The MXR CAE Wah is an MXR wah pedal, currently around $120.88. Close alternatives include the Halo Clyde McCoy Wah Replica Circuit Board (Populated) and the Morley MO MT Pwov. It pairs well with the Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head and the Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt.
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.
What stands out
“Use-case wise it suits blues, rock, and funk players who want professional wah with the CAE endorsement at MXR quality”
— from the community notes
“Smooth, vocal sweep character”
— from the reviews
“The MXR MC404 CAE Wah delivers Custom Audio Electronics signature wah with wide sweep and clean signal path at MXR Dunlop quality for players who want professional, low-noise wah performance from the CAE collaboration”
— from the community notes
“Its standout weakness is the MXR pricing for the CAE signature wah”
— from the community notes
“suited to rock”
— from the listing
Trade-offs
“custom audio electronics mc404”
— from the listing
- wah
- vocal
- low noise
- rock
- clean boost
- boost
- different sweep characters
- smooth
Price updated Oct 24, 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
Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head
Revv
20% matchRun mid-forward into Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head for more high gain on top
Comes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H
Marshall
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run mid-forward into Friedman BE-Mini Head for more high gain on top
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Egnater Tourmaster Combo 4212
Egnater
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Egnater Tourmaster Combo 4212 layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Synergy Friedman DS Module
Synergy
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run mid-forward into Synergy Friedman DS Module for more high gain on top
Pedals that stack with the MXR CAE Wah
Fjord Fuzz Odin
Fjord Fuzz
23% matchFjord Fuzz Odin layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Comes later in the signal chain
EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter
EarthQuaker Devices
23% matchPut EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy
Comes later in the signal chain
Roland SDE-3000D
Roland
6% matchPut Roland SDE-3000D after MXR CAE Wah in the signal chain, where it won't crowd MXR CAE Wah — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Alexander Pedals Radical Delay
Alexander Pedals
6% matchAlexander Pedals Radical Delay's pristine voice goes after MXR CAE Wah in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with MXR CAE Wah's own mid-forward character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Death By Audio Destruction
Death By Audio
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Death By Audio Destruction stacks fuzzy on top of the mid-forward already here
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run mid-forward into Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 for more fuzzy on top
Subdecay F-Bomb
Subdecay
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Subdecay F-Bomb layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Warm Audio Jet Phaser
Warm Audio
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Warm Audio Jet Phaser after MXR CAE Wah: modulation reads clearest once the core tone is set
Cheaper alternatives
Dunlop Cry Baby
Dunlop
58% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, lead
The Next Sound CH-07 Wah Tone
The Next Sound
56% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, alternative
Electro-Harmonix Wailer Wah
Electro-Harmonix
55% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, lead
Dunlop Cry Baby GCB-95
Dunlop
55% similarityShared character: wah, lead
Vox WAH-V845
Vox
48% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, smooth
Morley M2 Wah
Morley
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Morley 20/20 Power Wah
Morley
62% similarityShared character: low noise floor, wah, boost
JAM Pedals Wahcko Plus
Jam Pedals
62% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, alternative
Real McCoy Custom RMC4 Wah
Real Mccoy
52% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, smooth
Tech 21 Killer Wail v2 Wah
Tech 21
50% similarityShared character: wah, lead
Keeley Neutrino V2
Keeley
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Morley 20/20 Britt Lightning Wah
Morley
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Halo Clyde McCoy Wah Replica Circuit Board (Populated)
Halo
66% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, smooth
Morley MO MT Pwov
Morley
58% similarityShared character: low noise floor, wah, boost
Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q Multi-Wah
Cry Baby
58% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, boost
Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby Junior
Cry Baby
56% similarityShared character: wah, vocal
SAE Effects Colossal
Sae Effects
54% similarityShared character: wah, vocal
Jam Pedals Wahcko
Jam Pedals
53% similarityShared character: wah, vocal, alternative
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 Halo Clyde McCoy Wah Replica Circuit Board (Populated), the Morley MO MT Pwov, the Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q Multi-Wah. Budget picks: Dunlop Cry Baby, The Next Sound CH-07 Wah Tone, Electro-Harmonix Wailer Wah. Boutique upgrades: Morley 20/20 Power Wah, JAM Pedals Wahcko Plus, Real McCoy Custom RMC4 Wah.
What pairs well with the MXR CAE Wah?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head, Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt, Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H — Run mid-forward into Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head for more high gain on top.
How much does the MXR CAE Wah cost?+
Around $120.88 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).