The MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive is an MXR overdrive pedal, currently around $139.99. Close alternatives include the RHC Rat Turbo Rat Distortion and the EWS Eric Gales Brute Drive. It pairs well with the Dumble Steel String Singer and the Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 Combo Bass Amp.
MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive
MXR · pedal
The MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive is a signature overdrive pedal created in collaboration with Zakk Wylde, the Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society guitarist known for his aggressive, heavily saturated lead tone and distinctive pinch harmonic technique. The ZW-44 delivers powerful, cutting overdrive with the aggressive, saturated character that suits Wylde's heavy metal and Southern rock playing style.
- metal
- lead
- southern rock
- cutting
- aggressive
- reliable
- overdrive
- harmonic
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive is commonly used in
- Metal
- Southern Rock
- Heavy 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.
Amps that pair well with the MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive
Dumble Steel String Singer
Dumble
28% matchWhere this leans bright, Dumble Steel String Singer answers back smooth
Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 Combo Bass Amp
Ampeg
25% matchThe ZW-44's cutting, aggressive lead gain pushes the RB-115's massive preamp into real metal weight.
Fender Prosonic
amplifier
tonal matchFender Prosonic leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Gibson GA-50
Gibson
tonal matchRun Gibson GA-50 after it and the bright edge settles into something more warm
Orange BT1000H Terror Bass 1000-Watt Bass Amp
Orange
tonal matchRun Orange BT1000H Terror Bass 1000-Watt Bass Amp after it and the bright edge settles into something more warm
Orange Terror Bass
Orange
tonal matchOrange Terror Bass's warm balances out the bright tone
Orange Little Bass Thing
Orange
tonal matchOrange Little Bass Thing leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Fuchs ODS II Custom 25/50 Combo
Fuchs
tonal matchFuchs ODS II Custom 25/50 Combo leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Pedals that stack with the MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive
Catalinbread SFT
Catalinbread
19% matchCatalinbread SFT leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Behringer Chorus Symphony
Behringer
19% matchRun Behringer Chorus Symphony after MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive in the signal chain, clear of MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive's own gain stage
Donner Lax Comp
Donner
18% matchWhat Donner Lax Comp brings here leans toward transparent — that's worth building a pairing around
One Control Lingonberry Overdrive
One Control
17% matchOne Control Lingonberry Overdrive's warm balances out the bright tone
Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler
pedal
12% matchKeep Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler after MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive in the signal chain, clear of MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte
Caroline Guitar Company
12% matchKeep Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte after MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive in the signal chain, clear of MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Orange - Vintage Distortion
Orange
tonal matchOrange - Vintage Distortion's warm balances out the bright tone
SolidGoldFX Commodore Breaker Overdrive
Solidgoldfx
tonal matchRun SolidGoldFX Commodore Breaker Overdrive after it and the bright edge settles into something more smooth
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Greer Super Hornet
Greer
74% similarityShared character: southern_rock, aggressive_playing, metal
Greer Amps White Tomahawk Deluxe Drive
Greer
72% similarityShared character: southern_rock, metal, gain
JAM Pedals TubeDreamer MK2
Jam Pedals
69% similarityShared character: southern_rock, response, gain
Keeley Super AT Mod Overdrive Limited Edition
Keeley
68% similarityShared character: lead, response, overdrive
Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster
Dallas
68% similarityShared character: lead, metal, gain
J. Rockett Blue Note Select
J Rockett
67% similarityShared character: southern_rock, overdrive
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
RHC Rat Turbo Rat Distortion
Rhc Audio
69% similarityShared character: aggressive_playing, metal
EWS Eric Gales Brute Drive
Ews
68% similarityShared character: lead, response, overdrive
Sola Sound Tone Bender MkII
Sola Sound
67% similarityShared character: aggressive_playing, lead, gain
Wylde Audio MXR WA44 Overdrive
Wylde Audio
92% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive?+
The closest matches in character are the RHC Rat Turbo Rat Distortion, the EWS Eric Gales Brute Drive, the Sola Sound Tone Bender MkII. Budget picks: Boss DS-1 Distortion (Japan, 1980s), Tone City TC-T38 Metal Storm classic British-style high, NuX Fireman. Boutique upgrades: Greer Super Hornet, Greer Amps White Tomahawk Deluxe Drive, JAM Pedals TubeDreamer MK2.
What pairs well with the MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Dumble Steel String Singer, Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 Combo Bass Amp, Fender Prosonic — Where this leans bright, Dumble Steel String Singer answers back smooth.
How much does the MXR ZW-44 Zakk Wylde Overdrive cost?+
Around $139.99 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
Compare
- vs Wylde Audio MXR WA44 Overdrive
- vs Boss DS-1 Distortion (Japan, 1980s)
- vs Universal Audio UAFX Anti 1992 High Gain Amp