MXR M-108 10-Band EQ Review

Total control. That?s really what guitarists want. And now you can have it with the MXR M-108 10-Band Graphic EQ. The M-108 provides extreme control over the ten most crucial frequencies for guitar.

Ease of Use:	8.7
Sound:	9.3
Reliability:	8.7
Impression:	9.3
Overall rating:	9
Users rating:	8
Comments:	18

overall: 8.8

Featured review by: Purple Platypus, on august 21, 2006

Purchased from: Steve's Music

Ease of Use: This pedal takes a bit of getting used to as it has 12dB of boost and cut for each of the 10 frequencies it governs on top of the gain and volume controls. The manual is fairly straightforward and gives a few examples of setting that might be of use to you. Once you get used to figuring out what sliders need to go where all you have to do is turn it off and on and do the odd tweak on the fly. The LED's in every slider made it easy to see on a dark stage. // 7

Sound: I use it with a Fender Strat through a Fender DeVille 212 with a few pedals in there for good measure. I used to have a Randall G2 series halfstack and I used the EQ to brighten up the clean tones as they were very bassy and dark sounding. Now I mainly use the EQ as a filter to get that "AM Radio" tone used in parts of songs like 'American Idiot' by Green Day and the intro to 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love' by the Darkness. That particular setting is actually one of the example settings in the manual and I have become quite acustomed to it. I like to use this type of heavily filtered effect (achieved by cutting all high/low frequencies while boosting a few key midrange frequencies) while playing the verse for 'Brain Stew' by Green Day as an added texture which gives the song a new flavor. If you don't know what your doing it can become quite a bit of a shocker when you kick it on and get a harsh boost you aren't expecting. You can basically shape it to get whatever sound you desire, or use it as a boost, or whatever your little heart desires. // 10

Reliability & Durability: Had it about 2 years, never a problem. I use it constantly without a backup. No worries. I don't really need to say anything more about it. Very dependable, the metal casing is pretty heavy duty. It's fairly heavy; feels like it could withstand a beating, or cause one. // 9

Impression: This is a useful tool no matter what type of music you play. If you care about your tone, it gives you added control. If your amp EQ settings just aren't doing enough it can be a tonesaver. I own quite a few of Dunlop pedals and I haven't really encountered any problems. it's not the type of pedal you're gonna wanna buy if you want a bunch of crazy effects, but if you want to imporve your tone in it's most basic form, an EQ may be a worthwhile investment. I don't see why you'd look any further than the MXR. And also if the 10 band is more than you need, I believe you can get a smaller 6 band. The only real problem is that it is 18v so you either need to use the Dunlop DC brick or the adapter that comes with the pedal; however it is the 18v that provides the level of contol this pedal provides. // 9

overall: 9.5

Reviewed by: mrxtreme_4, on february 04, 2008

Price paid: $ 94.8

Purchased from: L&M

Ease of Use: Amazing EQ! Very easy to get any sound with it due to the ten different tweakable frequencies and volume and gain sliders. Very straight forward and easy to use pedal. The manual comes with every piece of info you need about the pedal and have some suggested settings that could serve as a starting point for using this pedal. The sliders light up when it's on and shut off when you bypass it, so you always know when it's on or off and where it is. // 10

Sound: I'm currently using it with a Line6 Flextone III plus and a Fender highway one HSS stratocaster. It doesn't create any excess noise and enables you to create virtually any sound you want. It also helps tame those harsh highs my SS gives up when I get it up to gig worthy volumes. The ten sliders give you excellent control over your sound. Your sound gets way more customizable with this than with a standard bass, mid, treble EQ. // 9

Reliability & Durability: It seems very reliable and secure. Built like a tank and the sliders light up so you know where it is, even in the dark. Haven't had any problems with it and don't think I ever will. Definitely gig worthy and I have used it without backup and had no problems what'soever. // 9

Impression: Great for any style of music, clean or dirty. I've been playing for 2 years and have become somewhat obsessed with getting the exact tone I want. The amp eq wasn't cutting it so I got this and it is any tone freaks dream. I would definitely buy another if this were stolen. I hate nothing and I love everything about it, if your serious about your tone get one of these. Comes with a power supply to. // 10

overall: 8.8

Reviewed by: myearshurt, on january 29, 2008

Price paid: $ 85

Purchased from: eBay

Ease of Use: This pedal allows me to get a lot of different tones from my guitar. I was having trouble with an over snappy bridge pickup on my guitar and lowering the midrange on the amp eq wasn't enough. Using this to completely cutout the midrange created a more hollow, thinner sound, like I was after. I can get a sound as if I was playing through a radio by cutting out the treble frequencies (the sliders on the right), or I can just go for a flat sound and cut out everything. There are endless possibilities. Mine didn't come with a manual (obviously cause it was of eBay) but you wouldn't need one, just fiddle around with the sliders until you get your own unique tone. // 9

Sound: I'm using a JB Jr loaded Standard Stratocaster and a Line 6 III amp. This pedal is noiseless for me. With some of the frequencies, adjusting them won't make a significant difference (unless you really have a ear for tone and can hear it). Personally, I only adjust the main frequencies (the ones that make a big difference when adjusted). I can get a decent Dani California sound without the neck pickup being too bassy (of course wit the M-108 on) and a crazy almost dead on Can't Stop tone if I raise the treble and bass a bit and slightly decrease the midrange. // 9

Reliability & Durability: This thing is solid man, it's heavy. I can depend on it, but the AC adaptor's wire is a little thin, whilst the block part of it is heavy. Only worries is that it might snap or something but just don't put too much wear on it and it'll be fine. I would use it at a gig without a backup, because I'd use it with a pedalboard and that should protect the AC wire. // 8

Impression: I play everything I like, basically a bit of metal, alternative rock, funk and acoustic. I started in 2006 but have been playing on and off. Along with the M-108, I also own a Boss AC-2 Acoustic Simulator, Dunlop Crybaby and EHX Big Muff. If it were stolen, I'd probably just get the MXR 6-band eq or Boss GE-7, because I've found out that 10 bands isn't necessary. I love that it's nice and solid, love the LED sliders. Favorite feature would be the solid build (compared to Boss, way more solid). Wish it had a more solid adaptor. // 9

Comments

[Ash_Lawrence]

Like you need an EQ pedal to play Green Day...

[JorisBlack]

^stop bitching

this is a nice review, thanks!

[julian2k4]

ive been wanting to buy this pedal for a while now, many guitarist use it to improve their tone like slash, randy rhoads used it as well, kerry king. just to mention a few

its a really good buy, i cant wait to get mine!

PS. yea greenday sucks man

[lespaulfromhell]

the power supply on mine broke pretty fast.

[JorisBlack]

^you can use an EQ pedal for any type of sound

This is a great interview, thanks!

[the1]

Its a review, not an interview!

Thanks, its a great review. Could I get that AM radio tone with a 6 band eq?

[santhony1987]

Very informative. I wanna get the kerry king one.

[ptownbob]

everything i already knew it was. i was already gonna get this. it's built like a tank.

[solder_jointx]

Wwhen is someone going to come up with a review for the 6-band EQ? Maybe I should get on that.

[falafel]

how about the KFK1? can anyone review/recommend it?

[techmetalftw]

I own this pedal and its pretty badass. I use it mainly as a solo boost by adding some level and a slight bit of mids so it can cut through the mix better. Works perfect, no complaints from me.

[Dark Aegis]

the kfk on is the exact same except for an extra out put jack

[PJplaysguitar]

solder_jointx wrote:

Wwhen is someone going to come up with a review for the 6-band EQ? Maybe I should get on that.

Do you think people who put double letters have a stutter in real life as well?

[TDAJGuitarist]

Ash_Lawrence wrote:

Like you need an EQ pedal to play Green Day...

HAHAHA!
No kidding!

But anyway...I have the Kerry King issue of this pedal {There is very little difference between the 2.}
But this Eq is GREAT!

I use it with my Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Half Stack and it sounds amazing! It really brings out the best in your tone! And the seperate gain knob is A GREAT little feature!

[Nem]

I've been building a pedal board over the years and this pedal is my latest addition. I wish I had bought it years ago. I've never really been happy with the sound of my rig and this thing lets me get any sound I've ever wanted. It gives everything from super crisp cleans to dark heavy metal tonnes (my MT-2 sounds worlds better) - I probably use it 80% of the time I'm playing. It can be a bit annoying to dial in all the tones, and the higher frequencies add a bit of noise (though I think they're really just amplifying existing noise), but this pedal (or one like it) is a very worthwhile investment.

[gurg06]

the only difference between this one ond th Kerry King version is that the KK one can run in stereo

[shreddymurphy]

I've been using this pedal for a while now, I run it into my Madison Divinity 2 effect loop along with a few other mxr pedals, and it really works wonders for me.

[Im King Jackson]

Is this good for tube amps and heavy distortion? Like Dimebag, or A7X.
Oh, is it very versatile?