14 MXR Pedals That EVERY Guitar Player Should Check Out

[@stevewoolley4224]

Il Torino is my favourite. Fantastic.

[@wadecourtney8958]

My entire pedal board is Dunlop/MXR! I'm a bass player & use a few guitar pedals because they sound good on both! I have a M80+ bass di + distortion, a Zakk Wylde Phase 90, a Zakk Wylde chorus, a Bass wah ( I think it's called the 105Q), the Dunlpp volume pedal (big black thing with a helluva nonslip pad on it) & a M181 Bass Blowtorch! Those 2 guitar pedals sound AWESOME on bass!!!

[@charliepayne9248]

Never owned any MXR pedals, but that being said, I really enjoyed this video.... You covered an interesting variety of very different pedal sounds, phase 90, carbon copy & the dimebag etc... This got me thinking that I absolutely need an MXR pedal of some description... Thanks Robert.... 🤔👍

[@jamestombs6892]

Much food for future thought. Excellent video as usual and I love it when you break them down into understandable englieh!

[@pcbullets8726]

I own the phase 100, custom badass 78 distortion and the talk box pedals. Great, road tough, durable pedals. Great list Robert!

[@RobertWJackson]

Thanks bro! Glad you liked it!

[@sski]

Been an MXR Distortion + user since 1978. I have the original one I bought then and a later model that I take out of the house. Just this past week I received a MXR M135 SmartGate for my bass rig pedal board. I use it at the end to clean up the after affects of the Dug Pinnick DP-3X preamp pedal I use before going into a 500w bridged Peavey power amp that powers two 4x10 cabs. That SmartGate is awesome. Knocks out hiss like a .44 to a snake's head while doing no damage to my tone and dynamics. I definitely want to check out that MXR chorus and the Dunlop Echoplex for my guitar rig though. Cheers, Robert!

[@otakuholly8885]

Fact u put the Dime Distortion on this list... 🥰 Is my fav distortion, tho i stfg, that paintjob is a crime against my eyes and the knobs are super low quality as well, i repainted mine like a distressed distortion+ and swapped in classic mxr skirted knobs for the output and gain. The best distortion i've ever heard, though you failed to mention the scoop button (its an awesome feature). Thank you for this list!!! The phaser pedal i wasn't even on my radar but am now hunting it down.

[@PicksPaints]

Great list of MXR. Like Yarg mentioned, the EchoPlex Preamp pedal is awesome. It's just the preamp section of the EP. DynaComp is pretty much the standard in compressor pedals. My favorite MXR pedals are the Phase 95, Distortion +, DynaComp, and EP Preamp.

[@RobertWJackson]

EHX was actually the first list in this series! LOL I’m in love with my Phase 95, by the way. 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZprNaaWugsqcj7c

[@jjdekay6969]

Had MXR pedals back 30 some odd years ago and someone stole them at a gig and for some reason I replaced them with boss pedals. I realy did love the distorion +. another awesome video....Thanks!

[@yargnad]

Actually the Echoplex Preamp pedal is very good and adds great harmonic content and really sweetens up the tone nicely. It's awesome at the front of your chain or just before modulation pedals....like CHORUS. 😉 And I know I'll get flamed for this, but i really loved that cheap ass Prime Distortion pedal they were selling for $50 a few years back. Great crunchy meat tone.

[@turkeytrailhoneybeefarmgeo6292]

Try it in your effects loop.

[@brannonevans3685]

I used BOSS pedals for a long time, and still think they are great, but I recently switched over to MXR pedals on my board. I have one BOSS pedal on my board now and a Korg tuner, but the others are MXR.

[@michaelrandolph2493]

My 1st was the DOD Volume Wah, then I got the 535q, but I’ve had The Ibanez Weeping Demon on my board for over 10 years now.

[@RobertWJackson]

The Weeping Demon is my favorite, as well. I own 3 of them. LOL

[@mike1967sam]

Try out the MXR FOD and the Timmy they are the first MXR drives that are really good after the Sugar Drive because for a while, a long while MXR had horrible drive pedals.

[@CorvetteStingRayLane]

awesome video and recommendations. I have a few of these amazing pedals.

[@tomfoolery2082]

I hav a couple mxr pedals and for good reason . They do what i need em to.

[@nikolasaguilera3496]

I really enjoyed the wylde overdrive beserker...great one!! GREAT VIDEO, MAN! Are you planning to do a review of the marshall jackhammer pedal in some point? I would love to know what you think about it!

[@RobertWJackson]

Yeah, sooner or later. Honestly that’s one that I meant to demo awhile back, but I forgot about it until I read your comment. LOL If I can find a cheap one, I’ll try and do that one soon.

[@seanbarker6478]

I have a phase 90, a cry baby (early 70's) and a carbon copy on my pedalboard! I am planning to get a distortion plus. Trying to keep it all analogue.

[@marknester4579]

I have a distortion+ from 78.runs on 9 volt only. And a cry baby from 80. They both are killer and still working fine 40 years later.

[@tubularbill]

Jimmy Page used the Blue Box pedal for the solo on the Zeppelin song “Fool in the Rain”

[@MichaelD8393]

The 105q Bass CryBaby is my go-to wah for guitar. It sounds way more aggressive than the regular GCB-95, the 535q or any guitar wah I've tried out. I also love the FET Driver and Distortion +. I now got the M222 Talk Box next on my list. Coming from Jersey, I need a talk box to play _Livin' on a Prayer_ right.

[@RobertWJackson]

The reason why the 105Q sounds more aggressive than the others is because it’s actually not really a wah pedal at all. It’s actually an envelope filter controlled by a treadle, which is why bass players also love it. Dunlop actually did do a Bass Crybaby years ago, but it was eventually replaced with the 105Q. I agree, that is a killer pedal. I’d like to have one in my guitar rig, as well.

[@MichaelD8393]

@@RobertWJackson Oh get one ASAP Robert. I got my 105Q when I saw Linde Lindström of HIM used it in his interview with Dunlop TV. He explained it was more aggressive and when he demoed it, I knew I had to have one. I'll never go back to a guitar wah again.

[@mrax101]

I just bought a Variphase after watching this. I'm hoping to mod it so I can use it 'Always On'.

[@whitepepper8365]

I know how you feel about fuzz pedals, but.....I absolutely love my MXR Slash octave fuzz. It's a VERY versatile pedal....lots of fun. If you haven't already, give it a shot....you might be surprised!

[@GearGasms]

I have the Phase 90 script, chorus, Crybaby and EVH flanger.

[@RobertWJackson]

I need to get the damn chorus pedal myself.

[@GearGasms]

It's pretty subtle - sometimes I wish it was more forward but it does have a lot of flexibility with the EQ that some others don't have

[@RobertWJackson]

Have you tried the Black Label Chorus? It’s out of production now that Zakk ended his Dunlop deal, but it’s an awesome pedal.

[@GearGasms]

I haven't. I didn't want over the top but this is a little under the top. It was between this and the Boss one

[@RobertWJackson]

The Boss chorus pedals are awesome, as well. But the one I recommend above all others is the Digitech Luxe. See my video on that pedal because it’s been my favorite for over a year now.

[@turkeytrailhoneybeefarmgeo6292]

Phase 95. Wow. Another great one for my micro pedal board.

[@mike1967sam]

Dude you are so right except fro the EQ pedals, the Boss GE7 is still king and the cry babies are good but once you try the Xotic XW1 wah you'll never go back but yeah you nailed it.

[@warmothgmc]

Can’t say enough good things about the 10 band EQ. It does a great job as a boost as well. I also have a Phase 90 on my board.

[@mrax101]

Agreed. Especially the new silver Stereo version. It's one of the most powerful tone sculping tools available.

[@dw1784]

I own the Analog Chorus pedal and love it. I have been debating on the phaser 90 also I'm not sure if I want to add anymore pedals to my board at the moment

[@RobertWJackson]

Get the Phase 95. It hardly takes up any space at all because it’s a mini-size pedal!

[@rokinrandy]

MXR since I was a kid.I have the blue EQ takes battery only and all from the 70s it has something special..Their flange is the only flange to me..But on aint talkin bout love I use the flange unless I forget it, And then I use the phase 90 .Phase 90 is for eruption or to sound more like Eddie tapping if you need to,lol. Someone told me they had a better flange that does a chorus called a julia and it was good But I'll continue using my 1970/80 mxr pedals (chorus and Flange)to that one pedal. No thank you . I bought the hall of fame before mxr came out with the reverb or i would've got that one as well. At the time the hall of fame one was hard to top...You can't go wrong with MXR/Dunlop, good people. Ive had a defective ZW 44 OD and a 535q wah and a micro amp and they sent me new or repaired ones..Who needs boutiques..They're Real good to deal with. made in USA as far as I know

[@CorvetteStingRayLane]

What is your opinion of this pedal, MXR M169A Carbon Copy 10th Anniversary Analog Delay Pedal. I own this pedal in the bright version, which is the light green colored metal case housing.

[@RobertWJackson]

I actually talked about that pedal in this video!

[@CorvetteStingRayLane]

@@RobertWJackson I understand, but this is the 10th anniversary version any different, since they only manufactured 1,000 units. future collectible possibly?

[@RobertWJackson]

Yeah, there could be some potential for collectibility down the road. But “collectibility” is a strange term for something like a pedal. There are probably people that would collect rare pedals, MXR or other brands, that would have an interest in it down the road. But there are also players who would only care about the pedal for the way it sounds regardless of the housing it’s in, and those are the people that will really determine what happens to the value in the future. It’s definitely worth hanging onto, though. It could turn out to be even more rate than the original Klon Centaurs and stuff like that.

[@jdb2722]

The smart gate is a great pedal. Must have if you use p90’s.

[@alanscharrer5255]

I will absolutely endorse the MXR bass envelope. Bassists have a few truly versatile and useful pedals that specifically have been made for bass. This pedal checks all the needs for a bassist in need of this tone. GET IT....and while you are line, order an RGD T shirt. They are da bomb (do the kids still say that?)

[@RobertWJackson]

Thanks Alan! I don’t know if the kids still say “da bomb” anymore, but they are some darn comfy t-shirts! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@alanscharrer5255]

@@RobertWJackson I've got my purple "how many guitarists" on now and looking to get the volume knob next

[@RobertWJackson]

Nice! I’d tell you to get the Billionaires In The U.S. shirt, but you live in Canada. LOL

[@alanscharrer5255]

@@RobertWJackson Since when is Kansas City in the great country of Canada?

[@RobertWJackson]

I thought you were up in Canada, for some reason? I guess I was mistaken.

[@jayville26554]

Actually, Robert, I believe the best example for the MXR phase 90 would be the eruption solo. In the words of YJM. It sounded like someone dropped the fucking bomb.

[@MichaelD8393]

Nice vid as always Robert but minor nitpick: the intro of _Ain't Talkin' Bout Love_ is actually played with a flanger. Sure you could play it with a phaser, but the flanger sounds closer. Just saying, take care!

[@RobertWJackson]

I don’t think so, my friend. That’s widely known to be an early Script Logo Phase 90 that he used in that recording. The intro to “What It Takes” years later in the Van Hagar era was done with a flanger, and that was the sound that inspired the MXR EVH Flanger, I believe. But “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” was a Phase 90 just about the entire way through that song.

[@MichaelD8393]

@@RobertWJackson Okay my ears must've been mistaken all this time. And _Unchained_ also inspired the EVH Flanger.

[@VioletSerenade]

Robert's Guitar Dungeon Almost, There is definitely a phaser used in the solo section however the intro is most definitely a flanger.

[@RobertWJackson]

Nope, that’s a phaser dude. Look it up.

[@VioletSerenade]

Robert's Guitar Dungeon I just did and i found a few threads stating that it was a flanger, but then a few say it was a phaser, unless eddie confirms which one i guess we won’t really have a definitive answer, although live he uses a flanger i believe

[@orenthal01]

I think maybe it's been discontinued so maybe that's why you haven't mentioned it, but what's your opinion of the fullbore metal pedal? Sounds great to me through my 30w Vox practice amp and through my triple rectifier head with marshall cab. I've heard a lot of people talk shit about that pedal but I don't get it. I think it sounds awesome.

[@RobertWJackson]

Honestly, it’s not my favorite. But if you enjoy it, that’s all that matters. Screw what anybody else says about it! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@orenthal01]

@@RobertWJackson what are your issues with it? Genuinely curious. I may agree with some of them. I don't think it's a perfect pedal by any means.

[@paulnealis9991]

Hey Robert, what’s a good cheap octave pedal to get a 12 string guitar affect?

[@RobertWJackson]

TC Electronic Nether Octave, Maybe? kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGfdaaWsmqt2hdk

[@howardcunniffe8738]

Now out of all these pedals,which would be good for a Blues player like myself ?

[@RobertWJackson]

For what purpose?

[@RobertWJackson]

A very subjective question, of course, but I would probably stick with something Tube Screamer-flavored. Stevie Ray Vaughan user his TS9 strictly for tone. He’d set his amp to the point that it was just on the edge of breakup, then hit it with his TS9 with the Level control turned all the way UP and the Gain control turned just about all the way DOWN, and then of course adjusted the Tone knob to taste. I’d probably recommend checking out the Way Huge Green Rhino because Tube Screamers are known to have a really big spike in a specific set of midrange frequencies, and the Green Rhino actually has the ability to control that midrange hump, particularly if you like the Tube Screamer sound, but would prefer to be able to smooth it out a bit. The “SD Over Drive Pedal” that you said you own I’m assuming is a Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive, which is very similar to an Ibanez TS808, so you’re already in the ballpark.

[@humanothumqn659]

The cry baby bass wah sounds killer when paired with a regular guitar!

[@RobertWJackson]

That’s because that pedal isn’t actually a bass wah pedal. It’s actually an envelope filter. And you’re right, it sounds excellent!

[@jahmark9336]

Hi man You mentioned a digitech vid but I can’t find it...

[@RobertWJackson]

Actually I think I was confusing the EHX video that I did. I actually have not done a Digitech video in this series yet. I thought I had. I’ll fix that soon. ;)

[@johnjames-hq3ye]

The MXR Analog Chorus is the best chorus pedal on the market if you ask me.

[@RobertWJackson]

Have you ever tried the MXR Zakk Wylde Chorus?

[@johnjames-hq3ye]

@@RobertWJackson no I haven't and dammit, now I just have to have one.

[@jfethier5604]

Variphase vs Roto-vibe: any differences?

[@RobertWJackson]

Umm…one’s a phaser and one’s a rotary vibrato.

[@jfethier5604]

@@RobertWJackson I tought Roto-vibe was MXR take on the Uni-Vibe...

[@seanbarker6478]

I was offered a Watkins copycat tape delay back in the 90's. I wish I had it now, it was only 50 pounds! Sigh!

[@DirtyMikeTM]

MXR M305

[@joehervey84]

Never tried them.

[@wesmitchem825]

Flanger dyna comp micro amp 5150 overdrive univibe Octavia you missed alot really

[@RobertWJackson]

Had to cut it off somewhere dude.

[@wesmitchem825]

If I had to pick one though there flanger is definitely iconic anything that has an evh version is really but that's the sound of unchained in a box and should have at least got one of the slots

[@RobertWJackson]

Sounds like you should make your own MXR video dude. LOL

[@ZaktanVR]

I used to have the MXR fullborne metal, and it was the biggest piece of crap I ever owned.

[@RobertWJackson]

Yeah, that pedal is horrible. I rank it right up there with the Metal Muff. LOL

[@brianlong7696]

Evh overdrive

[@RobertWJackson]

Great overdrive pedal! I’d actually like to have that one.