end
Loses out on darker tones preferred by some
A bit noisy, which may not suit all settings
Less vocal and personality compared to some models
Mild "wah" effect, even at maximum settings

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Dunlop ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature Cry Baby Wah.

Comparisons

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The ZW-45 is noted to work better with gain staging than the Cantrell or Dime wahs, offering a meatier wah at high gain.
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It's compared to the Hammet wah for versatility in high and low gain, and to the Dimebag wah for range and tones.
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Morley wah pedals with optical sensors are highlighted for their durability, avoiding dirt-related issues common in mechanical linkage models like the Cry Baby.
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Features and functionality

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The pedal is praised for reducing the high-end "scratchy" sound, making it suitable for live performances.
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The Dimebag Cry Baby is noted for its gain boost option and indicator lights, enhancing usability in live settings by preventing accidental activation.
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Mods and upgrades

0 0

Some users suggest the Chuck's Tone Garage mod for the ZW-45, which includes true bypass and a blue light indicator for cleaner tone and visibility.
Source

Setup and maintenance

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The Cry Baby's mechanical linkage and potentiometer can wear out, but they are robust unless abused. Replacement is feasible with basic soldering skills.
Source

User experience

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Several owners have used their Cry Baby wah pedals for over a decade without issues, indicating long-term durability when properly maintained.
Source

Value and pricing

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The Dunlop ZW-45 is priced around $130, making it a mid-range option among signature wah pedals, appealing to fans of Zakk Wylde and high-gain players.
Source

Critic Reviews

Guest Post – Zakk Wylde ZW-45 wah review –

effectsbay.com

The Dunlop ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature Cry Baby Wah impresses with its robust build and faithful recreation of Wylde's signature tone, shining in blues and funk settings. While it may lack the screaming high-end expected from traditional wahs, its unique "bark" opens new sonic possibilities for heavier riffs. The lack of an adjustable sweep might deter some, but it encourages experimentation, earning its place alongside more conventional models. A must-try for those seeking to diversify their sound.

positive

Full Review

ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature Wah Review: I expected it to not work that well because it's Zakk... | Dunlop | Guitar Effects | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Dunlop ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature Cry Baby Wah impresses with its robust sound, offering a "throatier" wah tone ideal for genres from blues to metal. However, its reliability is questionable, with users experiencing issues during gigs. It's straightforward to use, yet lacks customization features, and its durability could be better, as some users report a high-pitched noise and functionality failures. While it provides a strong wah experience, its inconsistent performance and lack of features may lead some to consider other options. Overall, a solid choice if reliability isn't your primary concern.

neutral

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 11 Reviews and 56 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

vladmierputen112

2228

about 10 years ago

it does what genre you need well

funk, metal or plain rock the wylde wah will handle it

ghost_java666

600

over 6 years ago

favourite wah for metal

Not a zakk fan (like not at all) but I really like this wah pedal. I saw Phil Demmel and Michael Amott ( I think) using this so I thought I'd give it a try. It's been my favourite wah when I need a more cutting wah tone.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Pop Jazz Progressive rock

dannfeltrin

1871

over 11 years ago

One of the greatest!

(UPDATED) I love the sound of the Wylde Wah! It has some nice specs chosen by the papa Zakk Wylde himself. I had this pedal for about 8 years (2008-2016), then I left it in Brazil when I moved to Canada, thinking I would find something better here. I tried hard, even other brands... Finally, I called my dad and he sent me this guy all the way from Brazil. Learned my lesson: this pedal shall never leave my board again. Also, don't fool yourself! This pedal was made by one of the greatest heavy metal guitar players, but I like to use the Wylde Wah for all kinds of music. From slow pop rock, to country-rock, to hard rock, to heavy metal, to metalcore... Trust me, this pedal can handle everything. 10 years old now, and still working perfectly. \m/ Thank you Dunlop, thank you Zakk!

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Genres:

Rock Pop Metal

whiskyredd

about 5 years ago

Had it for 10 years or so solid will not die

Great pedal though the frequency sweep gets a little sharp on the top end

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Folk, World, & Country

jonatan_berg

over 6 years ago

Nice growl

Really nice growl. Haven't tried any else like it. A bit noisy, but hey it's rock n roll

francesco_axel_romio

almost 10 years ago

It's good, but...

It's my way, the one i've choosen , but still isn't exactly what I am looking for, it's cool because of it's sharpy sound, but it loses on the darkest tones , that I love.

pandacup

263

over 9 years ago

Great build but limited sound

I love playing this pedal but it just lacks the flexibility of a Vox or original Crybaby. It is incredibly robust and is still attached to my gigging pedal board.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Pop Blues

victor_ang_kai_quan

over 10 years ago

Decent wah pedal

Feels great. Does not suck out the tone. However the "wah" effect is quite mild even at the max.

jimmarchi1

41029

10 years ago over 10 years ago

its probably a low Q for the badpass filter because hes a metal guy who plays with bintense gain levels and a high Q filter would sound harsh

victor_ang_kai_quan

10 years ago over 10 years ago

yeah i agree, i initially thought it would be worth to try out a signature wah but it really wasn't what i was looking for.

jimmarchi1

41029

10 years ago over 10 years ago

try the joe bonamassa and if the heel position is too deep tape a fender heavy pick down under the heel position so it stops the treadle from going all the way down. Good analog solution to tailor your sweep.... of curse, being a solid state player YMMV with any wah, the signatures are all voiced for specific tube amplifiers. The ZW is voiced for a JCM800 2203, Kirk Hammet's is voiced for a high gain Randall, the slash wah is for a silver jubilee gain channel, Jerry Cantrell's would work well with a Bogner or a Friedman Brown Eye... and Bonamassa's is voiced for a plexifront superlead, lead or a JTM45, etc turned WAY up...