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Average Price: $101
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$80
$181+
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Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Boss MT-2 Metal Zone". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Boss MT-2 Metal Zone is a distortion pedal specifically crafted for metal guitarists and hard rock enthusiasts. Engineered with dual gain circuits, this pedal is capable of delivering a tidal wave of high-gain distortion, from seething sustain to earth-shattering saturation that caters to the most demanding guitarists.
The MT-2 Metal Zone is like having a stack of overdriven amps right at your feet. Its unique dual-gain circuitry produces distortion tones that are not only huge but also incredibly versatile. Whether you want to dive deep into a roaring sea of overdrive or just add a subtle touch of grit to your sound, the MT-2 has got you covered.
What sets the MT-2 Metal Zone apart is its superior tonal control. Equipped with a 3-band EQ and semi-parametric mid-control, this pedal allows you to sculpt your tone with precision. Dial in the perfect balance of bass, mid, and treble to create your own brand of sonic annihilation.
Above all, the MT-2 Metal Zone is built for the road. Its rugged metal housing and quality components are designed to withstand the rigors of constant gigging and touring. Plus, the handy battery access door makes changing batteries a breeze – no need to remove the pedal from your pedalboard or guitar strap.
Key Features:
- Dual gain circuits for massive, full-frequency distortion
- 3-band EQ with semi-parametric mid-control for precise tonal shaping
- Robust design for reliable performance on the road
- Convenient battery access door for easy battery changes
- Specially designed for hard rock and metal styles
- Provides super-long sustain and heavy mids and lows like a stack of overdriven amps
- Extremely low-noise operation for clean, uncolored sound.
Owner's manual
Boss MT-2 Metal Zone User ManualProduct specs
| Pedal Type | Distortion |
| Inputs | 1 x Instrument |
| Outputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Power Source | 9V DC power supply (sold separately) |
| Batteries | 1 x 9V |
| Height | 2.4" |
| Width | 2.9" |
| Depth | 5.1" |
| Weight | 1 lbs. |
FAQs
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What kind of distortion tones can I expect from the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone?
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The Boss MT-2 Metal Zone provides a wide range of heavy distortion tones, from scooped mids for modern metal to more mid-focused sounds ideal for hard rock. Its dual-stage gain circuit allows for rich, saturated sounds with plenty of sustain.
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Is the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone is well-suited for live performances, offering a powerful and cutting distortion that can easily stand out in a band mix. Its robust build and reliable performance make it a staple for gigging musicians.
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Can the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone be used with a bass guitar?
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While primarily designed for electric guitars, the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone can be used with a bass guitar, though it may produce a more mid-heavy tone. It's recommended to experiment with the EQ settings to achieve the desired sound.
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What power options are available for the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone?
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The Boss MT-2 Metal Zone can be powered using a 9V DC power supply or a 9V battery, offering flexibility for both pedalboard integration and standalone use.
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How does the EQ section of the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone enhance its versatility?
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The Boss MT-2 Metal Zone features a 3-band EQ with semi-parametric midrange control, allowing for precise tone shaping and making it versatile across various music styles. This enables users to dial in anything from classic rock to extreme metal tones.
Videos
Ola Englund
BOSS METALZONE - WORST DISTORTION PEDAL EVER?
BOSS METALZONE - WORST DISTORTION PEDAL EVER?
Ola Englund
BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone | BOSS Sound Check
BOSSchannel
THE NEW 2018 BOSS METAL ZONE 2.0
Ola Englund
What's the Worst Pedal Ever? Boss Metal Zone Pedal, Demo
Marty Music
How To Use a Metal Zone Properly
Riffs And Chugs TV
Boss MT-2 Metal Zone Distortion | Reverb Demo Video
Reverb
BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone - INTRO
BOSSchannel
How to NOT make this Pedal SUCK! | Boss MT-2 Metal Zone | PEDAL TALK EP.3
Pat Posse
Boss Metal Zone MT-2 Review (Studio Quality)
David Schneider Guitar
Will it Blues? #2 -The Boss Metal Zone MT-2 Pedal
intheblues
Boss MT-2 Metal Zone | We've Been Doing It Wrong!
Robert Jackson
Reviews
PROS
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Can replicate tones from famous metal bands
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Exceptional for heavy metal and high-gain distortion
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Highly customizable EQ for versatile tone shaping
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Durable construction, resistant to damage
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Works well with active humbuckers for sharp, defined sound
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Provides a wide range of distortion, from crisp to aggressive
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Useful for both bedroom practice and live gigs
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Can achieve a vintage metal sound
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Surprisingly clean tone even with high distortion
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Easy to tweak once familiar with the EQ settings
CONS
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Limited appeal outside hardcore metal genres
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Consumes batteries quickly; AC adapter recommended
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Can produce unwanted noise without careful EQ adjustment
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Learning curve due to sensitive and dynamic EQ
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Some find the tone too harsh or "buzzing" without modifications
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Not ideal for genres requiring softer distortion like blues
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May require additional noise suppression for active pickups
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EQ can be overly sensitive, making sound adjustment finicky
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Not plug-and-play; requires time to dial in desired tone
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Misuse can lead to poor sound quality, labeled as "can of bees" by some
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss MT-2 Metal Zone.
User experience
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Some users report that pairing the MT-2 with a Super Overdrive can unlock additional tonal possibilities.
Source -
Some owners opt for combining a tight distortion and fuzz in parallel to achieve a distinct, articulate tone for heavy metal beyond glam.
Source -
Many beginners misconfigure the pedal by cranking gain and scooping mids, leading to suboptimal sound, often described as "like a swarm of bees."
Source
Features and functionality
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The Rocktron Zombie Rectified Distortion is mentioned as achieving a tube amp sound, indicating its suitability for players seeking that specific tone.
Source -
The Empress Heavy is highlighted for its built-in noise gate and switchable buffer, features appreciated by users for their versatility.
Source -
Its EQ section is highly versatile, allowing for detailed adjustments, but can quickly transition from great to harsh if not dialed carefully.
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The dual-stage EQ features a Mid-Level control for boosting/cutting and a Mid-Freq knob for selecting specific frequencies, offering precise control over the midrange.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The Metal Zone is often compared to the MXR 5150, noted for its chuggy and aggressive sound, making it an all-rounder for metal styles.
Source -
When used correctly, it can achieve specific tones for bands like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden, especially when combined with other pedals in the signal chain.
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Using the MT-2 in the FX loop as a preamp offers a substantial, chuggy tone, particularly effective for heavy metal applications.
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It can serve as a potent boost pedal when the distortion is set to zero, especially effective with high-gain amps like the 5150 or Mesa Rectifier.
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The Metal Zone excels when used as a preamp through the effects loop of a tube amp, offering substantial tonal control.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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Some users mention that Metal Zones can be modded to Waza specs with minimal component changes, enhancing their performance.
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A specific mod involves clipping C35, which is said to make the pedal more versatile across different gain ranges.
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Removing capacitors C24, C34, and C35 can significantly improve sound quality by eliminating a nasal quality and making the treble more usable.
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Simple mods can tame the inherent harsh high end, enhancing the pedal’s boost/distortion capabilities.
Source
Comparisons
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The BOSS HM-2 is favored by some for its classic tone over the Metal Zone, particularly the original 80s versions.
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The Electro Harmonix Metal Muff is praised for its easy-to-dial-in metal sound and is used by some as a high-gain channel on amps like the JC40.
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The MT-2W Waza Craft version is noted for having more character and sounding less "boxy" than the original, making it a preferred choice for some users.
Source -
Some users find the Metal Zone more satisfying than the ProCo Rat, particularly for achieving old-school death metal tones.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.0 out of 5
Based on 56 Reviews and 298 Ratings
174
Great as boost
I use it for my Marshall Valvestate head as a boost. Works great because of parametric mids, you can boost some low mids in Marshalls, some hi mids in Mesas etc.
160
Ummm...
Up to you ... love em or hate em I never used it apart from when my Boss Distortion pedal got stolen.
656
The infamous MT-2
I've this pedal since 1998 and I just had it modded by AnalogMan. I'm just waiting for it to come back from Mike @ AnalogMan. I hope it sounds fucking awesome. I think it's very harsh with the mids. I do know she is a fickle creature. Let's rock MT-2 \m/
140
Great Fuzz Sound
Wonderful fuzzy, warm, yet slightly tinny, metallic sound. Great for tight guitar or bass, but has a bit much high end to the sound if not chained with other fx. Also, with the gain up, the pedal can produce quite a bit of noise.
152
Undeserving of the reputation of disgust, also undeserving of it's price tag
There's overdrive pedals for not much more that do what you'll want better. I rarely use this pedal, only to emulate something high-gain without wanting to adjust my OD pedal, but I still don't think it's the "worst pedal ever". It's genuinely fun sometimes. I use it to fill an open spot on my board, I won't hesitate to replace it, but I'm digging it while it's here.
23
best pedal ever xD
funny thing about this meme of a pedal is, when dialed in right, you can get some decent shredy/ rocky tones, probably one of the most under-appreciated pedals in mt group of friends and bandmates xD xD
107
Kick ass legendary pedal
ive love it for 22 years, and this time around i changed a few things inside to my liking its that simple
Artist usage
Add artist
In this article on a Daft Punk fan site, it says that the duo used a Boss MT-2 Guitar Pedal with a Juno 106 synth to create the sounds heard on their song "Rollin' And Scratchin'"
I remember this picture being posted on John or DT's official website, back in 2006/2007. They were going back into the studio to record their album Systematic Chaos. Also, the label on his Mesa/Boogie amp says "Dream Theater - John Petrucci" and the date.
At 39:57 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAFrAMvYlS8 This setup can be seen just behind him, but of course, it's changed a bit from time to time, which happens in the studio. If you watch the full documentary, you'd see the changes happening as the recording process evolves.
Listed on Reverb.com on November 4, 2019. It bears a white tape label reading "G PDL 05" on the footswitch, while the right top corner side has a blue tape label reading "DM 040".
This Boss MT-2 Metal Zone is Owned by Dave Mustaine, frontman for the legendary metal band Megadeth.
[...]
SN: FL61715. MIJ. Markings on the front. Gaff tape on the front.
That pedal is clearly labeled made in Taiwan and the Metal Zone wasn't released until 1991 after production was fully switched to Taiwan by mid 90. The serial number decodes to November 1998. The only MIJ Metal Zone is the modern Waza.
When it comes to effects, Prince seemed to like Boss Pedals. While it very well could be that Prince owns the entire Boss line of effects, he was commonly seen with a metal zone in the mid 90s. It was put in his pedalboard between his Diamonds and Pearls Tour and Act I& II Tour (support for Love Symbol Album) around 1992 until the late 90s it was spotted on his pedalboard on July 9th 1996 while he was performing for The Today Show on NBC. There was also a close up photo taken of his pedalboard in the mid 90s which the Boss Metal Zone MT-2 pedal is clearly seen.
“My favourite BOSS dirt pedal – and I know this is going to sound really fucking strange – is the [MT-2] Metal Zone,” reveals Bonamassa. “Being a child of the ’80s, I really dug the Metal Zone. I was a Metal Zone guy. I thought you could get some cool midrange things out of it with a clean amp. Just because it’s called the Metal Zone, that doesn’t mean you need to run the gain all the way up.”
For most of Enema of the state, Take off your pants and jacket, and the self titled album you can hear the metal Zone pedal being used.
At 1:14 minute mark, Dines is seen setting up the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone pedal.
In this video, Ola Englund demos a Boss MT-2 pedal.
At 1:34, he says that he use the pedal.
In this interview from the October 2004 issue of Bass Player magazine, Simon says that he uses the MT-2 in his live rig.
Album Usage
The Boss MT-2 Metal Zone has been featured on the following albums:
Russian Grizzly In America
Slaughter to Prevail (2025)
I Remember You
Bernth (2023)
The Donnas
The Donnas (2020)
American Teenage Rock 'n' Roll Machine
The Donnas (2020)
Day Of The Dead
Hollywood Undead (2015)
The Art of Partying
Municipal Waste (2007)
Storm Of The Light's Bane
Dissection (2006)
Suspended Animation
John Petrucci (2005)
Demos: 1993-1996
Acid Bath (2005)
Black Market Music
Placebo (2000)
Starless
Shiner (2000)
Nattens Madrigal
Ulver (1997)
Paegan Terrorism Tactics
Acid Bath (1996)
Tales From The Punchbowl
Primus (1996)
Slaughter Of The Soul
At the Gates (1995)
![Boss MT-2 Metal Zone as heard on [Love Symbol] by The New Power Generation & Prince & Prince (1992)](https://images.equipboard.com/uploads/album/image/23004/love-symbol.jpg)
[Love Symbol]
The New Power Generation & Prince & Prince (1992)
Diamonds and Pearls
The New Power Generation & Prince & Prince (1991)
At War with Satan (Bonus Track Edition)
Venom (1984)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Boss MT-2 Metal Zone, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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