By focusing the overdrive in the midrange frequencies, the Bass Blow Torch lets you retain low end thunder and high-end sizzle while distorted mids blaze a path through even the densest mix. An active 3-band EQ with 3-position mid shift lets you zero in on an incendiary tone, while the Blend knob lets you balance your distortion with direct signal to taste. And the Bass Blow Torch burns as clean as it does hot, with 18 volt performance for increased dynamic headroom, clarity and low noise even at lethal volume. True hardwire bypass circuitry means that when you switch the distortion out, it's really gone.

Tube-like growl to high-gain distortion
Strong midrange overdrive retains low- and high-end frequencies
Active 3-band EQ with 3-position mid shift

Power: Dunlop ECB004 AC Adapter or Two 9 volt batteries (not included)

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Things You Will Get:

Effect Pedal
Manual

See all MXR Bass Effect Pedals

Best bass distortion I've used

This is by far the best bass distortion I've had the pleasure of using, and probably the only bass drive that sounds good with slap in addition to fingerstyle. The EQ section effects only the distortion signal, allowing you to dial-in the ideal lower-mid or upper-mid crunch and blend it with the original un-EQ'd clean signal. I don't find a soft-clipped "tube grit" kind of tone in this pedal...the distortion has a hard-clipped squarewave character to it, but that works quite well blended with the clean signal. You can dial in anything between a subtle mid-range grit to a full-on shred that vaporizes small mammals...it's quite versatile. The mid-shift switch and mid-EQ knob are most effective...along with the high and low EQ knobs, this allows you to concentrate the distortion more in the 250Hz lower-mid region (serious low grunt), 750Hz upper-mid region (seriously cutting growl), or the 2Khz high region (a bit too buzzy for my own tastes, but quite piercing). Fingerstyle has a nice roar to it, while with slap the highs remain mostly clean...the ability to blend with the unaltered clean signal retains dynamics and clarity that I don't find in other bass distortions. This pedal is also dead quiet whether engaged or bypassed, and does no detectable tone-chopping when bypassed. My only real gripe about this pedal isn't really about the pedal...it requires 18V to operate, and one would think (given the fairly unusual 18V requirement) that Dunlop would just include the $15 18VDC power supply with the pedal.

Dave Sisk

Raleigh, NC

2007-08-26

MXR M181 Blowtorch Distortion Manual

Warranty Info:

M181 Bass Blow Torch Distortion Effects Pedal

The manufacturer's warranty covers parts for one year and labor for one year from date of purchase. The warranty excludes damage from misuse, abuse, and contains other exclusions.