MXR MC402 Custom Audio Electronics Boost/Overdrive
Quick Test
MXR MC-402 Custom Audio Electronics
Boost/Overdrive
£159
Verdict
This pedal is rather like having an MXR
Micro Amp and a Proco Rat in one box,
and in terms of sheer musical territory
covered, everything from blues to
garage punk to classic metal sounds can
be generated with authority. If all the
patnership’s pedals are this good, they
will have a huge success on their hands.
RATING
Yamaha Pacifi ca 112J LTD £199
136 SEPTEMBER 2006
KEY INFO ❘ MXR MC- 4 02 ❘ PRICE: £159 ❘ TYPE: ANALOGUE OVERDRIVE PEDAL ❘ WEB: WWW.JHS.CO.UK
MXR,
CREATORS OF
classic pedals such as the Phase
90 and Distortion+, have joined forces
with Custom Audio Electronics’ brain
Bob Bradshaw to release this simple
two-channel pedal that consists of a
20dB boost circuit and an analogue
Stompbox gurus and pedalboard designer to the stars join forces by Chris Vinnicombe
The best entry-level electric since the Squier Strat gets a make-over by Simon Bradley
RATING
solos and pinched harmonics are all
easy to pull off and, when required, the
tone cleans up beautifully for subdued
blues and associated styles.
Verdict
The only downside here is that the 500
available examples are likely to sell
quickly, so we suggest getting your
skates on. If you miss out on this
version, you can simply opt for a 112 in
a standard fi nish as, whichever guitar
you go for, you’ll have an instrument
that could easily last an entire career.
controlled by a fi ve-way lever and
master volume and tone controls, in this
case topped with two cool chrome
speed knobs.
The dark look extends to both the
headstock and rear of the bolt-on maple
neck and although the nut seemed a tad
too high on fi rst inspection (it’s not),
the guitar plays beautifully well with the
Fender-style scale length giving a
comfortably smooth string tension.
We have no problem with the fact that
the bridge is set fl ush to the body, thus
disallowing any upward movement –
tuning stability is vital when learning.
The livery hasn’t compromised the
guitar’s lauded playability, either.
SOUNDS: The pickups fi tted to 112s
always strike us as being of a pretty
high output, which translates
perfectly for rock tones –
surely the arena to
which this fl ashy
guitar would be best
suited. Abrasive
rhythms, searing
THIS NEW VERSION OF
Yamaha’s all-conquering Pacifi ca 112 is
one of a limited run offering the all-
black livery and mirror scratchplate.
With just 500 made available in the
UK the basic spec is the same
as traditional options, with
an HSS confi guration of
Yamaha pickups
The MXR MC-402
has got all the rock
bases covered
Fans of Tom Morello’s
‘Soul Power’ Strat
may want to
check this out
MXR MC-402 TEST RESULTS
Build quality
Features
Sound
Value for money
■ WE LIKED Really does perform like two
pedals in one box; sheer tonal quality
■ WE DISLIKED Some may not enjoy the
fuzziness in the upper gain range
YAMAHA PACIFICA 112JLTD TEST RESULTS
Build quality
Playability
Sounds
Value for money
■ WE LIKED A great new look for a still
excellent guitar
■ WE DISLIKED Honestly? At this price,
nothing
overdrive that can be activated
independently or simultaneously. This
effectively gives you four available
sounds if you include your amp sound.
The circuit itself is hardwired true
bypass and housed in a robust
aluminium enclosure that includes a
plastic battery hatch.
SOUNDS: The boost channel ranges
from a transparent clean boost to a juicy
overdriven roar that is great for meaty
rock chords and hot bluesy leads.
Switch to the overdrive and there’s
gain in spades; think of the kind of
range provided by a Rat pedal. The
MC-402’s third sound is generated by
activating both the channels at the
same time; with the boost and gain
controls revved up things can get pretty
noisy and dangerous. We defi nitely like
that a lot.
KEY INFO ❘ YAMAHA PACIFICA 112J LTD ❘ PRICE: £199 ❘ TYPE: ELECTRIC GUITAR ❘ WEB: WWW.YAMAHA-MUSIC.CO.UK
GIT281.rev_quick 136 10/8/06 15:03:09