MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle Review: Unleashing the Iconic Metallica Lead Tone

If you have ever spent a late night trying to nail the solo to “Enter Sandman” or “The Unforgiven,” you know that the notes are only half the battle. The other half is that elusive, vocal, and aggressive “growl” that Kirk Hammett has pioneered for decades. For many of us, the search for the perfect wah pedal ends in frustration. We find pedals that are too shrill at the top end, others that lose all volume in the middle of the sweep, or those that simply don’t have enough “throat” to cut through a high-gain mix. I’ve personally gone through countless units that sounded great in a bedroom setting but turned into a thin, whistling mess the moment the distortion was kicked up to Metallica-level saturation. This inconsistency is a major hurdle for any lead guitarist aiming for a professional, polished sound. Without a pedal specifically tuned for high-gain dynamics, your solos can easily become muddy or piercingly harsh, ruining the emotional impact of your performance. That is exactly where the MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle enters the conversation, promising to solve the “sweep” problem once and for all.

What to Consider Before Buying an Electric Guitar Wah & Filter Effects Pedal

An Electric Guitar Wah & Filter Effects pedal is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for guitarists who want to add an expressive, human-like quality to their playing. These pedals work by shifting the peak frequency of your signal, effectively acting as a foot-controlled EQ. For the lead player, a high-quality wah is the difference between a static, robotic solo and one that “speaks” to the audience. It bridges the gap between the mechanical nature of the guitar and the fluid, emotive power of the human voice. Before you check the latest price and availability for a signature model, it is vital to understand what makes a filter effect work for your specific rig.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the challenge of “tone-sucking” or frequency spikes in their signal chain, particularly those playing hard rock or metal. If you need a wah that remains musical even when pushed by heavy distortion, a signature model like this is a godsend. However, it might not be suitable for those who prefer a very subtle, vintage-style “shimmer” or jazz players looking for a transparent filter. Those players might consider a more traditional, wide-sweep pedal with less aggressive mid-range focus.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Wah pedals are notoriously large and heavy. Before buying, we recommend measuring your pedalboard to ensure the footprint of the MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle fits comfortably alongside your other effects. Its standard Cry Baby chassis is rugged but requires dedicated “real estate” and a flat surface for stable operation.
• Capacity/Performance: Look specifically at the “Q” or the width of the filter sweep. Some pedals have a very narrow, “peaky” Q that can sound harsh, while others have a wider, more musical sweep. The KH95 is specifically tuned to Kirk’s personal EQ settings, ensuring that the frequency response is even from heel to toe without sudden volume jumps.
• Materials & Durability: Since your entire body weight is often balanced on this device, the housing must be heavy-duty die-cast metal. We have found that plastic or thin alloy housings eventually fail under the pressure of aggressive live performances. The internal components, particularly the potentiometer, should be high-grade to prevent “scratchy” noises over time.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Consider how the pedal is powered and how easy it is to swap out parts. This bundle includes a dedicated power supply, which is a major plus, as wah pedals can be finicky with “daisy-chain” power sources. Long-term maintenance usually involves cleaning the rack and pinion gears to keep the movement smooth and silent.

Understanding these factors ensures that your investment improves your sound rather than adding a headache to your signal chain. Transitioning from a standard wah to a signature unit can be a revelation if you know what you are looking for.

While the MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions and Key Features of the MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle

Unboxing the MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle is an experience in itself. Immediately, you are struck by the aesthetic—the distressed black finish and the iconic “caution” graphic on the treadle scream “Metallica.” It feels substantial in the hand, weighing enough to stay put on a stage floor without sliding around. We noticed right away that the bundle adds significant value; getting the Dunlop ECB003 9-volt power supply and two high-quality patch cables saves you an extra trip to the store or a separate online order. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to understand just how complete this package is for the price.

The core of this pedal is its custom-tuned inductor. Unlike the standard GCB95, which can sometimes feel a bit “wild” at the top end, the KH95 feels incredibly controlled. When we first plugged it in, the most striking feature was the “evenness” of the response. Kirk Hammett’s tone is famous for its mid-heavy, vocal quality, and this pedal captures that perfectly. It doesn’t have that “ice-pick” treble that plagues many lower-end wahs. Compared to other market leaders, it feels more specialized for high-gain applications, whereas a standard Cry Baby is a “jack of all trades.” This is a precision tool for a specific, legendary sound.

A Deep Dive into the Performance of the MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle

The “Vocal” Tone: Kirk Hammett’s Signature EQ in Action

When we put the MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle through its paces in the studio, the first thing we analyzed was the frequency response. Most wah pedals follow a standard “bell curve” where the volume peaks in the mid-range but drops off at the extreme ends. Kirk Hammett worked with Dunlop to flatten this response significantly. In our testing, we found that the volume remains remarkably consistent whether you are at the “heel-down” (bass) position or the “toe-down” (treble) position. This is a feature that really sets it apart from the standard models you might find.

The tone itself is thick and “chewy.” When playing through a high-gain amplifier, the KH95 doesn’t thin out your sound. Instead, it adds a layer of harmonic complexity that makes individual notes pop during fast alternate picking or legato runs. We experimented with several Metallica-style solos, and the “vocal” quality of the filter was undeniable. It sounds like the pedal is actually saying “wah” rather than just filtering out frequencies. This is largely due to the specific “Q” setting that focuses on the frequencies that matter most for metal guitar—the low-mids and the high-mids that cut through a dense wall of drums and bass. Users have noted that this is their “second wah” after trying others that “kinda sucked,” and we can confirm that the professional voicing here is the reason why.

Physical Ergonomics and “The Sweep”

Performance isn’t just about sound; it’s about the physical interaction between the player and the gear. The MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle features a treadle with just the right amount of tension. We’ve found that some pedals are too “loose,” making it hard to park the wah in a specific “cocked” position for a mid-boost tone. Others are too stiff, leading to foot fatigue after a single song. The KH95 hits the sweet spot. The physical travel of the pedal is perfectly calibrated to the electronic sweep of the filter. You can check the latest technical specs to see the internal components, but the real-world result is a pedal that feels like an extension of your foot.

During a two-hour rehearsal session, the pedal remained comfortable. The rubber grip on the top of the treadle is high-quality, ensuring that even with stage sweat or different types of footwear, your foot isn’t going to slip off during a critical solo. We also tested the “on/off” switch located under the toe of the treadle. It requires a firm, intentional press to engage, which is exactly what you want—you don’t want to accidentally turn the effect off in the middle of a screaming bend. This level of physical reliability is why this unit is a staple on professional stages worldwide.

The Bundle Advantage: More Than Just a Pedal

We need to talk about the value proposition of the MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle. Often, when you buy a high-end signature pedal, you are left scrambling for a power supply or realized you don’t have enough patch cables to add it to your board. This bundle solves that immediately. The inclusion of the Dunlop ECB003 9-volt power supply is critical. In our experience, wah pedals are highly sensitive to power quality. If you use a cheap, unregulated “wall wart,” you will often hear a hum or a hiss whenever the pedal is engaged. By including the official Dunlop supply, this bundle ensures a silent, high-headroom performance right out of the box.

Furthermore, the two 6-inch right-angle patch cables are not throwaways. They are sturdy, well-shielded cables that maintain signal integrity. In our testing, we didn’t notice any high-end loss when using these cables compared to our premium studio leads. For a guitarist looking to upgrade their setup quickly, this “all-in-one” approach is incredibly convenient. It’s a “nice set,” as one user mentioned, and we agree that the synergy of these components makes the initial investment much easier to swallow. You are essentially getting a professional-grade signal chain in a single box.

Handling High-Gain Saturation

The ultimate test for any “metal” wah is how it handles a saturated signal. Many wahs become incredibly noisy or “fizz out” when placed before a high-gain preamp. We tested the MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle with a high-output humbucker guitar into a modern high-gain tube amp. The result was impressive. The “thick top end” mentioned in the product specs is not just marketing speak. Even with the gain cranked, the toe-down position sounded full and aggressive rather than thin and buzzy. This is where the custom tuning of the EQ pays off. It respects the fundamental tone of your guitar while adding that signature Kirk Hammett “growl.”

We also found that the pedal has a very wide dynamic range. If you back off your guitar’s volume knob, the wah responds accordingly, becoming a bit subtler and “cleaner.” This level of touch sensitivity is rare in wah pedals designed for metal. It allows you to use the pedal for more than just 100mph solos; it works beautifully for moody, atmospheric clean passages as well. This versatility surprised us, as we expected a “one-trick pony” for thrash metal. Instead, we found a highly musical filter that can adapt to various playing styles while still excelling at its primary mission: cutting through the noise.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general consensus among those who have integrated the MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle into their rigs is overwhelmingly positive, with a few caveats regarding shipping and handling. Most users are thrilled with the performance, with one guitarist noting that it is “doing way more than the job” compared to other signature models they had tried. The phrase “10/10” appears in reviews, highlighting the satisfaction with the tone and sweep range. Another user mentioned it sounds “good at all volume levels,” which mirrors our findings regarding its consistent EQ and volume response.

However, it hasn’t been a perfect experience for everyone. We found a few reports of the product arriving in “rough shape” or with a “broken patch cable” due to shipping mishaps. While these issues don’t reflect the quality of the pedal itself, they are a reminder to inspect your bundle immediately upon arrival. One user was “really upset” that their husband’s birthday gift arrived damaged, which is a frustration any of us can understand. Overall, the sentiment is that the pedal is a “nice set” and a massive upgrade for anyone currently struggling with a subpar wah pedal. The tone is the hero here, overcoming any minor logistical hurdles for the vast majority of players.

Comparing the MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle to Its Top Alternatives

1. Dunlop 535Q Multi-Wah Guitar Pedal

If you are a “tinkerer” who wants absolute control over every aspect of your wah sound, the Dunlop 535Q is the primary competitor to the Kirk Hammett model. While the KH95 is “pre-tuned” to Kirk’s exact specifications, the 535Q offers a 6-position frequency selector and a variable “Q” control. This makes it more versatile for a player who jumps between genres—like playing blues in the morning and metal at night. However, for the metal specialist, the 535Q can sometimes be overwhelming; it takes a lot of time to find the “sweet spot” that the KH95 provides right out of the box. We recommend the 535Q for those who love to customize, but for the plug-and-play metalhead, the KH95 is the faster route to a great tone.

2. VOX V847-A Classic Wah Guitar Effects Pedal

The VOX V847-A is the polar opposite of the KH95. It is a reissue of the 1960s-era wah sound that defined early rock and roll. It has a much thinner, more vintage-voiced sweep that sounds incredible through a slightly overdriven Vox or Marshall amp for that “Hendrix” or “Clapton” vibe. However, in a modern high-gain metal context, the VOX often feels underpowered. It doesn’t have the “thickness” or the volume consistency of the MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle. If your goal is vintage blues or classic rock, the VOX is a masterpiece. But if you need to stand up to a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, the VOX will likely get lost in the mix.

3. Donner Mini Auto Wah Guitar Pedal

For those on a strict budget or with a tiny pedalboard, the Donner Mini Auto Wah offers a different approach. It is an “auto-wah” (envelope filter), meaning the effect is triggered by your picking dynamics rather than a foot treadle. It’s incredibly compact and much cheaper than the KH95. However, you lose the “performance” aspect of a manual wah. You cannot control the “talk” of the pedal with your foot, which is essential for the Kirk Hammett style. While the Donner is fun and great for funk or “spacey” effects, it cannot replicate the aggressive, vocal sweeps of a real Cry Baby. It’s a great secondary effect, but not a replacement for a professional wah like the KH95.

The Final Verdict: Is the MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle Worth It?

After extensive testing, it is clear that the MXR KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Bundle is one of the most well-engineered wah pedals on the market for the modern rock and metal guitarist. It successfully solves the most common issues with wah pedals—harsh highs, volume drops, and inconsistent sweeps. By baking Kirk Hammett’s decades of tone-chasing into the circuit, Dunlop has created a pedal that sounds “finished” the moment you plug it in. The added value of the power supply and cables makes it a smart purchase for anyone looking to simplify their setup while upgrading their sound. While the Metallica-themed graphics might not be for everyone, the performance is undeniably professional. We found it to be a rugged, expressive, and highly musical tool that earns its place on any serious board.

If you are tired of your solos sounding thin or getting lost in the mix, this is the solution you’ve been looking for. It’s a 10/10 performance in a road-ready package. Don’t let your tone suffer with a generic filter—take your lead playing to the next level today. We highly recommend that you check the current price and grab this bundle while it’s still available with all the extra gear!