The MXR M281 Thump is an MXR preamp pedal, currently around $139.99. Close alternatives include the Aguilar DB 925 and the Walrus Audio EB-10B. It pairs well with the MXR Distortion+ and the Walrus Audio EB-10.
MXR M281 Thump
MXR · pedal
The MXR M281 Thump is a bass preamp pedal offering active tone shaping, boost, and blend controls designed to give bassists precise tonal control and added punch. Built with MXR's rugged construction standards, it targets bassists wanting a dedicated preamp pedal to shape and enhance their tone beyond what their amp's built-in controls provide.
- boost
- preamp
- eq
- mix
- rugged
- active tone
- punch
- genuine tonal shaping power
Good for
- Live
- Silent Recording
- Silent Stage
- Studio
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Pedals that stack with the MXR M281 Thump
MXR Distortion+
MXR
10% matchMXR Distortion+'s own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Walrus Audio EB-10
Walrus Audio
10% matchMXR M281 Thump's own bright character is the real reason this is worth trying
Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII The Analog Leslie Simulator
pedal
9% matchHughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII The Analog Leslie Simulator's transparent voice goes after MXR M281 Thump in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with MXR M281 Thump's own bright character
Empress Bass Compressor Blue
Empress
7% matchEmpress Bass Compressor Blue's own transparent character is the real reason this is worth trying
Roland SDE-3000D
Roland
6% matchKeep MXR M281 Thump's bright voice out front: Roland SDE-3000D goes after MXR M281 Thump in the signal chain so its pristine voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Walrus Audio Mako D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay V1
Walrus Audio
6% matchRun Walrus Audio Mako D1 High-Fidelity Stereo Delay V1 after MXR M281 Thump in the signal chain, clear of MXR M281 Thump's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Spaceman Effects Atlas IV
Spaceman
tonal matchSpaceman Effects Atlas IV pushes this high-gain tone into lead territory
MXR CAE Wah
MXR
tonal matchMXR CAE Wah tightens and focuses this high-gain tone with a mid-forward boost
Cheaper alternatives
Demon FX AG Bass Preamp
Demon Fx
67% similarityShared character: brand, preamp
Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal
Ampeg
65% similarityShared character: preamp, boost
Electro-Harmonix Nano Operation Overlord
Electro-Harmonix
64% similarityShared character: mix, boost
Ashdown Pro-FX Two-Band Boost
Ashdown
62% similarityShared character: mix, boost
AnalogWorkshop Jaguar Bass Preamp
Analogworkshop
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp
Ampeg
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Aguilar DB 925
Aguilar
65% similarityShared character: mix, preamp, boost
Walrus Audio EB-10B
Walrus Audio
65% similarityShared character: preamp, boost
Ampeg F17-1
Ampeg
63% similarityShared character: punch, preamp
MXR DL E MXR M 287
MXR
61% similarityShared character: mix
EarthQuaker Devices Scrolls V1
EarthQuaker Devices
60% similarityShared character: preamp, boost
Master Effects Transmission Bass Preamp
Master Effects
91% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the MXR M281 Thump (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR M281 Thump?+
The closest matches in character are the Aguilar DB 925, the Walrus Audio EB-10B, the Ampeg F17-1. Budget picks: Demon FX AG Bass Preamp, Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal, Electro-Harmonix Nano Operation Overlord. Boutique upgrades: Ashdown Jmy-dd.
What pairs well with the MXR M281 Thump?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: MXR Distortion+, Walrus Audio EB-10, Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII The Analog Leslie Simulator — MXR Distortion+'s own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying.
How much does the MXR M281 Thump cost?+
Around $139.99 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
Compare
- vs AnalogWorkshop Jaguar Bass Preamp
- vs Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp
- vs Master Effects Transmission Bass Preamp