• From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Topic: MXR Badass

Hey all-

I just won a facebook giveaway that Dunlop/MXR was doing for the Badass Custom '78 Distortion and Overdrive... anyone have any experience with either? All the MXR stuff that I have ever used has been quality, so I am real excited to get these bad boys in.

Thanks,
Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: MXR Badass

I had one for a short while, I liked it.  Its basically a Marshall in a box type pedal.  Its pretty good, unless you've been spoiled with high end pedals that is.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: MXR Badass

Hey Logan, I have the gold box one, custom modified badass overdrive. It's in/on some of my YouTube videos of my amp demos. I absolutely LOVE that pedal. If one were to outright purchase it, ou can't beat the price at $99.

I never played the first one they came out with, 78 distortion in the red box.

Congratulations winning tho, I think you'll like the modified at least. It will work with pretty much any amp.

  • Registered: 2009-10-10
  • Posts: 438

Re: MXR Badass

I am pretty sure I saw one of these in Keith Urban's rig rundown.  His tech said it is a very underrated pedal, and that it never leaves Keith's rig.

  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: MXR Badass

Thanks for the feedback. I'm excited to test them out. I'm not huge on distortion boxes but I won't rule it out until I give it a shot. The OD may make it on the board though for another flavor as I've only got a TS type pedal on there now. I've never won anything so this is pretty cool.


Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: MXR Badass

I've gone back and forth between the ts808 and the modified overdrive, tweaking them to see how close they can get and honesty they are pretty much identical. However, the modified OD can do a little more with the 100hz dial, which is cool and the small boost button and a tad bit more gain in tap.

I like it as an on all the time OD and the ts808 as a lead boost cause it cuts a little bottom end and brings out more mids. But I'm sure you'll find a use for it and enjoy the pedal.

7 Reply by AD3THREE (edited by AD3THREE 2012-12-29 23:35:53)

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: MXR Badass

I personally like the button off on the the 78' best.  Not to say it wouldn't sound good either way.  If you play humbuckers you'll love the sound this gets with the Blues jr. barely breaking up.  Single coils might sound a bit bright with this pedal but p-90's would be alright I think.  The pedal is kind of bright anyway so beware, but the distortion gets heavier then a Van Halen Brown sound.  Death metal is a little weak for this and its a mids happy stomp box anyway.  Youtube video's suck compared to the really hearing it.  Dunlop has the best video though. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYiEmq09uXE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcWb3Ypdk44
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaSjMDYfz4Q

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,374

Re: MXR Badass

Logo33 wrote:

Hey all-

I just won a facebook giveaway that Dunlop/MXR was doing for the Badass Custom '78 Distortion and Overdrive... anyone have any experience with either? All the MXR stuff that I have ever used has been quality, so I am real excited to get these bad boys in.

Thanks,
Logan

I actually just bought one used from GC with a gift card I got for CHristmas.  I haven't had a lot of time to run it through its paces, but so far I like it a lot.   It's  a nice, edgy compliment to my OD pedals.  For reference, I've been playing w/ my Les Paul.  It has a nice amount of clarity and it doesn't sound like there's a blanket thrown over the amp.  It definitely crunches but it's not too buzzsaw-like.  It's a pleasing, musical distortion.  I've been liking the crunch button on, personally.  Seems to have just a bit more sparkle.  With the LP I have the tone knob aout 10-11 o'clock, so with single coils or a brighter guitar I'll probably have to dial that back quite a bit more.  Like AD3THREE said, it seems to be a fairly pretty bright pedal.  Not in a bad way, though, it's not piercing or unpleasant.  I also tried it with my Fulltone 2's mild OD in front of the Badass '78 and it really screamed.  Loved that, and might be perfect for songs that use the '78 for crunchy/metal rhythm and I need somewhere to go for a lead.  I can't say too much more, I need more time to really dig into the pedal.

For what it's worth, I got mine used at GC for $39, which seemed like a pretty good deal.

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