The Dunlop KH95X Kirk Hammett Collection Cry Baby Wah is a signature wah pedal voiced from Kirk Hammett's own Cry Baby Rack Wah settings, the tones the Metallica guitarist dials in on the rack unit he uses. It arrived in May 2022 as a special edition of the earlier Kirk Hammett Signature Wah, with a purple sparkle finish and custom tread as its distinguishing features1.
What it does to your sound
Dunlop's pitch for the pedal is a wah voiced for fast, melodic playing over heavy rhythm work. Premier Guitar's announcement described it this way1:
"The response is even from heel to toe with an arresting midrange wail and a thick top end, designed for fast, melodic runs over hard-charging riffs."
That "thick top end with a full dynamic range" is the voicing carried over from Hammett's rack wah settings, so the KH95X aims at the same sweep he gets on stage rather than a generic wah curve1.
How it relates to the KH95
The KH95X is not a new circuit. Gearnews reported that apart from the new aesthetics, the model is the same as the previously released Dunlop Kirk Hammett Signature Wah2. If you already own the KH95, the KH95X offers the same voicing in different clothes; if you are choosing between them, the decision is essentially cosmetic.
Release history and pricing
The pedal had a two-stage rollout. A few hand signed units leaked out at the beginning of April 2022, which gave the impression of a limited edition, but by early May it was on general release2. Premier Guitar reported a list price of $199.99 USD at announcement1, and gearnews put it at €249 at Thomann the following day2.
The hand signed units from April 2022 were the limited part of the story. The standard KH95X went on general sale and is not a limited edition2.
Dunlop lists the KH95X as a guitar effects pedal on its own product pages3, and the pedal sits in a long line of artist Cry Babys, from the Clyde McCoy through signature models for players like Jerry Cantrell and John Petrucci.
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Questions
How much does the Dunlop KH95X cost?
Premier Guitar reported a list price of $199.99 USD when the pedal was announced in May 2022. European pricing reported at the same time put it at €249 at Thomann. Prices may have moved since, so treat those as the launch figures.
Is the KH95X different from the Kirk Hammett Signature Wah?
Only in looks. Gearnews reported that apart from the new aesthetics, the KH95X is the same pedal as the previously released Dunlop Kirk Hammett Signature Wah. The circuit and voicing carry over; the purple sparkle finish and custom tread are what set it apart.
Is the KH95X a limited edition?
It started as one. A handful of hand signed units appeared at the beginning of April 2022, but by May 2022 the pedal was on general release, so the standard KH95X is not a limited edition.
What color is the KH95X Kirk Hammett Collection wah?
It wears a special edition purple sparkle finish with custom tread, according to Premier Guitar's announcement. That finish is the main visual difference from the earlier Kirk Hammett signature wah.
Sources (3)
- Kirk Hammett & Dunlop Launch Special Cry Baby Wah, Premier Guitar, 2022-05-02
- Dunlop Kirk Hammett KH95X Cry Baby Wah: Purple sparkle Metallica tones!, gearnews.com, 2022-05-03
- KIRK HAMMETT CRY BABY® WAH BOTTOM PLATE, Dunlop (www.jimdunlop.com)
