Detail 01
'78-style distortion voicing
Warm and round rather than fizzy. Mids stay forward, so the guitar cuts without harsh top end.
Product detailSKU #1296155736088
MXRM78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal
aggressivehigh outputwarmmetalrockhard rock
1/3
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
MXR's take on a late-70s distortion voice. For guitarists after thick, mid-forward crunch rather than modern tight high-gain.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Classic rock rhythm and lead through a clean amp
- Pushing an already-driven amp into thicker saturation
- Players wanting one distortion box, not a gain menu
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Metal players needing tight, scooped modern gain
- Anyone wanting amp-style channel switching
- Players who prefer transparent, low-gain overdrive
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Distortion, not overdrive
It makes its own gain rather than just pushing your amp, so it works into a clean channel.
Detail 03
High output on tap
Enough level to slam the front of a tube amp, which adds amp compression on top of the pedal's own.
Detail 04
MXR standard enclosure
The familiar compact MXR box. Predictable footprint when laying out a pedalboard.
Detail 05
$125.99
Mid tier for a dirt pedal. Built-to-tour construction at a price below boutique one-offs.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Power supply typically sold separately with MXR pedals; confirm before ordering
- 02Patch cables not included
- 03Thick mids can crowd a mix; leave room to cut them back
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Is this good for metal?
Not really. The voicing is warm and mid-forward, closer to classic rock crunch than to the tight, scooped gain most metal players want.
02Can I use it as a clean boost?
It is a distortion circuit, so it colors the signal even at low gain. Use a dedicated boost if you want the amp untouched.
03Does it work through a solid-state amp?
Yes. It generates its own distortion, so it does not depend on the amp breaking up.
04How does it compare to the MXR Distortion+?
Both are MXR dirt boxes. This one is voiced around a late-70s sound with a thicker, warmer character and more available output.
