MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive

^# 9

Equipboard's ranking is determined by analyzing factors such as professional artist usage, popularity, user ratings, reviews, and more.

$199.00 to $229.99 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (45)

1 Critic Review

13 Reviews

Find out who is using MXR EVH 5150

8 community setups

38 wishlisted

151 saved

Page last updated Jul 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated July 6, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

4.5 (107)

$229.99

View Deal

4.5 (22)

$229.99

View Deal

4.7 (551)

$229.99 New

$189.99 Used (Like New)

View Deal

5.0 (112)

$199.99 99 available New

$124.99 67 available Used

View Deal

5.0 (28)

$229.99

View Deal

5.0 (7)

$229.99

View Deal

4.8 (78)

$199.00

View Deal

£219.00

View Deal

Average Price: $209

High-end/Boutique

$50

$176+

Price Tier

In the Overdrive Effects Pedals category, MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Immerse yourself in the fully realized sound of the MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive. Born from a close collaboration with guitar legend Eddie Van Halen, this pedal delivers a broad spectrum of high-quality distortion, from the iconic tones of early Van Halen records to the super-articulate, high-gain sound of today. The heart of this pedal lies in its multi-stage MOSFETs, providing saturation and hyper-driven tones, making it a perfect companion for various amps and speaker cabinets.

Controlling your sound is effortless with the 3-band EQ, letting you sculpt your tone to perfection. The Output and Gain controls allow you to set your desired volume and distortion levels, while the Boost switch takes things up a notch, adding extra gain and compression for a punchy, standout performance.

A unique feature of this pedal is the Gate control, powered by the Smart Gate® circuit, which effectively tames unwanted noise, ensuring a clean sound even at higher-gain settings. All this is housed in a sturdy, road-worthy casing adorned with custom EVH artwork, making it a reliable and stylish addition to your gear.

Key Features:

Multi-stage MOSFETs for powerful saturation and hyper-driven tones
3-band EQ for precise tone control
Boost switch for extra gain and compression
Gate control for noise reduction
True bypass switching for clean, unaffected tone when not engaged
Sturdy, road-worthy housing with custom EVH artwork
Designed in close collaboration with Eddie Van Halen
Runs on a 9-volt battery or power supply

Product specs

Pedal Type	Overdrive
Inputs	1 x 1/4"
Outputs	1 x 1/4"
Bypass Switching	True Hardwire
Power Source	9V DC power supply required (sold separately)
Batteries	1 x 9V
Height	1.5"
Width	5"
Depth	3.75"

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive for rock music?: The MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive delivers a wide range of tones, from Eddie Van Halen's classic early rock sounds to high-gain, articulate modern tones, making it ideal for rock and metal genres.
Does the MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive have a built-in noise gate?: Yes, the MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive includes a built-in noise gate. You can adjust the threshold using the GATE control, which illuminates yellow when active.
Can the MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive be powered by a battery?: Yes, the MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive can be powered by a single 9V battery, or alternatively, a 9V DC power supply (sold separately).
What type of bypass does the MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive use?: The MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive features true hardwire bypass switching, ensuring your guitar's tone remains unaffected when the pedal is not engaged.
Is the MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive suitable for both rhythm and lead guitar playing?: Absolutely, the MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive is versatile enough to handle both rhythm and lead playing, providing a dynamic range of overdrive tones suitable for various playing styles.

Videos

Add video

ProGuitarShopDemos

MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive

ProGuitarShopDemos

MXR EVH 5150 Pedal Demo

Andertons Music Co

MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive

Ola Englund

MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive | Reverb Video Demo

Reverb

MXR 5150 Overdrive Pedal

Phillip McKnight

Big Hairy Guitars - MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive Pedal

Michael Nielsen - Big Hairy Guitars

MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive Pedal Review - How Does It Compare??

Mad Man Music

TONE THURSDAY: MXR EVH 5150 Demo - The Ultimate Distortion Pedal?

Music Bliss Malaysia

Friedman BE-OD Deluxe vs. MXR EVH 5150 - Overdrive Pedal Shootout

Chris Holland Guitar

MXR EVH 5150 OVERDRIVE FULL REVIEW

Rock Guitar School

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Delivers versatile distortion, not just overdrive
Built-in noise gate enhances clarity
Works well with both solid state and tube amps
Durable, solid construction
3-band EQ allows for extensive tone shaping
Can function as both a distortion pedal and a pre-amp
Compatible with a wide range of musical styles
Provides a close approximation of Eddie Van Halen's tone
Effective even with budget gear
Smart gate feature only cuts hiss, preserving tone quality

CONS

Passive EQ considered subpar by some
Boost function too subtle for noticeable impact
Quality control issues with potentiometers reported
Some users find it doesn't fully replicate tube amp harmonics

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive.

Features and functionality

0 0

The built-in noise gate is praised for convenience, and the pedal's boost works well when stacked with a Tube Screamer.
Source
0 0

The boost button is criticized for being too small and impractical for live use, with some users unable to discern when it's engaged.
Source
0 0

The noise gate, while effective at stopping the signal, is considered weak for not providing an aggressive, sudden stop after notes.
Source
0 0

The boost function is perceived more as a compression toggle than a traditional volume boost, providing subtle tonal enhancement rather than noticeable loudness.
Source
0 0

The built-in noise gate is adjustable, allowing users to customize the level of signal cleaning to their preferences, enhancing tonal clarity.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

Preferred for use in front of an amp rather than as a standalone preamp, enhancing the amp's natural sound.
Source
0 0

Users seeking a tight "chugginess" for death metal tones find it effective, especially when aiming for a Black Dahlia Murder style.
Source
0 0

It's noted that Brendon Small used this pedal for rhythm tracks on Galaktikon 2, suggesting its capability for modern heavy tones.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

Compared to RAT boxes and Ibanez Tube Screamers, the EVH 5150 is preferred for Gojira-like tones when using a clean channel.
Source
0 0

Some users consider the Mooer 005 and Joyo Chopper Z as alternatives, but note the EVH 5150's versatility and authentic sound as advantages.
Source
0 0

The Mosky TW Distortion is preferred by some users for its value, being a third of the price while delivering comparable sound quality.
Source

Build quality

0 0

The black-on-black Van Halen stripes and top jacks are praised for aesthetics, though the pedal's large size could be more pedalboard-friendly.
Source

User experience

0 0

Some users report a momentary signal drop when activating the footswitch, causing brief sound interruptions.
Source
0 0

One owner regrets selling the pedal despite owning a 5150 and 6505+, highlighting its unique utility and sound versatility beyond those amps.
Source

Critic Reviews

MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive pedal is a versatile powerhouse that captures Eddie Van Halen’s iconic "Brown Sound" with precision. It boasts a flexible EQ, drive, and gating controls, offering a wide range of tones beyond just Eddie-centric sounds. The pedal shines with its clarity and responsiveness, making complex chords and leads sound articulate even at high gain. The built-in Smart Gate effectively manages noise, a notable feature for high-gain setups. While the price might seem steep for some, its ability to outperform many boutique options makes it a worthwhile investment for serious tone chasers.

positive

Full Review

Add review

5.0 out of 5

Based on 13 Reviews and 45 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

omegaman_jonny

760

about 10 years ago

Great Distortion Pedal

I've used a lot of distortion pedals over the years and this is the best one I've ever used so crunchy and bright but also warm and fat at the same time.