The Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+ is a Dunlop distortion pedal, currently around $97.11. Close alternatives include the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi and the Maxon OD808. It pairs well with the Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp and the Fender Deluxe Reverb.
Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+
Dunlop · pedal
The MXR M104 Distortion+ is a classic, simple distortion pedal first introduced in the 1970s, famous for its warm, slightly fuzzy hard clipping distortion and just two controls, Output and Distortion. It produces a smooth, compressed, vintage distortion that ranges from gritty overdrive at lower settings to a singing, saturated lead tone when cranked. Closely associated with players like Randy Rhoads and Dave Murray, it helped define late 1970s and early 1980s hard rock and metal lead tones. Its straightforward, mid friendly voice and easy sustain make it a go to for classic rock, hard rock and players who want a no frills, characterful vintage distortion that pushes an amp into singing leads.
- distortion
- hard rock
- compressed
- vintage
- gritty
- singing
- clipping
- smooth
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+ is commonly used in
- Classic Rock
- Rock
- Metal
- Hard Rock
- Punk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+
Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp
Vox
32% matchVox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp's bright balances out the dark tone
Fender Deluxe Reverb
Fender
30% matchFender Deluxe Reverb leans bright right where the dark tone needs it
Vox MSB25 Mini SuperBeetle
Vox
tonal matchRun Vox MSB25 Mini SuperBeetle after it and the dark edge settles into something more glassy
Ceriatone Dizzy 30
Ceriatone
tonal matchCeriatone Dizzy 30 leans bright right where the dark tone needs it
Bad Cat *PRE Order* Hot Cat Head
Bad Cat
tonal matchWhere this leans dark, Bad Cat *PRE Order* Hot Cat Head answers back bright
Bad Cat Hot Cat 45-Watt
Bad Cat
tonal matchRun Bad Cat Hot Cat 45-Watt after it and the dark edge settles into something more bright
Bad Cat Cub V EL84
Bad Cat
tonal matchBad Cat Cub V EL84's glassy balances out the dark tone
Vox Ac30 1960s
Vox
tonal matchVox Ac30 1960s leans glassy right where the dark tone needs it
Pedals that stack with the Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+
Catalinbread Galileo
Catalinbread
27% matchRun Catalinbread Galileo after it and the dark edge settles into something more bright
Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble
pedal
27% matchKeep Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+'s compressed voice out front: Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble goes after Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+ in the signal chain so its lush voice doesn't muddy it
Fulltone OF-2 Octafuzz
Fulltone
26% matchFulltone OF-2 Octafuzz's own octave character is the real reason this is worth trying
Boss LMB-3 Bass Limiter/Enhancer
Boss
22% matchBoss LMB-3 Bass Limiter/Enhancer's compressed voice suits Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+'s own compressed character
Keeley Vibe-O-Verb
Keeley
16% matchKeeley Vibe-O-Verb's modulated voice goes after Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+ in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+'s own compressed character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Alexander Pedals History Lesson Vol. 2
Alexander Pedals
15% matchPut Alexander Pedals History Lesson Vol. 2 after Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+ in the signal chain, clear of Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+'s own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Boss GEB-7 Bass Graphic EQ
Roland
tonal matchWhere this leans dark, Boss GEB-7 Bass Graphic EQ answers back bright
Tech 21 SansAmp Oxford
Tech 21
tonal matchWhere this leans dark, Tech 21 SansAmp Oxford answers back glassy
Cheaper alternatives
Caline CP-14 English Man Distortion
Caline
72% similarityShared character: hard_rock, lead, classic_rock
Electro-Harmonix Flatiron Fuzz
Electro-Harmonix
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Boss DS-1 Distortion (Japan, 1980s)
pedal
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster
Dallas
76% similarityShared character: 1960s, dark, singing
MXR Distortion+
MXR
74% similarityShared character: 1960s, hard_rock, simple
Univox Super-Fuzz
Univox
73% similarityShared character: 1960s, singing, hard_rock
J. Rockett 10 Ton Hammer Overdrive
J Rockett
72% similarityShared character: amp, single_rig, hard_rock
Menatone None More Black
Menatone
72% similarityShared character: hard_rock, dark, smooth
Catalinbread Dreamcoat Skewer Special Edition Box
Catalinbread
71% similarityShared character: single_rig, singing, lead
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Electro-Harmonix
72% similarityShared character: dark, singing, smooth
Maxon OD808
Maxon
72% similarityShared character: dark, smooth, hard_rock
Dunlop Cry Baby SW95 Slash Wah
Cry Baby
72% similarityShared character: single_rig, singing, hard_rock
Suhr Riot
Suhr
72% similarityShared character: dark, smooth, hard_rock
MXR M193 GT-OD Overdrive
MXR
72% similarityShared character: singing, hard_rock, lead
Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus
Dunlop
72% similarityShared character: 1960s, hard_rock, middle
See all alternatives to the Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+ (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+?+
The closest matches in character are the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi, the Maxon OD808, the Dunlop Cry Baby SW95 Slash Wah. Budget picks: Caline CP-14 English Man Distortion, Electro-Harmonix Flatiron Fuzz, Boss DS-1 Distortion (Japan, 1980s). Boutique upgrades: Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster, MXR Distortion+, Univox Super-Fuzz.
What pairs well with the Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp, Fender Deluxe Reverb, Vox MSB25 Mini SuperBeetle — Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp's bright balances out the dark tone.
How much does the Dunlop MXR M104 Distortion+ cost?+
Around $97.11 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).