MXR Super Badass Distortion - Is It Any Good?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Check out more of my gear reviews here: kzbin.info/aero/PLNaLwTdlpQNFGz5Eesm0Ey_pDAL1F5y21

[@DVRMNaitor]

I love this pedal, I’ve had tons of distortion pedals and there are 2 reasons I love this one: 1. It sounds distorted without sounding very compressed, it’s as transparent as it gets. 2. You can get pinch harmonics with it even with lower gain.

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

I own one and I have some high-end heavy pedals. It’s a good pedal for an inexpensive distortion. It won’t do what the Wampler Dracarys, or Crazy Tube Circuits Motherload do, but it is a great deal cheaper. It really does everything from light OD to screaming distortion, but it doesn’t sound as good as the $340 and $400 pedals I mentioned. But the Super Badass will be good enough for most people.

[@rarebreed-wj3ov]

I own a Super Badass and I Like it I love to play slow real heavy reps & riffs I came up with myself. The head on my Cab let's me add a ton of settings to it. The Badass on my clean channel really does well. It could be said I sometimes put other pedals in front of the Badass. I'm satisfied for my likings with this pedal as far as performance to my playing. If it were real expensive I would not own it I can't remember what I paid for it in 2017.

[@JRCGuitarist]

I think it’s also important is that Overdrive and Distortion are different. So, I wouldn’t expect a distortion pedal to function like an OD at times.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Fair enough.

[@mickenilsson]

Fun fact... MXR brand came to because they repaired and built mixers in the beginning... So you're completely spot on there Elmo 😁

[@luisvergarafernandez5881]

Hi. I've got it. I like to stack a "TS" style overdrive pedal before it. Greetings from Chile.

[@pwade5000]

i can't stand mine. but it could be that i just prefer overdrives to distortion pedals. I picked up the JHS Morning Glory and it rules. thanks for making the vid

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Cool sounding unit and great chops! I’m selling my DOD YM signature as I think it’s the worst OD I’ve ever heard. Thin and nasal with hardly any range. Can’t understand how people love it so much!

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

I bought a mint used MXR SB Distortion after watching your video and I’d like to thank you as it’s the Distortion I’ve been looking for and I’ve over 100 guitar pedals!

[@jumpingman8160]

Happy owner here. It lacks balls. But can be pushed with any booster/EQ/OD before it to open it up. By itself is more of a "gentle" high-gain than actual "modern metal" as MXR claims it to be. The EQ is active and VERY responsive, which is great. I'd say it sits in a comfort zone when used on it's own and needs a bit of external help to go crazy. The low gain sounds sweet too.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool bananas :)

[@opgkoyote7989]

I have the MXR 10 band with a DS-1 in front of it, running an Epiphone Special and a Peavey Vypyr VIP 2. You think the MXR SB would be better than the DS1 given my setup?

[@jumpingman8160]

@@opgkoyote7989 they have a diferent response. The DS1 is harsher. The MXR SB is more of a marshall in a box kind of thinf

[@opgkoyote7989]

@@jumpingman8160 so with that being said if I’m trying to get a good chugging tone, wouldn’t the MXR be better for that type of sound?

[@jumpingman8160]

@@opgkoyote7989 not really. It's too smooth. But great for leads

[@tobywestfall2970]

Love this pedal to but it dosnt have much sustain for lead ..but love the tone

[@albertplaysguitar]

I'm still trying to figure out if it's my thing too. And I agree, feels lacking for lead, but great as an alternative drive. Still debating whether to keep it or not!!

[@JRCGuitarist]

I disagree, I’ve had it for a few years, it’s a great pedal for lead and rhythm. But I’ve figured out that you have to balance the EQ(Guitar, Amp, and Pedal) a certain way to get it in a sweet spot. Once you find it, I would take a picture of it. It is a bit of a pain trying to find it again. Another issue is when using the someone else’s amp, you have to sit with it and find that sweet spot again. But other than that, I have played lead with it on my amp, and have experienced that you can get clarity(you may have to fiddle with the mid and treble EQ on the amp and pedal to get that clarity), and can nice get sustain.

[@albertplaysguitar]

@@JRCGuitarist I've changed my mind since! It's on my essentials board, 2nd in line, right after the MXR custom 78. I find that I like it with the gain on low for a darker vintage sound, but I also love cranking it. It really shines when I stack it with the custom 78 distortion, which gives it a bit more clarity. I think you're right about finding the sweet spot with whatever amp you're using. It calms the chime on my AC10 and just gives me more versatility with my set up. Also, I had to stop expecting it to sound like my other pedals. I had to accept it for what it is, and I wouldn't get rid of it now!

[@wbspensfan28]

I’m stuck too . It’s Kindve great for classic rock

[@JWCFB]

It cost $100 over here in Kentucky. If you can't afford another 100 bucks then go with the evh5150 overdrive pedal because it ticks ass just like the super badass but it also includes a boost pedal and a built-in noise gate. both of those things are handy to have especially the noise gate when dealing with such a powerful high Gain pedal.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yep, the 5150 is great.

[@warren4838]

I'm gonna build a hybrid pedalboard setup with mxr superbadass, will I need a noise gate pedal?

[@MrPolevaulter]

You might.

[@endezeichengrimm]

It is bloody good. I swear by it.

[@diadem2227]

💯 What a great tone, love it. Did you have delay + mxr bad ass dist?

[@wayne2150]

It's a fine Distortion. You're just too caught up in your YJM tone.

[@MrPolevaulter]

It's been a while sine I did the video, so I don't remember all of it, but I do seem to remember I said it was good, just not my thing. Also I almost always point out it's all subjective anyway.

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

Yes he is and a tone that sucks

[@BlakJak21]

YJM sucks anyway

[@denizstratocaster]

Hey hello!! I am not a specific a distortion pedal player.. most i use overdrive or preamp to.kick my marshall jcm800 to drive well.. but i decide after youre demo to buy the mxr super badass distortion and i like it realy well and it works good with my marshall.. thanks for the demo and.. hell yeah you are playing excellent!!! Awesome. Like youre demo's a lot! Thank you and greets from the Netherlands! Dennis!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks man :)

[@lamontprospect9974]

I don't know about the pedal but this guitarist is definitely badass. Move over Dave Mustain, there's a new sheriff in town. 🕊️❤️🙏

[@trahnettilhcs]

I'm going to get this pedal and sound like utter garbage with it, then curse you under my breath while then watching another of your videos and repeating the cycle. Great tones, thanks for this!

[@MrPolevaulter]

trahnettilhcs Haha 😂 Thanks 😊

[@heri.siswanto308]

Hi Sir, What do you think? Which is better? MXR 78 custom badass distortion or MXR super badass distortion to get a YJM sound or classic rock model?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Not sure.

[@heri.siswanto308]

@@MrPolevaulter Thanks Sir, Based on your review on both pedals, I assumed that MXR super badass is closer to YJM sound...IMHO. Great review anyway...

[@edlaw51501]

Great video, your playing is 10+++, very impressed with sound of YM strat, very very fat is the SD pup a stacked double coil or is it a single coil, all sounded great. Nice job.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thank you 😊

[@Gimi.Endrics]

Hi what do you think about the MXR CUSTOM BADASS '78 DISTORTION M78? which would you choose between the two?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Not sure.

[@foxns7]

Jonathan Davis, have you given up on being the vocalist?

[@SamuraiBud]

got one but i like the prime distortion more

[@OrkhanJulfa]

I liked sound on your demo. May be this pedal works better with humbucker's push sound?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Maybe.

[@alistairdimmick2886]

The sound is already closer to humbuckers than you may think, as he is using stacked single coils a la YJM.

[@OrkhanJulfa]

@@alistairdimmick2886 I also use stacked single coils. Nothing common with full sized humbuckers except noise cancellation.

[@alistairdimmick2886]

@@OrkhanJulfa I thought they sounded fuller than single coils?

[@OrkhanJulfa]

@@alistairdimmick2886 Absolutely not. They sound like 95% true single coil.

[@thomas.loyens]

Is it better than the fullbore? Haven't heard much things good about the fullbore.

[@theodoreligkanaris2878]

Love ur playing brother, i too prefer the YJM OD'S. however im looking something to give me the kind of sound of Randy Rhoads on the tribute album. BTW this pedals pretty bad ass! If u have a good idea pls tell, thanks 🙏👍🤘

[@MOAB1111]

Great video brother...I bought one of these. Love the tone & versatility. However, there is no 9v battery compartment that I see. Did I get a knock off?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Not sure.

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

Whait,,,, you can tern a dirtbox down???? Iv never seen that done before. I have to say, everything at 12:00 sounded great with your rig.

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

I new is was going to be a comparison to your fender stomp box, lol 😂😆

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

Everything at noon was a great rythm sound with your rig, a d to your fender od

[@matthewshanley1549]

Sometimes a blues player wants a "cheap" tone. This is that. Can be. Not bad, but that point was made already.

[@justinpalmer6098]

CRAZY BABIES

[@marcelobelloni8754]

Wow really nice, video, really nice playing :) Im between this and the Tech 21 omg overdrive (the richie kotzen overdrive). What would you chose? cheers!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Marcelo Belloni Thanks! I haven't tried that, so I'm not sure. Sorry I can't help.

[@TheDrStank]

This is a good demo man. Sorry for all these negative comments. You don't deserve that

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks man! I really appreciate it.

[@AntwhaleNearfar]

Yes he does. Cool guy, terrible review.

[@AntwhaleNearfar]

Eric Gales uses one. #nuffsaid

[@88Nyman]

Tää soundaa jo aik paljo kasarilta, enemmän ku Distortion+ ei kuitenkaa oo niin rankka soundiltaa ku oletin

[@manueljoseletelier4973]

I love that pedal, but as everything, this unit belong to he's own world. In my experience It works great like a boost for blues player but, the perfect context to this guy is the cute, lovely and old garage trash metal.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool :)

[@AshleeisLegit]

Thanks for actually doing something heavy and not shitty classic rock licks for 10 minutes

[@pedalbr6888]

Does it look like the Marshall JH-1 Jackhammer?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Dunno.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

I’ve been playing a Marshall amp for about three years and this pedal doesn’t sound so good, not as good as overdrive. Distortion usually doesn’t from this amp Two weeks ago got a fender clone tweed amp and the MXR SBD sounds great! It could be better but it only cost $65 when I got it used

[@TheJMan1K]

Anyone know some really high output single coils? I’m thinking of getting what was used in the video but I want to look at all my options.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Not sure. Here's a thread on that: www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1330926 I haven't really looked into the matter much.

[@TheJMan1K]

Elmo Karjalainen thank you. I’m looking into some Seymour Duncan singles. I recently purchased a new player series strat with HSS configuration. I’m thinking the liberator solderless system with a new bridge should do the job.

[@sauarkrokur818]

Kill Bon Jovi maybe some Seymour Duncan hot rails?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Aren't they humbuckers?

[@TheJMan1K]

Joes those are humbuckers

[@Xyrium]

Sounds too much like a pedal...thanks for bringing this to us Elmo!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Any time!

[@joequesda15]

Stacking with Shin'sMusic Dumbloid Special,Archer Gold Ikon,MXR Shin-Juku-dr,Jhs Supreme 72' Japan! Adjusting volume/tone with amp controls distortion can get clean or hit heavy nicely just needs tweaking can be very versatile for $100 pedal.lol. If what i heard is correct its a Marshall Jcm800 amp-pedal clone..🤘

[@MagisterTuomo]

I demand you do a top 10-list of some kind. What type do you ask? Well.... depends. I can be quite the mean figure so a "top 10-worst solos" could be funny. "Worst and why". On the other hand: not knowing you, you seem to be a friendly and easygoing fellow so you could do a more positive one too. "Top 10-best leads and why". Could also work. Either way you would get a discussion going. But I demand this ☝️😊.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Tuomo Tikkanen Good idea. Top ten top ten lists? 😂

[@MagisterTuomo]

Elmo Karjalainen Could work 🤔. You'd have to suffice without using any of David Letterman's top-10's though. Obviously.

[@Toimu10202]

onko wörtti ostaa aattelin just et vois tän pedaalin hankkia lautaan kiinni

[@joshludge]

Your licks are so awe!some

[@johnlewis5774]

These videos are funny. The average Joe who wants an idea of how the pedal would sound in his average Joe rig playing average Joe riffs has to watch a guy shred through an amp most ppl who need this pedal would never attain lol. How's it sound through a blackstar combo amp 😆

[@MegaFaithnomore]

Hello it's good all these tests but not many guitarists have big amplifiers of guitars of big brands. It would be nice to have some tests with less expensive material. This said you play really well.

[@murilodesouza100]

Which do you consider the best distortion pedal? and among the MXR distortions which do you prefer ?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Distortion? Maybe the Revv G3. Not sure about the MXRs.

[@teacher5376]

Classic music ! Rocks music! And any kind of .....music .ok....

[@socrateselguitarrista]

ok... trying to compare an OD with a Distortion... really man? nice playing btw

[@Aslan737]

i can make any pedal sound like crap. you can't )))

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haha :D Thanks :)

[@tomthumb4325]

Hate shredders because I can't do it

[@MrPolevaulter]

Haha :D

[@metalchug426]

After lots of video i watch sere u demo pedal i started to understand the kind of screaming u like.

[@kingbaconvi2650]

It annoys me how he thought that intro was funny

[@teacher5376]

Distortion? Driving will do ...

[@andreydanov5946]

If you stop drinking will be even better!!!

[@cookiemonster2949]

I have this pedal and dont like it much, sounds too plastic to my ears. There is something missing with it despite 3 band eq. It is a cheap one anyway.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Fair enough.

[@teacher5376]

I like the music 's , any kind of music ....all i like ....metals ? Ok....I spend ...all the pedals .and guitars! I like both bass , lead ....guitars ....violin too....piano 's .....

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

This speed garbage has to go because if that's all you can play your in serious trouble

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

Why do KZbinrs always have stupid ass headings? Of course it's good anything Jim Dunlop Mike Matthews Michael Fuller design are incredible...Dunlop EHX Fulltone

[@tobywestfall2970]

And its a lil noisy

[@GeminisArising888]

didnt know this was a funny channel....why do u guys talk so much....just give us a no talk....simple video on the damn pedal

[@runnningonempty]

SHREDDY MC FKTARD SHREDSTEIN.........HEY DUDE!!!..THE 90'S CALLED THEY WANT THEIR SHRED BACK!!!........WHILE YOURE AT IT SEND ALL OF YOUR RAP FREINDS WITH THEM!

[@MrPolevaulter]

My freinds? Next time do your homework before you assume someone is just a shredder: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4aneItqhL55nbc Not that I think that you'll actually bother with that. Also, try not pressing CAPS lock too hard as you might break your laptop. Nice boats on your channel btw.

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

His guitar playing is annoying just like Malmsteens

[@alanscott7798]

Now there's a guy who's not funny......

[@MrPolevaulter]

That makes two of us then.