Geni Swing Guitars

Mxr Pedals

There are many guitar effects pedals that are useful and many that are not. I have narrowed my collection down to around 10 but I have several that I would say are absolute must-haves for my guitar setup.

A distortion pedal helps to bring the most out of your amp. I own an amp that has a clean channel as well as a dirty one. There are a lot of distortion pedals that sound great played through the dirty channel but I really prefer to play mine through the clean setting. I use a Metal Muff by EHX. It has the range of screaming distortion right down to mellow, growling overdrive. Each end of the range is perfect for many styles of music. Played with the setting a little past the 12 o'clock position gives a nice 80's style heavy metal tone. If you dial it back between the 8 - 12 o'clock ranges you will get a tone that is perfect for blues and classic rock.

My other favorite pedal is a 10 band equalizer that is made by MXR, who is most famous for their phaser pedal. This pedal gives me many options with its 10 frequency bands and also a pre-gain slider and a post-gain as well. The settings on the sliders range from -10 to +10 which gives you the ability to scoop your tones (such as your mids) or boost them, which helps to give your distortion pedal an unbelievable amount of high gain. The best place I have found to use this pedal is in the effects loop of my amp. This allows me to shape my tone after the pre-amp tubes and before the power-amp. If you don't have an amp with an effects loop I would recommend plugging your pedal in your chain after the distortion pedal, which will give you the option to shape the tone of the distortion rather than the distortion shaping the EQ.

I also am very partial to having a compression pedal in the chain. I have had success with one before and after the distortion pedal. This is completely subjective to your personal tastes and needs for compression. My compressor, which is a Boss CS-3, keeps the volume consistent when playing at higher gain distortion levels. It also raise the sustain which can tend to get lost when using high amounts of distortion. These are not always the easiest to dial in so you will need to be patient when setting one up and also remember to log your settings once you find the sweet spot.

Chorus is another pedal I use in my everyday setup that gives a kind of sweet and fat colour to a mild distorted tone. I definitely don't use any when I'm playing high gain music, only for the lower distortion and even down to overdriven levels. Again, as with the compressor, it is sometimes a little tricky to find that sweet spot and you can get out of control on your sound if the speed and tone are set too high. Play with it in small increments until you find the right amount of chorus for your style. I use an Arion that was manufactured back in the early 1980's and is still going strong today.

Those are my die hard pedals for my setup; I also use a few others for specialty songs but not for full time playing. Make sure you test out your pedals thoroughly at the guitar shop before you purchase and make sure they offer a decent return policy.

Terry Voth has played guitar and other instruments for over 20 years and uses many different guitar effect pedals in his setups.

Pedals $12.49 Pedals

MXR Noise Clamp Pedal $123.4 Crank your stomp pedals to the extremes without the fear of any hiss or excess noise with the MXR Noise Clamp. By sensing your guitar's dry signal, The Noise Clamp reduces the noise level within the effect loop, coming down hard on even the noisiest signals. A single Trigger knob allows you to set the volume threshold at which the pedal is active, and a green LED shows whether the gate is on/off. This bad boy is capable of reducing Noise up to 26dB, maintaining riff definition at extreme gain levels.

MXR M-115 Distortion III Pedal $79.99 Developed from the ground up using carefully selected components, the Distortion III pedal delivers everything from sweet singing overdrive to massive distortion crunch! It's natural and amp-like distortion is versatile enough to appeal to any playing style and transparent enough to let your guitar's personality shine through. Like all MXR pedals, the Distortion III features a heavy-duty casing, switch and jacks for a lifetime of use.The initials MXR are synonymous with the effects pedal innovations that have shaped the tone of modern electric guitar. Since the 1970's, MXR has produced some of the best stomp boxes available; now comes the inspired MXR Distortion III. Starting with its proprietary circuit design that delivers rich harmonic content, the D-III carries on the MXR tradition of tough, rugged and tonally tasty stomp boxes. With its die cast chassis, robust stomp switch and carefully selected components the D-III guitar effects pedal is truly a modern day classic.True hardwire bypassLow noise componentsLarge dynamic output rangeProprietary circuit design that delivers rich harmonicsDynamic, touch-sensitive responseRetains your guitar's tone and clarity

Mxr M-115 Distortion Iii Pedal $79.99 Developed from the ground up using carefully selected components, the Distortion III pedal delivers everything from sweet singing overdrive to massive distortion crunch! It's natural and amp-like distortion is versatile enough to appeal to any playing style and transparent enough to let your guitar's personality shine through. Like all MXR pedals, the Distortion III features a heavy-duty casing, switch and jacks for a lifetime of use.The initials MXR are synonymous with the effects pedal innovations that have shaped the tone of modern electric guitar. Since the 1970's, MXR has produced some of the best stomp boxes available; now comes the inspired MXR Distortion III. Starting with its proprietary circuit design that delivers rich harmonic content, the D-III carries on the MXR tradition of tough, rugged and tonally tasty stomp boxes. With its die cast chassis, robust stomp switch and carefully selected components the D-III guitar effects pedal is truly a modern day classic.True hardwire bypassLow noise componentsLarge dynamic output rangeProprietary circuit design that delivers rich harmonicsDynamic, touch-sensitive responseRetains your guitar's tone and clarity

MXR Custom Audio Electronics MC-401 Boost Pedal $99.99 MXR joined forces with Custom Audio Electronics founder Bob Bradshaw to bring you the MC-401 Boost Pedal. Cleans up nicely when you roll back your guitar volume, making it extremely responsive to picking dynamics without thinning your tone. High-quality components provide quiet operation and trouble-free interaction with other pedals on your board. Custom Audio Electronics has made limited quantities of pedals for select clientele since 1980 and has now teamed up with MXR to bring these pedals to the masses.

Mxr Custom Audio Electronics Mc-401 Boost Pedal $99.99 MXR joined forces with Custom Audio Electronics founder Bob Bradshaw to bring you the MC-401 Boost Pedal. Cleans up nicely when you roll back your guitar volume, making it extremely responsive to picking dynamics without thinning your tone. High-quality components provide quiet operation and trouble-free interaction with other pedals on your board. Custom Audio Electronics has made limited quantities of pedals for select clientele since 1980 and has now teamed up with MXR to bring these pedals to the masses.

MXR M182 El Grande Bass Fuzz Pedal $99.99 The MXR M182 El Grande Bass Fuzz Pedal offers you Volume, Tone, and Fuzz controls to sculpt your tone with precision. You get everything you need--from searing, sustained upper-register chords to punchy, growling low B's--without sacrificing low end or clarity. MXR took a classic 70's fuzz circuit, re-tuned it for more low end, and added a DEEP switch that delivers up to +15dB of monstrous bass that is internally adjustable between 87Hz - 113Hz. The El Grande comes in a lightweight yet durable aluminum case equipped with the same high-quality jacks and switches that have made MXR pedals a road-ready standard on pedalboards around the world for over 30 years.DEEP switchControls: Volume, Tone, FuzzLight & durable aluminum casing

Mxr M182 El Grande Bass Fuzz Pedal $99.99 The MXR M182 El Grande Bass Fuzz Pedal offers you Volume, Tone, and Fuzz controls to sculpt your tone with precision. You get everything you need--from searing, sustained upper-register chords to punchy, growling low B's--without sacrificing low end or clarity. MXR took a classic 70's fuzz circuit, re-tuned it for more low end, and added a DEEP switch that delivers up to +15dB of monstrous bass that is internally adjustable between 87Hz - 113Hz. The El Grande comes in a lightweight yet durable aluminum case equipped with the same high-quality jacks and switches that have made MXR pedals a road-ready standard on pedalboards around the world for over 30 years.DEEP switchControls: Volume, Tone, FuzzLight & durable aluminum casing

MXR Custom Audio Electronics MC-402 Boost/Overdrive Pedal $139.99 MXR joined forces with Custom Audio Electronics founder Bob Bradshaw to bring you the MC-402 Boost/Overdrive Pedal. Cleans up nicely when you roll back your guitar volume, making it extremely responsive to picking dynamics without thinning your tone. The warm sounding classic overdrive adds sustain and punch. High-quality components provide quiet operation and trouble-free interaction with other pedals on your board. Custom Audio Electronics has made limited quantities of pedals for select clientele since 1980 and has now teamed up with MXR to bring these pedals to the masses.

Mxr Custom Audio Electronics Mc-402 Boost/Overdrive Pedal $139.99 MXR joined forces with Custom Audio Electronics founder Bob Bradshaw to bring you the MC-402 Boost/Overdrive Pedal. Cleans up nicely when you roll back your guitar volume, making it extremely responsive to picking dynamics without thinning your tone. The warm sounding classic overdrive adds sustain and punch. High-quality components provide quiet operation and trouble-free interaction with other pedals on your board. Custom Audio Electronics has made limited quantities of pedals for select clientele since 1980 and has now teamed up with MXR to bring these pedals to the masses.

MXR M234 Analog Chorus Guitar Effects Pedal $99.99 This all-analog pedal uses bucket-brigade circuitry to create classically lush, liquid textures that you just can't get with digital circuitry. Rate, Level, and Depth controls, as well as knobs for cutting High and Low frequencies allow ultimate tone control. Like all MXR pedals, the M-234 comes in a heavy-duty housing with durable jacks and switches for a lifetime on the road.All-analog bucket-brigade circuitryCreate classically lush, liquid texturesRate, Level, Depth controlsHigh/Low frequency cut knobs

Mxr M234 Analog Chorus Guitar Effects Pedal $99.99 This all-analog pedal uses bucket-brigade circuitry to create classically lush, liquid textures that you just can't get with digital circuitry. Rate, Level, and Depth controls, as well as knobs for cutting High and Low frequencies allow ultimate tone control. Like all MXR pedals, the M-234 comes in a heavy-duty housing with durable jacks and switches for a lifetime on the road.All-analog bucket-brigade circuitryCreate classically lush, liquid texturesRate, Level, Depth controlsHigh/Low frequency cut knobs

MXR M159 Stereo Tremolo Guitar Effects Pedal $169.99 With its warm analog circuitry and lush tremolo sound, the Dunlop TS-1 set the standard for tremolo pedals for over a decade. The MXR M159 Tremolo Pedal keeps all the effects and controls of the original--but in a smaller, pedalboard-friendly size. Its 18-volt operation provides rich and vibrant sound with low noise due to its high headroom. With the versatile input/output options the M159 guitar pedal can produce hypnotic, pulsing mono tremolo through a single amp or ping-ponged from one amp to another in stereo mode for a huge, spacious tone.Pedalboard-friendly size18-volt operationVersatile input/output options

Mxr M159 Stereo Tremolo Guitar Effects Pedal $169.99 With its warm analog circuitry and lush tremolo sound, the Dunlop TS-1 set the standard for tremolo pedals for over a decade. The MXR M159 Tremolo Pedal keeps all the effects and controls of the original--but in a smaller, pedalboard-friendly size. Its 18-volt operation provides rich and vibrant sound with low noise due to its high headroom. With the versatile input/output options the M159 guitar pedal can produce hypnotic, pulsing mono tremolo through a single amp or ping-ponged from one amp to another in stereo mode for a huge, spacious tone.Pedalboard-friendly size18-volt operationVersatile input/output options

MXR M288 Bass Octave Deluxe Effects Pedal Blue Sparkle $149.99 The MXR M288 Bass Octave Deluxe is a dual-voice octave pedal using MXR's 18-volt Constant Headroom Technology (CHT) to provide studio-performance headroom and superior tracking. Use the Dry knob to mix your direct bass signal with the octave effect, or hit the Mid+ switch to add up to +14dB of internally adjustable low-mid punch (400Hz) or midrange pop (850Hz). Bass players love the 2 separately processed and individually voiced octave controlsGrowl (for throaty, midrange octave-below tone) and Girth (for deep and smooth octave below). The Bass Octave Deluxe boasts a durable, lightweight aluminum casting and has the same high-quality jacks and switches that make MXR pedals the road-ready standard on pedal-boards around the world.Constant Headroom TechnologyThe MXR CHT circuit produces 18-volts of headroom from a single 9-volt battery or external power source. CHT utilizes voltage step-up techniques, which supplies constant 18-volt headroom regardless of source voltage. For example, CHT will produce 18-volt headroom from a used battery down to 4.5-volts and voltages up to 30-volts. CHT also protects against incorrect reverse polarity and AC voltages.Since the early 1970sBass players world-wide rely on MXR pedals to overdrive, funkify, EQ, and compress their bass sound. MXR's commitment to bass players has been solidified by the development of the MXR Bass Innovations divisiondevoted to developing cutting-edge tools for bassists on stage and in the studio. MXR Bass Innovations products are found on the pedalboards of artists like as Robert Trujillo (Metallica), Leland Sklar (L.A. Studio Veteran), Juan Alderete (Mars Volta), Michael Rhodes (Nashville Studio Ace), and Marcus Miller.Constant headroom Technology (CHT) for exceptional headroom and trackingTrue bypassOrganic analog toneTwo independent octave voicesMid+ switch adds a midrange boost at user selected frequencyLightweight and durable aluminum housingSmall footprint

Mxr M288 Bass Octave Deluxe Effects Pedal Blue Sparkle $149.99 The MXR M288 Bass Octave Deluxe is a dual-voice octave pedal using MXR's 18-volt Constant Headroom Technology (CHT) to provide studio-performance headroom and superior tracking. Use the Dry knob to mix your direct bass signal with the octave effect, or hit the Mid+ switch to add up to +14dB of internally adjustable low-mid punch (400Hz) or midrange pop (850Hz). Bass players love the 2 separately processed and individually voiced octave controlsGrowl (for throaty, midrange octave-below tone) and Girth (for deep and smooth octave below). The Bass Octave Deluxe boasts a durable, lightweight aluminum casting and has the same high-quality jacks and switches that make MXR pedals the road-ready standard on pedal-boards around the world.Constant Headroom TechnologyThe MXR CHT circuit produces 18-volts of headroom from a single 9-volt battery or external power source. CHT utilizes voltage step-up techniques, which supplies constant 18-volt headroom regardless of source voltage. For example, CHT will produce 18-volt headroom from a used battery down to 4.5-volts and voltages up to 30-volts. CHT also protects against incorrect reverse polarity and AC voltages.Since the early 1970sBass players world-wide rely on MXR pedals to overdrive, funkify, EQ, and compress their bass sound. MXR's commitment to bass players has been solidified by the development of the MXR Bass Innovations divisiondevoted to developing cutting-edge tools for bassists on stage and in the studio. MXR Bass Innovations products are found on the pedalboards of artists like as Robert Trujillo (Metallica), Leland Sklar (L.A. Studio Veteran), Juan Alderete (Mars Volta), Michael Rhodes (Nashville Studio Ace), and Marcus Miller.Constant headroom Technology (CHT) for exceptional headroom and trackingTrue bypassOrganic analog toneTwo independent octave voicesMid+ switch adds a midrange boost at user selected frequencyLightweight and durable aluminum housingSmall footprint

MXR ZW38 Zakk Wylde Black Label Chorus Guitar Effects Pedal $89.99 The MXR Black Label Chorus is Zakk's secret weapon to thicken up his wall of distortion and add liquid dimension and texture to clean passages. At the heart of the MXR Black Label Chorus is its bucket brigade circuitrythe only way to get truly rich and warm analog chorusing. The MXR Zakk Wylde Chorus pedal's vintage style tones are dialed in by High and Low cut filters and Level, Rate, and Depth controls. For the ultimate in spatial chorusing, hook up 2 amps via the 2 outputs for a wide and sweeping stereo spread. Like all MXR pedals, the Black Label Chorus comes in a heavy-duty housing with durable jacks and switches for a lifetime on the road.The MXR Zakk Wylde Chorus guitar pedal can be powered by one 9V battery (accessed by removing the effect pedal's bottom plate), a Dunlop DC810DC brick, or MC403 Power system (sold separately).True bypass with LEDLevel knobRate knobDepth knobFootswitch for on/bypassHigh cut filterLow cut filterBucket brigade circuitry

Mxr Zw38 Zakk Wylde Black Label Chorus Guitar Effects Pedal $89.99 The MXR Black Label Chorus is Zakk's secret weapon to thicken up his wall of distortion and add liquid dimension and texture to clean passages. At the heart of the MXR Black Label Chorus is its bucket brigade circuitrythe only way to get truly rich and warm analog chorusing. The MXR Zakk Wylde Chorus pedal's vintage style tones are dialed in by High and Low cut filters and Level, Rate, and Depth controls. For the ultimate in spatial chorusing, hook up 2 amps via the 2 outputs for a wide and sweeping stereo spread. Like all MXR pedals, the Black Label Chorus comes in a heavy-duty housing with durable jacks and switches for a lifetime on the road.The MXR Zakk Wylde Chorus guitar pedal can be powered by one 9V battery (accessed by removing the effect pedal's bottom plate), a Dunlop DC810DC brick, or MC403 Power system (sold separately).True bypass with LEDLevel knobRate knobDepth knobFootswitch for on/bypassHigh cut filterLow cut filterBucket brigade circuitry

MXR M-103 Blue Box $69.99 MXR M-103 Blue Box

Mxr M-103 Blue Box $69.99 MXR M-103 Blue Box

Used Mxr M1025112 $49.99 In Store Used USED MXR M1025112

Used Mxr Berzerker $49.99 In Store Used USED MXR BERZERKER

Used Mxr Distortion + $50 In Store Used USED MXR DISTORTION +

Used Mxr Bluebox $49.99 In Store Used USED MXR BLUEBOX

MXR M195 Noise Clamp Noise Reduction Guitar Effects Pedal $79.99 Crank your stomp pedals to the extreme without the fear of any hiss or excess noise with the MXR Noise Clamp. By sensing your guitar's dry signal, the Noise Clamp reduces the noise level within the effects loop, coming down hard on even the noisiest signals. A single Trigger knob allows you to set the volume threshold at which the pedal is active, and a green LED shows whether the gate is on/off. This bad boy is capable of reducing noise up to 26dB, maintaining riff definition at extreme gain levels.Eliminates hiss and excess noise from your effects chainA single Trigger knob sets the volume thresholdCapable of reducing noise up to 26dBMaintains riff definition at extreme gain levels