The MXR Custom Comp is an MXR delay pedal, currently around $145.80. Close alternatives include the MXR Analog Delay and the MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay. It pairs well with the Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head and the Synergy SL2 Module.

MXR Custom Comp

MXR · pedal

The MXR Custom Comp is a transparent, studio-grade compressor built around the rare CA3080 metal-can integrated circuit, prized for wide, deep dynamic range and low coloration. True bypass keeps the tone intact when off, and the controls deliver everything from gentle leveling to a clean, massive squash at higher settings without the noise or tone loss of older designs. It evens out picking dynamics and adds sustain while keeping the guitar's natural character, making it a favorite for clean funk, country picking, and always-on dynamic control. Quieter and more transparent than a vintage block-logo Dyna Comp, it suits players who want professional, uncolored compression that lets them play soft or hard while keeping levels consistent and controlled.

What stands out

  • “Quieter and more transparent than a vintage block-logo Dyna Comp, it suits players who want professional, uncolored compression that lets them play soft or hard while keeping levels consistent and controlled”

    — from the listing

  • “The Custom Comp leverages its rare CA3080 IC to deliver clean, transparent compression with notably wide dynamic range, staying quiet even when stacked with overdrive”

    — from the reviews

  • “It evens out picking dynamics and adds sustain while keeping the guitar's natural character, making it a favorite for clean funk, country picking, and always-on dynamic control”

    — from the listing

  • “Its standout strengths are transparency, low noise, and a broad compression range that stays musical even at extreme settings”

    — from the community notes

  • “True bypass keeps the tone intact when off, and the controls deliver everything from gentle leveling to a clean, massive squash at higher settings”

    — from the listing

Trade-offs

  • “Limitations include a neutral voice that , and a focus on clean dynamic control , making it best suited to players prioritizing fidelity and consistent level…”

    — from the reviews

  • compression
  • transparent
  • clean
  • low noise
  • bypass
  • funk
  • dynamic
  • quiet

Good for

  • Live
  • Studio
$145.80View on Reverb

Price updated Oct 23, 2026

Genres the MXR Custom Comp is commonly used in

  • Funk
  • Metal
  • Country
  • Country Pop
    citedInferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
  • Alternative
    citedInferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
  • Blues
    citedInferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.

Amps that pair well with the MXR Custom Comp

Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head

Orange

19% match

fills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (transparent → mid-forward)

Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head leans toward full, and that's a real, usable character to pair with

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Synergy SL2 Module

Synergy

tonal match

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Synergy SL2 Module goes in front of MXR Custom Comp in the chain

Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt

Mesa Boogie

tonal match

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Put Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt in front of MXR Custom Comp

Ceriatone 2202H

Ceriatone

tonal match

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Ceriatone 2202H goes in front of MXR Custom Comp in the chain

Egnater Tweaker 88 Head

Egnater

tonal match

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Put Egnater Tweaker 88 Head in front of MXR Custom Comp

Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H

Marshall

tonal match

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Put Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H in front of MXR Custom Comp

Friedman BE-Mini Head

Friedman

tonal match
$196.01via Reverb

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Friedman BE-Mini Head goes in front of MXR Custom Comp in the chain

Hughes & Kettner Warp 7

Hughes & Kettner

tonal match

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 goes in front of MXR Custom Comp in the chain

Pedals that stack with the MXR Custom Comp

Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler

Dr Scientist

21% match
$203.84via Reverb

Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler leans toward fuzzy, and that's a real, usable character to pair with

Comes earlier in the signal chain

JHS Smiley

JHS Pedals

20% match

JHS Smiley's own fuzzy character is the real reason this is worth trying

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Boss BF-2 Flanger

Boss

15% match
$100via Reverb

sits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.

Keep Boss BF-2 Flanger after MXR Custom Comp in the signal chain, where it won't crowd MXR Custom Comp

Comes earlier in the signal chain

TC Electronic Mimiq Doubler

TC Electronic

14% match

sits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.

Keep TC Electronic Mimiq Doubler after MXR Custom Comp in the signal chain, where it won't crowd MXR Custom Comp

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2

Dr Scientist

tonal match
$203.84via Reverb

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 goes in front of MXR Custom Comp in the chain

Warm Audio Jet Phaser

Warm Audio

tonal match
$109.24via Reverb

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Warm Audio Jet Phaser goes in front of MXR Custom Comp — modulation lands before the repeats, so the echoes stay defined

Donner Big Mouth Distortion

Donner

tonal match
$29.95via Reverb

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Donner Big Mouth Distortion goes in front of MXR Custom Comp in the chain

Death By Audio Destruction

Death By Audio

tonal match
$137.70via Reverb

Comes earlier in the signal chain

Put Death By Audio Destruction in front of MXR Custom Comp

Cheaper alternatives

Boss DD-2 Digital Delay

Boss

41% similarity
$125via Reverb

Shared character: clean

Boutique & premium upgrades

Walrus Audio Power 15

Walrus Audio

54% similarity
$278via Reverb

Shared character: low noise floor

Strymon Brigadier dBucket Delay

pedal

51% similarity
$302.40via Reverb

Shared character: subtle, clean

Boss RE-202 Space Echo

Boss

48% similarity
$238.39via Reverb

Similar role and voicing

JHS Lucky Cat Delay limited edition

JHS Pedals

45% similarity
$281.42via Reverb

Shared character: transparent

Chase Bliss Generation Loss MKII

Chase Bliss Audio

43% similarity
$330via Reverb

Shared character: subtle, clean, studio

Alexander Pedals Oblivion Vintage Delay

Alexander Pedals

43% similarity
$329.99via Reverb

Shared character: true bypass, clean

Similar character

MXR Analog Delay

MXR

55% similarity

Shared character: true bypass, natural

MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay

MXR

52% similarity
$140via Reverb

Shared character: controls, true bypass, natural

Keeley Magnetic Echo

Keeley

42% similarity

Shared character: subtle, clean

See all alternatives to the MXR Custom Comp (cheaper + boutique) →

Questions people ask

What are good alternatives to the MXR Custom Comp?+

The closest matches in character are the MXR Analog Delay, the MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay, the Keeley Magnetic Echo. Budget picks: Boss DD-2 Digital Delay. Boutique upgrades: Walrus Audio Power 15, Strymon Brigadier dBucket Delay, Boss RE-202 Space Echo.

What pairs well with the MXR Custom Comp?+

Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head, Synergy SL2 Module, Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt — Orange Rockerverb 50 MkIII 2-Channel 50W Head leans toward full, and that's a real, usable character to pair with.

How much does the MXR Custom Comp cost?+

Around $145.80 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).

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