The MXR MC-402 is an MXR overdrive pedal. Close alternatives include the MXR Custom Shop Timmy Overdrive and the MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver. It pairs well with the Blackstar Studio 10 KT88 Limited Edition and the Synergy SL2 Module.
MXR MC-402
MXR · pedal
The MXR MC-402 Boost/Overdrive is a premium dual-function pedal from MXR's Custom Audio Electronics collaboration, providing a transparent clean boost and a warm overdrive in a single enclosure. The CAE (Custom Audio Electronics) collaboration with Bob Bradshaw produced a series of professional-grade signal chain tools, and the MC-402 reflects the signal quality standards demanded by professional touring guitarists who rely on CAE systems.
- boost
- transparent
- touring
- overdrive
- electronic
- warm
- clean boost
- natural
Genres the MXR MC-402 is commonly used in
- Electronic
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Country
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the MXR MC-402
Blackstar Studio 10 KT88 Limited Edition
Blackstar
25% matchThe Studio 10's warm British midrange gives the MC-402's transparent, musical boost a natural amp voice to push into.
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchSynergy SL2 Module's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchCeriatone 2202H's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchFriedman BE-Mini Head's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Bad Cat Lynx 50
Bad Cat
tonal matchBad Cat Lynx 50's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Marshall 2203KK Kerry King JCM800
Marshall
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Marshall 2203KK Kerry King JCM800 gives it high gain to fill it with
Egnater Tweaker 88 Head
Egnater
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Egnater Tweaker 88 Head gives it low gain to fill it with
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchHughes & Kettner Warp 7's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Pedals that stack with the MXR MC-402
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler
Dr Scientist
29% matchPush the Frazz Dazzler's low-gain fuzz with the MC-402's transparent, musical boost stacked in front for extra saturation without losing clarity.
ProCo RAT 2
Proco
29% matchBoost with the MC-402 first and the RAT's cutting low-gain drive gets pushed into fuller, more sustained saturation.
MXR Dyna Comp
MXR
24% matchAhead of the MC-402's transparent, touring-grade boost, the Dyna Comp's compression evens out dynamics before the clean boost adds its own push.
Electro-Harmonix Bad
Electro-Harmonix
19% matchPut the Bad's subtle, resonant sweep after the MC-402's transparent, musical boost so the modulation colors a clean, defined signal.
Meris Polymoon
Meris
11% matchRun the Polymoon's stacked modulation and delay after the MC-402 so the effects track an already-driven signal. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Neunaber Wet Mono Reverb Pedal
pedal
11% matchLet the Wet's muted reverb wash trail the MC-402's warm, transparent overdrive instead of blurring it upfront. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Tone City Dry Martini
Tone City
tonal matchMXR MC-402 leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform Tone City Dry Martini wants
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
tonal matchThe MC-402's transparent, touring-grade boost pushes the Geezer Butler's doom-voiced distortion into much heavier territory.
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
MXR Custom Shop Timmy Overdrive
MXR
80% similarityShared character: boost, transparent, s_build_quality
MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver
MXR
70% similarity“If you want additional nasty fuzz-overdrive, you can buy MXR MC-402 Boost/Overdrive”
Xotic AC Booster
Xotic
70% similarityShared character: boost, transparent, s_build_quality
Mask Audio Electronics Clubber Lang
Mask Audio Electronics
70% similarityShared character: boost, transparent, overdrive
Vertex Effects Tone Secret
Vertex
69% similarityShared character: transparent, s_build_quality, boost
T-Rex Hobo Drive
T Rex
69% similarityShared character: transparent, s_build_quality, natural
Maxon OD808
Maxon
69% similarityShared character: boost, transparent, natural
TC Electronic Rush Booster
TC Electronic
68% similarityShared character: boost, transparent, s_build_quality
Fortin Amplification Fourteen dual boost
Fortin Amplification
64% similarityShared character: two_channels, boost, transparent
Free The Tone ODL-1 Overdriveland Standard
Free The Tone
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Friedman Buxom Boost
Friedman
94% similaritysimilar tone character
J. Rockett .45 Caliber Overdrive
J Rockett
94% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the MXR MC-402 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR MC-402?+
The closest matches in character are the MXR Custom Shop Timmy Overdrive, the MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver, the Xotic AC Booster.
What pairs well with the MXR MC-402?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Blackstar Studio 10 KT88 Limited Edition, Synergy SL2 Module, Ceriatone 2202H — The Studio 10's warm British midrange gives the MC-402's transparent, musical boost a natural amp voice to push into..
Compare
- vs Free The Tone ODL-1 Overdriveland Standard
- vs Friedman Buxom Boost
- vs J. Rockett .45 Caliber Overdrive