MXR announces EVH Modern High Gain distortion pedal
April 30, 2026 · 2 sources
MXR has officially announced the release of the EVH Modern High Gain distortion pedal, a distortion pedal based on EVH's 5150III amplifier1. The announcement was reported on April 30, 20261; an earlier report on the pedal appeared on January 23, 20262.
The pedal is based on the 5150III's Red Lead Channel, the amp's third channel, and follows the format of MXR's 5150 Overdrive12. MXR describes the tones as "uncompromising and crushing," previously reserved for EVH's own 5150III amplifiers1. According to the maker, the unit focuses specifically on the searing high-gain characteristics of the amp's third channel1.
Controls are listed as Gate, Output, Bass, Bass Shift (55Hz/80Hz), Mid, Treble, Gain and Boost2. A dedicated 3-band EQ covers Bass, Mid and Treble, and the 55Hz/80Hz toggle shifts between a fatter low end and a punchier response1. The integrated Boost switch increases saturation and sustain, and an onboard Noise Gate is designed to tame the signal at high volumes1.
"This Noise Gate and the Bass shift switch are standout features that set the pedal apart from standard distortion boxes, allowing it to adapt to a wide range of genres from classic hard rock to aggressive modern metal."
The US list price is $269.991; Guitar Pedal X gives the US price as $2702. The pedal is the latest in an MXR-EVH collaboration that dates back to 20151.