The MXR WA38 is an MXR chorus pedal, currently around $146.01. Close alternatives include the Wampler Nirvana Chorus and the T-Rex Tremonti Phaser. It pairs well with the Marshall JTM45 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head and the Marshall Bluesbreaker.
MXR WA38
MXR · pedal
The MXR WA38 Wylde Audio Chorus is Zakk Wylde's signature chorus, released to mark twenty years of his collaboration with Dunlop, built on rich analog bucket-brigade circuitry. It is voiced to thicken walls of distortion and add liquid dimension and texture to clean passages, with Level, Rate, and Depth controls plus High and Low cut filters for shaping the modulation. Dual outputs allow a wide, sweeping stereo spread across two amps for maximum spatial chorusing. It ranges from subtle background shimmer to prominent, wave-like modulation, making it useful for both heavy rock rhythm work under high gain and lush clean arpeggios. The warm, vintage-style analog tone suits players who want characterful chorus that holds up with distortion.
- distortion
- stereo
- chorus
- modulation
- filter
- cut
- rhythm
- clean
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the MXR WA38 is commonly used in
- Rock
- Metal
- Post Punk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Ambient
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - New Wave
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the MXR WA38
Marshall JTM45 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head
amplifier
29% matchMarshall JTM45 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head's warm balances out the bright tone
Marshall Bluesbreaker
Marshall
28% matchMarshall Bluesbreaker leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Aguilar Tone Hammer 210 Combo
Aguilar
16% matchAdd the WA38's stereo, filtered chorus on top of the Tone Hammer 210's own warm, tube-driven saturation for texture.
Ampeg SVT-3PRO Bass Amplifier Head
Ampeg
16% matchRun the WA38's stereo, filtered chorus after the SVT-3PRO's own thick tube drive settles, so the modulation moves a defined tone.
Gibson GA-40
Gibson
15% matchMXR WA38's modulated voice goes after Gibson GA-40 in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Gibson GA-40's own full character
Port City Pearl Head
Port City
11% matchKeep Port City Pearl Head's warm voice out front: MXR WA38 goes after Port City Pearl Head in the signal chain so its modulated voice doesn't muddy it
Ampeg All-tube SVT
Ampeg
11% matchRun the WA38's stereo, filtered chorus after the All-tube SVT's own warm growl settles, so the modulation moves a defined tone.
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchSynergy SL2 Module's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Pedals that stack with the MXR WA38
Soldano SLO
Soldano
26% matchSoldano SLO's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas
EarthQuaker Devices
25% matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas gives it high gain to fill it with
T-Rex Replica Delay
T Rex
23% matchKeep T-Rex Replica Delay's pristine voice out front: MXR WA38 goes after T-Rex Replica Delay in the signal chain so its modulated voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Strymon TimeLine
Strymon
22% matchPut the WA38's chorus and filter modulation ahead of the TimeLine's delay so the wobble gets echoed cleanly rather than blurred into the repeats. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Systech Harmonic Energizer
Systech
21% matchPut MXR WA38 after Systech Harmonic Energizer in the signal chain, clear of Systech Harmonic Energizer's own gain stage
EarthQuaker Devices Blumes
EarthQuaker Devices
21% matchPut MXR WA38 after EarthQuaker Devices Blumes in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Blumes's own gain stage
Mooer woodverb
Mooer
21% matchPut MXR WA38 after Mooer woodverb in the signal chain, clear of Mooer woodverb's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
EarthQuaker Devices Blumes V1 Low Signal Shredder
EarthQuaker Devices
21% matchKeep MXR WA38 after EarthQuaker Devices Blumes V1 Low Signal Shredder in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Blumes V1 Low Signal Shredder's own gain stage
Cheaper alternatives
TC Electronic Corona Chorus
TC Electronic
73% similarityShared character: stereo, chorus, subtle
TC Electronic Gravy
TC Electronic
72% similarityShared character: stereo, chorus, analog
Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble
Boss
72% similarityShared character: stereo, filter, chorus
Ibanez Soundtank CS5 Super Chorus
Ibanez
71% similarityShared character: chorus, analog, rich
JHS 3 Series Chorus
JHS Pedals
71% similarityShared character: chorus, subtle, transparent
Walrus Audio Fundamental Chrous
Walrus Audio
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar character
Wampler Nirvana Chorus
Wampler
74% similarityShared character: stereo, chorus, subtle
T-Rex Tremonti Phaser
T Rex
73% similarityShared character: rich, hard_rock, mix
MXR Flanger
MXR
72% similarityShared character: rich, hard_rock, chorus
Catalinbread Wake Chorus/Octaver
Catalinbread
72% similarityShared character: rich, voicing, chorus
JAM Pedals Chill
Jam Pedals
72% similarityShared character: mix, subtle, rich
MXR M134 Stereo Chorus
MXR
72% similarityShared character: rich, stereo, filter
See all alternatives to the MXR WA38 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR WA38?+
The closest matches in character are the Wampler Nirvana Chorus, the T-Rex Tremonti Phaser, the MXR Flanger. Budget picks: TC Electronic Corona Chorus, TC Electronic Gravy, Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble. Boutique upgrades: Boss CE-20 Chorus Ensemble.
What pairs well with the MXR WA38?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Marshall JTM45 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head, Marshall Bluesbreaker, Aguilar Tone Hammer 210 Combo — Marshall JTM45 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head's warm balances out the bright tone.
How much does the MXR WA38 cost?+
Around $146.01 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).