I’ve had a bunch of different Phase 90’s and even a Phase 100 (in the late 70’s). I bought a Phase 95 (mini) about 6 months ago and it blows me away. Great video, Phillip!
If I remember right the Custom Badass 78 Distortion is MXR's take on the DS-1 (which came out in 1978) with the LED mod (Crunch) that you could toggle on and off. I love mine and run the gain low (9-10 o'clock) and run a gain boost that I toggle on and off for more or less "loud" with my Vox
the 78 distortion was my first pedal ever and I still use it all these years later, I always feel like it's an overlooked pedal from MXR but one of their best imo. I just learned this recently but apparently it is based off of the boss ds-1 which came out in 78 hence the name (specifically it is supposed to be based off the keeley mod ds-1)
Thanks for the video Phil! As a beginner, (for years), pedals have always been a mystery. I never would have looked at some of those because of the non-descriptive names. It’s nice to hear them in action with someone that knows how to use them. Thanks!
I had a carbon copy bright for years and gigged with it regularly. It was my favorite delay pedal. Stopped gigging, then sold it to fund the purchase of the horizon devices flux echo. I miss my carbon copy bright.
Mxr classic 108. It's a fuzz face without the crap. Buffer really helps with putting pedals in front of it. Boosting it with a bd -2 right now. Awesome! But then again you have to like fuzz.
had lotsa MXRs, got rid of most of them for various reasons..but the 401 line driver/boost will always remain one of my favs.. just adds goodness to every amp..one knob, one button, one love..
My old yellow distortion + has not left my board since the mid 90's. Add to that the carbon copy..... Those are my only 2 favorites. Had a few others. Sold them. Got a phase90 but it rarely is in my chain
78 is the release of the Boss DS1. The Custom78 distortion is a clone of the Keeley modded DS1. Before I had the chance to find a used Keely DS1, I got this one. And I finally found a Keeley DS1. I swear, they sound exactly the same.
I have 15 pedals currently at my feet (Crybaby and Whammy are off board) and only two of them are MXR...Carbon Copy and Analogue Chorus. Both serve me very well. Thanks for the vid!
I’m glad they started reissuing the Phase 45 after many years OOP. It’s only 2-stage phasing, so it sounds a little different than the Phase 90, more forgiving to edge-of-breakup tones… definitely an unsung pedal.
I have the distortion III, and the super badass distortion on my pedal board. They both sound great! I use the III for a heavy classic rock sound, and the badass for more modern sounds. The III has huge output, and the badass has a great eq!
Briefly owned a Blue Box. Traded a compressor I wasn't using for it. Enjoyed making video game noises, but never found a use for it, so I sold it and put the cash back in my pedal fund.
I amassed a fairly sizable collection of MXRs from my days working in music shops. 24 at last count, even after selling a couple. I have most of the ones shown here. The Blue Box was my first, and still a fave. Along with the '78, Carbon Copy, Echoplex Pre, Univibe and La Machine, I'd add the Analog Chorus, Bass Octave Deluxe, Sub Machine and Phase 99 to my top ten.
If you use the EVH 5150 Overdrive with a Marshall using a crunch tone, set the pedal like you wold usually set a Tubescreamer (low gain, high level) and it will produce an awesome "brown sound" distortion.
I am a little surprised at the lack of an EQ pedal in your top 10. Do you prefer another brand's EQ pedal to MXR's offerings? Or do you rely on your guitar/amp's EQ along with EQ-sculpting pedals (tubescreamer, etc) and speaker/cabinet choice to get you the EQ you need?
I once tried an MXR 10 band to replace my old 80s-era DOD FX40-B eq with broken sliders. Just wasn't feeling the MXR one, and I love other MXR pedals. For some reason, that old DOD does what I need an eq to do better than anything else i've tried. It looks like a squashed turd, but it's on my pedalboard.
Rudiger Ah! I'd forgotten the GE-7 was in Phil's top 10 Boss pedals. When I think EQ pedals I usually think MXR so that must've been how it slipped my mind.
I think MXR roots were based in audiophile-style mixing & equalization, and it’s the “leanest” EQ. It boosts or cuts volume better than anyone. The Boss EQ is nominal (and retains its value), whole that cheap-arse DOD FX-40 series is the most colorful… also a key Tom Morello secret in weaponing dynamics.
My favorite, the only MXR I own, is the Carbon Copy "dark". I don't really get the same impression you get, but you've forgotten more than I know about guitar sounds. I just like it.☺
The MXR Fullbore Metal and the 10 band EQ are the BEST for metal players \\m//. If tried every metal distortion (ProCo,EHX , Mesa Boogie, Boss,Empress,Marshall, Emma,...). Active EQ with scoop option and noise gate.Just the volume Knob alone is the best booster i've ever used.
I've not gotten around to checking out reviews of the Torino drive, but have been meaning to because my local shop has one for I think 60 or 70 bucks. Definitely going to go snag that thing this weekend! Thanks Phil, you always seem to come through lol.
78’ was for DS1 birth. I wanted it to sound great. BUT I thought it was weak gain. Blue Box is for Fool in Rain Solo. Pretty cool. 5150 a gem. Phase 90 is GOLD!
I’ve never owned an MXR pedal. I think the Phase 90, micro chorus, Dyna comp and blue box are on my list now! It seems they don’t have an overdrive from the 70s? The GT OD is a newer pedal.
I run two of the mxr custom badass modified overdrive pedals. One I run with very little gain to boost my Peavey jsx. The second one I run with a moderate amount of gain on a clean Channel much like you would use a distortion pedal.
Carbon Copy Deluxe by far!! It includes both the original CC and the CC Bright, plus a bit of additional delay time, modulation and an expression pedal jack. Also Phase 95 since it also includes 45 and 90 in both Script and the nonscript (?) circuits.
Mine is nearly physically attached to my body. I use it for everything... even in the front end of a bass amp. It's usually always on, with some settings tweaking as needed. Colors the sound of my guitars for sure, but I like the way it does it. Thought about upgrading to a well-regarded Keeley or a Wampler, but I just can't bring myself to do it.
That Blue Box is great with output at 10, and the Blend around 3:00. Pretty sure that's the Jimmy Page "Fool in the Rain" solo setting. I love that sound. It's cool to play pedal steel like notes with that setting.
Hey Phil . So I have the I’ll Diavolo pedal. I know it has a switch for symmetrical , assymetrcial clipping and no clipping but what drives is it trying to emulate? And what drives are the Il Torino emulating? Thanks . I also have the fet driver. Great pedal
I tried a few Phase 90 pedals, the EVH, the script logo, the block logo & I decided on the Zakk Wylde Phase 90. To me it sounded a little darker with a more pronounced sweep which is good for me cmbecause I use it with bass along with a MXR Black Label chorus, a MXR Blowtorch overdrive with boost, a MXR bass D.I.+distortion, A Dunlap 105Q bass Wah & a Dunlop volume pedal
i have the mxr distortion 3. what i do is set the drive to full then plug infront of the dirt channel of a jcm900 set to near the edge of break up. basically the jcm is like my tube screamer tone then the main drive is the distortion 3. this is my setting to push it near to a metal tone. i really wanna see a video of you doing a review of the mxr distortion 3 and i would like you to try the setting im using and hear your opinion about it :)
![[ ออกกอง ] วัยหนุ่ม 2544 โลกหลังลูกกรง..ทัวร์กองถ่ายหนังใน "คุกของจริง" | JUSTดูIT.](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vB--aOkZCpw/mqdefault.jpg)
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 89 | คู่เอก "ยอดไอคิว vs คิริลล์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z3vYkHJ_5Ig/mqdefault.jpg)
The one u missed: Super Badass. Great tone. 3band EQ. What's not to like.
I want more downstairs videos please !
Drastic audio quality improvement now that you mic the speaker! 10/10 Thanks for the post.
I’ve had a bunch of different Phase 90’s and even a Phase 100 (in the late 70’s). I bought a Phase 95 (mini) about 6 months ago and it blows me away.
Great video, Phillip!
echoplex preamp it's a must have for me, love that led tone, and this help a lot...
If I remember right the Custom Badass 78 Distortion is MXR's take on the DS-1 (which came out in 1978) with the LED mod (Crunch) that you could toggle on and off.
I love mine and run the gain low (9-10 o'clock) and run a gain boost that I toggle on and off for more or less "loud" with my Vox
The '78 is the year of DS-1 release :)
Cool, Thank you for posting.
I can’t believe you overlooked the Dunlop Echoplex with it’s added tape warble over the Carbon Copy Bright.
+1 on that! This is my favorite one!
the 78 distortion was my first pedal ever and I still use it all these years later, I always feel like it's an overlooked pedal from MXR but one of their best imo. I just learned this recently but apparently it is based off of the boss ds-1 which came out in 78 hence the name (specifically it is supposed to be based off the keeley mod ds-1)
OG Carbon Copy & LaMachine are my core pedals for my sound. Thanks Jorge Tripps.
7:39 is my fav. Nice video. well done!
The il torino is worth every penny. I was lucky to snag mine when Sweetwater was clearing them out for $70. It's by far my favourite pedal.
Love the MXR Super Badass Distortion.
The La Machine is the best! MXR makes great pedals.
I used to own an MXR Jimi Hendrix Experience Fuzz, and I loved it, that was a very long time ago, but I still think about it all the time!
Thanks for the video Phil! As a beginner, (for years), pedals have always been a mystery. I never would have looked at some of those because of the non-descriptive names. It’s nice to hear them in action with someone that knows how to use them. Thanks!
It's almost as fun to watch YOU having fun! Showing how well YOU know your gear!
More downstairs videos!
I had a carbon copy bright for years and gigged with it regularly. It was my favorite delay pedal. Stopped gigging, then sold it to fund the purchase of the horizon devices flux echo.
I miss my carbon copy bright.
Mxr classic 108. It's a fuzz face without the crap. Buffer really helps with putting pedals in front of it. Boosting it with a bd -2 right now. Awesome! But then again you have to like fuzz.
Want to check out the mini version.
some MXR pedals I like are the dyna comp, the micro amp plus, the super badass distortion, and the shin juku drive
had lotsa MXRs, got rid of most of them for various reasons..but the 401 line driver/boost will always remain one of my favs.. just adds goodness to every amp..one knob, one button, one love..
My old yellow distortion + has not left my board since the mid 90's.
Add to that the carbon copy.....
Those are my only 2 favorites. Had a few others. Sold them. Got a phase90 but it rarely is in my chain
I recently got the MXR Full Bore Metal, and is one of the best distortion pedals I've owned.
The Distortion III is a total sleeper pedal.
Damn that's Eddie in a box... play Panama
Love it
78 is the release of the Boss DS1. The Custom78 distortion is a clone of the Keeley modded DS1. Before I had the chance to find a used Keely DS1, I got this one. And I finally found a Keeley DS1. I swear, they sound exactly the same.
My old original mustard coloured MXR distortion + is a fave. Combined with a clean overdrive and the magic happens.
I have 15 pedals currently at my feet (Crybaby and Whammy are off board) and only two of them are MXR...Carbon Copy and Analogue Chorus. Both serve me very well. Thanks for the vid!
I’m glad they started reissuing the Phase 45 after many years OOP. It’s only 2-stage phasing, so it sounds a little different than the Phase 90, more forgiving to edge-of-breakup tones… definitely an unsung pedal.
Echoplex, Phase 90 and Univibe are MXR masterpieces!
I'm an MXR fanboy from the 90s. Thank you for this video!
I have the distortion III, and the super badass distortion on my pedal board. They both sound great! I use the III for a heavy classic rock sound, and the badass for more modern sounds. The III has huge output, and the badass has a great eq!
The '78 distortion is the Keeley Seeing Eye Modded DS-1.
Others have answered the '78 thing. That mod switch is the Keeley contribution.
One thing I love is the lights mxr use you always know when they on
i wanna hear you review the op amp big muff!
Was the univibe even on?
Was on the tremolo setting.
😂😂😂😂😂 It was subtle. I was hoping to hear that hendrixian, grungy sound, but it was there.
I've got the MXR Univibe. Not impressive. Just stick with a phaser.
Briefly owned a Blue Box. Traded a compressor I wasn't using for it. Enjoyed making video game noises, but never found a use for it, so I sold it and put the cash back in my pedal fund.
I ran out and bought the Phase 90, Micro Chorus, Dyna Comp, Distortion + and the Micro Amp which is a great clean boost. I must grab a Blue Box next!
My favorite was the GT OD. I was actually surprised. lol
I amassed a fairly sizable collection of MXRs from my days working in music shops. 24 at last count, even after selling a couple. I have most of the ones shown here. The Blue Box was my first, and still a fave. Along with the '78, Carbon Copy, Echoplex Pre, Univibe and La Machine, I'd add the Analog Chorus, Bass Octave Deluxe, Sub Machine and Phase 99 to my top ten.
I've owned an MXR Distortion+ since 1982...
I love my Micro Amp. Adds a nice thickness to my clean and a touch of girth on my dirty. It stays on most of the time. It's my secret weapon.
Diggin' that blue box. Even the weird sounds it makes.
The Phase 100 and the Dynacomp were major pedals for me growing up. I still use a Dynacomp
These pedals are all amazing!
If you use the EVH 5150 Overdrive with a Marshall using a crunch tone, set the pedal like you wold usually set a Tubescreamer (low gain, high level) and it will produce an awesome "brown sound" distortion.
I absolutely love my DIST III....i have 4... a nice TS9/Rat combo..
How about the Distortion +? That was my first distortion pedal. MXR made some really neat pedals and were solid in their construction.
I like the MXR Fullbore Metal, my to get list includes MXR EHV Phase 90, MXR Carbon Copy, and the MXR 5150. Thanks for the video and great info!
The boost mini. It's the echoplex preamp and the micro amp all in one
Ummm, you had this space all along and didn't make videos here?! Looks awesome, more videos down here please!
Blue Box. Bit crushing is dope! 😉
Love the look of this video Phil! I vote for more downstairs as well!
One of my favorites is the custom badass modified od!
I am a little surprised at the lack of an EQ pedal in your top 10. Do you prefer another brand's EQ pedal to MXR's offerings? Or do you rely on your guitar/amp's EQ along with EQ-sculpting pedals (tubescreamer, etc) and speaker/cabinet choice to get you the EQ you need?
The Univibe + Compressor sounded GREAT btw. Oh man. GAS strikes again!
I once tried an MXR 10 band to replace my old 80s-era DOD FX40-B eq with broken sliders. Just wasn't feeling the MXR one, and I love other MXR pedals. For some reason, that old DOD does what I need an eq to do better than anything else i've tried. It looks like a squashed turd, but it's on my pedalboard.
Rudiger Ah! I'd forgotten the GE-7 was in Phil's top 10 Boss pedals. When I think EQ pedals I usually think MXR so that must've been how it slipped my mind.
I think MXR roots were based in audiophile-style mixing & equalization, and it’s the “leanest” EQ. It boosts or cuts volume better than anyone.
The Boss EQ is nominal (and retains its value), whole that cheap-arse DOD FX-40 series is the most colorful… also a key Tom Morello secret in weaponing dynamics.
My top current mxr favorites are probably the reverb 3000, carbon copy deluxe and the dyna comp mini. I can play all day with that
You have an awesome downstairs! More downstairs videos!
My favorite, the only MXR I own, is the Carbon Copy "dark". I don't really get the same impression you get, but you've forgotten more than I know about guitar sounds. I just like it.☺
The MXR Fullbore Metal and the 10 band EQ are the BEST for metal players \\m//. If tried every metal distortion (ProCo,EHX , Mesa Boogie, Boss,Empress,Marshall, Emma,...). Active EQ with scoop option and noise gate.Just the volume Knob alone is the best booster i've ever used.
So jealous of that workshop area
I've not gotten around to checking out reviews of the Torino drive, but have been meaning to because my local shop has one for I think 60 or 70 bucks. Definitely going to go snag that thing this weekend! Thanks Phil, you always seem to come through lol.
I've read that the Custom Badass '78 Distortion is based on a modded Boss DS-1, so the '78 is because that's the year the DS-1 was first released!
I love my M300 Reverb. Thanks Phil!
78’ was for DS1 birth. I wanted it to sound great. BUT I thought it was weak gain. Blue Box is for Fool in Rain Solo. Pretty cool. 5150 a gem. Phase 90 is GOLD!
Great review Phill, some cool great sounding pedals, more videos down stairs please, thank you, and thank You for your time, Cheers
5150 Overdrive is one of the best pedals out there for a preamp pedal.
I have the '78 custom badass. Love it for some Bon Scott era AC/DC tones. I have to check out the video of the Boss pedals.
Hmm. I wasn't much interested in the blue box until you showed me that it gets weird. I'm going to have to look into that one again.
Hey I made it on the video! Thanks, Phil!
The '78 Distortion is a reference to the OG Boss DS-1 :)
I’ve never owned an MXR pedal. I think the Phase 90, micro chorus, Dyna comp and blue box are on my list now! It seems they don’t have an overdrive from the 70s? The GT OD is a newer pedal.
Love my Carbon copy also the EVH phase 90 Great vid
My top 10:
1. Carbon Copy Deluxe
2. Reverb M300
3. Echoplex
4. Micro Chorus
5. Super Badass Distortion
6. Six Band EQ
7. Custom Badass Modified
8. Micro Amp
9. EVH 5150 overdrive
10. Carbon Copy
I run two of the mxr custom badass modified overdrive pedals. One I run with very little gain to boost my Peavey jsx. The second one I run with a moderate amount of gain on a clean Channel much like you would use a distortion pedal.
Carbon Copy Deluxe by far!! It includes both the original CC and the CC Bright, plus a bit of additional delay time, modulation and an expression pedal jack.
Also Phase 95 since it also includes 45 and 90 in both Script and the nonscript (?) circuits.
I really like my MXR Dyna Comp
Mine is nearly physically attached to my body. I use it for everything... even in the front end of a bass amp. It's usually always on, with some settings tweaking as needed. Colors the sound of my guitars for sure, but I like the way it does it. Thought about upgrading to a well-regarded Keeley or a Wampler, but I just can't bring myself to do it.
I subscribed. Nice straight forward review.
The '78 pedal is great distortion, but not too distorted. It sounds like the guitars on Kiss Alive II to me.
Great stuff its the Torino for me Red boost is super...cool
Yay!! La Machine made it!
My favorite MXR pedals are La Machine, Cry Baby QZone & Carbon Copy.
That Blue Box is great with output at 10, and the Blend around 3:00. Pretty sure that's the Jimmy Page "Fool in the Rain" solo setting. I love that sound. It's cool to play pedal steel like notes with that setting.
IV had them all and still think MRX is the best pedals out there
Rocked a bass for years with a DynaComp
I like the Shin-Juku overdrive.
The EP Preamp pedal DOES have an effect on a distortion. It just adds a little bit of that early Van Halen magic when used before a gainy amp. 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Hey Phil . So I have the I’ll Diavolo pedal. I know it has a switch for symmetrical , assymetrcial clipping and no clipping but what drives is it trying to emulate? And what drives are the Il Torino emulating? Thanks . I also have the fet driver. Great pedal
You missed the 6-band EQ. Magic bullet for sculpting tone and compensating for any venue.
I have the MXR analog chorus and love it! Wouldn't have another chorus.
I tried a few Phase 90 pedals, the EVH, the script logo, the block logo & I decided on the Zakk Wylde Phase 90. To me it sounded a little darker with a more pronounced sweep which is good for me cmbecause I use it with bass along with a MXR Black Label chorus, a MXR Blowtorch overdrive with boost, a MXR bass D.I.+distortion, A Dunlap 105Q bass Wah & a Dunlop volume pedal
Cool workshop Phil!
i love the intro dude
I think I like the Carbon Copy Deluxe and EHV Phase 90 the most out of these top 10 pedals.
You like the phase 90 exactly how I like to play it!
My opinion the Shin-Juku(D-amp) is the Best most sought after of All the MXR pedals..🤘
love the videos man
Mxr echoplex is my favourite after that it’s the m300 reverb then the submachine and then the analog chorus they’re my favourites
The MXR M300 Reverb is really good. Better than the Boss reverb.
Love the downstairs
i have the mxr distortion 3. what i do is set the drive to full then plug infront of the dirt channel of a jcm900 set to near the edge of break up. basically the jcm is like my tube screamer tone then the main drive is the distortion 3. this is my setting to push it near to a metal tone. i really wanna see a video of you doing a review of the mxr distortion 3 and i would like you to try the setting im using and hear your opinion about it :)