Dunlop MXR Distortion III, model M115 vs Friedman BE-OD Deluxe

The Dunlop MXR Distortion III, model M115 and the Friedman BE-OD Deluxe are both pedals sharing transparent. The Dunlop MXR Distortion III, model M115 leans high gain and tight. The Friedman BE-OD Deluxe leans mid-forward and smooth.

Similarity
citedBlended from circuit-archetype lineage, dynamic feel, tone-signal overlap and tone-vector distance — the tone vector itself is derived from editorial description text, not a measured acoustic signal, so this reflects how similarly the catalog copy describes the two, not a lab measurement. Shown only within a gear class, and only where there's enough evidence to be meaningful.

33% somewhat different

Shared genres
citedGenres both listings are associated with.
  • Classic Rock
  • Rock
  • Metal
Shared tone character
citedDerived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.
  • transparent
Citation fame
citedCitation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.
0%
0%
Price

$229.49via Reverb

Description

The MXR Distortion III, model M115, is a distortion pedal from MXR by Jim Dunlop that delivers a moderate-gain drive tone reviewed as sounding closer to overdrive than high-gain distortion in character. The M115 covers classic overdrive through medium distortion and works well as an all-purpose moderate-gain drive into a tube amplifier. It features Output, Tone, and Distortion knobs on a straightforward control layout. Reviews from Sweetwater, Audiofanzine, and Guitar Pick Reviews note its excellent tone quality for blues lead lines and all-around rhythm guitar overdrive, while also noting it loses low-frequency content when engaged, making it less ideal for bass applications.

The Friedman BE-OD Deluxe is a dual-channel high-gain overdrive derived from Dave Friedman's own BE-100 amplifier voicing, giving each channel independent Drive, Level, and a dedicated 3-band EQ for full tonal shaping. Channel 1 covers medium-gain territory from a soft, bluesy breakup to a hearty classic-rock crunch, while Channel 2 pushes into higher-gain hard rock distortion up to a thick, saturated lead tone. The two independently switchable channels let players jump between rhythm and lead voicings at a single stomp. It suits rock and metal players wanting amp-like, Friedman-voiced high-gain tones with real per-channel EQ control.

Genres
citedGenres this gear is documented as being used in.
  • Blues
  • Black Metal
  • Blues Rock
  • Hard Rock
Tonal lean
  • high gain
  • tight
  • mid-forward
  • smooth
  • full
  • saturated
  • bright
  • compressed

Related searches

Dunlop MXR Distortion III, model M115 vs Friedman BE-OD Deluxe — Shared Character & Differences — NodeTone