1 on 1 Testing
In today's comparison we invite you to see how the MXR M75 Super Badass stacks up against the Xotic Effects SL Drive. Find out what separates these two items with the full comparison review below. This article is part of a series called The Top Distortion Pedal for Heavy Metal & More in 2023
Contestant number one is the MXR M75 Super Badass.
Next up is the Xotic Effects SL Drive.
For a fat, warm tone that pairs perfectly with the sound of a quality British valve amp, this is the distortion pedal for you. Of all the pedals on our list, it’s probably this one that gives the most uniquely distorted tone, and we love it. It sounds so very Marshall, and indeed you could probably replicate the sound of an overdriven Marshall without the right amp - it’s that good.
A good look at the Xotic Effects SL Drive
In addition to the tone, drive and volume knobs on the exterior, there are also additional dip switches on the inside that further allow you to shape the sound. They are Super Lead and Super Bass, and do exactly what you’d expect. Flick the super lead on, and you’re Jimmy Page.
HEAD TO HEAD COMPARISON | |
|---|---|
MXR M75 Super Badass |
Xotic Effects SL Drive |
| KEY FEATURES | |
+ Incredibly versatile |
+ Super high quality |
| WHAT OUR TEAM THOUGHT | |
If you demand versatility from your distortion pedal, then the Super Badass is a very good choice indeed. Whether you have a very specific tone in mind and you need a technical peal to achieve it, or you want to be able to produce a range of sounds, then this unit needs to be on your shortlist. |
This is not a cheap pedal, and it’s not the most attractive of units either. That said, it’s a boutique product that really delivers where it counts, which is why it needs to be in our top ten. The sound is so much more like an amp than a pedal too. |
Read our full review
You may also be interested in our article The Top Distortion Pedal for Heavy Metal & More in 2023.
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