Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $110
Standard/Professional
$80
$181+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 3 merchants for "MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion". 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
Unleash your inner rock star with the MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion Pedal. This pedal is a tribute to the golden age of rock music, delivering the same roaring, old-school distortion that defined the genre. We're talking about a pedal that doesn't just add flavor to your sound; it serves up a full-course meal of rich, saturated tones.
MXR has taken a classic distortion circuit, and like a '78 muscle car, they've hot-rodded it to create a pedal that offers a spectrum of tones from smooth overdrive to grinding distortion. The result is a pedal that can handle the heavy rhythm work for those chunky power chords and also deliver soaring leads for your solos.
The '78 Distortion pedal keeps things simple with only three knobs – Distortion, Output, and Tone – making it easy to dial in your desired sound. But don't let this simplicity fool you; the pedal packs a punch with its CRUNCH button that boosts the harmonic content of your distortion, adding another level of intensity to your sound.
Under the hood, you'll find top-notch circuitry and hardware that's built to last, ensuring this pedal will be a part of your gear collection for a lifetime.
Key Features:
- Hot-rodded classic distortion circuit for a wide range of tones
- CRUNCH button to boost harmonic content and add extra intensity
- Simple three-knob layout for easy tone shaping
- Built with top-notch circuitry and hardware for durability
- Delivers rich, saturated rhythms and soaring leads
- Roars with huge amp stack tones and old-school distortion
Product specs
| Pedal Type | Distortion |
| Analog/Digital | Analog |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Outputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Bypass Switching | True Hardwire |
| EQ | Tone Control |
| Power Source | 9V DC power supply (sold separately) |
| Batteries | 1 x 9V |
| Power Usage | 6mA |
| Height | 2.12" (including knobs) |
| Width | 2.62" (including jacks) |
| Depth | 4.37" |
| Weight | 0.48 lbs. |
FAQs
-
What kind of distortion tones can I expect from the MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion?
-
The MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion delivers a range of tones from classic crunchy overdrive to aggressive, high-gain distortion, making it versatile for rock and metal genres.
-
Does the MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion work well with both clean and overdriven amps?
-
Yes, the MXR M78 is designed to complement both clean and overdriven amps, providing a wide-open, amp-like sound in either setting.
-
What is the function of the "Crunch" button on the MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion?
-
The "Crunch" button on the MXR M78 allows you to toggle between different clipping modes, enhancing the harmonic content and adding versatility to your distortion sound.
-
Is the MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion pedal true bypass?
-
Yes, the MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion features true hardwire bypass switching, ensuring your signal remains unaffected when the pedal is off.
-
What power options are available for the MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion?
-
The MXR M78 can be powered using a 9V DC power supply or a 9V battery, providing flexibility for various performance settings.
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
MXR Custom Badass '78 Distortion
Reviews
PROS
-
Versatile, offering tones from light bluesy drive to full-on distortion
-
Excellent tonal clarity, even with heavier distortion
-
Works well with a variety of guitars (Les Paul, SG, Tele)
-
Crunch button adds fullness and a bit of volume, enhancing the sound
-
Durable, compact, and well-made construction
-
True bypass ensures no tone loss when pedal is off
-
Can be effectively stacked with other pedals for enhanced tones
-
Provides classic rock/hard rock/bluesy sounds excellently
-
Tone knob offers useful high frequency adjustments
-
Affordable price for the quality and range of sounds
CONS
-
Not suitable for metal genres, lacks mid scoop and extreme gain
-
Crunch button cannot be activated via footswitch, limiting live versatility
-
Some users find the aluminum construction less robust than older MXR models
-
High gain settings may introduce too much gain for some setups
-
Limited sustain for high gain or tapping techniques without additional pedals
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion.
Features and functionality
Use cases and applications
-
The '78 is considered suitable for Marshall-style hard rock tones but may require stacking with other pedals for heavier sounds.
Source -
It's noted for excellent stacking capabilities, especially with a Russian Muff or Rat, enhancing heavy tones by brightening and scooping when the tone knob is adjusted.
Source
Comparisons
User experience
4.5 out of 5
Based on 21 Reviews and 100 Ratings
1549
If you are looking for high gain pedal, check out MXR 75 Super Badass
Unless you have a quality amp, this pedal is not good for high gain stuff like tapping etc. Not enough sustain too. Just to make it clear: this pedal won't give you "Van Halen sound". No way. Like i said before, for high gain sound check out "Super Badass".
41029
its basically an 80s spec DS1, there are a few tweaks to address the DS1s shortcomings but its clone... the gold Badass OD is an SD1
656
When I need distortion for '78 I go with the MXR '78
This little pedal has a plethora of tones. I heard a guy get early Metallica out of this little guy. No telling what he was playing or playing out of. Sounded good though. Plus I saw it on CL for cheap \m/
amazing
this pedal is perfect for all genres. i personally use it with a light crunch but when turned up all the way this thing is a beast
87
Great
First pedal I have ever owned, mixes really well with other pedals, sounds really thick and people definitely hear when you turn it on. It cuts through the mix really well.
Badass Distortion
Purchased used in 2015, this is a really good pedal. It has a regular and "crunch" setting, which I use a lot to write. Sounds exceptional when used in various ways will be prominently used in recording in future sessions
436
Vintage grit.
I absolutely love this distortion. There's just something vintage about it that I absolutely vibe with.
Cool classic distortion
Easy to use and versatile.
It can handle low distortion to high distortion songs. The 9V battery last long time
Kinda 80's sound
I was very impressed with the sound of this one.. still testing it but so far so good
Artist usage
Add artist
Marked pedal in the attached picture. Used on John's studio pedalboard. Currently unknown if he used it to record guitar parts on Unlimited Love.
Paul Gilbert uses an MXR M78, as shown on Dunlop's website.
In the "My Chemical Romance Rig Rundown with Frank Iero, Ray Toro & Mikey Way" video by Premier Guitar, at the 30:29 mark, an MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion Pedal is visibly included in Ray Toro's pedal setup.
Brian Molko has used the MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion Pedal as part of his touring setup, according to a Facebook post from Placebo.
On this page of Dunlop's website, it lists the MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion Pedal as one of the MXR pedals used by Doug Wimbish.
Used on the Hollow Meadows 2015 tour, as photographed in Guitarist magazine, February 2016.
In the YouTube video "KADAVAR - 'Rough Times' In The Studio (OFFICIAL ALBUM TRAILER #1)" by Nuclear Blast Records, Christoph "Lupus" Lindemann is seen adjusting his pedalboard, which includes the MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion Pedal.
Album Usage
The MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion has been featured on the following albums:
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 MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
Show yoursSimilar
Add recommendation3 alternative and related items for MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion, curated by the Equipboard community.
$34.99 - $36.71
If you want to save a bit of money this can get you close but not all the way.
$54.99 - $72.00
$77.00 - $109.99