MXR M82 vs Boss AW-3??

BabyCul · #1 01-26-2011, 04:18 PM

Hey Guys,

I'm after some advice. I'm chasing an auto-wah (aka Bass Envelope Filter) as I'm starting to get into some Funk grooves, and the selection process has come down to two competitors, being the MXR M82 Bass Envelope Filter and the Boss AW-3 Dynamic Wah. (PS. Not interested in Synth Wahs)

My good friend Youtube has given me some good examples, but I'm still sitting on the fence. The MXR being specifically for the bass purpose is pushing out front, but here in the land down under, the best price so far is $339Aus. The AW-3 with its vocaliser (when I'll ever use that I don't know) is sitting around $203Aus. A fair gap in the price range.

I'm still just not satisfied with what I have seen with the AW-3, being suited for a Bass funk sound. I already have a TU-3, so a pedal board setup with the power daisy chain would be a bonus, but aaaarrrggghhh I've been umming and aaarghhing about this for weeks! My local stores dont seem to be overly interested in getting an MXR in to try, seeing they are in the top end price range in comparison to the other available options which may sell more frequently, so I base a lot of my opinion now on what I have seen online, which is a real shame.

Can anyone give me a down the line opinion on these two pedals please? Thanks.

Cul

Chrisk-K · #2 01-26-2011, 04:32 PM

I've owned both. The M82 blows the AW-3 out of the water in every aspect. Not even close.

vegas532 · #3 01-26-2011, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

I've owned both. The M82 blows the AW-3 out of the water in every aspect. Not even close.

+1,000,000

Bassmike62 · #4 01-26-2011, 06:39 PM

Have not owned the MXR unit, but did buy the AW-3. Returned it the next day, sounded too "perfect" for me. Afterwards, went nuts and got other filters.

mhduffl · #5 01-26-2011, 08:02 PM

I owned the AW-3 and tried the M-82.
AW-3 is the digital sounding, not vintage at all, while M-82 is analog and quite vintage sounding, which is more "musical" to me.
Make sure you like the traditional envelope filter sound or the modern digital anto-wah sound before getting.

Good luck,
Man-Ho

Ursus Tyrannus · #6 01-26-2011, 10:25 PM

These are two very different sounding pedals and do rather different things, that said the MXR is an amazing pedal but for the price I say get both. The MXR isn't terribly cheap and I don't see a lot of cheap used ones...yet... but the Boss however IS cheap as hell. I got a beat up one for $20 (U.S.) and there are lots of cheap used ones available as evidenced by opinions already stated. I like them both but they really are two different things. If absolutely forced to choose a recommendation I say M-82, but I personally use the AW-2 more. I guess its which sound you would get more use out of.

BabyCul · #7 01-26-2011, 11:57 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I really appreciate the feedback. I think I need to put some more pressure on the local store to get one in so I can really put it through its paces.
From what I have seen in sample videos, the AW-3 just seems to be obviously a guitar effects, with a bass jack input just for fun. I have yet to see any bass player really work it to full potential. The MXR traditional 'vintage' sound definately appeals to me.
Keep the feedback coming

cultrvultr · #8 01-27-2011, 01:02 AM

Don't buy them new. Find a used MXR in the TB classifieds. EHX micro q-tron is another good inexpensive filter.

BassMonstrum · #9 01-27-2011, 04:50 AM

I also have them both... MXR FTW.

fasto · #10 01-27-2011, 05:57 AM

why do you only consider 2 choices (MXR M82 vs Boss AW-3).

There are a lot more good Envelope Filters out there .... check www.3leafaudio.com for the Groove Regulator 1 & 2 and the new Proton. My favorite filter at the Moment is the "Pig Nose" from Exar.

RCCollins · #11 01-27-2011, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhduffl

AW-3 is the digital sounding, not vintage at all, while M-82 is analog and quite vintage sounding, which is more "musical" to me.

What does that even mean?

M Sterling · #12 01-27-2011, 07:41 AM

The MXR sounds a lot better than the AW3, is easier to get a lot of usable tones out of it, and it is 9v so you should be able to daisy chain the power. IMO.

BabyCul · #13 01-27-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasto

why do you only consider 2 choices (MXR M82 vs Boss AW-3).

There are a lot more good Envelope Filters out there .... check www.3leafaudio.com for the Groove Regulator 1 & 2 and the new Proton. My favorite filter at the Moment is the "Pig Nose" from Exar.

Thanks for the link. Its because I have limited options on the brands that are available here in Australia, due to a massive price markup when they come direct from the states. Like I said in my previous posts, I have enough trouble getting my hands on an MXR to start off with, let alone trying everything on the market. The reason being is that bass pedals dont appear to be the biggest seller in comparison to your thousand and one guitar distortion pedals, and the sales staff have told me before that they dont get too much specific products in because they dont want it sitting on the shelf forever losing money because no one else has that specific interest. Sad but true...

**rhino333** · #14 02-14-2011, 10:41 AM

I just traded the MXR. Couldn't get the sound I wanted. The "feel" wasn't right. I use an AW-3 as a back up to my 3 Leaf Groove Regulator. IMO, the Groove Regulator blows away both the MXR and the AW-3

Steveaux · #15 02-14-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyCul

Thanks for the replies guys. I really appreciate the feedback. I think I need to put some more pressure on the local store to get one in so I can really put it through its paces.
From what I have seen in sample videos, the AW-3 just seems to be obviously a guitar effects, with a bass jack input just for fun. I have yet to see any bass player really work it to full potential. The MXR traditional 'vintage' sound definately appeals to me.
Keep the feedback coming

The AW-3 is a Fixed Wah. What you set is what you get. It doesn't respond to changes in attack.

The MXR is a Dynamic Filter. You set the basic parameters, but the effect is dependent on your playing attack for the sound/expression of the effect.

crguti · #16 02-14-2011, 02:15 PM

The EBS BassIQ is another choice. I'm gasing for an envelope filter as well.

Chrisk-K · #17 02-14-2011, 02:49 PM

Quote:

IMO, the Groove Regulator blows away both the MXR and the AW-3

+1

And the Source Audio BEF blows away the GR

Bassoballs · #18 02-14-2011, 06:04 PM

I just purchased the EBS BASSIQ and love it. Its very easy to dial in.

BigOldHarry · #19 02-15-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crguti

The EBS BassIQ is another choice. I'm gasing for an envelope filter as well.

I have both the MXR and a EBS Bass IQ -

I have to say, the MXR is hands-down a better sounding, more basically useful pedal. The dry blend knob is *key* (something that most other pedals, including the EBS, do not have). The one thing the EBS has that the MXR does not is the "down" wah setting - a marginally useful setting, but it's something. I have it in my pedal board set to that for playing "chameleon" but that's about the only thing it's good for. In the "Up" wah setting, the MXR just sounds better/wetter/cooler. I've had the boss, the old green digitech, the EBS - the MXR is the best.