NPD: MXR M77 Modified Overdrive

[Solid State]

The MXR M77 Modified Overdrive is an SD-1 style overdrive featuring a Bump switch for boosting Bass and Low-Mids as well a 100mhz knob to dial in or cut that below shelf frequency. Classic overdrives all have the issue of removing low-end and on an amp like the Marshall Studio Classic, there's not a lot of extra low end to lose. I had to dial back the mids, highs, and presence to keep the low end present unless I was playing at band volume which is where the amp really fills out.

Hooking up the M77 to the Studio Classic with all of the pedal's knobs set to noon, i was greeted with that familiar SD-1 style clipping and a crystal clear sound. With the amps EQ set Bass max'd, Mids at 10 o'clock and Treble at 10 o'clock I went ahead and hit the bump switch to boost lows and low mids. Since the amp was already maxed on Bass this flubbed out the low end incredibly hard and that was kind of satisfying because you can't normally do that on this amp. I disengaged the bump and turned that 100hz knob to 2 o'clock and the sound really opened up. I turned up the highs and mids on the amp and added a lot of presence and suddenly I'm getting to utilize the full range of the EQ on the amp. I maxed out the level on the pedal, put the gain at 9 o'clock, set the tone at 2 o'clock and everything sounds huge. By this weekend I'll be A/B/C'ing my impression of the pedal through my 5150 and DSL40Cs as well.

Overall, I think this pedal is a great companion to the Studio Classic and completely solves the problem of low-end loss with Overdrives

 

[StrummerJoe]

Cool report. Hope it continues to satisfy.

 

[fitz]

Got one on my DSL20HR - love it.
I use it for a variety of classic gain tones on the green channel.

 

[slade]

Yes, you’ll get a good bit of flexibility with that pedal. I have on and used it for many years. I still use it quite often.

 

[Rocktane]

There's one on my board, love it!