MXR

MXR

100

Also known as: MXR Innovations, MXR Bass Innovations, MXR Custom Shop

Unclaimed

MXR was founded in 1972 by Keith Barr and Terry Sherwood in Rochester, New York, born out of their frustration with the poor quality of guitar effects they encountered while running an audio repair shop. Their first creation, the Phase 90 phaser, became one of the most iconic effect pedals ever made—heard prominently on the first two Van Halen albums. Incorporated as MXR Innovations, Inc. in 19...

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MXR was founded in 1972 by Keith Barr and Terry Sherwood in Rochester, New York, born out of their frustration with the poor quality of guitar effects they encountered while running an audio repair shop. Their first creation, the Phase 90 phaser, became one of the most iconic effect pedals ever made—heard prominently on the first two Van Halen albums. Incorporated as MXR Innovations, Inc. in 1974, the company quickly followed the Phase 90 with several more foundational designs: the Dyna Comp compressor, the Distortion+, and the Blue Box octave fuzz, each of which became a staple of guitarists' signal chains.

After MXR ceased manufacturing in 1984, Jim Dunlop acquired the brand in 1987 and revived production of both classic reissues and entirely new models. Under Dunlop, MXR expanded its catalog with pedals like the Carbon Copy Analog Delay—one of the most widely used analog delay units on the market—alongside the Smart Gate Noise Gate and a dedicated bass-focused sub-line, MXR Bass Innovations, which includes tools like the Bass Octave Deluxe and Bass Envelope Filter. Collaborations with boutique builders have also yielded acclaimed co-releases such as the Timmy and the Duke of Tone.

MXR has cultivated a strong tradition of artist signature pedals, working with players including Eddie Van Halen, Zakk Wylde, Dimebag Darrell, Kerry King, and Slash. The brand's foundational models—particularly the Phase 90 and Dyna Comp—have been used by guitarists across generations from Jimmy Page and David Gilmour to Jerry Garcia and Andy Summers, establishing MXR as one of the most historically significant effects brands in music.

MXR has 246 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Overdrive Effects Pedals, Phaser Effects Pedals, and Distortion Effects Pedals. Their gear is featured by 2040 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Metal. Notable users include Slash, Zakk Wylde, and Dylan Carlson. Most MXR products fall in the mid-tier range — professional-grade without flagship pricing.

Artists Who Use MXR

Slash uses 16 MXR products

Slash

Guitarist · Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

Zakk Wylde uses 16 MXR products

Zakk Wylde

Singer, Guitarist · Pantera

Dylan Carlson uses 15 MXR products

Dylan Carlson

Guitarist · Earth

Yvette Young uses 13 MXR products

Yvette Young

Singer, Guitarist · Covet

Stephen Carpenter uses 12 MXR products

Stephen Carpenter

Guitarist · Deftones

Matt Pike uses 12 MXR products

Matt Pike

Guitarist · Sleep

Matt Heafy uses 12 MXR products

Matt Heafy

Singer, Guitarist · Trivium

Fredrik Åkesson uses 12 MXR products

Fredrik Åkesson

Guitarist · Opeth

Billie Joe Armstrong uses 11 MXR products

Billie Joe Armstrong

Singer, Guitarist · Green Day

Mark Lettieri uses 11 MXR products

Mark Lettieri

Guitarist · The Fearless Flyers

Juan Alderete uses 11 MXR products

Juan Alderete

Bassist · Marilyn Manson

Jim Root uses 10 MXR products

Jim Root

Guitarist · Slipknot

Paul Gilbert uses 10 MXR products

Paul Gilbert

Guitarist · Mr. Big

Kerry King uses 10 MXR products

Kerry King

Guitarist, Composer · Slayer

Richard Coleman uses 10 MXR products

Richard Coleman

Guitarist, Composer · Los 7 Delfines

John Frusciante uses 9 MXR products

John Frusciante

Guitarist · Red Hot Chili Peppers

Jerry Cantrell uses 9 MXR products

Jerry Cantrell

Composer, Guitarist · Alice in Chains

Thomas DeLonge uses 9 MXR products

Thomas DeLonge

Singer, Guitarist · Blink-182

Nili Brosh uses 9 MXR products

Nili Brosh

Guitarist, Music Producer · Dethklok

Konrad Schmidt uses 9 MXR products

Konrad Schmidt

Guitarist · SUKI

Community setups featuring MXR

Show yours
tomreynolds03

tomreynolds03

Gear IQ 471

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michael

Gear IQ 42285

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diamondhead27

Gear IQ 287

austegreg

austegreg

Gear IQ 299

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Gear IQ 569

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jackwilliam

Gear IQ 222

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joaoribeiro

Gear IQ 573

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Gear IQ 340

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Gear IQ 2461

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brian_ramirez

Gear IQ 133

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dorgsan

Gear IQ 838

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asouthiseng1

Gear IQ 266

kristoffer_jeberg

kristoffer_jeberg

Gear IQ 76

michael

michael

Gear IQ 42285

R

rizal_salik

Gear IQ 89

brandon_earl

brandon_earl

Gear IQ 80

edgedancer

edgedancer

Gear IQ 25801

izzyizix

izzyizix

Gear IQ 253

E

egemen_donmez

Gear IQ 81

M

matloomer

Gear IQ 77

Gear Guides featuring MXR

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