The MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg is an MXR overdrive pedal, currently around $79.99. Close alternatives include the Tone City Golden Plexi and the TC Electronic Fangs Metal Distortion. It pairs well with the Bad Cat Hot Cat and the Matchless DC-30.
MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg
MXR · pedal
The MXR Raw Dawg, designed in collaboration with Eric Gales, is a custom overdrive circuit based on a classic OD design but re-voiced with a more balanced midrange and boosted gain range for a sweeter, more organic sound even when the drive is maxed out, avoiding the harsher, boxier character some classic OD circuits can develop at high gain. Its simple three-knob Output, Tone, and Drive layout keeps it easy to dial in, and true bypass preserves tone when off. It suits players wanting a grittier, more gain-flexible take on a classic overdrive circuit, from tasteful crunch to fiery, saturated lead tones.
- overdrive
- gain
- raw
- high gain
- distortion
- midrange
- clean boost
- crunch
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg is commonly used in
- Metal
- Hard Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Punk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Heavy Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg
Bad Cat Hot Cat
Bad Cat
31% matchWhere this leans dark, Bad Cat Hot Cat answers back bright
Matchless DC-30
Matchless
29% matchMatchless DC-30's glassy balances out the dark tone
Díaz CD-100 Amp Head
Diaz
tonal matchRun Díaz CD-100 Amp Head after it and the dark edge settles into something more bright
Marshall 2203KK Kerry King JCM800
Marshall
tonal matchRun Marshall 2203KK Kerry King JCM800 after it and the dark edge settles into something more bright
Peavey MAX 208
Peavey
tonal matchRun Peavey MAX 208 after it and the dark edge settles into something more bright
Vox AC30 Rose Morris 80s
amplifier
tonal matchVox AC30 Rose Morris 80s pushes a high gain tone toward mid-forward
Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass
Vox
tonal matchVox Mini SuperBeetle Bass's bright balances out the dark tone
Randall Lynch Box
Randall
tonal matchRandall Lynch Box takes that high gain character and pushes it toward mid-forward
Pedals that stack with the MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg
Colorsound Power Boost
Colorsound
28% matchRun Colorsound Power Boost after it and the dark edge settles into something more bright
J. Rockett Archer
pedal
27% matchWhere this leans dark, J. Rockett Archer answers back bright
Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble
pedal
23% matchKeep Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble after MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg in the signal chain, clear of MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg's own gain stage
Keeley Compressor Plus
Keeley
18% matchWhat Keeley Compressor Plus brings here leans toward compressed — that's worth building a pairing around
Keeley Vibe-O-Verb
Keeley
15% matchKeeley Vibe-O-Verb's modulated voice goes after MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg's own gritty character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Way Huge Electronics Aqua-Puss MkII Analog Delay
pedal
15% matchKeep Way Huge Electronics Aqua-Puss MkII Analog Delay after MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg in the signal chain, clear of MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Electronic Audio Experiments Longsword Eastside Exclusive Mono Camo
Electronic Audio Experiments
tonal matchWhere this leans dark, Electronic Audio Experiments Longsword Eastside Exclusive Mono Camo answers back bright
Friedman Buxom Boost
Friedman
tonal matchFriedman Buxom Boost's own voicing points at a high-gain amp's front end, and MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg delivers it
Cheaper alternatives
Behringer OD300 Overdrive Distortion
Behringer
72% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, higher_gain, raw
Fender Hammertone Metal
Fender
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive
Boss
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Fulltone Fulldrive 2 MOSFET
Fulltone
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
J. Rockett Archer
pedal
74% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, raw, dark
Maxon OD808
Maxon
72% similarityShared character: dark, true_bypass, boost
ThorpyFX Judge Death Deathbringer Warthog
ThorpyFX
71% similarityShared character: middle, boost, crunch
Dophix David Overdistortion
Dophix
71% similarityShared character: boost, lead, simple
Wampler Paisley Drive Deluxe
Wampler
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Friedman BE-OD
Friedman
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Tone City Golden Plexi
Tone City
74% similarityShared character: dark, compact, true_bypass
TC Electronic Fangs Metal Distortion
TC Electronic
72% similarityShared character: raw, compact, middle
EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker
EarthQuaker Devices
72% similarityShared character: raw, punchy, middle
Dunlop MXR Jail Guitar Doors Overdrive JGD2
Dunlop
72% similarityShared character: raw, crunch, high_gain_settings
Colorsound Power Boost
Colorsound
71% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, dark, boost
Warm Audios Throne of Tone
Warm Audio
71% similarityShared character: true_bypass, high_gain_settings, distortion
See all alternatives to the MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg?+
The closest matches in character are the Tone City Golden Plexi, the TC Electronic Fangs Metal Distortion, the EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker. Budget picks: Behringer OD300 Overdrive Distortion, Fender Hammertone Metal, Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive. Boutique upgrades: J. Rockett Archer, Maxon OD808, ThorpyFX Judge Death Deathbringer Warthog.
What pairs well with the MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Bad Cat Hot Cat, Matchless DC-30, Díaz CD-100 Amp Head — Where this leans dark, Bad Cat Hot Cat answers back bright.
How much does the MXR Eric Gales Raw Dawg cost?+
Around $79.99 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).