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MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion Pedal

Distortion Pedal for Electric Guitar with Tone, Output, and Distortion Controls and a Crunch Button
$119.99

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MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion Pedal
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Fat, Amp-style Distortion!

Get ready for huge amp-style stack tones and old-school distortion! The MXR Custom Badass '78 Distortion is one mighty pedal. MXR went ahead and took a classic distortion circuit then hot rodded the heck out of it, giving you an over-the-top lead sound and rich, saturated rhythms when you want them. Plus, the Custom Badass '78 Distortion makes it easy to dial in those tones, thanks to three simple knobs. Engage the Crunch button, boost harmonic content, and hang on. If you've got an ear for incredible distortion tones, then here's the pedal for you: the MXR Custom Badass '78 Distortion.

MXR Custom Badass '78 Distortion Pedal at a Glance:
  • Hot-rodded circuit gives you big-time distortion tones, from a road-friendly box
  • Get rich, massive rhythm tones and over-the-top leads
  • Crunch button boosts the harmonic content
Hot-rodded circuit gives you big-time distortion tones, from a road-friendly box

MXR knows their pedals. They also know how to get the absolute most out of the insides of those pedals. They took a classic distortion circuit, hot rodded it, and housed it in a rock-solid metal housing. The result? You can stomp on a Custom Badass '78 Distortion for tour after tour, and it'll keep on pumping out massive distortion tones.

Get rich, massive rhythm tones and over-the-top leads

The Custom Badass '78 Distortion delivers everything from auditorium-rocking stack tones to totally classic pedal sounds. It's perfect for both chunky rhythm work and show-stopping lead parts. Best of all, MXR made it very easy to coax a range of distortion tones out of the Custom Badass '78 Distortion using just three simple knobs: Tone, Distortion, and Output. Crank the Distortion knob and cut through any mix. Turn that Output knob to the right and hit your amp's input hard. This pedal's not afraid to bring the rock.

Crunch button boosts the harmonic content

MXR lets you take the Custom Badass '78 Distortion's crunch factor up even another notch, with the Crunch button. Hit this button, and the distortion's harmonic content is increased - and you get even thicker, richer distortion tones. You won't believe how huge your guitar sounds when you plug it into this stompbox!

MXR Custom Badass '78 Distortion Pedal Features:
  • Hot-rodded classic circuit gives you huge distortion tones
  • Roars with both amp stack tones and old-school pedal distortion
  • Delivers soaring leads and rich, saturated rhythms
  • Crunch button boosts harmonic content of distortion
Get over-the-top distortion, with the huge-sounding MXR Custom Badass '78 Distortion pedal!

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Tech Specs

  • Pedal Type: Distortion
  • Analog/Digital: Analog
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Bypass Switching: True Hardwire
  • EQ: Tone Control
  • Power Source: 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
  • Batteries: 1 x 9V
  • Power Usage: 6mA
  • Height: 2.12" (including knobs)
  • Width: 2.62" (including jacks)
  • Depth: 4.37"
  • Weight: 0.48 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: M78

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Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

I love this pedal!

I'm a little shocked at how good this pedal is for the price. It's very versatile, offering everything from a light bluesy drive to full on distortion. It has excellent tonal clarity (way better than say my OCD or Plumes), even with heavier distortion. I find I get diminishing returns beyond about 12 o'clock on the distortion knob. But everything to the left of that is very useable.

This pedal also stacks really well. It sounds great when boosted by my Sugar Drive or Snouse Black Box. The crunch button adds a bit of harmonics and really helps the tone cut through a mix.

In short, this might be my favorite distortion pedal. I wasn't expecting much, but it's got a permanent place on my board now.
Music background: Adult player of 20+ years. Mostly light gigging and in home studio.
Rated 5/5

OMG!

I put an MXR Timmy in front of this and Bam! Every Rock Tone from the 70's thru the present is achievable with clear note definition, massive sustain, and a defined silky character that words alone can't quite describe fully.

This pedal is outstanding despite it's low cost.
Rated 5/5

Great pedal

This is my second distortion pedal and it takes the cake! I was looking for that B.B. King style distortion and I didn't expect this to deliver but it definitely did!
Rated 5/5

This MXR is Badass!!!!

What an awesome pedal. Excellent quality, excellent sound!

Sweetwater rocks as always... why buy your gear anywhere else. Nobody can touch Sweetwater.
Rated 5/5

MXR 78

This pedal has a nice distortion and tone, works well for blues.
Music background: Guitar player for 45 years
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