MXR

December 2009 Guitarist 161
MXR BASS PEDAL ROUND-UP £149-£249
BASS EFFECTS
The Bottom Line
We like: Stunning variation
in octave sounds
We dislike: The fluctuating
bottom E on ringing notes
The Bottom Line
We like: Powerful 18-volt
circuit; compact presentation
We dislike: Hard to fault with
so much adjustment on hand
GUITARIST RATING GUITARIST RATING
O
ne of the best bass effects
available gets better as this
offers two independent voices
for maximum variation,
blending and delivery. With fast
tracking and accuracy this has
to be octaving at the top level: a
small-sized pedal that can have
a huge impact on your sound.
Sounds
By varying the growl and girth
it offers some of the most
effective bass octave sounds
we’ve ever heard. The mid
switch allows straight notes to
dominate over the effected one,
while dry is the direct blending
of the two. Short, well-hit notes
produce best results from the
bottom string.
Verdict
This offers some classy sounds
that can be used to positively
inspire some new ideas.
B
ass overdrive needs
control to work well and
this offers plenty. The mid-
shift switch offers cool and
subtle front-end valve stress
through to blisteringly intense
distortion. The side-mounted
torch switch kicks ass by
activating extreme fuzz and
varies the effect significantly.
Sounds
With volume, gain and a
decent blend control, this will
fatten up your sound as much
as you want. Front-end
distortion, valve warmth and
dry-to-wet blending is easy.
Additionally, the thru output
allows input splitting for even
more sonic options.
Verdict
A highly adjustable bass
overdrive/fuzz that caters for
all playing styles.
MXR M-288
Bass Octave Deluxe
£239
MXR M-181
Bass Blow Torch
£209
Superior octave sounds for double the fun Intense bass overdrive with killer options
Spec
PRICE: £239
ORIGIN: USA
TYPE: Dual-voice bass octave
generator pedal
FEATURES: Two independent octave
voices
CONTROLS: Growl, dry, girth
CONNECTIONS: Input, output
POWER: DC adaptor (not supplied)
or nine-volt battery
DIMENSIONS: 112 (l) x 60 (w)
x 48mm (h)
Spec
PRICE: £209
ORIGIN: USA
TYPE: Bass distortion pedal
FEATURES: Mid-shift & torch switches
CONTROLS: Volume, bass, mid-range,
treble, blend, gain
CONNECTIONS: Input, output, thru
POWER: DC adaptor (not supplied) or
two nine-volt batteries
DIMENSIONS: 93 (l) x 125 (w)
x 58mm (h)
John Hornby Skewes
01132 865381
www.jimdunlop.com
GIT323.rev_mxr 161 6/11/09 12:47:32 pm