MXR Releases Tom Morello Signature Power 50 Overdrive based on his RATM Amp and Cab setup
Readers should know by know that I’ve often cited Tom Morello as one of my favourite players - and my use of the DigiTech Whammy Ricochet is pretty much entirely inspired by Tom. Famously Tom originally had an all-Marshall JCM800 half-stack which was alas stolen from his van back in 1988. Having various gig obligations at the time - he scrambled for a cost-effective replacement which was only supposed to be temporary, but came to be his peak-time Rage Against the Machine setup - a 50W Marshall JCM800 2205 Head and Peavey 4 x 12 Cab loaded with Celestion G12K-85 speakers.
MXR has sought to replicate that exact amp setup / output with their Power 50 Overdrive - which also includes an Effects Loop - as that is how Tom ran his various stompboxes - in the MarshallJCM800’s FX Loop - as illustrated below :
Of course this is just another MIAB variant really with slight nuances - while the Cab element does imbue it with some nuance - which many say edges towards sounding a touch like a MESABoogie Cabinet. Essentially though a MIAB / JCM800 variant really!
The Power 50 replicate the JCM800's controls - with 3-Band EQ, Volume, Gain and a Mini Presence Knob. In fact the pedal's topology is entirely reminiscent of MXR's EVH Signature 5150 overdrive in pretty much the same format - minus the Boost button, and with the Presence control in place of 'Gate'.
Note that the Presence applies after the loop while the 3-Band EQ comes before. The Presence is therefore an extremely handy and versatile control in this particular configuration.
I never understand why pedal-makers don't go more with the vertical BB enclosure format - which is so much more pedalboard friendly. With only a single footswitch - there is no reason why this cannot have been that superior format.
That said I am a Tom Morello fan - and this is surely another essential acquisition for me early next year. MXR have a habit of announcing products way too early - with no hint of a demo or actual dealer roll-out dates. This will likely be available to North American around Christmas / New Year, while we Europeans typically have to wait another month or so for these to come into distribution this side of the pond.
Price is set at a pretty reasonable $189 so there is no major impediment really for my getting one - while I'm not overly enamoured with this exact format - in terms of enclosure orientation!
As mentioned - there are no demos yet - so we have to make do with some peak-time RATM for reference!
Demo
12 Degrees of Saturation 2023 Compact Edition
