The resurgence of Ross pedals has sparked considerable interest in the guitar effects community. While the allure of these newly released pedals is undeniable, especially given their historical significance, their price point of $189 has raised some eyebrows, particularly when considering the competitive landscape. This article delves into a detailed comparison of the new Ross pedals with their closest MXR counterparts, evaluating their features, price, and overall value proposition for guitar players.
It’s immediately apparent when placing the Ross and MXR pedals side-by-side that their enclosure designs are quite similar in width, despite MXR typically employing side-mounted jacks while Ross opts for top-mounted ones. This design choice by Ross is a welcome nod to modern pedalboard efficiency. However, when we look beyond the enclosures, the question arises: do Ross pedals offer enough to justify their price, especially when MXR provides a strong lineup of comparable effects?
In many instances, MXR pedals deliver exceptional value for money. Yet, the appeal of a pedal isn’t solely dictated by its price tag. To truly understand where each brand stands, a direct comparison of near-equivalent models is essential. This analysis aims to provide an A/B comparison, allowing guitarists to determine which pedals best suit their needs and preferences. It’s worth noting that while some MXR pedals appear visually similar with fewer knobs, the new Ross pedals generally offer a three-knob configuration, suggesting potentially greater control and versatility, although this isn’t always the case. All pricing information referenced in this article is sourced from Sweetwater, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
Ross Chorus vs. MXR Analog Chorus
When comparing the Ross Chorus to the MXR Analog Chorus, the MXR immediately stands out for its enhanced granularity and a significant price advantage of approximately $60. The MXR Analog Chorus offers a wider range of control over the chorus effect, allowing for finer adjustments to achieve the desired sound. For players seeking a versatile and budget-friendly chorus pedal, the MXR Analog Chorus appears to be the more compelling choice in this head-to-head.
Ross Phaser vs. MXR Phase 100
The Ross Phaser truly shines in terms of enclosure aesthetics when juxtaposed with the wider MXR Phase 100. The Ross pedal’s enclosure exudes a distinct vintage vibe that many players will find appealing. Beyond aesthetics, the Ross Phaser boasts a unique selling point: a Uni-Vibe voicing. This inclusion significantly expands the sonic palette of the Ross Phaser, allowing it to venture into the lush, swirling textures reminiscent of the legendary Uni-Vibe effect. Despite being around $40 more expensive than the MXR Phase 100, the Ross Phaser emerges as the winner in this category due to its unique voicing and vintage-inspired design. The added Uni-Vibe capability provides a compelling reason for players to consider the Ross Phaser, even at a premium.
Ross Compressor vs. MXR Dyna Comp Deluxe
The comparison between the Ross Compressor and the MXR Dyna Comp Deluxe presents a tougher decision. The Ross Compressor features a Bright mode, adding a high-end sheen to the compressed signal. Conversely, the MXR Dyna Comp Deluxe offers a Clean Blend control, allowing for the preservation of the original signal’s dynamics alongside the compressed tone, and a Tone control for further shaping the sound, including brightening capabilities. The additional granularity and blend function of the MXR Dyna Comp Deluxe, coupled with a $40 saving, make it arguably the more versatile and feature-rich compressor pedal for many players. While the Bright mode on the Ross Compressor is a nice addition, the comprehensive control offered by the Dyna Comp Deluxe is likely to be more broadly appealing.
Ross Fuzz vs. MXR Hybrid Fuzz
Pitting the Ross Fuzz against the MXR Hybrid Fuzz reveals different approaches to fuzz circuits. The MXR Hybrid Fuzz, already a popular choice among fuzz enthusiasts, leans towards a more classic fuzz sound, delivering thick and saturated tones. The Ross Fuzz, in contrast, seems to tread into distortion territory, offering a somewhat different flavor of overdriven sound. While the Ross Fuzz might appeal to players seeking a fuzz with a distortion-like character, the MXR Hybrid Fuzz, with its more traditional fuzz DNA and a $20 price advantage, is arguably the more desirable option for those pursuing classic fuzz tones. The MXR Hybrid Fuzz is also already on many guitarists’ wishlists, indicating its strong standing in the fuzz pedal market.
Ross Distortion vs. MXR Distortion+
The Ross Distortion presents an intriguing proposition with its inclusion of both Germanium and Silicon clipping modes. This feature offers a wider range of distortion characteristics, allowing players to switch between different tonal flavors. While the MXR Distortion+ is available at almost half the price, the versatility afforded by the Ross Distortion’s clipping options makes it a compelling choice, despite the near $100 price premium. The ability to toggle between Germanium and Silicon clipping diodes provides a significant degree of sonic flexibility that the MXR Distortion+ cannot match, potentially justifying the higher cost for players who value tonal variety.
Conclusion: MXR’s Value and Ross’s Niche Appeal
Based on this comparative analysis, my personal preference slightly leans towards the MXR options. MXR pedals generally offer more competitive pricing and often a touch more versatility in a similarly sized footprint. Interestingly, the Ross Phaser and Ross Distortion emerged as the most appealing from the Ross lineup, primarily due to their unique features – the Uni-Vibe voicing in the Phaser and the clipping options in the Distortion. However, these remain niche considerations, and the probability of choosing them over the MXR counterparts is still relatively low. My ongoing fascination with Uni-Vibe style effects does make the Ross Phaser tempting.
The Ross Fuzz, despite its unique character, stands out as an anomaly, lacking a clear historical lineage within the Ross pedal heritage. The connection to Kustom Amps, while present, feels somewhat tenuous in the context of these pedal replicas. While Kustom Amps engineer Fred Harris was undoubtedly a significant figure, the iconic status of Kustom amps in the pedal world is questionable, given the absence of widespread replicas or tributes, unlike more celebrated amp brands.
While the $189 price point of the Ross pedals is understandable from a manufacturing cost perspective, it positions them firmly in a nostalgia-driven market segment. It remains to be seen how these pedals will fare globally and in the long run. Many might argue that superior versions of these effects are already available, often at similar price points. The Ross enclosures are aesthetically pleasing, particularly the recessed cavities, but the overall form factor, like many single-knob pedals, feels somewhat limited in terms of versatility and fine-tuning. This limitation is reminiscent of Tru-Fi pedals, where front panel space restricts control options.
It would be insightful to hear from players who have acquired the new Ross pedals and conducted head-to-head comparisons with similar pedals. Despite the evolution of Ross pedals from their early MXR-inspired origins, the lineage remains evident. Ross’s initial market positioning was arguably built on its similarity to MXR.
In a somewhat tangential analogy, the article touches upon Hershey chocolate and its dominance in the American market due to wartime factors, leading to a distinct, and to some, less desirable chocolate profile compared to European standards. This analogy serves to highlight how historical context and market forces can shape preferences, even if objectively “better” alternatives exist. Just as some find Hershey chocolate less refined, some guitarists might find the nostalgic appeal of Ross pedals strong despite potentially more feature-rich or value-driven alternatives in the market.
