The MXR Micro Amp is an MXR overdrive pedal, currently around $76.40. Close alternatives include the Digitech DOD 410 Bifet Boost and the WEM CCB-1 Copicat Boost. It pairs well with the Marshall JCM900 2100 and the Engl Savage 120 Mark II E610II 120 Watt 4 Channel Tube.
MXR Micro Amp
MXR · pedal
The MXR Micro Amp is a simple, single-knob clean boost offering up to around 26dB of gain to beef up clean tones, push an amp or overdrive harder, and add volume and body to driven sounds. It is one of the easiest and leanest boosters to use, staying largely transparent, especially with single-coil pickups, while adding warmth, girth, and dimension rather than strong color. Even at its cleanest it adds a little shading, edge, and compression as it drives the preamp, much like pushing up a fader on a mixing desk so the tone gains body and presence. With only a Gain control it is set-and-forget, often used as an always-on tone thickener or a dedicated solo and lead boost. It suits players across blues, rock, and country who want a straightforward, low-noise level lift that fattens the sound without reshaping it.
What stands out
“It is commonly used as an always-on body enhancer or a dedicated lead boost, and it is prized for being dead simple and low noise”
— from the community notes
“Sound-wise, the Micro Amp delivers a clean boost that adds warmth and fullness to your tone”
— from the reviews
“Players note it is largely transparent, particularly with single coils, but adds a pleasing warmth, girth, and dimension, with even the cleanest setting imparting a”
— from the community notes
“The community treats the Micro Amp as a classic, no-frills clean boost, a single Gain knob delivering up to about 26dB to fatten clean tones, push an amp or pedal harder, or lift solos”
— from the community notes
“The MXR Micro Amp is a simple, single-knob clean boost offering up to around 26dB of gain to beef up clean tones, push an amp or overdrive harder, and add volume and body to driven sounds”
— from the listing
Trade-offs
“[Pros] ✓ Simple one-knob operation for ease of use ✓ Provides clean, transparent boost ✓ Can warm up tone slightly at higher settings ✓ Solid metal construction ensures durability ✓ Versatile; works well with both clea…”
— from the reviews
- boost
- clean boost
- simple
- warmth
- low noise
- clean
- lead
- more rounded tone
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the MXR Micro Amp is commonly used in
- Blues Rock
- Blues
- Rock
- Country
- Metal
- Country Pop
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the MXR Micro Amp
Marshall JCM900 2100
Marshall
32% matchInto a high headroom tone, Marshall JCM900 2100 brings a pull toward mid-forward that's missing
Comes later in the signal chain
Engl Savage 120 Mark II E610II 120 Watt 4 Channel Tube
Engl
32% matchEngl Savage 120 Mark II E610II 120 Watt 4 Channel Tube leans this high headroom tone toward mid-forward, which it doesn't make on its own
Comes later in the signal chain
Supro 1614RT Amulet 15W 1x12 Combo
Supro
30% matchWhat MXR Micro Amp brings here leans toward clean boost — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
Randall Lynch Box
Randall
29% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (high gain → clean boost)
Feed a high gain signal into MXR Micro Amp and it comes out closer to clean boost
Comes later in the signal chain
Gretsch 6160 Chet Atkins Amp
Gretsch
28% matchWhat MXR Micro Amp brings here leans toward clean boost — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
Aguilar Tone Hammer 210 Combo
Aguilar
26% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (saturated → clean boost)
MXR Micro Amp takes that saturated character and pushes it toward clean boost
Comes later in the signal chain
Blackstar Series One 45-Watt 2x12"
Blackstar
26% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (crunchy → clean boost)
Feed a crunchy signal into MXR Micro Amp and it comes out closer to clean boost
Comes later in the signal chain
WEM Dominator MkIII
Wem
25% matchFeed a edge of breakup signal into MXR Micro Amp and it comes out closer to clean boost
Comes later in the signal chain
Pedals that stack with the MXR Micro Amp
Ibanez Tube Screamer
Ibanez
40% matchThe Micro Amp's simple, transparent clean boost stacks with the Screamer's own mid-forward drive.
Dunlop BB535R Cry Baby BB535 Wah Reissue
Dunlop
39% match“An adjustable, switchable boost circuit based on the MXR Micro Amp lets players match their guitar's output and volume to the wah for a more consistent feel.”— from the dunlop-bb535r-cry-baby-bb535-wah-reissue listing
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Klon Centaur
Klon
34% matchThe Micro Amp's clean, transparent boost pushes the Klon's midrange breakup harder without adding its own coloration.
ZVEX Fuzz Factory
Zvex
31% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (fuzzy → clean boost)
The Micro Amp's simple, transparent clean boost pushes the Fuzz Factory's germanium gating harder for more gate/noise character.
Comes later in the signal chain
Origin Effects DCX Boost
Origin Effects
31% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (saturated → clean boost)
Feed a saturated signal into MXR Micro Amp and it comes out closer to clean boost
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Beetronics Octahive
Beetronics
31% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (fuzzy → clean boost)
Run fuzzy into MXR Micro Amp for more clean boost on top
Comes later in the signal chain
Dophix Michelangelo Overdrive Plus
Dophix
31% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (crunchy → clean boost)
MXR Micro Amp pushes a crunchy tone toward clean boost
ProCo RAT 2
Proco
30% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (bright → warm)
Where this leans bright, MXR Micro Amp answers back warm
Comes later in the signal chain
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver
MXR
60% similarityShared character: mxr m133 micro amp, use, low noise floor
Frost Giant Electronics Yama
Frost Giant Electronics
60% similarityShared character: single coils, signal, boost
Black Arts Toneworks Witch Burner
Black Arts Toneworks
58% similarityShared character: single coils, high gain settings, boost
Xotic RC Booster
Xotic
58% similarityShared character: low noise floor, boost, transparent
Vertex Boost MKII
Vertex
57% similarityShared character: low noise floor, single rig, noise
Dunlop MXR M293 Booster Mini
Dunlop
57% similarityShared character: micro amp, single rig, boost
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Digitech DOD 410 Bifet Boost
Digitech
63% similarityShared character: signal strength, low noise floor, signal
WEM CCB-1 Copicat Boost
Wem
53% similarityShared character: signal, boost, presence
Behringer PB100 Preamp Booster
Behringer
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Colorsound Power Boost
Colorsound
94% similaritysimilar tone character
MXR Super Badass Distortion
MXR
94% similaritysimilar tone character
ProCo RAT 2
Proco
94% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the MXR Micro Amp (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR Micro Amp?+
The closest matches in character are the Digitech DOD 410 Bifet Boost, the WEM CCB-1 Copicat Boost, the Behringer PB100 Preamp Booster. Budget picks: Blackstar LT-Boost, TC Electronic Spark Mini Booster. Boutique upgrades: MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver, Frost Giant Electronics Yama, Black Arts Toneworks Witch Burner.
What pairs well with the MXR Micro Amp?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Marshall JCM900 2100, Engl Savage 120 Mark II E610II 120 Watt 4 Channel Tube, Supro 1614RT Amulet 15W 1x12 Combo — Into a high headroom tone, Marshall JCM900 2100 brings a pull toward mid-forward that's missing.
How much does the MXR Micro Amp cost?+
Around $76.40 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).