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MXR M85 Bass Distortion Pedal

Bass Distortion Pedal with Clean Low End, Lowpass Filter Tone Control, 2-mode Distortion Switch, and Separate Wet and Dry Level Controls
4 Write review Item ID: BassDist
$149.99

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M85 Bass Distortion Pedal with Patch Cables

$164.98 $158.00

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MXR M85 Bass Distortion Pedal
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Two Styles of Epic Distortion for Your Bass Rig

When MXR decided to create an all-new M85 Bass Distortion pedal, they enlisted the help of Fuzzrocious Pedals founder Ryan Ratajski, one of the industry's premier authorities on grungy, dirty bass tone. The adventurous bass players at Sweetwater really dig their distortion effects, and this versatile stompbox is a real hit around here. For starters, the M85 gives you a choice between silicone diode or LED clipping, giving you a choice of seriously aggressive distortion or a more open distortion sound. But the distortion itself leaves your fundamental intact, so even without blending in much dry signal, you're left with intelligible tone. And if your highs start to get out of control, you can always tame them with the high-cut tone control.

Related Videos: M85 Bass Distortion Pedal

MXR M85 Bass Distortion Effects Pedal Features:
  • A cool bass distortion co-designed with Fuzzrocious Pedals founder Ryan Ratajski
  • Two kinds of classic distortion (silicone diode or LED) in one pedal
  • Distortion affects only higher frequencies, leaving your fundamental full and punchy
  • Separate wet and dry level controls make it easy to dial in the perfect mix
  • Roll off unwanted harmonics and high-frequency overtones with the high cut filter
Get two killer bass distortion effects in the MXR M85 Bass Distortion stompbox!

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Tech Specs

  • Pedal Type: Distortion
  • Analog/Digital: Analog
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Bypass Switching: True Hardwire
  • EQ: Tone Control
  • Power Source: 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
  • Batteries: 1 x 9V
  • Power Usage: 11mA
  • Height: 2.12" (including knobs)
  • Width: 2.62" (including jacks)
  • Depth: 4.37"
  • Weight: 0.56 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: M85

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Customer Reviews

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Nailed it!

I like it. It does what I wanted it to do — dirty things up without taking away the low end. I played for years straight into the amp, and I was content with the tone sculpting I could do with the nobs on the bass and the EQ nobs on the amp, but then one day I started getting into listening to solo tracks of bass players on various rock songs and I noticed distortion for the first time and then tried adding distortion to bass on some of the harder rocking songs I was writing and recording at home, and I realized what a big difference that made, and so I wanted that live as well. I tried a Tube Screamer that I had lying around that wasn't getting much use. The bottom end went away. So I picked up this pedal after listening to it online and reading some of these reviews, and I'm glad I did it. I'm in a cover band now that is doing a fair amount of heavier stuff, and this works great. I have one of my basses tunes down a half step for some songs we do that are in Eb tuning. Rock You Up and The Cradle With Rock and so on. I stepped on this pedal the other night when we rehearsed that Van Halen tune, and I had bothered to learn the bass part more for note, and man, that Michael Anthony growl was right there and so as all the bottom end. And this is not a super expensive pedal, either, and it has a big range when it comes to how much dirt you want to add, so it's a versatile bass overdrive pedal as well. I'm glad I bought it. Stomp bypass tuner into compressor pedal with just a kiss of compression into this thing for tunes that can benefit from some distortion, and into my amp, and I'm good to go.
by Scott from New Hampshire on

This pedal RAWKS

After trying several highly rated bass "overdrive" pedals, they only left me wanting more. I needed some real dirt. This pedal delivered. Turn the DIST knob to around 10 or 11 and I'm done. Adds some mean sounding grind to your tone. And it sounds pretty natural too, not too digital or anything.

Great pedal for the price. DO IT.
by Brandon from Nashville, TN on

Raw Gritty Tones

I always have preferred MXR pedals and the M85 didn"t disappoint me. This pedal gives me the dirt to shovel out. I love to play around and do some experimental exploring with extreme settings for recording different versions of the same riff always makes me smile. MXR nailed this pedal.
by W Molay from NYC on
Music background: Long time bass artist

MXR - DISTORTION

I Have Only Started Using Bass Effects In The Last Year, SO, I'm Sort Of New To This. Amongst Several Pedals { Why Do They Call Them Peals?} I Purchased The MXR Distortion. First Off Let Me Say That I Use All My Effects,{ 10 And Counting} Subtly But YES !!!! I Have Found Them All Very Nice In Enhancing My Various Sounds. This Bass Distortion Is AWESOME With My MXR Overdrive. OVERALL If You Play Bass And Want To Use Effects, 3 Simple Letters MXR !!!!!!!
by JIM from Ashburn, Va on
Music background: Played BIG In The 60s & 70's, Just Picke It Up Again After A 40 Year Hiatus !!
See also: Bass Effects, MXR, MXR Bass Guitar Pedals & Effects
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