The Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion is a Dunlop distortion pedal, currently around $159.99. Close alternatives include the Ashdown James LoMenzo Mega Drive and the Boss BB-1X. It pairs well with the Laney DBC410 Digbeth 4x10 Cabinet and the Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass.
Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion
Dunlop · pedal
The MXR M85 Bass Distortion is a bass-specific distortion pedal from MXR by Jim Dunlop, designed to deliver high-gain distortion for electric bass while preserving low-end clarity and the clean bass fundamental through a wet/dry blend control. The M85 features two independent clipping modes, a dedicated blend control for mixing distorted signal with clean bass signal in any ratio, and a mid-boost control. The wet/dry blend is the critical practical feature, preventing the distortion circuit from eliminating the bass fundamental that full distortion engagement typically removes. The M85 covers classic rock bass grit through to modern metal bass distortion.
- bass
- distortion
- high gain
- clipping
- dry
- classic rock
- mix
- metal
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion is commonly used in
- Classic Rock
- Punk
- Rock
- Metal
- Hard Rock
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 M85 Bass Distortion
Laney DBC410 Digbeth 4x10 Cabinet
Laney
20% matchStack Laney DBC410 Digbeth 4x10 Cabinet on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight
Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass
Vox
20% matchPut Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchSynergy SL2 Module stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Magnatone Super Fifteen 15W Head
Magnatone
tonal matchMagnatone Super Fifteen 15W Head layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
EVH 000
Evh
tonal matchRun mid-forward into EVH 000 for more high gain on top
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchCeriatone 2202H stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt
Diezel
tonal matchPut Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Mesa Boogie Rectifier Badlander EL34/50 1x12 Combo
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Mesa Boogie Rectifier Badlander EL34/50 1x12 Combo for more high gain on top
Pedals that stack with the Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion
Fjord Fuzz Fjaer Spring Reverb
Fjord Fuzz
27% matchFjord Fuzz Fjaer Spring Reverb stacks fuzzy on top of the mid-forward already here
Beetronics Swarm
Beetronics
26% matchBeetronics Swarm stacks fuzzy on top of the mid-forward already here
Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble
pedal
19% matchBoss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble's lush voice goes after Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion's own high gain character
Wampler Cory Wong
Wampler
15% matchWampler Cory Wong's clean boost voice suits Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion's own high gain character
Walrus Audio Fathom
Walrus Audio
15% matchPut Walrus Audio Fathom after Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion in the signal chain, clear of Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Hungry Robot Moby Dick V2
Hungry Robot
15% matchPut Hungry Robot Moby Dick V2 after Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion in the signal chain, clear of Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Catalinbread MontaVillian
Catalinbread
tonal matchDunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform Catalinbread MontaVillian wants — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Suhr Eclipse
Suhr
tonal matchSuhr Eclipse's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion delivers it
Cheaper alternatives
Ashdown James LoMenzo KegaDrive Bass Distortion
Ashdown
74% similarityShared character: blend, grit, full
Boss ODB-3
Boss
72% similarityShared character: blend, high_gain_settings, grit
Fender Trapper
Fender
72% similarityShared character: blend, bass, mix
Ashdown Pro-FX Two-Band Boost
Ashdown
72% similarityShared character: pedal, full, presence
Electro-Harmonix Nano Operation Overlord
Electro-Harmonix
71% similarityShared character: full, mix, middle
Behringer BOD400 Bass Overdrive
Behringer
71% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, blend, bass
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar character
Ashdown James LoMenzo Mega Drive
Ashdown
71% similarityShared character: grit, full, mix
Boss BB-1X
Boss
71% similarityShared character: blend, full, presence
Ashdown Triple Shot
Ashdown
71% similarityShared character: mix, pedal, middle
Aguilar - OBP-1TK On-Board Bass Preamp
Aguilar
70% similarityShared character: full, presence, middle
EarthQuaker Devices Scrolls V1
EarthQuaker Devices
70% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, grit, distortion
Death By Audio Basswar
Death By Audio
95% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion?+
The closest matches in character are the Ashdown James LoMenzo Mega Drive, the Boss BB-1X, the Ashdown Triple Shot. Budget picks: Ashdown James LoMenzo KegaDrive Bass Distortion, Boss ODB-3, Fender Trapper. Boutique upgrades: Carl Martin Bass Drive, Orange Bass Butler Bi-Amp Bass Preamp.
What pairs well with the Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Laney DBC410 Digbeth 4x10 Cabinet, Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass, Synergy SL2 Module — Stack Laney DBC410 Digbeth 4x10 Cabinet on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight.
How much does the Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion cost?+
Around $159.99 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).