MXR Micro Amp

This is the easiest pedal in the world to use. One knob and a heavy duty foot switch.

Here is the total set up: '85 Strat/NEW! Gibson Les Paul 1960 Classic/Epiphone Sheraton II/Zion Radicaster/56 Gibson ES125/Jap Tele/Parker Fly P40>Keeley Compressor>MXR Micro Amp>MXR Smart Gate>Mesa Boogie Triaxis. Running MXR M134 Chorus>Alesis Quadraverb. I run a Boss NS 50 on a very low setting in line with the final output to a Marshall 9000 series power head (34's baby!) to two Boogie 1x12 cabs mono. I tried every guitar I have in this set up. It simply drives the front end of my preamp a bit harder. I am able to simulate tones of Brian May with my strat in "strat position". My LP snarls and scowls with harmonic monsterousness however, it was a little too over bearing with my hollow body insturments even at lower settings it pumped up the feedback(ability). The Jap Tele gets pretty crispy however, the versatility of a programmable preamp solves this problem by design. The Zion is a naturally high output guitar and really got a bit out of control initially. Once I backed of on the output, it really came alive with a good stable bottom end while maintaining that sweet strat sort of top end. Much like a my strat duh!, it also had a bad boy rock undertone with as sweet almost acoustic clean high end. When I switch the pedal off, it is very noticable in many ways. In some cases the volumes had a hard time matching up between the on and off position particularly on the hollow body guitars. Also, there is a presence that the Microamp brings out that is very solid sounding. Sort of a tighter over all sound. I have experimented around with it in various configurations and the one listed above seems to be the best. When running the Keeley Compressor and the Micro-amp at the same time (most of the time) it does get pretty noisy. This is why I have isolated the noise in my pedal board chain with the MXR Smart Gate (great little gate) as well as at the final output of the TriAxis with the Boss Noise gate that I bought years ago which then runs directly into the Marshall power head. I truly can't say enough about how much it has over all punched up my solid body guitars. I am dissappointed that I did not buy one years ago when I was gigging all of the time. I truly would have kept it on much of the time. Great "natural hot" sound because it is simply taking your preamp section and boosting what is already present in your amplifier. It is very hard to truly make a distinction between the tone that the pedal may or may not be adding or the overtones that it brings out in the natural elements of the various TriAxis preamp settings. I truly recommend the pedal for someone looking to beef up an already great sounding rig or if you just want to get insane amounts of gain at the front end of your chain. MORE GAIN MORE GAIN!!! That's what rock and roll is all about!

MXR's reputation speaks for itself.

No Dealings.

Various forms of rock including classic, metal, prog and blues. Been playing almost 30 years now. If it were stolen, I would replace at once. It's easy to use and really helps get a much more driven sound while pushing the natural elements of your preamp to higher levels. Think of it as a very strong cup of coffee in the morning...it wakes up your amp! For the price, it is an insane deal. I am reinspired by my rig and my instruments...like I said, I wish I would gotten one years ago but I just did not understand what it did in those days.

This one's obvious - 1 knob and 1 switch.

I use the Micro Amp as a volume boost for guitar solos. I'm using Peavey Wolfgangs with a Line 6 DuoVerb 2x12 combo. You must run the Micro Amp through the effects loop to get any use out of it. It works perfect for me when the knob is between 10 to 11 o'clock. The gain boost is 100% clean - a lot of headroom. It works well on clean, overdrive, and heavily distorted settings. This pedal is a must if you don't have a sound guy to turn you up for solos. It is not affected by other effects whether in the loop or between the guitar and amp.

MXR pedals are built like tanks. I gig regularly with this and it is bolted to my pedal board. I can't see it getting damaged or breaking - been using it for about 3 years and no problems. Probably wouldn't need a backup.

Never had to deal with Dunlop.

Definitely a 10 for doing what I need it to do - boost my volume for solos. Way better than a volume pedal since volume pedals don't add volume, they reduce it from your maximum. I also tried the Boss GE-7 graphic eq. for volume boosts but found it to be too noisy in the effects loop.

one nob, one button, easy enough!!! haha, as u can see by every single other review :P

The sound is great
I have this through an Epiphone Sheraton ii, vox wah, boss sd-1 and more pedals to come.
Note: as u know, if you're looking for a distortion pedal alone, this isnt it :P, this is simply a booster
I use this for clean rhythm playing, distorted lead guitaring, or just throughout an entire number just to keep the guitar sounding lovely

This thing is so strong (i wouldnt get it otherwise).
I can rely on it, and i dont know for using it without backup, i always have plenty of 9v's around, but i havnt changed the battery yet.

Havnt dealt with them at all. Hopefully i wont need to :D

This is perfect no matter what style you play.
If you have a rig with LOTS of pedals, this would be perfect to have infront of the amp to boost the signal. If it were stolen or lost, id cry for an hour, then buy another one.
I love the design of this pedal, the shape, size, simplicity, along with boss, mxr make my favourite pedals. It is possible to buy 2, one to boost the signal and one to boost even more! This thing has relaly expanded my writing of music!
Terrific

One knob for level plus footswitch to turn it on/off. Simple.

I was using this with a Schecter C1 Classic and Fender Strat, pedals are Boss Metal Zone, Crybaby and a few other misc pedals. Amp is Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (40 watts tube). Pedal was pretty transparent other than offering a terrific volume boost. The effect amplifies the noise as well, but that's only because my usual sound is a bit noisy. Much better than using an overdrive pedal for volume boost - bad idea.

The new MXR pedals are made with a cheap plastic switch painted to look like a metal switch. You'd think that since it's the part you use the most, MXR would make sure it could stand up to some abuse.
I stepped on it too hard and the switch broke. I have to buy a new pedal because it's too much of a hassle to get it fixed. Are real metal switches so expensive that MXR can't use them anymore? I would even pay a bit extra just for that, to know that the pedal would be a lot less likely to break.

Emailed MXR about my broken pedal, they took a while to respond and only offered a 800 number for me to call to get my pedal fixed. I would have preferred an immediate RA# and return address to ship the broken pedal, even if I had to pay for the repair.

The pedal is great, probably the best of its type, but MXR is skimping on quality and customers are suffering. Be careful how hard you step on the pedal, the switches on the new models are plastic and don't hold up very well under regular use.

Very easy to get the sound you want. Just turn the gain (level) knob to the volume desired. Only complain is the placement of the 9V power supply input. Unlike most Boss/Ibanez pedals, the power input is on the side right next to the guitar signal input. Can be awkward to place power chord and guitar chord into the pedal. I love how they didn't put a tone knob on this pedal. This would've made it harder to replicate your tone when the pedal is off.

Epiphone Les Paul Standard - Vox V848 - Pro Co Rat II - Ibanez TS9 - Boss BD2 - Boss DD5 - MXR Micro Amp - Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (1x12 tube). Not noisy at all unless gain is maxed out. Sounds are always great. The obvious use for this pedal is for a solo boost while performing live. Other choices are to engage the pedal if you have 2 guitars you're using at different times to raise the level of the quieter guitar to match the level of the louder one. This is very useful if you have a high output Les Paul and a low output Strat. Another choice MXR offers is to use it as a permament volume boost where your volume is dropped in a long effects chain. But the obvious use for this problem is to turn up your amp.

The sound quality is great on this unit. With the pedal on and gain at 0, it matches the exact level when the pedal is off. Once you turn up the gain, the volume starts to increase. However, the tone and exact sound is identical to your original. This is key if all you want is more volume with your original tone.

Very reliable. I wouldn't gig without some other device to boost volume though. At worst, I could just use an overdrive to do that. The only reason I wouldn't fully trust this unit is because it's not a Boss, which means there's no 5 year warranty, which insures you that this unit it sturdy and reliable. I've had mine a couple of days and have had no problems. And it really gives me confidence to see these exact pedals from the '80's that are still in perfect working condition selling on eBay. I hope mine can last that long too.

Great for any style of music where there might be a guitar solo, riff or lead, which is every style of music. This can be used for metal or country, which is rare when to find a unit that can suit both of these needs. Been playing for 4 years. This pedal is the best in it's class. If it were stolen, I'd definetly buy another. I love the easy solo boost that you can attain from this pedal. I NOTHING about it. My only suggestion is to move the power input to the top of the pedal like most companies do. But seeing that this has been the MXR design for many years, it's doubtful that this will happen.

I've compared this unit with the Boss SD-1 Overdrive and MXR Super Comp. The reason I choose this unit over the SD-1 is because I wanted a booster that would only raise my volume and not mess with my tone or gain at all. The reason I didn't choose the Super Comp is because I didn't want the clicky compressor noise that most compression units have unless you fork out money. I thought about and realized what I actually wanted, which was a booster, which led me to the obvious decision of getting a booster instead a compressor.

The unit is perfect for what it does. It won't make a clean signal distorted or even out your volume like a compressor, it simply makes you louder. Thank you MXR.

One knob for VOLUME. Could it BE any easier?

I use a Marshall JCM800 (re-issue) and various Boss/MXR stomp boxes.
I read loads of reviews of this pedal abd thought "yeah..gotta get 'volume in a box!!" 'cos i realy need a boost for my leads as the JCM80 is a single channel amp.
I got the pedal a day before a gig and put it in the chain next to my other foot pedals. I had to turn the damn thing right up to full for it to make ANY difference and wondered why i just spent #100 on this c'os it hardly did a thing.
Anyway..did the gig and my muso friends where saying yes, there was a slight difference but not much..
Then a couple days later at a rehearsal i put this little box throught the effects send and return on the JCM and ooohh...it tore my head off!

So..this thing REALLY DOES WORK as long as it's in the effects loop and NOT out front next to your over-drive predals etc.
It sure is 'volume in a box' now I'm using it properly!!

It does get hissy when flat out but unless your either insane, or deaf, you won't need to go full pelt.
I found that using it just under half way was a tremendous boost for lead work.
It also does colour the sound a little...adds a bit of bottom end but that's no biggie.
If your sound engeneer is at the bar while you do your solos, it don't matter if you have this little beauty!!

not had it long enough to say...

no idea.

I play hard rock..need a boost for solos and this thing does what it says on the tin. (as long as it's in the effects loop that is!!)
This pedal is the answer to my lead boost problem!!
I think it's a little expensive for what it is but it sure does the job, so i guess i'm saying it's worth the money.
Very glad i bought it.

One knob. Awesome for a solo boost live.

Nice tone, doesn't color the sound at all. When you crank it past 3'O clock it does bring in some gain. I use tele's & strat's w/humbuckers.
I now use a Laney 100 watt Pro Tube & a Ampeg V50H (at rehearsal). I really only use this pedal live, it's all I need.

Solid pedal.

The Best support. Really!

Rock/Punk Rock is my thing & always has been. I'm very glad I tried this pedal out. Light years better than any distortion pedal in any live situation. It blows Fulltone out of the water.

How much easier do want?? On/off, gain level.

It's a volume boost and it performs incredibly. I use a Fender Jap strat, a Fender 62 re-issue strat, a Fender 92 MIM tele with alnico p'ups, Boss OD-2, Boss ME-50 (for compression and tremolo), Boss BF-2, Boss CH-1, and Fender Super 210 all valve combo. This really brings everything alive- but especially the tele. The tele's got amazing tone as it is but with the MicroAmp it's out of this world. Exactly what a clean boost should be.

1 issue: a lot of people claim it to be perfectly transparent. It is not, but in a good way. How can people say it makes their tone better but not alter their tone?? But it's perfect.

I have only had it for 3 months but am sure it is gigworthy and reliable. It's like the telecaster of pedals- so simple there's pretty much nothing that can go wrong. (Unless you try!)

Never have dealt with.

We play indie pop but I'm guessing it would work well with anything. Been playing 15 yrs but still trying desparately to develop a good ear for tone. Tried it on other amps and guitars and sounds great but none better than with the Fender tube amp and the tele. It's a clean boost and that's all and it's faultless, especially for the money.

Why couldn't all pedals be this easy? One knob to control the Gain and the all important footswitch to turn the pedal on or bypass the pedal. I suppose the quality of the sound you get from this pedal is determined from the other gear your using, as i use this pedal to make my existing bass tone huge.

First things first, the gear i'm using with this pedal is a Modulus Flea 4 bass running through a Warwick pro tube head with a David Eden 4x10 cab. I've also got a boss ODB3 overdrive & EH Q-Tron running in the effects loop with the MXR Micro Amp.

I've had the same problem as most bass players using effects, when playing Live the bottom just dissappears. I've tryed splitting the signal into separate amps one clean & one dirty (like the pros)and this does work but is expensive, you get a glass back & you need to trade your hatchback in for a Transit van.

This MXR Micro Amp is the best solution i've found and now i wouldn't be without one. When i first connected the pedal i wacked the gain straight on full and it nearly took my face off not to mention making my speaker cones dance. I then backed it off to about 3 quarters and the boost of your tone is incredible. I'll never play with it turned off again.

The best was yet to come, i have a tube overdrive on my warwick head so i like to have my Overdrive pedal set to a massive fuzz so i can choose between 'em but because the signal is so broken up normally the fuzz is too thin to use in a live situation, but together with the Micro Amp it sounded awesome. I was blown away. I've used expensive boutique pedals and some big brand overdrive pedals (Gallien Krueger,EBS) that cost around the #140 mark and these two combined just blew the competition out of the water. It does probably depend on the sound you are searching for though, this just happened to be near perfection to my ears.

I've given it 8 because up full it just booms and turned low it's pointless having one so it is a one trick pony, but what a trick!
A big factor of the above downpoints are probably due to the fact that it is marketed as a guitar pedal so you could probably use the full variations with a guitar.

I've had no problems as yet with the pedal and i bought it used and it looked like it had seen a few years of heavy gigging when i bought it. The pedal is really weighty for it's small size.Also it has a metal casing which feels like it was meant to last.
If it broke during a gig i would be reluctant to play on, i'd be gutted. I will definately be thinking seriously about looking for a back up.

I've never had any reason to deal with them fortunately, which probably speaks volumes about the build quality of their products.

I've been playing bass for around 7 years mainly in original rock bands and currently in a funk band. I've probli bought about 40 or so effects pedals in that time and i've only got 4 that i've kept. 90% of them have been a total let down/crap and the MXR Micro Amp is the only one i've found that is definately for keeps. If it got stolen tomorrow i'd hunt the scalies down like Charle Bronson or ask Santa for another.
I would say i think the new price is a little on the high side (#89.95) especially when the build quality is so good, you could easily pick up 2 used ones for the same price.

Just one knob, it cranks the gain. Just one switch, it turns on and off.

This pedal (in my opinion) is a must have for every guitar player. This is good for boosting the signal for leads, but even better when left on all the time to really make your guitar sound sweet. Warms up the sound and gives it a sparkle, it also adds sustain. I use it for boosting the gain going into my Fender Bassman blackface head to push it into the sweet spot so it doesn't sound like crap at lower volumes (anywhere below 3.5 on the dial). So I used this both as a tone help-mate for my amp and as a buffer for my ever-enlarging pedal board. Now that I own it, I will never turn it off and I'll never play without it. There are a lot of clean boosts out there and a lot of them cost a fortune and boast to be improvements on the Micro Amp, but I honestly don't know if it needs improvement.

Built solid.

N/A

Anyone who has an effects chain should have a buffer, whether or not all the effects you have a true bypass. The Micro Amp is great for that application, but really shines in what it can do for your tone. I love the fat and sparkly sound this adds. For situations where I can't turn up my amp past 3.5 (which is already way loud), I use the Micro Amp to make my amp sound and sustain more like it is on 5 & just about to open up. The effect is stuble, but necessary.