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MXR M 81 Bass Preamp

60 Customer ratings

4.8 / 5

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33 Reviews

MXR M 81 Bass Preamp
£166
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MK
MXR m-81 bass preamp
Makhach Kamilievich 16.11.2017
I've bought it mostly for use with one of my passive basses which has two single passive pickups. I wanted to reduce the noise from singles, and to shape a good signal for every situation. And this preamp makes it perfect with a ground lift option. I also often use it with my active basses too, when I'm not sure about the line signal on the stage, and it works perfect in these cases. M-81 was my long time wishlist favorit, since I'd been using their MXR m-80 for a long time. But I don't need an overdrive section and need a smaller pedal. That was another reason for m-81 version. Also I like the way it works with frequencies and overall output of my basses. The equalizer is quite useful and clear and the Color button gives you much punch. The only con to mention is that it doesn't work with fantom energy from mixing desk, like m-80 does. But it has so many attractive moments that I don't care. I use it with power supply. To make the long story short, this is a preamp that solves every question with my bass signal and I've been dreaming about it for a long time, so I would recommend it for other players.
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k
Hardly any difference until experimenting!!
kerochan 18.04.2018
After experimenting with this robust little pedal I am blown away!
Totally amazing, my Fender P bass is alive! still has the Fender P Sound but crossed with a Music Man, totally wicked, like having active pick ups!
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SousaBass 03.01.2019
Use for both electric bass and double bass. the best alternative when you don?t want to carry your rig around. clear sound, the DI works perfectly. Have it on my pedal board and it's my best friend when I have several gigs in the same night.
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PV
COOL
Petar V. 09.08.2019
This preamp sound just GRAIT. Using this pedal for couplee years and I will not change this pedal.
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MP
This is the pre-amp you need...
Manu P. 08.12.2014
If you are looking for a simple pre-amp including a direct out connection and don't really look for any Gain or distortion then this is the perfect item you need to add to your live rig.
It is really easy to use with a lot of possibilities switching the 5 available controls.
You don't need more than it then this item really does its job
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W
Worked well for a while
William383 17.07.2017
Great preamp while it works. Mine lasted 12 months and then started to cut out during gigs. I went back to using the M80, which has been more reliable.
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A
MXR M 81 for bass!
Anonymous 08.10.2014
I heard demo clips and decided to give ti a try. In the very first moment I pluged my bass (G&L L2K p mode) it sounded more open and clear. Features are very powerful. I ordered it actually because of midrange knob since control of the mids brings bass to live. And MXR M 81 does it well!
I personly complement MXR M 81 with Palmer Ubertreiber and Radial JDI as a direct box.
It is a "must have" for bass player.
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D
Clean preamp
DavC 07.04.2023
Sounds clean... Maybe a little bit filmsy/plastic. Not as organic as a good "passive" DI (with a good transformer), but it serves another purpose too, with its EQ. I would have preferd a larger mid sweep frequency range; 200hz to 1khz is not enough, in my opinon. 150hz to 3khz would have been perfect. Other than that, clean, low noise, cool little pedal.
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Excellent
Nick6943 22.12.2014
Excellent piece of kit. Love the tone. Highly recommend.
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MXR M 81 Bass Preamp