The Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus is a Dunlop distortion pedal. Close alternatives include the Dunlop MXR Randy Rhoads Concorde Distortion, model RR104C and the J. Rockett Archer Ikon. It pairs well with the Carvin Legacy 3 VL300 100W Amp Head and the Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head.

Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus

Dunlop · pedal

The MXR Distortion Plus is the original MXR distortion pedal, introduced in 1973 and one of the most influential hard-clipping distortion designs in the history of the electric guitar. The circuit uses a single op-amp with hard germanium diode clipping to produce a compressed, warm distortion character with a distinctive midrange voice. The Distortion Plus is strongly associated with Randy Rhoads, who used it with Ozzy Osbourne, and with Slash on early Guns N Roses recordings. It delivers moderate-to-high gain distortion with warm, natural compression and a mid-voiced character that cuts well in classic rock contexts. The design has been extensively copied and remains in production as the M104.

What stands out

  • “Classic hard-clipping distortion with warm compression and a distinctive midrange character associated with Randy Rhoads, Slash, and classic hard rock and heavy metal playing of the late 1970s and 1980s”

    — from the community notes

  • “It delivers moderate-to-high gain distortion with warm, natural compression and a mid-voiced character that cuts well in classic rock contexts”

    — from the listing

  • “Most commonly used into a clean or mildly driven tube amplifier at moderate gain settings where the compressed warmth works naturally with the amp character”

    — from the community notes

  • “Randy Rhoads and Slash associations make it an attractive reference point for players pursuing classic rock tones”

    — from the reviews

  • “The circuit is somewhat inflexible compared to modern distortion alternatives, with fewer EQ controls and a fixed midrange voicing”

    — from the community notes

Trade-offs

  • “The fixed midrange voicing and two-knob control set limit flexibility compared to modern alternatives with active EQ and wider gain ranges”

    — from the reviews

  • distortion
  • warm
  • compressed
  • midrange
  • clipping
  • compression
  • classic rock
  • natural compression

Genres the Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus is commonly used in

Amps that pair well with the Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus

Carvin Legacy 3 VL300 100W Amp Head

Carvin

31% match

shapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)

Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own

Comes later in the signal chain

Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head

Peavey

28% match
$1212via Reverb

shapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)

Run Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus into that dynamic platform and it finally leans toward compressed

Comes later in the signal chain

Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt

Diezel

28% match
$4499.99via Reverb

gain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → high gain)

Push the VH4's tight, huge gain further by stacking the Distortion Plus's warm, compressed clipping in front for extra saturation.

Comes later in the signal chain

Carvin Legacy 1 VL100 100W Amp Head

Carvin

28% match

shapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)

Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own

Comes later in the signal chain

Revv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head

Revv

27% match
$2699via Reverb

gain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → high gain)

Put Revv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain

Comes later in the signal chain

Marshall Lead 20 Model 5002 Amplifier

amplifier

24% match

shapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (high headroom → compressed)

Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus's warm voice suits Marshall Lead 20 Model 5002 Amplifier's own bright character

Comes later in the signal chain

Blackstar Series One 45-Watt 2x12"

Blackstar

23% match
$814.95via Reverb

pushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (crunchy → mid-forward)

Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus takes that crunchy character and pushes it toward mid-forward

Comes later in the signal chain

PRS DG Custom 15 Combo

PRS

22% match

shapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)

The dynamic tone has headroom to spare — Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus leans it toward compressed to fill it in

Comes later in the signal chain

See all 9 amps that pair with the Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus →

Pedals that stack with the Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus

Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron Plus

Electro-Harmonix

37% match
$162.43via Reverb

shapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)

Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Electro-Harmonix POG2 Polyphonic Octave Generator

Electro-Harmonix

32% match
$307.81via Reverb

shapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)

Into a dynamic tone, Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus brings a pull toward compressed that's missing

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Wren and Cuff Box of War Small Foot Fuzz

Wren And Cuff

29% match
$199.99via Reverb

gain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → high gain)

Stack the Box of War's clear, sustaining Muff-style fuzz with the Distortion+'s own warm, compressed clipping for two distinct low-gain textures.

Comes later in the signal chain

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive

Mad Professor

28% match
$183.70via Reverb

shapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)

Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler

Dr Scientist

28% match
$203.84via Reverb

Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler leans this transparent tone toward low gain, which it doesn't make on its own

Comes later in the signal chain

Pete Cornish SS-3

Pete Cornish

26% match
$899via Reverb

shapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)

Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble

Boss

26% match
$105.44via Reverb

shapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)

Into a dynamic tone, Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus brings a pull toward compressed that's missing

Comes later in the signal chain

Way Huge Electronics Green Rhino MkII Overdrive

Way Huge

26% match

shapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)

Into a dynamic tone, Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus brings a pull toward compressed that's missing

Comes earlier in the signal chain

See all 118 pedals that pair with the Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus →

Alternativessee all similar tone character →

Dunlop MXR Randy Rhoads Concorde Distortion, model RR104C

Dunlop

65% similarity
$155via Reverb

“based on the MXR Distortion Plus circuit that Rhoads used extensively during his tenure with Ozzy Osbourne”

J. Rockett Archer Ikon

J Rockett

60% similarity

Shared character: high gain settings, gain, classic rock

Fender MTG LA Tube Distortion

Fender

60% similarity
$173.62via Reverb

Shared character: compression, hard rock, middle

Tech 21 CompTortion

Tech 21

60% similarity

Shared character: compression, gain, distortion

Catalinbread SFT V2

Catalinbread

59% similarity
$159.35via Reverb

Shared character: high gain settings, circuit, boost

DigiTech SC-2 Valve Distortion

Digitech

58% similarity
$70via Reverb

Shared character: high gain settings, circuit, warm

Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster

Dallas

57% similarity

Shared character: 1960s, boost, compression

Electronic Audio Experiments Model FeT

Electronic Audio Experiments

56% similarity

Shared character: compression, hard rock, distortion

Carl Martin TOD High-Gain Overdrive

Carl Martin

56% similarity

Shared character: high gain settings, compression, hard rock

Dunlop Custom Badass

Dunlop

56% similarity
$169.99via Reverb

Shared character: boost, compression, hard rock

JHS The Overdrive Preamp

JHS Pedals

56% similarity

Shared character: 1960s, compression, middle

Dophix Dante

Dophix

55% similarity
$236.30via Reverb

Shared character: hard rock, high gain settings, circuit

See all alternatives to the Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus (cheaper + boutique) →

Questions people ask

What are good alternatives to the Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus?+

The closest matches in character are the Dunlop MXR Randy Rhoads Concorde Distortion, model RR104C, the J. Rockett Archer Ikon, the Fender MTG LA Tube Distortion.

What pairs well with the Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus?+

Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Carvin Legacy 3 VL300 100W Amp Head, Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head, Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt — Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus leans this dynamic tone toward compressed, which it doesn't make on its own.

Compare

Related searches