MXR Distortion +
Distortion pedal from MXR
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The MXR Distortion + ("Distortion Plus") is a distortion pedal originally released in 1974 by MXR.[1]
| MXR Distortion + | |
|---|---|
 1979 MXR Distortion + | |
| Brand | MXR |
| Manufacturer | MXR, Dunlop |
| Dates | 1974–1984 (MXR) 1987–present (MXR/Dunlop) |
| Technical specifications | |
| Effects type | Distortion pedal |
| Controls | |
| Pedal control | Output, Distortion |
| Input/output | |
| Inputs | Mono |
| Outputs | Mono |
History
Following the success of their Phase 90, MXR released a trio of pedals in 1974 that included the Distortion +.[1] MXR's pedals were notable for their small footprint at a time when effects pedals were typically housed in large enclosures; they were also durable, since MXR was initially founded to address the issue of other manufacturers' pedals being unreliable.[1] In 1976, MXR changed the original "script" logos on their pedals like the Distortion + to their now-standard "block" logo. While the circuits did not change, the script logo models are more prized among collectors.[1]
MXR went out of business in 1984 and the brand name was subsequently acquired by Dunlop Manufacturing, which reissued several early MXR designs, including the Distortion +, in 1987.[1]
Design
The pedal uses a single op-amp and a pair of germanium diodes to ground (parallel-push) for clipping in a very simple configuration with only Output and Distortion controls, no tone control; the pedal uses no discrete transistors. Turning up the Distortion control increases the amount of distortion and at the same time boosts the treble in the signal.[2]
Players
The pedal's crunchy heavy metal sound was featured by Randy Rhoads in his work with Ozzy Osbourne.[1] Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead used this pedal exclusively for distortion in the late 1970s.[1] Bob Mould of Hüsker Dü also used the Distortion +.[3] Dave Murray of Iron Maiden has used Distortion + since the early 1980s.[4] Steve Wynn used it on the first couple Dream Syndicate albums. Thom Yorke of Radiohead has included the Distortion + for many of his signature distortion sounds. Rowland S. Howard (The Birthday Party/These Immortal Souls/Crime & the City Solution/Solo albums) also used this pedal across his career. Guitarist Slash has talked about using the Distortion + in his early guitar days to help define his tone.[5]
