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MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz

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$162.97 to $242.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (4)

1 Critic Review

1 Review

Find out who is using MXR M287

2 community setups

7 wishlisted

24 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated July 3, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

$162.97

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5.0 (1)

$209.99

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4.1 (64)

$199.99 New

$183.99 Used (Like New)

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5.0 (10)

$188.99 27 available New

$119.00 9 available Used

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$209.99

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4.7 (9)

$243.00 $242.00 $1.00 · All time low

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Average Price: $190

Standard/Professional

$70

$201+

Price Tier

In the Bass Effects Pedals category, MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz 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

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash the beast with the MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz, a pedal designed to take your bass tones to new depths. This formidable device combines the Growl section of the MXR Bass Octave Deluxe with an earth-shaking fuzz circuit, delivering both thunderous low end and sizzling fuzz. Don't worry about losing your bass's natural sound; with individual output level controls for fuzz, sub-octave, and dry signals, you can dial in the perfect balance of monstrous tones.

What sets this pedal apart is its versatility. The fuzz section's tone controls and two switchable voices—warm and compressed or bright and aggressive—allow you to customize your sound to your heart's content. The Mid Level control is another standout feature, providing the option to add extra punch to your dry signal in the midrange.

Whether you're looking for tight and punchy tones or dirty, dominating sounds, the MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz is your ticket to killer subterranean bass tones. Shake the walls and leave your audience in awe with this powerful tool in your arsenal.

Key Features:

Combines the Growl section from MXR's Bass Octave Deluxe with a powerful fuzz circuit
Individual output level controls for fuzz, sub-octave, and dry signals
Fuzz section includes tone controls and two switchable voices—warm and compressed or bright and aggressive
Mid Level control for boosting your dry signal's midrange
True Bypass to protect your tone when the effect is off
Versatile 3-band EQ for precise tone shaping
Compact and robust metal housing for durability and longevity
Powered by a 9 V battery or a 9 V DC power supply (not included)

Product specs

Pedal Type	Sub Octave Fuzz
Analog/Digital	Analog
Inputs	1 x 1/4"
Outputs	1 x 1/4"
Bypass Switching	True Bypass
Power Source	9V DC power supply required (sold separately)
Batteries	1 x 9V
Power Usage	55mA
Height	2.12"
Width	4.88"
Depth	3.62"
Weight	1.54 lbs.

FAQs

What type of power supply does the MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz require?: The MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately. It can also be powered by a 9V battery.
Is the MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz pedal true bypass?: Yes, the MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz features true bypass switching, ensuring your bass signal remains unaffected when the pedal is turned off.
Can the MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz be used with a guitar?: While designed for bass, the MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz can also be used with a guitar, offering unique tonal possibilities by adding sub-octave and fuzz effects.
How does the octave effect on the MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz enhance bass sound?: The octave effect on the MXR M287 adds a sub-octave layer to your bass tone, enriching the sound with deeper, fuller lows that complement the fuzz effect for a more aggressive output.
What are the main connectivity options for the MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz?: The MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz has a single 1/4" input and a single 1/4" output, making it easy to integrate into most bass setups.

Videos

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Pedals and Effects

12 Days of Pedals And Effects 2017, Day 2: MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz

Pedals and Effects

MXR Sub Octave Bass Fuzz ON GUITAR! | demo by RICCARDO GIOGGI

Riccardo Gioggi

Reviews

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PROS

Dual fuzz types (Modern/Vintage) offer versatile tones
Excellent tracking on the octave, even with 5-string basses
Allows for fine-tuning with equalization options
Can create a wide range of sounds, from spacey to classic
Solid build quality, as expected from MXR
Boosts volume significantly, enhancing bass presence
Fuzz settings sit well in a mix, providing usable sounds
Fast tracking response improves with increased input volume
Genius design features like mid boost with suboctave
Saves space on pedalboard by combining effects

CONS

Cannot use octave without fuzz being engaged
Volume drop when using fuzz or octave separately
Fuzz output could be denser and more powerful
Some find the red light fuzz tone too sizzly
Mid dial can make the sound too honky if slightly past noon
Tracking lags on low notes, affecting playability
Requires manual adjustment to use octave alone
Volume output limited, needing further design improvements

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz.

Features and functionality

0 0

The M287's fuzz effect struggles with unity gain, causing a significant volume increase when engaged.
Source
0 0

Owners note that the fuzz and dry blend can sound like separate tracks, not seamlessly integrated, needing careful adjustment for optimal sound.
Source

User experience

0 0

The octave effect struggles with sustain, especially on the low E string, and may not trigger on certain active basses.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The octave effect on the M287 tracks short, fast notes effectively, particularly with passive basses like the Epi Thunderbird.
Source

Critic Reviews

MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The MXR M287 Sub Octave Bass Fuzz is a sturdy, dual-purpose pedal that excels in delivering thick and muscular bass tones through its combination of fuzz and sub-octave effects. Its simplicity in controls allows for easy tone shaping, making it a versatile tool for bassists. The fuzz section stands out with its ability to maintain clarity under heavy saturation, though it can be noisy at high gain levels. The sub-octave effect enhances the low-end presence, though its monophonic nature may falter with chords. While the mid-scooped fuzz mode suffers from a volume drop, the overall performance and dual-functionality make it a valuable addition to any bassist's arsenal.

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Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

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artifex_adrift

903

over 4 years ago

Great for guitar, killer fuzz blending

DISCLAIMER: I use this pedal with guitar, not bass, so your experience may differ.

I actually came into this pedal by happenstance. I had originally ordered the MXR Sub-Machine to fool around with when I was going through a fuzz cycling phase, and was sent the MXR Sub Octave Bass Fuzz by mistake. Just before I initiated the return process for the item, I decided to give it a test drive. I'm glad I did, because I think this is much more what I had in mind when I was shopping around for fuzz pedals that have more boom-and-doom.

Since I used this thing for guitar and not bass, I know the circuit architecture doesn't accommodate some of the frequencies I'm passing through it. With that being said, I don't really get a lot of range from the 'Mid-Level' knob, and the 'Bass' knob eventually stops giving at a certain point. These aren't really "downsides", per se, but it's functionality I can't fully utilize with a guitar.

The rest of the features are outstanding and give me a lot of options when dialing in fuzz from all angles. There is a "Fuzz" and "Gain" knob, which is actually switchable to a "Distortion" mode from a push button. This can help you either go for that tinny, fizzy original fuzz sound, or dive bomb way down on some Sabbath sounding riffs. I prefer to keep things at the lower end and use this pedal as a really deep fuzz. The Octave setting helps generate a cool double octave vibe, and is footswitchable. So if you are using this as an always-on type of pedal, you can toss a dash of that in with a single stomp.

All in all I keep this thing around, and swap it between my smaller pedalboards for giving practice rigs around my house a heavy fuzz option, especially when I'm experimenting with different tube combos in the amps. There are plenty of sweet spots to be found, and while I'll never ditch my Big Muff Pi, I can say this pedal is certainly high up on my list.

Roles:

Guitarist Music Producer Audio Engineer

Genres:

Surf music Jazz fusion Metal

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