The MXR 6-Band EQ is an MXR eq pedal, currently around $119.99. Close alternatives include the Ibanez Pentatone Equalizer and the Hot Box Pedals Bam 5-band. It pairs well with the Dumble Steel String Singer and the Fender Prosonic.
MXR 6-Band EQ
MXR · pedal
The MXR 6-Band EQ is a classic six-band graphic equalizer from MXR (Dunlop), delivering six fixed EQ bands (100Hz, 200Hz, 400Hz, 800Hz, 1.6kHz, 3.2kHz) with up to 18dB of boost or cut per band in a compact MXR enclosure. One of the most popular guitar EQ pedals, the 6-Band EQ is used for frequency shaping, feedback control, and tonal adjustment at live and studio settings.
What stands out
“One of the most popular guitar EQ pedals, the 6-Band EQ is used for frequency shaping, feedback control, and tonal adjustment at live and studio settings”
— from the listing
“The MXR 6-Band EQ delivers classic six-band graphic equalization at MXR Dunlop quality for players who want affordable, reliable EQ for live and studio frequency shaping”
— from the community notes
“2kHz) with up to 18dB of boost or cut per band in a compact MXR enclosure”
— from the listing
“Use-case wise it suits players who want 6-band graphic EQ at MXR quality and accessible pricing”
— from the community notes
“Its standout weakness is the fixed six-band positions”
— from the community notes
- eq
- frequency
- cut
- studio
- live
- reliable
- boost
- equalizer
Price updated Oct 23, 2026
Amps that pair well with the MXR 6-Band EQ
Dumble Steel String Singer
Dumble
22% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (bright → smooth)
Dumble Steel String Singer leans smooth right where the bright tone needs it
Comes later in the signal chain
Fender Prosonic
amplifier
21% 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, Fender Prosonic answers back warm
Comes later in the signal chain
Hiwatt Park P18LH 'Little 45' Handwired18W
Hiwatt
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Hiwatt Park P18LH 'Little 45' Handwired18W leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Orange BT1000H Terror Bass 1000-Watt Bass Amp
Orange
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Orange BT1000H Terror Bass 1000-Watt Bass Amp's warm balances out the bright tone
Orange Terror Bass
Orange
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run Orange Terror Bass after it and the bright edge settles into something more warm
Orange Little Bass Thing
Orange
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Where this leans bright, Orange Little Bass Thing answers back warm
Gibson GA-50
Gibson
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run Gibson GA-50 after it and the bright edge settles into something more warm
Victory Amplifiers V50 The Earl
amplifier
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Where this leans bright, Victory Amplifiers V50 The Earl answers back warm
Pedals that stack with the MXR 6-Band EQ
Greer Mizuki blue
Greer
15% 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)
Greer Mizuki blue leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Catalinbread SFT
Catalinbread
15% 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, Catalinbread SFT answers back warm
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler
pedal
12% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler after MXR 6-Band EQ in the signal chain, where it won't crowd MXR 6-Band EQ — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Suhr Discovery
Suhr
12% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep MXR 6-Band EQ's bright voice out front: Suhr Discovery goes after MXR 6-Band EQ in the signal chain so its warm voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
SolidGoldFX Commodore Breaker Overdrive
Solidgoldfx
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
SolidGoldFX Commodore Breaker Overdrive's smooth balances out the bright tone
Dunlop Blue Hippo Optical Tremolo
Dunlop
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Dunlop Blue Hippo Optical Tremolo leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Black Rabbit Little Earthquakes
Black Rabbit
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Black Rabbit Little Earthquakes leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
NuX 6ixty5ive Overdrive Effektpedal
Nux
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Where this leans bright, NuX 6ixty5ive Overdrive Effektpedal answers back warm
Cheaper alternatives
Mooer Graphic G
Mooer
54% similarityShared character: live
CNZ Audio GEQ-5
Cnz Audio
52% similarityShared character: boost
Effects Bakery Choco Cornet EQ
Effects Bakery
52% similaritySimilar voicing: bright
Chaos Custom Shop HPF
Chaos Custom Shop
47% similarityShared character: live, studio
BLAXX EQ5B 5-Band Equalizer
Blaxx
41% similarityShared character: live settings, boost
FTelettronica Six Band Equalizer
Ftelettronica
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Source Audio Programmable EQ 2
Source Audio
52% similarityShared character: live, studio
Boss EQ 200 Graphic Equalizer
Boss
43% similarityShared character: boost, studio
Carl Martin 3 Band Parametric EQ
Carl Martin
93% similaritysimilar tone character
FTelettronica 3 Band Parametric Equalizer
Ftelettronica
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Ibanez Pentatone Equalizer
Ibanez
56% similarityShared character: live, studio
Hot Box Pedals Bam 5-band
Hot Box Pedals
55% similarityShared character: live, studio
Cordovox EQ-7
Cordovox
52% similarityShared character: dynamic control
Empress Para EQ
Empress
50% similarityShared character: boost, studio
CALIFORNIA WUB Continuum EQ Galaxy Man Edition
California Wub
48% similarityShared character: boost
Homebrew Electronics HBE Detox EQ Paul Gilbert signature
Homebrew
44% similaritySimilar voicing: bright
See all alternatives to the MXR 6-Band EQ (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR 6-Band EQ?+
The closest matches in character are the Ibanez Pentatone Equalizer, the Hot Box Pedals Bam 5-band, the Cordovox EQ-7. Budget picks: Mooer Graphic G, CNZ Audio GEQ-5, Effects Bakery Choco Cornet EQ. Boutique upgrades: Source Audio Programmable EQ 2, Boss EQ 200 Graphic Equalizer, Carl Martin 3 Band Parametric EQ.
What pairs well with the MXR 6-Band EQ?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Dumble Steel String Singer, Fender Prosonic, Hiwatt Park P18LH 'Little 45' Handwired18W — Dumble Steel String Singer leans smooth right where the bright tone needs it.
How much does the MXR 6-Band EQ cost?+
Around $119.99 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).
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