The MXR CAE Wah is an MXR wah pedal, currently around $110.87. Close alternatives include the Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby BG95 and the Dunlop CB95 Crybaby. It pairs well with the Friedman BE-Mini Head and the Hughes & Kettner Warp 7.
MXR CAE Wah
MXR · pedal
The MXR CAE Wah (Custom Audio Electronics MC404) is a Bob Bradshaw-designed dual-inductor wah with two voices and a boost, prized for a wide, vocal sweep and pro-grade build. Used by Eric Gales and Kim Thayil, it offers selectable inductors for different sweep characters plus a clean boost, suited to rock, blues and metal lead. It is a versatile, high-quality wah for serious players.
- wah
- vocal
- low noise
- electronic
- blues
- clean boost
- boost
- different sweep characters
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the MXR CAE Wah is commonly used in
- Metal
- Alternative Rock
- Rock
- Funk
- Blues
- Electronic
Amps that pair well with the MXR CAE Wah
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Friedman BE-Mini Head for more high gain on top
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchPut Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchPut Synergy SL2 Module in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Hiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head
Hiwatt
tonal matchPut Hiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchHughes & Kettner Coreblade layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Friedman Phil X Signature
Friedman
tonal matchFriedman Phil X Signature layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
EVH 000
Evh
tonal matchEVH 000 stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
ENGL Marty Friedman Inferno E766
Engl
tonal matchRun mid-forward into ENGL Marty Friedman Inferno E766 for more high gain on top
Pedals that stack with the MXR CAE Wah
Fjord Fuzz Odin
Fjord Fuzz
24% matchFjord Fuzz Odin layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter
EarthQuaker Devices
23% matchPut EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy
Alexander Pedals SpaceXpander
Alexander Pedals
8% matchRun Alexander Pedals SpaceXpander after MXR CAE Wah in the signal chain, clear of MXR CAE Wah's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Red Witch Titan
Red Witch
8% matchPut Red Witch Titan after MXR CAE Wah in the signal chain, clear of MXR CAE Wah's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Cusack Music Carolina Reaper Overdrive Fuzz
Cusack Music
tonal matchPut Cusack Music Carolina Reaper Overdrive Fuzz in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 for more fuzzy on top
Crowther Prunes
Crowther
tonal matchCrowther Prunes stacks fuzzy on top of the mid-forward already here
Blackstar ID:X Floor One
Blackstar
tonal matchBlackstar ID:X Floor One stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Cheaper alternatives
Dunlop Cry Baby
Dunlop
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Electro-Harmonix Wailer Wah
Electro-Harmonix
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Morley M2 Wah
Morley
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Dunlop Cry Baby GCB-95
Dunlop
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Dunlop IM95K Iron Maiden Killers Cry Baby
Dunlop
74% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, alternative
Dunlop 95Q Cry Baby Wah
Dunlop
69% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, boost
Morley 20/20 Power Wah
Morley
69% similarityShared character: low_noise_floor, wah, boost
Zvex Vexter Wah Probe
Zvex
66% similarityShared character: wah, boost
Tech 21 Killer Wail v2 Wah
Tech 21
65% similarityShared character: wah
JAM Pedals Wahcko Plus
Jam Pedals
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby BG95
Cry Baby
72% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, blues_players
Dunlop CB95 Crybaby
Dunlop
72% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, blues_players
Morley MO MT Pwov
Morley
69% similarityShared character: low_noise_floor, wah, boost
Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby 95Q
Cry Baby
69% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, boost
SAE Effects Colossal
Sae Effects
69% similarityShared character: wah, vocal
T-Rex Gull Wah
T Rex
68% similarityShared character: serious_playing, wah, vocal
See all alternatives to the MXR CAE Wah (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR CAE Wah?+
The closest matches in character are the Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby BG95, the Dunlop CB95 Crybaby, the Morley MO MT Pwov. Budget picks: Dunlop Cry Baby, Electro-Harmonix Wailer Wah, Morley M2 Wah. Boutique upgrades: Dunlop IM95K Iron Maiden Killers Cry Baby, Dunlop 95Q Cry Baby Wah, Morley 20/20 Power Wah.
What pairs well with the MXR CAE Wah?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Friedman BE-Mini Head, Hughes & Kettner Warp 7, Synergy SL2 Module — Run mid-forward into Friedman BE-Mini Head for more high gain on top.
How much does the MXR CAE Wah cost?+
Around $110.87 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).