The MXR Van Halen is an MXR distortion pedal. Close alternatives include the Strymon Riverside and the Tech 21 Tri-O.D.. It pairs well with the Vox MV50-CE Rock and the Marshall JCM800 2203.
MXR Van Halen
MXR · pedal
The MXR Van Halen collection encompasses the signature effects pedals created in collaboration with Eddie Van Halen, including the EVH 5150 Overdrive, EVH Modern High Gain, and the EVH Phase 90. MXR and Eddie Van Halen's collaboration produced a defining signature pedal line that reflects Van Halen's specific requirements for high-gain distortion, phaser modulation, and tone control across his career.
- high gain
- distortion
- modulation
- phaser
- overdrive
- modern
- consistent
- reliable
Genres the MXR Van Halen is commonly used in
- Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Hard Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Funk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the MXR Van Halen
Vox MV50-CE Rock
Vox
19% matchStack Vox MV50-CE Rock on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight
Marshall JCM800 2203
Marshall
19% matchFeed a high gain signal into Marshall JCM800 2203 and it comes out closer to mid-forward
Traynor BB115
Traynor
tonal matchTraynor BB115 takes that high gain character and pushes it toward tight
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 212
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchGallien-Krueger Legacy 212 pushes a high gain tone toward mid-forward
Phil Jones X4C NanoBass 35W 1x4 Combo
Phil Jones
tonal matchStack Phil Jones X4C NanoBass 35W 1x4 Combo on top and a high gain tone tightens toward mid-forward
Egnater Renegade 65 4x10 Combo
Egnater
tonal matchEgnater Renegade 65 4x10 Combo pushes a high gain tone toward tight
Phil Jones BG-75 Double Four Bass Combo
Phil Jones
tonal matchPhil Jones BG-75 Double Four Bass Combo takes that high gain character and pushes it toward mid-forward
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 410
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchGallien-Krueger Legacy 410 pushes a high gain tone toward tight
Pedals that stack with the MXR Van Halen
Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress
Electro-Harmonix
19% matchPut Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress after MXR Van Halen in the signal chain, clear of MXR Van Halen's own gain stage
Suhr Shiba Drive
Suhr
18% matchSuhr Shiba Drive takes that high gain character and pushes it toward mid-forward
Browne Amplification Gritador
Browne Amplification
18% matchStack Browne Amplification Gritador on top and a high gain tone tightens toward mid-forward
Electro-Harmonix Oceans 12
Electro-Harmonix
16% matchKeep Electro-Harmonix Oceans 12 after MXR Van Halen in the signal chain, clear of MXR Van Halen's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Electro-Harmonix Pico Oceans 3-Verb
Electro-Harmonix
16% matchPut Electro-Harmonix Pico Oceans 3-Verb after MXR Van Halen in the signal chain, clear of MXR Van Halen's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Warm Audio Pedal 76 Compressor
Warm Audio
14% matchWhat Warm Audio Pedal 76 Compressor brings here leans toward tight — that's worth building a pairing around
Wampler Cory Wong
Wampler
tonal matchFeed a high gain signal into Wampler Cory Wong and it comes out closer to clean boost
Spaceman Effects Atlas IV
Spaceman
tonal matchStack Spaceman Effects Atlas IV on top and a high gain tone tightens toward clean boost
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
Strymon Riverside
Strymon
67% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, s_build_quality, overdrive
Tech 21 Tri-O.D.
Tech 21
67% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, distortion, s_build_quality
MXR Super Badass Distortion
MXR
65% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, distortion
Abasi Pathos Distortion
Abasi
65% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, distortion
EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device
EarthQuaker Devices
65% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, distortion
Benson Amps Portable Distortion 424 MKII
Benson Amps
65% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, distortion, overdrive
Mad Professor Stone Grey Distortion
Mad Professor
63% similarityShared character: tone_control, high_gain_settings, distortion
Dunlop MXR M94SE Super Badass Distortion
Dunlop
63% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, distortion, overdrive
Roland Core Distortion
Roland
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Providence - SDT-3 Stampede DT
Providence
92% similaritysimilar tone character
JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion
JHS Pedals
92% similaritysimilar tone character
NuX HG-6 High Gain
Nux
91% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the MXR Van Halen (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR Van Halen?+
The closest matches in character are the Strymon Riverside, the Tech 21 Tri-O.D., the MXR Super Badass Distortion.
What pairs well with the MXR Van Halen?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Vox MV50-CE Rock, Marshall JCM800 2203, Traynor BB115 — Stack Vox MV50-CE Rock on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight.
Compare
- vs Roland Core Distortion
- vs Providence - SDT-3 Stampede DT
- vs JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion