The MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition is an MXR compressor pedal. Close alternatives include the Origin Effects Cali76 MK2 Bass Compressor and the Ashdown Studio Compressor. It pairs well with the Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp and the Synergy SL2 Module.
MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition
MXR · pedal
The MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor is a limited edition bass compressor from MXR (Dunlop), delivering studio-quality FET compression for bass guitar with Input, Attack, Release, Output, and Ratio controls in a special Blackout black finish. The M87 Bass Compressor is one of the most acclaimed bass compressors, providing transparent, studio-grade compression that enhances bass tone without coloring it.
What stands out
“In the signal chain compression sits first”
— from the community notes
“FET compression character focused on transparency”
— from the reviews
“The MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor is a limited edition bass compressor from MXR (Dunlop), delivering studio-quality FET compression for bass guitar with Input, Attack, Release, Output, and Ratio controls in a special Blackout black fini…”
— from the listing
“Its standout strength is the studio-quality FET bass compression with comprehensive attack, release, and ratio control at MXR quality in the”
— from the community notes
“providing transparent”
— from the listing
- compression
- fet
- studio
- attack
- release
- transparent
- bass
- compressor
Genres the MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition is commonly used in
- Country Pop
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Country
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition
Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp
Laney
16% matchfills 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)
Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp's own mid-forward character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Synergy SL2 Module after MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt goes after MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition in the chain
Egnater Tweaker 88 Head
Egnater
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Egnater Tweaker 88 Head goes after MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition in the chain
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Ceriatone 2202H after MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition
Carol-Ann OD-2R
Carol Ann
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Carol-Ann OD-2R goes after MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition in the chain
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H
Marshall
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H goes after MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition in the chain
Bad Cat Lynx 50
Bad Cat
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Bad Cat Lynx 50 after MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition
Pedals that stack with the MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition
Xotic Bass BB Preamp V1.5
Xotic
31% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
What MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition brings here leans toward compressed — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
GFI System Jonassus Drive
Gfi System
25% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Both lean toward dynamic and compressed respectively — close enough in character that they complement instead of clashing
Comes later in the signal chain
Line 6 DM4 Distortion Modeler
Line 6
24% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Ashdown MAS Vintage-Fuzz
Ashdown
23% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Nobels ODR-1
Nobels
19% matchfills 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)
Nobels ODR-1 leans toward full, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Wren and Cuff Box of War OG
Wren And Cuff
19% matchWren and Cuff Box of War OG's own full character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Fender Hammertone Reverb
Fender
7% 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 Fender Hammertone Reverb after MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition in the signal chain, where it won't crowd MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Strymon BigSky
Strymon
7% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put Strymon BigSky after MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition in the signal chain, where it won't crowd MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Alternatives
Origin Effects Cali76 MK2 Bass Compressor
Origin Effects
70% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, attack
Ashdown Studio Compressor
Ashdown
64% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, attack
Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor
Ampeg
54% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, attack
Boss LMB-3 Bass Limiter/Enhancer
Boss
46% similarityShared character: bass, attack, compression
Ashdown Velvet Compressor
Ashdown
46% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, attack
Boss CP-1X Compressor
Boss
46% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, attack
Electro-Harmonix Bass Preacher
Electro-Harmonix
45% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, attack
Blaxx BX-Bass Limit
Blaxx
44% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, attack
Empress Bass Compressor Blue
Empress
41% similarityShared character: bass, compressor, attack
See all alternatives to the MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition?+
The closest matches in character are the Origin Effects Cali76 MK2 Bass Compressor, the Ashdown Studio Compressor, the Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor.
What pairs well with the MXR M87B Blackout Bass Compressor Limited Edition?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp, Synergy SL2 Module, Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt — Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp's own mid-forward character is the real reason this is worth trying.