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MXR M-115 Distortion III
Market retail: $135
The new MXR Distortion III is surprisingly the other regular distortion pedal in the manufacturer’s line up, next to the Distortion + (excluding Dimebag’s Distortion & the discont’d Double Shot). While we mistakenly associate the term ‘distortion’ with intensity, the M-115 is a polite pedal very much in the likes of everybody’s favourite BOSS’ DS-1.
Build/ features
Nothing new in the build department; the M-115 is still the typical, 3-knob pedal with armour-grade chassis like its other siblings. In addition to a true hardwire bypass, the manufacturer’s inclusion of low-noise components is a welcomed affair. New in its physique, the M-115 features corner rubber buffers (base plate) to ensure a non-slip performance. Also, no battery hatch is featured here, the removal of the base plate is necessary for battery replacement.
Rating: 80%
In use
As mentioned above, the M-115 isn’t an intense distortion generator, what you hear in its stand-alone use is a bass-buffered, raspy distortion, suitable for classic rock applications, at best. In this light, what separates this pedal from its Distortion + sibling is that bass response; a BOSS DS-1 is tonally thin compared to this one (with all knobs set to noon position, of course…). Sonically, the M-115 would match a fat-mod DS-1, which is certainly good news as we move on to its drive booster employment.
Chained up to a restrained intense distortion unit (initially the EHX’s Metal Muff, then others as listed at the foot of this category), the M-115 successfully adds a fattening element more prominent if one has a single coil equipped guitar in session. This manifestation is also evident as the pedal is used to push an amp’s dirty channel, regardless if there are any tubes in the latter. For those of us who pedal low notes, this is a definite advantage. Nevertheless it would, to the tone purists, add too much colour to the inherent qualities of our beloved guitars & amps so the M-115 would entail a dichotomized appreciation.
An interesting application here is the utility of this pedal with another restrained type distortion which would give the player that much needed drive saturation but the retention of twang from single coils or humbuckers at lower guitar volume. The reviewer here attempted to pit the M-115 against the proverbial Ibanez TS9 for some jazzy, neck pickup response but the distortion on offer, while positively offering more bottom end to conjure smoothness, simply has the incorrect intensity for such applications.
Gear used:
• Guitars: Ibanez RG321/ Ibanez RG7620/ ESP Eclipse II/ Fender ST72/ Gibson LP Std
• Effects: Ibanez TS9/ BOSS Blues Driver/ BOSS DS-1/ EHX Metal Muff/ Carl Martin Crush Zone/ Beta Aivin HM-200/ Behringer EQ700
• Amps: Marshall MG15 MSII/ Marshall JVM/ Soundrive SG-612R/ Epiphone Valve Jr
Rating: 85%
Final say
The M-115 is another distortion unit in the market, no doubt about that, but its individual voicing would favour some of us here who wish for a thicker sounding distortion without resorting to modifying our current pedal. With this in mind, do test it out with your favourite guitar/ set-up to hear if it interferes with what you already like to hear. If it’s within your means, test it head-to-head with BOSS’ DS-1 to really hear the tonal difference. The pedal in its isolated use is indeed a quiet unit but as it is with others used as a distortion booster, the background hissing inducement is inevitable.
Final rating: 83%
Likes:
• Not a battery drainer
• New rubberized base plate corners
• Overall thickening effect
Dislikes:
• Might colour tone too much for some of us
• Battery access requires complete base plate removal
Worthy competitors:
• Beta Aivin DS-100
• FAT Beez mod DS-1
• Digitech Hot Head
• Ibanez DS-7
• Danelectro Grilled Cheese
Product availability:
• Ebenex
• Davis GMC
