MXR Distortion + ???

[WERNER 1]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone here can tell me the differences in all of the MXR Distortion +'s?

I've heard things like "Script", Pre Dunlop, Block, With or without LED's......

What are considered the "good" ones, and more importantly--- Why?

Any info would help.

Thanks,
Rick

 

[Outlaws]

The old ones had germanium diodes. I am not sure, but they also might be trueby-pass since there were no LEDs. Buit then they might has only used SPDT switches, so it still might not be.

Either way, I modded my modern D+ to the old way and there is a slight difference. Is it worth the price of an old one? Not in my opinion. Is it worth the $5 in parts and my hour or two of labor? Ya it was.


Either one will be nice.

 

[Farview]

I'm sure the 'good ones' are the oldest of the bunch. If I recall that would be the block lettered, non-led version. They all do about the same thing and it is really hard to compare anything electronic from 30 years ago to something made yesterday. Of course they will sound different. The parts are made by different manufacturers, 30 years of abuse will have the sound not quite be what it was when new, etc...

These things were kind of screechy sounding. I used them only when I was doing an Ozzy cover. (Randy Rhodes used one to get his distortion) Other than that I used a tube screamer, boss DS-1, or Proco Rat, (depending on the year we are talking about) Those boxes weren't as screechy sounding, and in the case of the tube screamer, that was when I was using an amp that sounded great but didn't have quite enough gain. I think I only used the output level with the distortion all the way down.

 

[Sonixx]

I have the following that I bought around '74-76

Phase 90 - with the Cursive Logo
Dist + - pretty sure it's a true bypass... I don't use it much
Dyna Comp - Still use it a lot today, I've modified it to pass lower frequencies and some other stuff
Blue Box - Cool but really a special needs toy