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MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz

MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz

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$159.99 to $166.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (14)

1 Review

Find out who is using MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz

2 community setups

17 wishlisted

48 saved

Page last updated Jun 30, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated June 30, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (14)

$159.99

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4.5 (14)

$159.99

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4.4 (98)

$159.99 New

$140.79 Used (Like New)

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5.0 (19)

$159.99 37 available New

$135.99 3 available Used

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4.0 (2)

$159.99

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$159.99

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4.7 (25)

$166.00

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£146.75

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Average Price: $158

Standard/Professional

$60

$181+

Price Tier

In the Fuzz Effects Pedals category, MXR Super Badass Variac 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 5 merchants for "MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash the raw, vintage magic of the MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz pedal. Designed for musicians who appreciate the authentic fuzz tone, this pedal offers a unique sonic experience. The aggressive and biting fuzz can be smoothly transformed into a 'dying battery' tone with a simple twist of the Variac knob, eliminating the need to maintain a stack of dying batteries.

The MXR design team has revived a vintage silicon circuit to craft the Super Badass Variac Fuzz, providing a rare and distinct fuzz tone. The Variac control allows you to adjust the pedal's voltage from 5 to 15V, giving you the flexibility to tweak your sound. Turn the Variac knob counterclockwise to lower the voltage and achieve that saggy fuzz effect, or increase the voltage for a more transparent sound at 15V.

The pedal's interface is topped off with Tone, Output, and Gain controls, offering a wide spectrum of sound-shaping possibilities. The true bypass switching ensures your tone remains uncolored when the pedal is not in use. All of this is neatly packed into a sturdy, road-ready housing, making it a reliable companion for your musical journey.

Key Features:

Unique vintage silicon circuit for a distinctive fuzz tone
Variac control for voltage adjustment from 5 to 15V
Tone, Output, and Gain controls for extensive sound shaping
True bypass switching to preserve the original tone
Durable, gig-ready housing

Product specs

Pedal Type	Fuzz
Analog/Digital	Analog
Inputs	1 x 1/4"
Outputs	1 x 1/4"
Bypass Switching	True Bypass
Power Source	9V DC power supply (sold separately)
Batteries	1 x 9V
Power Usage	17mA
Height	1.92"
Width	2.5"
Depth	4.37"
Weight	0.48 lbs.

FAQs

What makes the MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz unique compared to other fuzz pedals?: The MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz features a Variac control that lets you adjust the voltage from 5V to 15V, allowing for a wide range of tonal possibilities from saggy, vintage-style fuzz to tight, modern sounds.
Can the MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz be powered by a battery?: Yes, the MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz can be powered by a 9V battery, making it convenient for portable use without a power supply.
Is the MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz suitable for use with bass guitars?: Yes, the MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz works well with bass guitars, providing a thick, rich fuzz that maintains low-end clarity.
Does the MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz have true bypass switching?: Yes, the MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz features true bypass switching, ensuring your tone remains unaffected when the pedal is not engaged.
What power supply is compatible with the MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz?: The MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately. It can also be powered by a standard 9V battery.

Videos

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jimdunlopusa

MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz

jimdunlopusa

MXR Super Badass VARIAC FUZZ, demo by Riccardo Gioggi [ENG sub]

Riccardo Gioggi

Une fuzz ÉNORME !! Mxr Super Badass Variac Fuzz

Tone Factory

MXR M236 Super Badass Variac Fuzz Pedal Demo

Sweetwater

MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz Bass Demo

The Bass Channel

MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz with John Frusciante Style

ぷろぺら

MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz - Test Effect On Line

Effect On Line

MXR Super Badass Variac FUZZ !

Anand Mahangoe

"My favorite Fuzz I've ever used" MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz Sound Demo with Kemper

shadow's toy box

Reviews

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PROS

Offers a wide range of fuzz tones, from classic 60s to modern overdrive
Variac knob allows extensive tonal control from 5V to 15V
Responsive to guitar volume and pick dynamics for nuanced sound shaping
Maintains the natural sound of the guitar with a slight, pleasing mid boost
High output capable of driving high headroom amps into saturation
Flexible tone control without getting muddy or boomy
Can replicate multiple iconic fuzz pedals with adjustments
Exceptional for creating unique tones and accommodating any style
Great for both heavy pushing boost and signal driving in the chain
Versatile, capable of being used as a clean boost, overdrive, or fuzz

CONS

Can be very loud and jarring if switched on with output above 8 o'clock
Sound may be too gain-heavy and shrill for some, even with tone adjustment
May not be as versatile as expected for certain users, despite high versatility for others
Requires time to understand and utilize its power effectively

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz.

Features and functionality

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The Variac knob simulates voltage changes, allowing for a range from a sputtery 7-8V to a cleaner 15V, affecting fuzz texture significantly.
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The Variac Fuzz's built-in compression gives it a vintage vibe but can cause it to get lost in a mix, making it better suited for overdubs.
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The Variac Fuzz lacks the ability to create the "fuzz-tortion" effect like the Big Muff, which achieves a squarish wave through extreme gain.
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User experience

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Increasing the volume on a Strat enhances the fuzziness when using the Variac Fuzz, providing a much denser sound.
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Use cases and applications

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Lowering the Variac knob to 7-8V creates a desirable saggy, sputtery fuzz sound, reminiscent of a dying battery effect in vintage pedals.
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The Variac Fuzz excels in creating robust low-end tones with sputtery upper mids, ideal for stoner metal styles.
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The pedal does not perform well with a clean combo amp, but may sound better with a cranked Marshall or a dirty channel.
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The pedal's vintage tone is ideal for those seeking 60s/70s sounds, but not recommended for high-gain metal genres.
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Comparisons

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The MXR Super Badass Variac Fuzz is described as 'flappy and scooped', contrasting with the Fuzz Factory's 'thin and reedy' character.
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Unlike the MXR, the Fuzz Factory is noted for its ability to cut through a mix, offering more clarity and presence.
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The MXR Variac Fuzz is likened to a germanium fuzz face in terms of fuzz levels, with a vintage tone lacking in extreme gain.
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The MXR is considered more suited for classic 60s/70s fuzz tones, unlike the Big Muff which is favored for fuzz-tortion sounds suitable for doom/sludge metal.
Source

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 14 Ratings

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liambrightman

222

almost 9 years ago

Amazing Fuzz Tones

A great fuzz pedal for replicating the battery dying sound or just a full on overdrive style fuzz. Does every fuzz sound you would want, maybe more when stacked. Very fuzz face-esque.