The MXR M182 El Grande Bass Fuzz is an analog fuzz pedal designed specifically for bass guitar. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes it as "a versatile and brutal fuzz designed just for bass," built by taking a classic 1970s fuzz circuit and re-tuning it for more low end1. When it was announced, MusicRadar reported that the pedal was "designed to give classic '70s fuzz to bassists"2.
It sits in the fuzz corner of the bass pedals world, alongside related MXR designs like the MXR Sub Octave Bass Fuzz and the MXR Bass Fuzz Deluxe.
Controls and the DEEP switch
The El Grande keeps things simple on the surface. It carries standard Volume, Tone and Fuzz controls, which RockBoard's PedalPedia says "let you sculpt your tone with precision"1. MusicRadar's report on the pedal's announcement described the same layout as "standard Volume, Tone and Fuzz controls"2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the overall output level |
| Tone | Shapes the treble character of the fuzz |
| Fuzz | Sets the amount of fuzz distortion |
| DEEP switch | Adds up to 15dB of boost to the low end2 |
The DEEP switch is the pedal's bass-specific feature. MXR added it to deliver "up to +15dB of monstrous bass," and the center frequency of that boost is internally adjustable between 87Hz and 113Hz1. MusicRadar reported the same detail when the pedal was announced: "the frequency centre for the boost can be adjusted internally to anywhere from 87Hz to 113Hz"2. In practice, that means a player can tune the boost to sit under the lowest notes of their instrument, whether that is the E of a four-string or the low B of a five-string.
What it sounds like
Because the circuit is a re-voiced 70s fuzz, the El Grande aims to keep the bottom end intact where a guitar fuzz would thin a bass signal out. MusicRadar put it this way when the pedal was announced: "classic fuzz circuitry has been re-tuned with low-end clearly in mind"2.
RockBoard's PedalPedia describes the pedal's range as covering "from searing, sustained upper-register chords to punchy, growling low B's, without sacrificing low end or clarity"1. The DEEP switch is the tool for leaning further into that low end, adding up to 15dB of bass boost at the frequency you set internally12.
Build and power
The El Grande comes in "a lightweight but durable aluminum casting with the same high-quality jacks and switches" according to RockBoard's PedalPedia's product information1. It is an analog circuit1 and runs on 9V DC, center negative, drawing 3.8mA1. That current draw is light enough that the pedal will not strain a standard pedalboard power supply.
MusicRadar's announcement report, dated 14 February 2008, noted that "Price and availability haven't yet been announced" at that time2.
Videos
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Questions
Is the MXR El Grande Bass Fuzz analog?
Yes. The El Grande Bass Fuzz is an analog pedal, built on a classic 1970s fuzz circuit that MXR re-tuned for more low end. It runs on 9V DC center negative power and draws 3.8mA, so it sits comfortably on any pedalboard power supply alongside other analog effects.
What does the DEEP switch do on the El Grande?
The DEEP switch adds up to 15dB of boost to the low end. The center frequency of that boost is adjustable inside the pedal, anywhere from 87Hz to 113Hz, so you can tune the extra bass to sit where your instrument and amp need it.
Can the DEEP switch frequency be changed?
Yes, but not from the top panel. The frequency center of the DEEP switch's bass boost is internally adjustable between 87Hz and 113Hz, which lets you set the boost to favor the lowest notes of a four-string or the low B of a five-string bass.
How much current does the El Grande Bass Fuzz draw?
The El Grande Bass Fuzz draws 3.8mA at 9V DC, center negative. That is a light load by pedalboard standards, so it can share a power supply output with other low-draw pedals without issue.
Does the El Grande Bass Fuzz keep the low end when fuzzed?
MXR describes the pedal as covering everything from searing, sustained upper-register chords to punchy, growling low B's without sacrificing low end or clarity. The circuit is a classic 70's fuzz design re-tuned for more low end, and the DEEP switch adds up to 15dB of extra bass on top of that.
Sources (2)
- M182 El Grande Bass Fuzz by MXR, RockBoard (www.rockboard.de), 2026
- MXR bass fuzz pedal promises more low-end, MusicRadar, 2008-02-14
