Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah: The Secret Behind Bowie's Legendary Guitar Sound
From Rugby Pitch to Rock History
The Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah taps into the vibrant, melodic character of one of rock 'n' roll's most gifted songwriters with a recreation of his own personal wah pedal. Michael "Mick" Ronson (26 May 1946 – 29 April 1993) was an English musician, songwriter, arranger, and producer whose influence on rock music extends far beyond his tragically short life. This isn't just another wah pedal - it's a direct connection to the sonic genius that transformed David Bowie's vision into some of the most influential recordings in rock history.
The Discovery That Changed Everything
The story of how Ronson joined Bowie reads like rock 'n' roll folklore. Early in 1970, drummer John Cambridge went to Hull in search of Ronson, intent upon recruiting him for a new David Bowie backing band called The Hype. He found Ronson marking out a rugby pitch - one of his duties as a Parks Department gardener for Hull City Council.
Having failed in his earlier attempts to make it in London, Ronson was reluctant to try again. But eventually, he agreed to accompany Cambridge to a meeting with Bowie. Two days later, on 5 February 1970, Ronson made his debut with Bowie on John Peel's national BBC Radio 1 show. Rock history was about to be made.
The Birth of The Hype and Superhero Rock
The Hype played their first gig at The Roundhouse on 22 February 1970 with a line-up that included Bowie, Ronson, Cambridge, and producer/bassist Tony Visconti. In a move that presaged the theatrical glam rock era, the group dressed up in superhero costumes: Bowie as Rainbowman, Visconti as Hypeman, Ronson as Gangsterman, and Cambridge as Cowboyman.
The Revolutionary Fixed-Wah Technique
Few guitar players have been able to combine a keen musical instinct with a profound grasp of how to bring a composition together like Mick Ronson. Laden with expressive resonance, his arrangements layered deliberately chosen tones and textures to build exquisite melodies and powerful riffs. The Cry Baby Wah, set in a fixed position to serve as a filter, was key to the tone-shaping vision that Ronson used to transform the face of popular music through his work with David Bowie and many others as both an artist and a producer.
While most guitarists think of wah pedals as expressive, sweeping effects, Ronson pioneered a different approach entirely - using it as a sophisticated tone filter rather than a dynamic effect. This technique became his signature sound, appearing on countless classic recordings.
The Spiders from Mars Era: Defining Glam Rock
A classically trained musician, Ronson was known for his melodic approach to guitar playing - a sophistication that set him apart from his contemporaries and earned him recognition as the 64th-greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone in 2003, later elevated to 41st in their 2012 rankings. His work on "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" provided much of the underpinning for later punk rock musicians.
Bowie's Tribute: The Perfect Rock Duo
Perhaps no one understood the magic of their partnership better than Bowie himself. In a 1994 interview, Bowie reflected: "Mick was the perfect foil for the Ziggy character. He was very much a salt-of-the-earth type, the blunt northerner with a defiantly masculine personality, so that what you got was the old-fashioned Yin and Yang thing. As a rock duo, I thought we were every bit as good as Mick and Keith or Axl and Slash. Ziggy and Mick were the personification of that rock n roll dualism."
Solo Career and Critical Recognition
After leaving Bowie's entourage following the "Farewell Concert" in 1973, Ronson released three solo albums. His solo debut "Slaughter on 10th Avenue" reached No. 9 on the UK Albums Chart and featured his most famous solo track, "Only After Dark." In 1974, Ronson secured the No. 2 spot in Creem magazine's reader poll of the best guitarists that year, with Jimmy Page taking first place and Eric Clapton in third.
The "Jack & Diane" Revolution
In 1982, Ronson worked with John Mellencamp on his "American Fool" album, particularly on the song "Jack & Diane." Mellencamp later credited Ronson with saving the song: "I owe Mick Ronson the hit song 'Jack & Diane'. Mick was very instrumental in helping me arrange that song, as I'd thrown it on the junk heap... he put the percussion on there and then he sang the part 'let it rock, let it roll' as a choir-ish-type thing, which had never occurred to me. And that is the part everybody remembers on the song. It was Ronson's idea." Both "Jack & Diane" and "American Fool" topped their respective US Billboard charts.
A Historic Collaboration with Bob Rock
We wanted to make that incredible Cry Baby Wah sound available to all players, and legendary producer Bob Rock—a friend and collaborator of Ronson's—was there to help. He generously loaned us Ronson's own Cry Baby Wah pedal, an early Italian-made model whose vintage components imbue it with a truly singular sound. Using it as a filter in a fixed position, Ronson recorded many tracks with this pedal, and Rock would go on to use it when recording numerous other artists.
"You place the wah, and leave it there, and that's the tone," Rock says. "It's all over every record he ever made, and I've used it on every record since I got it. Dunlop's engineers spent the time and sent me the prototypes, and we nailed that sound."
Engineering Excellence: Recreating Vintage Magic
With matched specs, tightened tolerances, and a custom inductor, Dunlop's engineers have recreated this truly special sound. To capture all of the nuance and detail responsible for Ronson's unique wah sound, our engineers created a custom inductor that replicates the higher frequency response and subtler peak of the original pedal. The resulting sound offers an exquisitely balanced sonic profile that's bright and clear with peaks that stay musically smooth.
We want every player to get that same experience, so we tightened the inductor tolerance to ensure the closest possible representation of Ronson's Cry Baby Wah. We have likewise reproduced the fast initial sweep of the potentiometer, which offers an instant reactivity that's like nothing from the modern era. And it didn't stop there—the engineering team even included period-accurate low-gain transistors and value-matched resistors that contribute to a truly distinctive EQ curve. This is a pedal that is literally tailor-made for Mr. Ronson's signature fixed-wah tones.
Producer and Collaborator Extraordinaire
Ronson's influence extended far beyond performing. He was a member of Bob Dylan's "Rolling Thunder Revue" live band and produced albums for artists ranging from Roger McGuinn's "Cardiff Rose" (1976) to Morrissey's "Your Arsenal" (1992). His production work also appeared on albums by more obscure artists, showcasing his versatility and commitment to great music regardless of commercial profile.
Final Years and Lasting Legacy
In 1993, Ronson again appeared on a Bowie album, "Black Tie White Noise," playing on "I Feel Free" - a track they had covered live 20 years earlier during the Ziggy Stardust era. His final high-profile live performance was at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992, where he played "All the Young Dudes" with Bowie and Hunter, and "Heroes" with Bowie.
Ronson's final recorded session was as a guest on "Earth vs the Wildhearts" (1993), where he played the guitar solo on "My Baby is a Headf_" - the album was dedicated to his memory. His third solo album, "Heaven and Hull," was only partly completed at the time of his death and was released posthumously in 1994, featuring contributions from Bowie, John Mellencamp, Joe Elliott, Ian Hunter, Chrissie Hynde, and Martin Chambers.
A Visual Tribute to a Legend
Capping it all off, we've adorned the Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah with a special finish inspired by his work. This isn't just a pedal - it's a piece of rock history that honors one of the greatest to ever pick up the guitar, as recognized by Rolling Stone's rankings of the greatest guitarists of all time.
Building Your Signature Sound
Dig into the signature tones of one of the greatest to ever pick up the guitar. The beauty of the Mick Ronson approach is its versatility. Whether you're looking to add subtle filtering to clean tones or create more aggressive textures for rock riffs, the fixed-wah technique opens up new sonic possibilities. For guitarists exploring different tonal territories, consider pairing this with other legendary pedals like the MXR X100 for a complete arsenal of classic and modern sounds.
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Get the Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah
Whether you're chasing the glam rock sounds of the '70s or forging new sonic territories, the right effects pedal can transform your musical expression. Shop the Mick Ronson Cry Baby Wah now and discover the tools that will help you create your own musical legacy. From vintage-inspired circuits to cutting-edge innovations, we have the gear that connects you to rock history.
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