The MXR Six Band EQ has been upgraded with noise-reduction circuitry, true bypass switching, brighter LEDs for increased visibility, and lightweight aluminium housing. To add to its authenticity, this one even comes in its original cardboard box with the matching serial number – bonus.

The MXR EQ offers 6 bands covering all the essential guitar and bass frequencies, with each slider ready to deliver 18 dB's of cut or boost. I love the presence in a live mix that I get with a TS, and find that when I would go in to a lead and kick on a higher gain pedal, my presence in my bands mix would be gone. It helps me hear certain frequencies that otherwise I would have it more difficult time hearing one more pedal to go in daisy chain is complete for my needs so it's really nice to have that light turned down.This pedal can be powered by a 9-volt battery, a Dunlop ECB003 9-volt adapter, or the DC Brick™, Iso-Brick™, and Mini Iso-Brick™ power supplies (not included). They do, though, have a part to play in the vintage effect pedal landscape and will continue to beguile users of vintage analogue gear who want to tweak their tone in the old school way. I have it set in a way where it doesn't change the sonic space I occupy with my band, doesn't really change my tone that much, but just gives a little extra in the mids/highs, gets rid of any flobby low end and gives me an extra gear to come forward in the mix a bit. If your tone is harsh or distorted to begin with, expect the MXR to make it sound that much more harsh.

Hated it, badmouthed it on forums – though I did note that since some supposedly sound better than others, maybe I just got a bad one. What surprised me is that there are some really great sounds to be had from what is a simple and very effective piece of kit.When you're looking for a way to boost your tone, but want more flexibility than a traditional boost pedal allows, Sweetwater recommends checking out an EQ pedal like the MXR Six Band EQ Pedal. Completely reshape your sound or boost a wicked alternate lead tone that will jump out of the mix at will. Can’t remember exactly why I bought it (new), but had to be because of Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads, my two guit-wielding idols at the time.

Whether you want to save a couple of bucks by performing a mod or upgrade yourself instead of paying a tech, or want to build your own piece of gear from scratch, I'm sure you will find something interesting here. One popular method is to boost every frequency ever so slightly (push every slider up an equal amount) to get a strong boost for solos. We have been in business for over 30 years and will always do our best to be as competitive as possible. I’m happy with my pickups, so the only thing I’m using it is to shape the sound after one of my hi-gain preamps.

The original MXR Six Band Graphic Equalizer (6BGE as it was known by the company) was introduced in 1976 and stayed in production until about 1982, two years before MXR went out of business. I'm bringing this up because with higher voltage ceiling one can get much bigger undistorted output voltage ----> with proper EQing (boosted high mids and treble) this makes MXR EQ an incredible booster pedal in front of the amp. It will also add natural-sounding warmth to a quacky acoustic pickup and instantly eliminate onstage feedback or boost your overall signal when using a massive chain of floor effects. Before trying the 6-band with my current rig, I used a different Les Paul with higher-output pickups, which already thin out the sound (while giving the illusion of beef).