MXR Super Badass DistortionFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 48 mentions across 9 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment91%
PROS 91%
CONS 9%

Rank based on 48 mentions across 9 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want one pedal covering clean boost through full metal distortion
  • You value a 3-band EQ for shaping tone precisely
  • You want a natural, amp-like alternative to digital or TS-style pedals

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're sensitive to noise floor issues some units exhibit
  • You already own a boutique drive you're fully satisfied with
  • You need a dedicated always-on overdrive rather than a distortion/boost hybrid

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
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
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
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 valueYou are here
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
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
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
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
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
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
Moog Subsequent 37
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
Moog Subsequent 37
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
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Versatility across genres and gain levels is the most repeated praise. Commenters describe using the pedal for clean boost, classic rock crunch, blues, punk, and metal, often calling it capable of doing 'everything in between.' Multiple owners run two units on their board for different roles (rhythm vs. lead), and others compare it favorably to expensive boutique overdrives and distortions, saying it earned a permanent spot on their pedalboard.

The 3-band EQ is credited as the pedal's defining strength. Several users say the EQ lets them dial tones like an amp, avoiding the mid-hump common to Tube Screamer-style pedals. Pairing it with an external 10-band EQ pedal is mentioned by multiple commenters as a way to sculpt even further, adding bite or hollowing frequencies for more tailored tone shaping.

Tone is widely described as natural and amp-like rather than harsh or digital. Users report it sounds like a cranked Marshall half-stack through clean amps, works well into FX returns, and suits both solid-state and tube clean channels. A minority report a noticeable noise floor as a downside, and one commenter felt video demos didn't do the pedal's actual sound justice compared to trying it in person.

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