MXR Slash Octave FuzzFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 28 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment45%
PROS 45%
CONS 55%

Rank based on 28 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an affordable pedal combining fuzz with independent octave-up and octave-down control
  • You like vintage, analog-flavored fuzz tones such as Hendrix or Jimmy Page's 'Fool in the Rain' sound
  • You're after a crude, unique-sounding effect that isn't trying to replicate any other pedal

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You expect it to sound like Slash's actual live/recorded tone
  • You need reliable sub-octave tracking with lower-output guitars like Stratocasters
  • You dislike scooped, nasty-sounding fuzz that can be inconsistent across guitar/amp setups

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
MXR Slash Octave Fuzz
Affordable priceVersatile fuzz/octave combinationsGood for vintage/classic tonesMismatched with Slash's actual toneScooped or inconsistent toneSub-octave dropout glitch
MXR Slash Octave Fuzz
Affordable price
Versatile fuzz/octave combinations
Good for vintage/classic tones
Mismatched with Slash's actual tone
Scooped or inconsistent tone
Sub-octave dropout glitch

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A flexible octave-fuzz combo that rewards experimentation. Owners describe it as versatile, letting them dial the octave knob fully on, off, or anywhere between, and combine fuzz independently with up or down octaves. It's praised for nailing Hendrix-style and Jimmy Page 'Fool in the Rain' tones, working well with drop-D tunings and higher-gain amps like a Peavey 6505+. Several buyers call it affordable and fun despite its rough edges, with one owner saying no other pedal sounds quite like it, and another noting it does more than demos suggest.

A frustrating sub-octave glitch shows up for multiple owners. Several users report the sub-octave signal or even the entire dry signal cutting out when certain footswitch combinations, like 'On' plus 'Sub into Fuzz,' are engaged together. One owner traced it to the octave dropping out when guitar signal decreases, especially with lower-output guitars such as Stratocasters. Others asked for help troubleshooting identical silent-output issues, suggesting this is a recurring hardware quirk rather than isolated user error.

The Slash branding draws persistent skepticism from viewers. Many commenters question why Slash's name is on a fuzz/octave pedal, since his live and recorded tone rarely if ever uses such effects, pointing out he relies mainly on his amp, wah, and Les Paul. Some suggest removing his name would let the price drop, while others counter that he reportedly used it on Apocalyptic Love album demos and the Paradise City solo. The mismatch between the artist and effect leaves several unconvinced it represents his actual tone.

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