Jim Dunlop Sr., Guitar Effects Pioneer, Dead at 82

(Image credit: Jim Dunlop Guitar Products)

Jim Dunlop Sr., founder of Dunlop Manufacturing and guitar accessory pioneer, has died at the age of 82.

A massive presence in the guitar industry for more than 50 years, the Dunlop name is synonymous with everything from picks and slides to capos and effect pedals. Among the most famous of Dunlop’s products is the Tortex guitar pick, as well as the Cry Baby wah, a fixture on seemingly every guitarist’s pedalboard for generations. Dunlop has also produced iconic effects like the Heil Talk Box, the Uni-Vibe and the MXR line of stompboxes.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**

Join now for unlimited access

US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year

UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year 

Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Prices from £2.99/$3.99/€3.49

Richard Bienstock

Rich is the co-author of the best-selling Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. He is also a recording and performing musician, and a former editor of Guitar World magazine and executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine. He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name.