MXR 10 band eq

Bill Duncan · Post by **Bill Duncan** » 24 Apr 2014 7:21 am

I'm sure I'm way behind on this because I don't use many effects, just an RV3, and a impedance matching device. I tried and bought a MXR 10 band equalizer and it is impressive. I've used a Boss 7 band unit before and it is noisy, I gave it to my nephew. The MXR is dead quiet and only does what is asked of it. I realize that the MXR offers more frequency range than needed but it does cover what is needed.

I have it on a short cord right out of the guitar jack, into the MXR, then to the volume pedal. I no longer need the impedance matching preamp, the MXR does that job and gives an extreme range of eq options as well as an on board volume and gain control.

I like it.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 24 Apr 2014 2:10 pm

Yup, nothing like having lotsa tone choices, and graphic EQ's are my favorite way to get 'em!

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 24 Apr 2014 2:25 pm

The Boss ones are noisy, "transistor-y" and often have trouble handling the output of the high-powered "modern" steel pickups. Another "sleeper" if you can find one is the old DOD units, F40 and F40B. You used to run into them on Ebay for $25, until "some people" kept talking about how great they were, with all the upgraded parts already in them that you have to pay pedal guys $75 to fix the Boss units with. If those people would just shu... oh. Wait a minute. DON'T EVER BUY OLD DOD's!

Daniel Policarpo · Post by **Daniel Policarpo** » 25 Apr 2014 5:51 am

I agree about the BOSS units. All their other pedals I've tried are clean as a whistle, but the EQ throws hissy fits. Been using Electro Harmonix Knockout Attack EQ with my solid state amp, and I use the Danolectro Fish N Chips with my tube amp.

Some people don't like EQ pedals, but then they'll spend a fortune in time and money swapping out pickups, speakers, cables, try out new picks, bars, whole new guitars and amps, and on and on. A good understanding of an EQ pedal knocks a lot of the guess work out of the "tone" chasing game.

I didn't realize the MXR unit had a Gain slide as well as a Level slide. That's pretty cool. I've been using the MXR Micro Amp as a buffer, as well as for its Gain quality. So the MXR EQ works well as a buffer, too? That's real good to know.

Bill Duncan · Post by **Bill Duncan** » 25 Apr 2014 9:22 am

Daniel,

The buffer part is a feature I like a lot. I have been having some problems with my buffer of late. The eq functions allow intimate sculpting of the tone, and I can pull out, or add, treble, mids, or bass as desired. Then the passive tones on the amp have a chance to tailor the amp.

The MXR 10 Band EQ is one of the best things I found in a while. The price is not bad either. I gave $119.00 from Amazon for it. It's a lot of control for not much money.

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 25 Apr 2014 10:12 am

Have you figured out Dobro settings yet?

Bill Duncan · Post by **Bill Duncan** » 25 Apr 2014 12:12 pm

Scott,

No I haven't, I have not tried. I've been off work yesterday, (Thursday) and today, and I haven't even cut my grass. I've been pickin'. I will when I get over how good it makes my steel sound.

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 25 Apr 2014 1:29 pm

I have one of those 10 band MXR Equalizers at the shop for sale that used to belong to Reece and it is nice.

John Limbach · Post by **John Limbach** » 25 Apr 2014 1:39 pm

Best one I've found is this Source Audio SA-170. About the same price as the MXR and absolutely noiseless. You can program four different settings.

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Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 25 Apr 2014 1:49 pm

I recently got a used MXR at a nice price, otherwise I was interested in that Source Audio. I've got another of their products and it's real good.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 26 Apr 2014 10:03 am

Maybe I'm just turning into a stubborn old coot, but that looks annoying to have to press a whole bunch of buttons to activate a simulated fader.
They took a simple EQ and gave it the same annoying bunch of "advancements" that have me convinced that multieffects units are Satan-spawned agents of frustration.

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 26 Apr 2014 10:20 am

The harder you pick that thing the fewer knobs you need.

Bill Duncan · Post by **Bill Duncan** » 26 Apr 2014 11:21 am

Dave,
Wise old Sage! No truer words spoken.

Just pick the darn thing!

George Macdonald · Post by **George Macdonald** » 7 May 2014 8:04 am

Bill,
Thanks for the heads up on the MXR 10 band eq. I bought a used one from Jim Palenscar in Oceanside Calif. It just arrived yesterday and I'm just loving it. I can't believe what it does for the bottom end especially, for my 12 string universal. As you mentioned, it is dead quiet, and that is a must for me. You get a lot more control over your sound then with the impedance matching devices.

Bill Duncan · Post by **Bill Duncan** » 7 May 2014 8:15 am

George, The MXR 10 is one of the few things I've bought lately that "really works".

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 12 May 2014 11:22 pm

Lane Gray wrote: They took a simple EQ and gave it the same annoying bunch of "advancements" that have me convinced that multieffects units are Satan-spawned agents of frustration.

Lane, IMHO, you're right. Mostly, steelers just want a clean sound, and processers seem to work a lot better with the distorted and multi-EFX stuff that most lead players crave.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 13 May 2014 2:12 am

The point of that Source Audio unit is the presets. I have no interest in fancifying for its own sake. Assuming that it performs well and sounds good, the ability to store patches is what caught my attention.
"Is it worth dicking with multi-button digital menu hell in order to have this feature" is the question I asked myself. Having gotten tne MXR instead (which I barely use), we will never know.

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 13 May 2014 6:05 pm

They took a simple EQ and gave it the same annoying bunch of "advancements" that have me convinced that multieffects units are Satan-spawned agents of frustration.

The big rub on any of the graphic EQ is that you are in effect dividing your signal up into six or ten bits and then reamplifying each bit - so if it's prone to noise, it's going to make a LOT of noise, times ten little amps. So I can definitely see how a digital approach could be much quieter. I can only judge by listening - when you realize that every CD you've heard for the last 25 years is digital, where do you go...

AND - I think it should be like a requirement that every electric picker run through and learn from some either parametric or graphic EQ at some time, hopefully early in their career. There are a painfully large number of people who think that "bass frequencies" are at the first three frets of their guitar, "midrange" is on frets three to twelve and "treble" is above the fifteenth fret. Meaningful discussions about "tone" with these guys requires a new outlook, for sure.

Marty Broussard · Post by **Marty Broussard** » 28 Oct 2014 7:07 pm

Has anyone been able to program the Source Audio for a good dobro effect? I bought one and can't get it close to what I'm getting with a Boss Ge7 and the Tom Bradshaw pedal. I wanted the Source Audio for the availability of presets but I'm overlooking something or ???? But I can't get a good result. Any help is appreciated.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 28 Oct 2014 7:21 pm

Are the center frequencies the same between the Boss and the Source Audio? Should work the same. I tried a 10 band MXR to try and get the dobro effect. Never did get it right, but then again, I only had it a couple days. Find no need for an EQ for any other reason.

Marty Broussard · Post by **Marty Broussard** » 28 Oct 2014 7:40 pm

Richard I thought they were close enough to being centered the same BUT that may be the problem. That's why I'm asking for input from everyone else.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 28 Oct 2014 9:10 pm

Marty, they are different. That is what I thought was the problem with me not being able to get the dobro sound right on the 10 band MXR. I do remeber looking at that EQ when looking to replace the Bo-Bro I sold. I was concerned about about the difference in the center frequencies as I had difficulty with the 10 band. I don't know enough about that stuff to really understand it fully.

Carl Mesrobian · Post by **Carl Mesrobian** » 10 Apr 2015 1:21 pm

I have a gig tonight and will try this setting. After looking at Greg Cutshaw's setting for 7 band Fish & Chips trying to copy what I can. I'd take my dobro, but don't have it wired for sound, and don't want to deal with mic feedback, etc - plus I already have my Tele, PSG, banjo, pac a seat, Fender Vibrasonic, Princeton Reverb with Altec 10 in it AND it's only a sports bar gig - don't want to break my back

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MXR 10 band eq

MXR 10 band eq

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