The MXR Wylde Audio Zakk Sabbath Overdrive is a limited edition of MXR's Wylde Audio Overdrive, finished in purple sparkle to celebrate Zakk Sabbath, the Black Sabbath tribute band fronted by Zakk Wylde. MXR's manual calls it "a special finish inspired by the Berzerker's tribute," and Guitar Pedal X, reporting the launch in June 2026, described it as "a really attractive purple sparkle enclosure."12
Under the paint it is the same pedal. MXR says it has "the same guts, custom built for Zakk's loud, tough, and relentless riffs and leads," an overdrive aimed at heavy rhythm playing and lead work rather than light clean boosting.3
What it does
MXR positions this as an overdrive for loud, tough, relentless riffs and leads, built around Zakk Wylde's playing. Guitar Pedal X's report adds a usage note: the pedal is "intended for going into the front of an already cooking amp," meaning it is designed to push an amp that is already breaking up rather than to create all the dirt on its own.2 If you are new to the effect type, the Overdrive Pedals page covers how overdrives differ from distortion and fuzz.
Controls and connections
The control layout is deliberately simple: Output, Tone and Gain. MXR says that "with a simple Output, Tone, and Gain control layout, setup is fast and easy."3
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive |
| Tone | Shapes the treble character |
| Output | Sets the pedal's level |
A single footswitch toggles the effect on and off, with a red LED showing when it is engaged.1
For connections, run a cable from your guitar to the INPUT jack, and another cable from the OUTPUT jack to your amplifier.1
Power
The pedal runs on 9 volts DC from an AC adapter such as the Dunlop ECB003, or from an MXR Brick Series power supply. It can also be powered by a single 9-volt battery, fitted by removing the bottom plate.1
The current draw is 2.2 mA, a very low figure, so it will sit comfortably on any output of a standard pedalboard power supply.1
A limited edition of the Wylde Audio Overdrive
The Zakk Sabbath Overdrive is a cosmetic variant, not a new circuit. MXR's manual states plainly that it is a limited edition of the Wylde Audio Overdrive with a special finish, and that the internals are unchanged.1 Players who miss the limited run are left with the standard Wylde Audio Overdrive, which shares the circuit in a different finish. MXR has a long line of artist signature drives in the same spirit, among them the Yngwie Malmsteen Overdrive, the Zakk Wylde Berzerker Overdrive and the Tom Morello Power 50 Overdrive.
Videos
Truck Driver Shawn
Euge Valovirta
Questions
Is the MXR Zakk Sabbath Overdrive true bypass?
No. The manual lists the bypass type as Hardwire rather than true bypass. In practice the footswitch toggles the effect on and off with a red LED showing when it is engaged, and the signal path is hardwired in bypass mode.
Is the Zakk Sabbath Overdrive different from the regular Wylde Audio Overdrive?
Only in appearance. MXR describes it as a limited edition of the Wylde Audio Overdrive with a special finish inspired by Zakk Sabbath, and says that on the inside it has the same guts, custom built for Zakk's loud, tough and relentless riffs and leads. The circuit and controls are the same.
How much does the MXR Zakk Sabbath Overdrive cost?
The list price was $170 USD in the USA when the pedal was announced in June 2026, with a UK price of £175 GBP.
How much current does the MXR Zakk Sabbath Overdrive draw?
The manual lists a current draw of 2.2 mA at 9 volts DC, which is low enough that almost any pedalboard power supply output can run it.
Sources (3)
- WA44ZS.pdf, Jim Dunlop (jimdunlop.com), 2026
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-06-19
- MXR® WYLDE AUDIO ZAKK SABBATH OVERDRIVE, Jim Dunlop (jimdunlop.com)
