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tonmazz « MXR Zakk Overdrive - Love Zakk but hate this »
Published on 08/05/12 at 09:42The MXR Zakk Wylde overdrive came as most boost pedals do with output, tone and gain controls. Nothing fancy except for the paint job and lets face it, as a fan that's all that matters, or so I thought. Basic input and output controls and power adapter. Built well as most MXR stuff usually is. Characteristics get a 7 rating based almost solely on looks.
UTILIZATION
It doesn't get much easier to use than this and a boost should not be a complicated piece of equipment. 3 dials and they all perform their function, although lack a great range in all cases. Manual is perfectly fine, no complaints.
SOUND QUALITY
Ok here is the meat of the review, this overdrive was a huge let down and I'm surprised Zakk let his name be placed on this. I can't express enough how muddy and dark this thing sounds. It really lacks range in the controls and doesn't do much to boost the signal, just makes it muddy and grainy. Listening to Zakk live, that is the exact opposite of his true tone. He is balls out boosted Marshall without grainy, muddy, messy noise. In other words, his tone is the exact opposite of what his signature pedal does. I tried to like this for a long time and could not find anything appealing about this other than the paint job.
OVERALL OPINION
Overall there are much better choices out there for a true boost and even a boost with some gain. The Fulltone OCD and basic Ibanez TS-9 come to mind as better choices right off the bat. I can't stress how truley dissapointing this was. The tone of my amp was muddied up and could not be dialed in with even the three basic controls. Definately not worth the money, and this is coming from a fan who loves signature gear and knows you pay mostly for the name. In this case, I'll pass! Built well and looks good but that's about it. I also hate having to carry a screw driver around to change the batteries. Bottome line, there are much better choices out there.
UTILIZATION
It doesn't get much easier to use than this and a boost should not be a complicated piece of equipment. 3 dials and they all perform their function, although lack a great range in all cases. Manual is perfectly fine, no complaints.
SOUND QUALITY
Ok here is the meat of the review, this overdrive was a huge let down and I'm surprised Zakk let his name be placed on this. I can't express enough how muddy and dark this thing sounds. It really lacks range in the controls and doesn't do much to boost the signal, just makes it muddy and grainy. Listening to Zakk live, that is the exact opposite of his true tone. He is balls out boosted Marshall without grainy, muddy, messy noise. In other words, his tone is the exact opposite of what his signature pedal does. I tried to like this for a long time and could not find anything appealing about this other than the paint job.
OVERALL OPINION
Overall there are much better choices out there for a true boost and even a boost with some gain. The Fulltone OCD and basic Ibanez TS-9 come to mind as better choices right off the bat. I can't stress how truley dissapointing this was. The tone of my amp was muddied up and could not be dialed in with even the three basic controls. Definately not worth the money, and this is coming from a fan who loves signature gear and knows you pay mostly for the name. In this case, I'll pass! Built well and looks good but that's about it. I also hate having to carry a screw driver around to change the batteries. Bottome line, there are much better choices out there.