MXR releases EVH Modern High Gain distortion pedal
January 23, 2026 · 3 sources
MXR has released the EVH Modern High Gain pedal, a distortion based on the Red Lead channel of the EVH 5150 III amplifier, Guitar Pedal X reported on January 23, 2026. The pedal follows the format of MXR's EVH 5150 Overdrive1.
MXR says the pedal was "Designed in direct collaboration with Eddie Van Halen in 2015" and that it "delivers EVH High Gain tone in raw, uncompromised and crushing form"2. Guitar Pedal X describes it as the third channel of the 5150 III and says it adds gain, saturation and a new Bass Shift control offering two bass center frequencies1.
The controls are Gate, Output, Bass, Bass Shift (55Hz/80Hz), Mid, Treble, Gain and Boost1. MXR says the Output and Gain knobs balance saturation and clarity, the Bass, Mid and Treble controls shape the tone, the Boost switch raises gain for leads, the 55Hz/80Hz switch toggles between a fatter or punchier low end, and the Noise Gate control manages the signal at high output and gain settings2.
"Apart from the extra gain, sear and saturation we also have a new Bass Shift control"
Pricing differs between the two reports. Guitar Pedal X gives $270 in the USA1; Gearnews gives a list price of $269.993. Gearnews, writing on April 30, 2026, said the pedal could be ordered from Thomann with delivery in 2-3 weeks3.
Guitar Pedal X's reviewer questioned the enclosure size, writing that with a single footswitch "there is no reason why this can't be a more pedalboard-friendly vertical edition"1.