MXR Blow Torch

jonlaster · #1 01-06-2011, 10:28 PM

Has anyone ever used or have a MXR Blow Torch pedal? If so, did you like it and what are your thoughts on it?

EdwardYSC · #2 01-06-2011, 11:04 PM

Great.
Lot of bottom as well as distortion. You can have mild overdrive too.
Most appreciate is that this pedal is very quiet, noiseless when muted.
It requires 18v power, but I use batteries so it's not a concern to me.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #3 01-06-2011, 11:42 PM

It's a synthy fuzz- the "overdrive/distortion" labeling is misleading. It's certainly not for everyone, but most that like it really like it.

I hear tell it's only used by the handsomest of men.

DrSmaggs · #4 01-06-2011, 11:44 PM

It's awesome! Great for blending in a gentle overdrive to a very gritty fuzz. The EQ is nice and the pedal doesn't make noise when disengaged.

Ray man · #5 01-06-2011, 11:52 PM

I have one.
It's not the average fuzz, it's has it's own sound and it's very extreme.
It's not a tone shapping preamp like a Sansamp, the EQ only effects the voicing of the fuzz and not your bass.
The fuzz is kinda wacky, especialy with the torch button engaged. It can be down right blistering and somewhat synthetic.
It can do mellower sounds, but not well.

I don't hate it, it just has a very distinct sound.
It sounds like a blowtorch.

Realy!

Although, you can get a Black Sabath tone with the mid boosted at 250hz.
But I have little use for it.

radksa · #6 01-06-2011, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

I hear tell it's only used by the handsomest of men.

Truer words have never been spoken.

I love the midrange switch, extremely useful. I can understand how overdrive/distortion can be viewed as mislabeled, but if you switch the midrange to 250hz and drop the blend below noon, you can get a nice mild overdrive....torch button disengaged, of course...if engaged, all bets are off.

Swimming Bird · #7 01-06-2011, 11:57 PM

Wacky is the word I'd use. I found it very similar to the built in fuzz on my old crate practice amp. Honestly, I hated it, though I'm sure it sits beautifully in the mix.

EdwardYSC · #8 01-07-2011, 12:06 AM

Fuzzy taste is different to everyone, so test it by yourself before really buying it.

Ray man · #9 01-07-2011, 12:22 AM

I want to clarify what I mean by 'sythetic'.

It's not synthetic in the sense that it sounds fake, the sound it's ment to be an inovation, not a simulation. So it sounds alltogether different not necessarily synthetic.

But is sounding like a blowtorch inovative?
Thats up to you.

Ba55Man1ac · #10 01-07-2011, 04:44 AM

I dig it for some pre-filter harmonic enhancement or post-octave (down only) fizz. The OC-2 into the Blowtorch nails the chorus sound to I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry.

**DosiYanarchy** · #11 01-07-2011, 08:47 AM

I have one, awesome synth fuzz, works great with a solo'd octave down run into it. I used it on one of my bands old songs, then sold it in search of a smaller 9v alternative - mastotron came close- then bought it again and realised that I should never have let it go in the first place. No doubt it can do other non-synth sounds but I really think it sounds best synthy and there are better pedals available to get you more traditional fuzz or od tones

Robertron · #12 01-07-2011, 08:52 AM

It's an incredibly versatile fuzz box. I tried it against a Mastotron and kept the Mastotron because ultimately I was really looking for a synthy gated choking fuzz tone that the BlowTorch can't really do like the Mastotron can. I do believe the reason I even still have the BlowTorch is because it's just a good pedal. I probably won't sell it, and maybe use it someday again.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #13 01-07-2011, 09:00 AM

They're also really cheap both new and used. Got mine for $71, and someone was selling one on here the other day for just $50.

kevteop · #14 01-07-2011, 09:15 AM

I think it's a good design for a bass distortion pedal, clever features and it's quiet like MXR's stuff tends to be. But for me it didn't go fuzzy enough to justify having an awkward 18v pedal on my board.

Headless Llama · #15 01-07-2011, 09:58 AM

I had one, and I didn't like it. I know that some guys here really like them... so I would suggest that you try it before you buy it.

P-oddz · #16 01-07-2011, 10:56 AM

I have one. Used it for about a week. Hated it.

Props to everybody else on here for liking it, but I couldn't find any redeeming tone out of this pedal. Maybe I don't like fuzz pedals(?) Maybe I don't like gated fuzz pedals(?)

IME, the pedal sounded too "farty" or too "buzzsaw". Neither of which was a usable tone to me in anything that I tried. I would agree with the above comment - try before you buy.

CopperheadLXXIX · #17 01-07-2011, 11:07 AM

I sold my Blowtorch in favor of the Iron Ether Oxide. With that said, it is a very worthy pedal.

And I see I have now been quoted in a sig.