The MXR Badass Variac is an MXR fuzz pedal, currently around $154.66. Close alternatives include the Wampler Velvet Fuzz V2 and the Tru-Fi Super Fuzz PBF Compact Version. It pairs well with the Magnatone 280 and the Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp.
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.
What stands out
“Varac-ing , compressed, dying battery-style fuzz sound”
— from the listing
“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”
— from the listing
“The dying battery fuzz quality adds a specific texture that normal fuzz circuits cannot produce at full voltage”
— from the reviews
“A compelling choice for players who specifically want the variac-style fuzz texture”
— from the reviews
“The Badass Variac captures this specific manipulated fuzz character in a reliable pedal format”
— from the listing
Trade-offs
“mxr build quality is consistent”
— from the reviews
- fuzz
- compressed
- compression
- variac style character
- transformer
- full
- vintage fuzz circuit
- normal fuzz circuits
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the MXR Badass Variac is commonly used in
- Stoner Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the MXR Badass Variac
Magnatone 280
Magnatone
19% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → modulated)
Magnatone 280 stacks modulated on top of the fuzzy already here
Comes later in the signal chain
Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp
Gibson
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp layers modulated onto an already fuzzy signal
Magnatone 510
Magnatone
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Magnatone 510 layers modulated onto an already fuzzy signal
Pedals that stack with the MXR Badass Variac
Cordovox FL-8
Cordovox
20% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → modulated)
Put Cordovox FL-8 after MXR Badass Variac in the signal chain, clear of MXR Badass Variac's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
Fender Blender
Fender
18% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → octave)
Fender Blender layers octave onto an already fuzzy signal
Catalinbread Giygas
Catalinbread
18% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor. (fuzzy → octave)
Catalinbread Giygas stacks octave on top of the fuzzy already here
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Walrus Audio Melee Wall of Noise Black
Walrus Audio
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. (fuzzy → octave)
Walrus 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 fuzzy character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Pigtronix Echolution
Pigtronix
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. (fuzzy → modulated)
Keep MXR Badass Variac's fuzzy voice out front: Pigtronix Echolution goes after MXR Badass Variac in the signal chain so its ambient voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Jackson Audio Bloom MIDI
Jackson Audio
9% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
Jackson Audio Bloom MIDI's own spring character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Subdecay Octave Theory Octave Modulator Synthesizer
Subdecay
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Put Subdecay Octave Theory Octave Modulator Synthesizer in front of MXR Badass Variac: pitch tracking is cleanest before anything colours the note
EarthQuaker Devices Swiss Things
EarthQuaker Devices
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar character
Wampler Velvet Fuzz V2
Wampler
54% similarityShared character: compression, fuzz
Tru-Fi Super Fuzz PBF Compact Version
Tru Fi
49% similarityShared character: fuzz, full
Dunlop FFM3 Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face Mini
Dunlop
47% similaritySimilar voicing: compressed, fuzzy
Tru-Fi Super Fuzz Version 2
Tru Fi
45% similarityShared character: fuzz, full
Dunlop Screamadelica Fuzz Face Distortion
Dunlop
44% similarityShared character: fuzz, full
Cusack Music Screamer Fuzz V3
Cusack Music
44% similarityShared character: fuzz, full
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 Wampler Velvet Fuzz V2, the Tru-Fi Super Fuzz PBF Compact Version, the Dunlop FFM3 Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face Mini. Budget picks: Electro-Harmonix Flatiron Fuzz, Boss FZ-3 Fuzz, Mooer MFZ1 Blue Faze. Boutique upgrades: Cusack Music Tap-A-Fuzz, Fairfield Circuitry 900 Fuzz, ThorpyFX Fallout Cloud V2.
What pairs well with the MXR Badass Variac?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Magnatone 280, Gibson Les Paul LP-1 Preamp, Magnatone 510 — Magnatone 280 stacks modulated on top of the fuzzy already here.
How much does the MXR Badass Variac cost?+
Around $154.66 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).