Boss ME-50chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

No menus, screens or computer connections are needed — just turn a knob and play, which many find faster and more intuitive than newer digital ME models or competitors like the Digitech GNX1.

@julianmorrisco

I had one of these when they first came out. Then I went down the full modelling route with a Variax and Pod XT Live and then Tone-X Yada yada. \n\nBut a couple of years ago, I realised I wasn’t playing live regularly anymore and when I did it was often with a small drum kit and PA. So. I pulled out the ME-50, plugged it into my Blackstar 1 watt amp (the one without reverb) and rediscovered the beauty of a simple setup. Knobs for everything, no endless choices of heads, amps and cabs and juts about everything I needed and no more. Ok, I’ve ended up adding my Sansamp (the original one with the DIP switches) because I like what it does to my Les Paul, even into an amp (which is not what it was meant for) and I’m in heaven. \nThe only extra I would like is maybe another delay pedal but I can make do with using the ME-50’s delay and using the modulation with the slowest mod speed to get close to the very subtle slapback/doubling effect I use on almost everything and the main delay for when I want longer delays. \nI’m trying to get my ‘sound’ without the sansamp (maybe I should retry the top left shaping feature which I usually leave off?) so I only have an amp, the Me-50 and a guitar. \nThat would be truly perfect. \nThe Me-50 is a great little box, it sounds great (which is a baseline) but the manual workflow is just so good. All the benefits of pedals and knobs but no power juggling, no failing connector cables and wonderfully light. \nI’d recommend something similar for anyone who has a nice guitar, a reasonable valve amp and just wants to play, not just beginners. \nI have a gig coming up, I might bring the Variax and tone-x for acoustic sounds, or maybe, and just hear me out here, I might just bring my Washburn acoustic-electric!launch

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July 11, 2024

@ricardbennett6487

Great review! This is my all time favorite multi effects unit. You can use the compressor as a booster with the external pedal. . The natural od is really musical with a lot of range. The bottom control on the od is a must, it's the feature that really sets it appart from the other newer ME's. The wah is thick and meaty, more for soloing than rhythm playing. The best ME!!!launch

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May 23, 2024

@Arvintures28

You know what's the best part about the ME50? Its the simplicity. No complicated Ui to set everything up. Its basically 3 stomp box and a wah. No complication just set and play. Not packed with thousands of effects but it all has everything you will ever need playing live.launch

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March 7, 2024

@randyh3761

Most people don’t realize that the headphone/line out has amp/cab modeling (no adjustment possible) but in to it. I preferred plugging that end into my normally bright Marshall avt50 combo (or a mixer) when I gigged with this pedal. Nice video! I enjoyed this pedal and used it for a long time. Great simple all in one and the interface is very intuitivelaunch

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May 22, 2023

Commenters frequently paid $40-190 secondhand for a unit that offers dozens of effects, calling it drastically underpriced compared to buying individual boutique pedals.

@NancyHammond-e1k2l

I just picked one up today I paid $129 for it not counting the tax LOL. I figure if I’m doing it right in my head it’s roughly 25 years old. It says these came out in 03. but like you said, it’s definitely fun and you get a lot of good sounds out of it. I love how it still is made out of metal when all the new ones are plastic.launch

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January 3, 2026

@randallclemons8638

I subscribed. My me 50 was in a flood, under water for 18 hours, buried in mud for two weeks. Took it apart, pressure washed it, I'm using it right now. My behringer pedals still work also. But I wanted to mention, the modulation effects on the me 50 are analog. The rest is digital. At least that is what I've read and Google AI keeps telling me. I got the 25 and 80. I like my 50 best. With computer attachments, increases odds or a pedal failure at some point. Like I said, my 50 survived that flood. I'd rather use a multi effects. Less hassle and easy to transport. But you can hook it up to other pedals. Just wanted to tell you how tough they are. I found mine on eBay for 105. Got lucky. Got the 25 for 60. Found an 80 one day for 100. But someone bought it before I could. I found another for 150 but it was in bad shape. And decided to buy the one in good shape for 190. Like you, I wanted a back for my 50 but also wanted something newer with a computer attachment. So, got the 80. The 90 is just the 80 with newer amp sims. I got pedals for that if I want it. Can't go wrong with a 50. People just don't know. They believe the marketing hype. You have my saying. I also sometimes say, it isn't the brush, it how creative the artist is with it. Good video.launch

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November 6, 2025

@aussieb1416

I bought mine for less than $65 american here in Ireland. I've seen two guys using them on the pub circuit here and they love 'em and would be lost without one. You can chuck one in your bag n shoot off to band practice without lugging a peddleboard and you're still good to go. A great desktop player into the computer too. Underrated and under loved. If the pedals weren't so close i could easily just use it forevermore.launch

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March 23, 2025

@povwaltz

Boss's website has an old brochure for these that you can download, dated Jan. '03. I swear I've had mine since '04 at the latest, had no idea how cutting edge I was at the time. So many reasons this thing is still hard to beat in many ways. To me its greatness largely lies in its (mod reverb and) elegantly simple yet functional presentation of such a complex (and near-\"complete\") collection of guitar pedal effects. It's literally like buying over 70 guitar pedals for barely $2 each, lol. Many of the digital od/dist options may be kind of crap, but I've personally landed on the BD2 as a very functional option within specific parameters. Especially when used lightly and with an also-lightly-overdriven tube amp, and/or with other od/dist pedals for that matter. And I do really love that mod reverb.launch

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September 30, 2024

Users report using the same unit for 15-20+ years through gigging abuse, spills, and even flood/mud damage, with the metal chassis outlasting plastic newer models. This durability is repeatedly cited as a key reason owners never sell theirs.

@NancyHammond-e1k2l

I just picked one up today I paid $129 for it not counting the tax LOL. I figure if I’m doing it right in my head it’s roughly 25 years old. It says these came out in 03. but like you said, it’s definitely fun and you get a lot of good sounds out of it. I love how it still is made out of metal when all the new ones are plastic.launch

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January 3, 2026

@randallclemons8638

I subscribed. My me 50 was in a flood, under water for 18 hours, buried in mud for two weeks. Took it apart, pressure washed it, I'm using it right now. My behringer pedals still work also. But I wanted to mention, the modulation effects on the me 50 are analog. The rest is digital. At least that is what I've read and Google AI keeps telling me. I got the 25 and 80. I like my 50 best. With computer attachments, increases odds or a pedal failure at some point. Like I said, my 50 survived that flood. I'd rather use a multi effects. Less hassle and easy to transport. But you can hook it up to other pedals. Just wanted to tell you how tough they are. I found mine on eBay for 105. Got lucky. Got the 25 for 60. Found an 80 one day for 100. But someone bought it before I could. I found another for 150 but it was in bad shape. And decided to buy the one in good shape for 190. Like you, I wanted a back for my 50 but also wanted something newer with a computer attachment. So, got the 80. The 90 is just the 80 with newer amp sims. I got pedals for that if I want it. Can't go wrong with a 50. People just don't know. They believe the marketing hype. You have my saying. I also sometimes say, it isn't the brush, it how creative the artist is with it. Good video.launch

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November 6, 2025

@chrisdenett7593

been gigging with mine for 20years, just starting to shit its self in the last week, i dont even rely on there shitty power, i load it with batteries brillant, found one online near new so i bought, another 20 years of use if i live that long🤣launch

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November 11, 2024

@skyrocketautomotive

I've kicked mine to death for nigh on 20 years at this point, playing everything from death metal to 80s indie, and most recently surf rock/punk. I wandered early on from time to time trying out various boutique pedals, but I always come back to my ME-50. \n\nNothing (in my view) can touch its perfect combination of tone versatility, ease of use, reliability, and build quality: Gig one for 20 years with people spilling beer all over it, having it fall out of the car during load in, recording multiple albums and EPs of many styles, lending it to people for recording, etc. Then think that you can buy one for sub £100 in some circles. Trust me, it's well worth the price of admission!\n\nI truly don't believe it's possible to buy this combination of pros at any price point and not have it ever let you down, ever. (It's survived at least a dozen mains adaptors at this point haha)\n\nThanks, Blue. Here's to 20 more years! \n\nWhat a great demonstration. Really enjoyed this :)launch

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June 8, 2024

Multiple long-term users single out the delay, chorus/univibe, compressor and noise gate sections as excellent and a core reason they keep the pedal, even after switching to individual boutique pedals for other tones.

@julianmorrisco

I removed mine when I took a bunch of pedals out of storage. But I reinstated it, even though I now only use the OD section as a bit of clean-ish boost or eq (bass & treble), the modulation, delays and the expression pedal are really good. For a start, I have finger cutter pots on my old LP Deluxe , which (as you can assume from the name) do not make great performance controls. The pedal at default works wonderfully for that, not to mention the ring mod etc.launch

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October 23, 2025

@PaulArmin-z2e

Hi there, I´ve also been using a Boss ME-50 for at least 20 years. For me it still is the most down-to-ground and effective multi effect pedal. No displays, no programming, no connecting to a computer. And great sounds. I simply love the delay section, making it very easy to get into Gilmour types of sounds. The chorus effects are on the weak side in my opinion, but who cares? There are plenty of affordable alternatives. The compressor and noise gate are really great features. I tried out both a ME-70 and a ME-90, but they just can't compare both in directness and \"raw\" sound. I was very impressed by your Floyd session in front of the fridge. 🙂 For me, this pedal is - even after all these years - the state of the art for my kinda music.\nBest wishes from over in Germany, Paullaunch

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September 20, 2024

@julianmorrisco

I had one of these when they first came out. Then I went down the full modelling route with a Variax and Pod XT Live and then Tone-X Yada yada. \n\nBut a couple of years ago, I realised I wasn’t playing live regularly anymore and when I did it was often with a small drum kit and PA. So. I pulled out the ME-50, plugged it into my Blackstar 1 watt amp (the one without reverb) and rediscovered the beauty of a simple setup. Knobs for everything, no endless choices of heads, amps and cabs and juts about everything I needed and no more. Ok, I’ve ended up adding my Sansamp (the original one with the DIP switches) because I like what it does to my Les Paul, even into an amp (which is not what it was meant for) and I’m in heaven. \nThe only extra I would like is maybe another delay pedal but I can make do with using the ME-50’s delay and using the modulation with the slowest mod speed to get close to the very subtle slapback/doubling effect I use on almost everything and the main delay for when I want longer delays. \nI’m trying to get my ‘sound’ without the sansamp (maybe I should retry the top left shaping feature which I usually leave off?) so I only have an amp, the Me-50 and a guitar. \nThat would be truly perfect. \nThe Me-50 is a great little box, it sounds great (which is a baseline) but the manual workflow is just so good. All the benefits of pedals and knobs but no power juggling, no failing connector cables and wonderfully light. \nI’d recommend something similar for anyone who has a nice guitar, a reasonable valve amp and just wants to play, not just beginners. \nI have a gig coming up, I might bring the Variax and tone-x for acoustic sounds, or maybe, and just hear me out here, I might just bring my Washburn acoustic-electric!launch

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July 11, 2024

@ricardbennett6487

Great review! This is my all time favorite multi effects unit. You can use the compressor as a booster with the external pedal. . The natural od is really musical with a lot of range. The bottom control on the od is a must, it's the feature that really sets it appart from the other newer ME's. The wah is thick and meaty, more for soloing than rhythm playing. The best ME!!!launch

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May 23, 2024

Several players emphasize that plugged directly into a valve/tube amp, the ME-50 sounds natural and not fake, making it ideal for old-school setups without amp modeling.

@TheGospelGuitarist

Been using mine since they came out. I have a rather larger pedal board now because I love individual pedals once again. I will never sell the 50. Also have an old RP-20 I won't sell either. No modeling amps on these, just original effects and drive tones.Plug them into a real tube amp and kill something. lol! At 63 I've played a bunch, old Boss GX-700 still sets in my rack with my Eleven rack as well for some modeling.launch

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July 19, 2024

@julianmorrisco

I had one of these when they first came out. Then I went down the full modelling route with a Variax and Pod XT Live and then Tone-X Yada yada. \n\nBut a couple of years ago, I realised I wasn’t playing live regularly anymore and when I did it was often with a small drum kit and PA. So. I pulled out the ME-50, plugged it into my Blackstar 1 watt amp (the one without reverb) and rediscovered the beauty of a simple setup. Knobs for everything, no endless choices of heads, amps and cabs and juts about everything I needed and no more. Ok, I’ve ended up adding my Sansamp (the original one with the DIP switches) because I like what it does to my Les Paul, even into an amp (which is not what it was meant for) and I’m in heaven. \nThe only extra I would like is maybe another delay pedal but I can make do with using the ME-50’s delay and using the modulation with the slowest mod speed to get close to the very subtle slapback/doubling effect I use on almost everything and the main delay for when I want longer delays. \nI’m trying to get my ‘sound’ without the sansamp (maybe I should retry the top left shaping feature which I usually leave off?) so I only have an amp, the Me-50 and a guitar. \nThat would be truly perfect. \nThe Me-50 is a great little box, it sounds great (which is a baseline) but the manual workflow is just so good. All the benefits of pedals and knobs but no power juggling, no failing connector cables and wonderfully light. \nI’d recommend something similar for anyone who has a nice guitar, a reasonable valve amp and just wants to play, not just beginners. \nI have a gig coming up, I might bring the Variax and tone-x for acoustic sounds, or maybe, and just hear me out here, I might just bring my Washburn acoustic-electric!launch

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July 11, 2024

@HeimirTomm

I used to play in a thrash metal band, using an ME-50 through a Marshall 8080. Once amplified through the system it was simply unbelievable how well it sounded. And being broke I used an Epiphone. Just goes to show that if you have a good engineer that knows what he's doing and half decent gear you can move fucking mountains.launch

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September 28, 2023

@richardelson3261

This is a great unit for old school into-a-good-amp playing. No fuss. No little lead connectivity issues. Great design all very usable and easy to dial in. Exceptionally sturdy. You can use specialist pedals along with it of course. \n\nI got mine used for £100. You have to have a good amp or good amp sims / pedals, this just does the main guitar effects really well with no hassle. I have a pedal board of boutique pedals worth about £1500 and this is a great on-the-fly backpack alternative.launch

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July 11, 2023

The headphone output with tone-modify modes lets players practice quietly without an amp, which several users specifically value.

@rochat

I love the humour and self depreciation. Fun fact about Bubbles.... Before Trailer Park Boys, he was the guitarist and I think backing vocals for a Canadian band called \"Sandbox\" which had a few hits in the 90's.\n\nI got lucky a few years back and found a mint ME-50 for $40 and it has been far better than I had hoped for. It's also great for practicing as you can use it with just headphones. I'll never get rid of mine.launch

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June 5, 2024

@rochat

If noise is a concern, this also makes for an excellent \"practice amp\" since you can select a tone modify mode and plug headphones in without any amp at all.launch

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December 28, 2022

@roe3474

I got this still use it after 20 years. I either use headphones with this for practice or run it through fx loop on Marshall with a few pedals + wah in front of amp. It’s also got stereo outputs you can do some pretty cool stuff withlaunch

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January 3, 2021

One long-term owner notes the ME-50 doesn't color the tone when bypassed, unlike newer ME models, which is important for players wanting a transparent signal path.

@edtracey

Got mine in 2002/3. It was just out. Gigged it for years and still have it. Pedal broke off years ago but still rocked it. Picked up a broken mint me-50b for cheap and used it for parts to restore it. The thing i love about the me50 is that it doesn't change the tone in bypass mode. The newer models do. If you can pick one up then jump on it. The distortions can be debatable but you're getting an expression pedal, wah, delay, modulation, noise gate, comp and a tuner that are all really good. Plus you get an ok reverb (the mod is ok), and then you can also plug audio tracks through it. I loved it on guitar with my tsl2000 but i only use it now on my synths and, to be honest, the distortion and tone controls are awsome with synths. I love this thing. Glad to see there is still an interest out there, and yes, my mates call me an me-50 fanboy, but im cool with it. Keep her lit.launch

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October 14, 2023