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MXR Il Torino Overdrive CSP033

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MXR Il Torino Overdrive CSP033

^# 95

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$159.99 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (17)

2 Critic Reviews

4 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using MXR Il Torino CSP033

1 community setup

4 wishlisted

23 saved

Page last updated Jul 01, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 1, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (33)

$159.99 2 available New

$54.00 10 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $155

Standard/Professional

$50

$176+

Price Tier

In the Overdrive Effects Pedals category, MXR Il Torino Overdrive CSP033 is priced in the upper end of the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Introducing the MXR Il Torino Overdrive CSP033, a masterful blend of elegance and raw power in a compact pedal. Designed by the renowned Carlo Sorasio, this pedal is a testament to MOSFET-powered precision, delivering overdrive that sings with the character of classic tube amps. A standout feature is its 3-band EQ, offering unparalleled control over your tone. Whether you're sculpting subtle textures or dialing in aggressive drive, the Il Torino places a wide spectrum of sonic possibilities at your feet, without overwhelming the essence of your guitar's natural sound. Perfect for musicians seeking a versatile overdrive that respects the legacy of analog gear while embracing modern craftsmanship.

Key Features:

Designed by Carlo Sorasio, ensuring top-tier craftsmanship and sound quality.
MOSFET technology for an authentic tube amp-like overdrive.
3-band EQ for precise tone shaping.
Gain and master controls facilitate intricate gain-staging.

Product specs

Brand	MXR
Model	CSP033 Il Torino Overdrive
Finish	Blue
Year	2010s
Made In	United States
Categories	Overdrive and Boost Pedals
Pedal Format	Standard

FAQs

What type of overdrive does the MXR Il Torino CSP033 provide?: The MXR Il Torino CSP033 offers a versatile overdrive with a touch-sensitive response, ideal for both subtle bluesy tones and more aggressive rock sounds, thanks to its MOSFET technology.
Can the MXR Il Torino Overdrive CSP033 be used as a clean boost?: Yes, the MXR Il Torino CSP033 can function as a clean boost, allowing you to push your amp or other pedals without altering your core tone significantly.
Does the MXR Il Torino Overdrive CSP033 work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?: The MXR Il Torino CSP033 is designed to complement both single-coil and humbucker pickups, providing a dynamic range of tones suitable for various guitar styles.
What power supply does the MXR Il Torino Overdrive CSP033 require?: The MXR Il Torino CSP033 requires a standard 9V DC power supply, commonly used for most guitar pedals, ensuring easy integration into your pedalboard.
How does the MXR Il Torino CSP033 differ from other MXR overdrive pedals?: The MXR Il Torino CSP033 stands out with its MOSFET technology, offering a unique touch-sensitive response and a wide range of tonal options, making it distinct from other overdrives in the MXR lineup.

Videos

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jimdunlopusa

MXR Custom Shop Il Torino Overdrive

jimdunlopusa

MXR Il Torino Overdrive Pedal Review by Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

MXR Custom Shop il Torino Overdrive Boost demo with MJT Strat

gearmanndude

Guitar World Recommends - MXR il Torino OD

Guitar World

MXR Il Torino Overdrive Review (A Two Mode Overdrive Pedal)

Elmo Karjalainen

NAMM 2015: MXR Custom Shop Il Torino Overdrive demo with Bob Cedro and Bryan Kehoe

sillennium

MXR Custom Shop IL Torino Overdrive - Cranbourne Music One Hot Minute

Coleman's Music

Reviews

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PROS

Dual purposes: clean boost and overdrive modes
3 EQ knobs for detailed tone shaping
Subtle, smooth overdrive adds richness without overpowering
Versatile, works well with various guitar and amp setups
Can function as an "always on" pedal due to its subtlety
Provides a punchy, darker tone ideal for specific genres
Adds sustain and a bit of compression in boost mode
Responsive EQ makes it adaptable to different playing styles
Near-breakup sound in boost mode is subtle and musical
Remains transparent, keeping the guitar's original tone intact

CONS

Drive and boost modes too similar for some users
Some users find the overdrive mode too muddy when gain is high
Develops too much "hair" early in drive mode for some preferences
Exhibits some noise, even when not actively being used
Overdrive section considered less useful by some

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about MXR Il Torino Overdrive CSP033.

Features and functionality

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The Il Torino offers a clean and transparent overdrive, even with the gain maxed, providing an amp-like breakup sound without the typical pedal distortion "fuzz."
Source
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The Il Torino is not true bypass, but this does not concern many users due to its transparency and clean output.
Source
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The pedal's 3-band EQ is noted for its potential, but some users prefer simple settings, like leaving the EQ at noon, to achieve a reliable baseline tone.
Source

Comparisons

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When compared to the Boss BD-2, the Il Torino has less gain in overdrive mode but maintains clarity and transparency, avoiding the BD-2's "sizzling" distortion at high gain settings.
Source
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The Il Torino's boost mode is preferred by some over its overdrive side, especially in setups where excessive breakup isn't desired.
Source

Use cases and applications

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Ideal for stacking with other overdrive pedals, the Il Torino's low-gain nature and ample volume make it versatile for creating varied tonal textures.
Source
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The Il Torino is favored as an "always-on" pedal, enhancing tonal consistency, particularly when paired with a higher-gain pedal like the SD-1 for solos.
Source

User experience

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Owners appreciate the pedal's treble-forward tone, which can be balanced by increasing mids and bass, making it adaptable in different setups.
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Owners recommend experimenting with pickup combinations to optimize the Il Torino's performance, especially when used in conjunction with other pedals like the BD-2 and SD-1.
Source

Setup and maintenance

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Users find that with certain setups, such as a Telecaster into a Vox AC15, leaving the EQ knobs at noon provides a balanced tone with minimal tweaking.
Source

Critic Reviews

MXR Il Torino Overdrive CSP033 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The MXR Il Torino Overdrive CSP033 is a boutique-style pedal that excels in delivering high-fidelity overdrive with a touch of class. Its standout features include a three-band EQ and a MOSFET design providing a glassy, hi-fi crunch. This pedal is responsive to dynamics, making it a great 'always-on' option, especially with a valve amp. While its boutique build and innovative MOSFET tones are praised, the pedal's high-quality sound might be less forgiving for less experienced players. Overall, it's a unique, well-designed overdrive that complements your amp's natural tone beautifully.

positive

Full Review

MXR Il Torino Boost/Overdrive Review: Quick Hit - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 17 Ratings

5 star

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2 star

1 star

sonounexcapellone

326

over 4 years ago

Great sounding pedal!

I use this to add a bit of compression and beef to my clean sound. Using il torino in boost mode is the best way in my opinion: it is perfect to add sustain, a bit of compression or just to boost your clean sound remaining incredibly transparent and faithful to your tone. Pushing the gain knob up a little it gives you a nice creamy tone, and the eq is very responsive making the pedal pretty versatile. Personally I found the OD section kind of useless actually... It's not hi gain, it's not a real overdrive unless you push the gain knob way up, and if you do that the result is really muddy and too much compressed. With the gain knob all the way down it sounds kind of similar to the boost mode, but then I still prefer using it in the boost mode, which sounds maybe more transparent and less compressed to my ears. Still, I think this pedal is totally worth the price also if you're going to use it in one mode only.

daizu

167

almost 4 years ago

Transparent

I was looking for some kind of transparent over drive, I had a TS9 Keely modified but it was too transparent in a way. I saw on Youtube this Il Torino and I got it and I kind of use it as a main over drive, sometimes switch to a BD-2 Waza craft but those 2 are my main over drive.

gomes21

290

almost 6 years ago

Great tool

Wonderful, subtle near-breakup sound with the boost, nice crunch with the OD.

This is a nice tool that can be placed anywhere on the board. I therefor use it in very different ways, as an OD, as a clean boost, als always on, as gain-boost, as minus-boost. Great and very versatile pedal!

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Alternative rock Pop rock

thejpdiazofficial

129

over 8 years ago

MXR IL TORINO OVERDRIVE

"This is my favorite pedal on my gear. I use this for my clean sound. It has the lower amount of gain, perfect for those clean sound. Sometimes you need a little sauce to your clean sound with the right amount of gain. It is very versatile. You can even tweak your tone through the 3 band EQ which is the Treble, Middle, and Bass. I like to use overdrive or distortion pedals that has 3 band EQ so you can tweak your sound better. The Mids are important especially when you are using an amp that has bass and treble controls only without mids and with some pickups that really concentrates with the same bass and treble sound. This is very useful."