The MXR CSP265 Joe Bonamassa FET Driver is an overdrive pedal built on the circuit of the Chandler Tube Driver, which MusicRadar describes as Joe Bonamassa's favorite version of the pedal, one also made famous by David Gilmour and Eric Johnson1. The Tube Driver family of tube-driven pedals has inspired several later designs, including the Lovepedal Dover Drive2.
MXR positions the FET Driver as a pedal designed to thicken up lead playing, with tones ranging from soft clipping to light distortion1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Acts as you'd expect, setting output level1 |
| Drive | Acts as you'd expect, setting the amount of drive1 |
| Hi knob | Cuts or boosts treble frequencies1 |
| Low knob | Cuts or boosts bass frequencies1 |
| Hi cut switch | Rounds off high frequencies1 |
The hi cut switch is the control that sets this pedal apart from a straightforward level-drive-tone layout. MusicRadar's reviewer found that pressing it tones down the top end to prevent shrill treble at gig volumes, which is a practical tool once the band is loud and the room turns the amp bright1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's review, by Mike Astley-Brown, summed the pedal up as "A pricey but worthwhile overdrive that suits both clean and dirty amps, especially for bluesy leads"1.
The reviewer's notes on how it sounds and plays:
- A great range of sounds and a natural-sounding overdrive that suits both clean and dirty amps1
- At low gain the sounds are crunchy; crank up the gain and it is so smooth that it begins to verge on fuzz territory1
- Smooth, singing sustain, and it blends brilliantly with amp overdrive1
- Good build1
On value, the review is more measured: "It's not the cheapest overdrive on the shelf" and "There are better value drive pedals out there."1 The overall verdict was that "Bonamassa and MXR got this one right"1.
If you are comparing it within MXR's own overdrive range, other signature and circuit-based drives include the MXR Duke of Tone, the MXR Timmy and the MXR EVH5150 Overdrive, or see the full range on the Overdrive Pedals page.
Videos
GAK
Grégory Leroy
WESTBALL FAMILY
Questions
Is the MXR Joe Bonamassa FET Driver true bypass?
Yes. According to MusicRadar's review, the pedal is true bypass, so when it is switched off your guitar's signal passes through without the circuit loading it. That matters if you run a long pedalboard chain and want to keep your clean tone intact when the drive is not engaged.
Does the MXR CSP265 run on a 9V battery?
Yes. MusicRadar's review notes that the pedal runs from a nine-volt battery or a nine-volt power supply, so it can sit on a board with a standard supply or be used battery powered without any special adapter.
What circuit is the Joe Bonamassa FET Driver based on?
The CSP265 is based on the Chandler Tube Driver, which MusicRadar describes as Joe Bonamassa's favourite overdrive, a pedal also made famous by David Gilmour and Eric Johnson. The Tube Driver family of tube-driven pedals has inspired a number of designs over the years.
What does the hi cut switch do on the CSP265?
The hi cut switch rounds off high frequencies. MusicRadar's reviewer found it handy at gig volumes, where pressing it tones down the top end to prevent shrill treble, especially useful with bright amps or dark-sounding venues.
Who designed the MXR CSP265?
The pedal is a collaboration between Joe Bonamassa and MXR, built around the circuit of Bonamassa's favourite Chandler Tube Driver. MusicRadar's verdict on the pairing was that Bonamassa and MXR got this one right.
Sources (2)
- MXR CSP265 Joe Bonamassa FET Driver review, MusicRadar, 2013-11-11
- HERMIDA AUDIO DOVER DRIVE, Lovepedal (www.lovepedal.com)
