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MXR ZW44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive

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$158.89 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (49)

1 Critic Review

10 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using MXR ZW44 Zakk Wylde

4 community setups

19 wishlisted

112 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (33)

$158.89 1 available New

$75.00 10 available Used

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Average Price: $117

Standard/Professional

$50

$176+

Price Tier

In the Overdrive Effects Pedals category, MXR ZW44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive is priced in 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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Unleash the ferocity of your guitar tone with the MXR ZW44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive, a pedal crafted to deliver the punch and grit of Zakk Wylde's iconic sound. Designed with precision to meet the high standards of one of rock and metal's most revered guitarists, this overdrive pedal is a must-have for players looking to add a powerful edge to their sound. The classic MXR design ensures durability and reliability on stage or in the studio, while its dynamic range allows for seamless transitions between subtle warmth and aggressive distortion. Whether you're channeling bluesy riffs or heavy metal licks, the MXR ZW44 provides the flexibility and clarity to enhance your musical expression.

Key Features:

Designed to replicate Zakk Wylde's signature overdrive sound
Durable MXR construction with a classic design
Wide dynamic range for versatile tone shaping
Easy-to-use controls for quick adjustments
Suitable for both rhythm and lead guitar settings

Product specs

Brand	MXR
Model	ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive
Finish	White
Year	2010s
Made In	United States
Categories	Distortion Pedals, Overdrive and Boost Pedals
Pedal Format	Standard

FAQs

What kind of tone can I expect from the MXR ZW44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive?: The MXR ZW44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive delivers a powerful, aggressive overdrive tone perfect for hard rock and metal, with a focus on enhancing mid-range frequencies for cutting through the mix.
Is the MXR ZW44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive suitable for both rhythm and lead guitar playing?: Yes, the MXR ZW44 is designed to provide clarity and sustain, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead guitar playing, especially in rock and metal genres.
Can the MXR ZW44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive be used with a clean amp setting?: Absolutely, the MXR ZW44 can be used with a clean amp setting to add a gritty overdrive, transforming your clean tone into a more powerful and dynamic sound.
Does the MXR ZW44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive work well with other pedals in a pedalboard setup?: Yes, the MXR ZW44 is designed to integrate seamlessly with other pedals, allowing it to work effectively within a pedalboard setup for versatile tone shaping.
What power supply does the MXR ZW44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive require?: The MXR ZW44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive requires a standard 9-volt power supply, compatible with a 9-volt battery or a standard 9-volt DC adapter.

Videos

Add video

ProGuitarShopDemos

MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive Pedal

ProGuitarShopDemos

Zakk Wylde MXR ZW44 overdrive SECRET Sound

Redbunker

MXR ZW-44 ZAKK WYLDE OVERDRIVE PEDAL DEMO

chatreeo

Boss SD-1 vs MXR Wylde OD

Leon Todd

MXR ZW-44 Wylde Overdrive Pedal Video Demo

tunnelvisionmusic

MXR Zakk Wylde Overdrive (Plus an SD-1)

Elmo Karjalainen

MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive - Demo by Paul Audia

Paul Audia

MXR ZW-44 Wylde Overdrive | Zakk Wylde Signature Overdrive

Metalhead Productions

Reviews

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PROS

Unique, tight, full bass, and smooth overdrive
Less harsh on the treble compared to similar pedals
Boosts gain without altering amp's tone characteristics
Versatile, works well with different music genres
Can be used as both an overdrive and a sustain boost
Maintains the amp's soul, doesn't overpower original sound

CONS

May not replicate Zakk Wylde's exact sound
Some users report added noise when engaged
Misleading for those expecting to exactly mimic Zakk's tone

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about MXR ZW44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive.

Comparisons

0 0

The MXR ZW-44 is similar to the MXR Custom Shop GT-OD, with the main difference being the ZW-44's asymmetrical clipping like the Boss SD-1.
Source
0 0

Works better with EMG 81/60 pickups versus EMG 57/66, as the latter may sound unclear, suggesting a separate boost pedal might be necessary.
Source
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The ZW-44 is often equated with the Boss SD-1 and Tube Screamer, with similar overdrive characteristics, showing its competitive stance among classic pedals.
Source

Features and functionality

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An internal switch can transform the MXR ZW-44 into the GT-OD, requiring disassembly to access.
Source

Use cases and applications

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The pedal is commonly used to boost high-gain amps, with users lowering pedal gain and increasing amp bass for a gnarly sound.
Source
0 0

The ZW-44 excels at enhancing amp OD channels, particularly with a Blackstar HT, bringing warmth and natural sound, ideal for rhythm guitar in metal genres.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

A user reported purchasing the pedal for $55 on Guitar Center's used website, highlighting its affordability for nostalgia purchases.
Source
0 0

Despite not meeting initial expectations, many view the ZW-44 as a nostalgic purchase, rekindling enjoyment and utility in current setups.
Source

User experience

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Owners find the pedal particularly effective when paired with high-gain amps like the SLO 30 combo, making the amp "roar" on dirty channels.
Source
0 0

A user mentioned that the ZW-44 would be perfect if it had more volume, indicating a desire for increased output capacity.
Source

Other

0 0

The phrase "the tone is in the bullseye" was used to describe the ZW-44, suggesting precision and accuracy in achieving desired tones.
Source

Critic Reviews

Atoragon's Guitar Nerding Blog: Review: MXR Wylde Overdrive

atoragon.blogspot.com

The MXR ZW44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive offers a punchy boost for heavy metal enthusiasts, delivering aggressive tones reminiscent of Black Label Society. Inspired by the Boss SD-1, this pedal cranks up the gain and introduces true bypass, ensuring your signal remains clean when off. While it excels in hard rock settings, its bright, fuzz-like overdrive may not suit those seeking subtlety or nuanced dynamics, making it less ideal for blues or jazz contexts. If you're aiming to supercharge your metal sound, this stompbox is a top contender.

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Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 10 Reviews and 49 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

crusherdestroyer

134

over 4 years ago

Great when paired with a JCM800

I bought this pedal to boost the dirty channel of my Marshall JCM800 2204, and it did exactly what I hoped it would: boost the gain without changing the tone characteristics of the amp. I'm not a fan of Zakk Wylde's music, but I'm a huge fan of this pedal.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Metal

biteymax22

129

almost 5 years ago

Great pedal

Love the sound from it and I can really dial it in. Doesn't hurt that it has a strong connection to 2 of my favorite guitarists.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Metal old school thrash

joeboult

216

about 9 years ago

It's good for what it does

It instantly Wylde-ifies your tone, be that a good or bad thing. Personally, I use it as a sustain-boost in front of my amp, but if I'm using a cleaner amp then I'll leave it turned on and it's a great over-drive. Love it.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Pop Funk / Soul

rexkremer

235

about 7 years ago

Nice overdrive sound, exactly what was looking for at the time.

Nice overdrive sound, exactly what was looking for at the time. The pedal did give some noise. Furthermore, great pedal.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Pop Blues

jos_de_vries

293

over 7 years ago

Nice overdrive sound, exactly what was looking for at the time.

Nice overdrive sound, exactly what was looking for at the time. The pedal did give some noise. Furthermore, great pedal.

brian_urso

236

over 9 years ago

the ultimate metal pedal

I use this pedal when i am doing heavier metal tunes like dream theater or maiden. SOunds amazing espically with a paul through it!

fabian_we

116

almost 9 years ago

Violent

It doesn't destroy the Soul of the AMP. And Zakk Wylde uses it

k_evil

177

over 7 years ago

BeRsErKeR!!!!!

Blank.................................34

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Music Producer

jszabolcs2006

280

over 10 years ago

Awesome boost

I have a DIY (replica) version of this unit. Amazing sounding box. I use it as a booster for higher gain sounds.

jimmarchi1

41029

10 years ago over 10 years ago

you built it, whats in it? is it a hot rodded distortion+/OD250/ross type of pedal w/diodes to ground?

jszabolcs2006

280

10 years ago over 10 years ago

NE5532 for the IC, MSA14A for the transistor, 3 diodes (1n4148) for assymetrical clipping http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Cn7hzR2ZhA/T6eDWQfgspI/AAAAAAAABeU/zLoUxYexVHg/s1600/MXR+ZW44+Zakk+Wylde.png