The MXR Badass Variac is an MXR fuzz pedal, currently around $159.99. Close alternatives include the Catalinbread Airstrip Console Pre and the RHC Audio Ydrat. It pairs well with the Fender Vibrolux 6G11 and the Magnatone 280.
MXR Badass Variac
MXR · pedal
The MXR Badass Variac Fuzz is a premium fuzz pedal from MXR's Badass line that simulates the tonal effect of running a vintage fuzz circuit through a variable-voltage transformer, a technique known as variac-ing. Varac-ing reduces the operating voltage of fuzz circuits to produce a starved, compressed, dying battery-style fuzz sound. The Badass Variac captures this specific manipulated fuzz character in a reliable pedal format.
- compressed
- fuzz
- reliable
- compression
- variac style character
- transformer
- consistent
- vintage fuzz circuit
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Amps that pair well with the MXR Badass Variac
Fender Vibrolux 6G11
amplifier
20% matchRun fuzzy into Fender Vibrolux 6G11 for more modulated on top
Magnatone 280
Magnatone
20% matchMagnatone 280 stacks modulated on top of the fuzzy already here
Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp
Gibson
tonal matchGibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp layers modulated onto an already fuzzy signal
Pedals that stack with the MXR Badass Variac
Zvex Seek Trem
Zvex
22% matchKeep MXR Badass Variac's compressed voice out front: Zvex Seek Trem goes after MXR Badass Variac in the signal chain so its modulated voice doesn't muddy it
Walrus Audio Ages
Walrus Audio
18% matchPut Walrus Audio Ages in front and the fuzzy tone leans further toward clean boost
Aguilar Octamizer (Bass Octaver)
Aguilar
18% matchAguilar Octamizer (Bass Octaver) stacks octave on top of the fuzzy already here
Pigtronix Echolution
Pigtronix
13% matchKeep MXR Badass Variac's compressed voice out front: Pigtronix Echolution goes after MXR Badass Variac in the signal chain so its modulated voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Walrus Audio Melee Wall of Noise Black
Walrus Audio
13% matchWalrus Audio Melee Wall of Noise Black's ambient voice goes after MXR Badass Variac in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with MXR Badass Variac's own compressed character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Jackson Audio Bloom V2 Compressor/EQ
Jackson Audio
11% matchJackson Audio Bloom V2 Compressor/EQ leans toward transparent, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
SolidGoldFX Oblivion
Solidgoldfx
tonal matchRun fuzzy into SolidGoldFX Oblivion for more octave on top
Caroline Guitar Company Parabola State Tremolo
Caroline Guitar Company
tonal matchRun fuzzy into Caroline Guitar Company Parabola State Tremolo for more clean boost on top
Cheaper alternatives
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PI- Made
Electro-Harmonix
63% similarityShared character: fuzz
Electro-Harmonix Flatiron Fuzz
Electro-Harmonix
62% similarityShared character: compression, fuzz
Electro-Harmonix Nano Soul Preacher
Electro-Harmonix
87% similaritysimilar tone character
Electro-Harmonix Pico Triboro Bridge
Electro-Harmonix
86% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
ZVEX Fat Fuzz Factory
Zvex
63% similarityShared character: compression, fuzz
Lovepedal ProValve 2
Lovepedal
88% similaritysimilar tone character
Cusack Music Tap-A-Fuzz
Cusack Music
87% similaritysimilar tone character
Fairfield Circuitry 900 Fuzz
Fairfield Circuitry
86% similaritysimilar tone character
ThorpyFX Fallout Cloud V2
ThorpyFX
86% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Catalinbread Airstrip Console Pre
Catalinbread
65% similarityShared character: internal_transformer, fuzz
RHC Audio Ydrat
Rhc Audio
64% similarityShared character: compression, fuzz
Footloose Effects Red Light
Footloose Effects
63% similarityShared character: compression, fuzz
Universal Audio knuckles
Universal Audio
63% similarityShared character: internal_transformer
Wampler Velvet Fuzz V2
Wampler
63% similarityShared character: compression, fuzz
Tech 21 CompTortion
Tech 21
87% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the MXR Badass Variac (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR Badass Variac?+
The closest matches in character are the Catalinbread Airstrip Console Pre, the RHC Audio Ydrat, the Footloose Effects Red Light. Budget picks: Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PI- Made, Electro-Harmonix Flatiron Fuzz, Electro-Harmonix Nano Soul Preacher. Boutique upgrades: ZVEX Fat Fuzz Factory, Lovepedal ProValve 2, Cusack Music Tap-A-Fuzz.
What pairs well with the MXR Badass Variac?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Fender Vibrolux 6G11, Magnatone 280, Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp — Run fuzzy into Fender Vibrolux 6G11 for more modulated on top.
How much does the MXR Badass Variac cost?+
Around $159.99 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).