Dunlop Manufacturing
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Musical accessories, effects pedals |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Founder | Jim Dunlop Sr. |
| Headquarters | Benicia, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Capos, picks, slides, strings, fret wire, strap locks, electronic effects pedals (Cry Baby wah pedal, Uni-Vibe phaser, Heil Talk Box), MXR and Way Huge stompbox collections |
Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc. is a privately held American company specializing in musical accessories, with a focus on effects pedals, and is based in Benicia, California. Established in 1965 by Jim Dunlop Sr., the business evolved from a modest home-based endeavor into a leading manufacturer of music equipment. Dunlop has incorporated prominent effects pedal brands such as Cry Baby, MXR, and Way Huge into its portfolio.
Background and history
The company was founded in 1965 by Jim Dunlop, a chemical engineer originally from Scotland working in Glasgow. His initial invention was the Vibra-Tuner, a compact guitar tuning device featuring a suction cup and reed vibration indicator.
Responding to input from musicians, Dunlop created a toggle capo tailored for 12-string guitars, resulting in the "1100 series" capo developed in partnership with a local machine shop. Manufacturing shifted from his living room to a garage and eventually to a dedicated production facility.
In 1972, after studying musician preferences through Guitar Player magazine, Dunlop ventured into manufacturing nylon guitar picks, which continue to be part of the company's offerings. That same year, he resigned from Dymo Industries to dedicate himself fully to the business, moving operations to Benicia Industrial Park and subsequently expanding within Benicia.
Today, Dunlop's product lineup encompasses capos, picks, slides, strings, fret wire, strap locks, and electronic effects including the original Cry Baby wah pedal, Uni-Vibe phaser, Heil Talk Box, along with the MXR and Way Huge stompbox collections.
Jim Dunlop Sr., the company's founder, died on February 6, 2019, at the age of 82.
Way Huge Electronics
Established by Jeorge Tripps in 1992, Way Huge ceased operations in 1999 when Tripps joined Line 6. The brand was revitalized in 2008 under Dunlop Manufacturing. The renewed lineup features signature pedals such as the Swollen Pickle (fuzz), Pork Loin (overdrive), Fat Sandwich (distortion), and Green Rhino (overdrive). Additionally, Way Huge reintroduced the coveted Red Llama overdrive pedal, renowned for its volume enhancement and unique midrange distortion. Collaborations with guitarist Joe Bonamassa have yielded pedals like the 'Penny Saver Royale' and 'Overrated Special', bolstering the brand’s prominence.
Tortex
Introduced in 1981, Tortex is Dunlop’s line of acetal-based guitar picks engineered to mimic the tactile qualities of vintage tortoise shell picks, which have been prohibited since 1973. Tortex remains an essential component of Dunlop’s accessory range.