Vintage MXR Pedal Debate: Script versus Block logos
Posted by Andrew Backover on
If you are into vintage, classic guitar pedals, chances are you have run into the debate over "Script" versus "Block" MXR pedals.
MXR, of course, is the legendary maker of an array of high-quality pedals behind a lot of great music and artists in the 1970s and early ‘80s. Randy Rhoads (Distortion +), Jerry Garcia (Distortion +, Phase 100, Analog Delay), Jimmy Page (Phase 90), Eddie Van Halen (Phase 90), David Gilmour (Phase 90), and the list goes on. You get the picture.
While the MXR brand is still around and quite relevant, like many pedal companies over the past 40 years, it has gone through ownership and product iterations throughout the decades. So, for the purposes of this discussion, I will focus on the ‘70s and very early ‘80s. These are generally considered the glory years for MXR pedals by collectors and players.
The MXR lineup from that era was comprehensive and diverse, ranging from distortion to multiple phasers, a compressor, envelope filter, analog delay and a noise reducer.
...A vintage MXR Buffet. Yum...Yes, please!...
Script vs Block
From the early- to mid/late-'70s, the popular, brick-like pedals had a “Script” MXR logo screened on the front of the metal case. This lasted until around 1977, when a “Block” logo replaced the Script logo versions. In addition, some of the early Block logo pedals still had a Script "MXR" embossed on the back plate, before being replaced by a Block embossed "MXR."
So, aside from the aesthetics, is there a difference between the sound, tone and quality of Script versus Block logo MXRs from that era?
If you base it purely on the asking prices of vintage MXR pedals, the answer is yes. The used gear "market" clearly favors the Script versions. Depending on the model, they can range anywhere from $200 to as much as $400 or more (not all MXR pedal models were available in the Script era). Script Phase 90 pedals, especially if they are housed in the rare BUD box enclosure, can approach $400, while Script versions of the Noise Gate/Line Driver can be had for under $200. Script Distortion + pedals generally go for $200 to $250.
Conversely, many of the Block versions are well under $150 generally, and in some cases well under $100 down to $50 for certain pedals. Block logo Phase 90s and Distortion + pedals typically go for $100 to $150 depending on condition, while Block Phase 100s are in the $130 to $200 range. Block logo Noise Gate/Line Drivers are under $100.
I always try to keep the site well stocked with an array of vintage MXR pedals. You can check them out at SmallAxeMusic.com.
...1978 MXR Distortion + Block Logo: around $100 to $150 depending on condition...
...1975 MXR Distortion + Script Logo: typically $200 to $250 depending on condition...
Is there a difference beyond looks and price?
Until recently, I personally had never owned a Script MXR pedal. My own lineup long included two MXR Distortion + pedals (from 1977 and 1980), a late '70s Phase 100 and an MXR Analog Delay (which I don’t believe was available in a Script version. Please correct me if I am wrong but I have never seen one).
My own MXRs look slightly rough around the edges but appearances can be deceiving. They sound great. There is a distinctly organic and warm tone about them, and I am quite content with my Block logo versions. However, as a result of running this website, I was able to acquire Script versions of the Distortion Plus and Noise Gate/Line Driver pedals.
I recently played the (two different) Script log and several Block logo Distortion + pedals side by side, and I could not tell a meaningful difference. The Script version was slightly better at fuzz, and definitely sounded a little softer and less harsh. But they both sounded amazing to me, so to each his/her own, I guess?
I also was able to compare a '77 Script Logo MXR Dyna Comp compressor pedal with a '79 Block Logo Version. Maybe I could say that the Script version was ever so slightly richer and warmer sounding? Maybe a tad thicker? It was not a material difference. Both sounded incredible on top of my bare guitar tone. I don't think the Script Dyna Comp sounded $150 to $200 better, however, which is often the price spread between the two models.
I also saw a Phase 100 Script versus Block comparison on YouTube, and to my ears, while they sounded slightly different, I couldn't say definitively that I liked either one materially better than the other. In fact, I kind of liked the Block Phase 100 a bit more because it sounded a little thicker to me. Of course, caveats apply that I was viewing a demo on a computer screen with substandard audio quality.
Here is the demo, so you can judge for yourself.
My view is, for the money, there is not enough of a difference in sound to turn down a great deal on a Block logo vintage MXR pedal. In fact, with Script versions fetching top dollar, the Block pedals are likely only going up in value. Of course, if you have a little extra to spend on a Script version, you will not regret it. But don’t let the perceptions based on pricing allow you to miss out on what will be, in my opinion, an amazing Block logo MXR pedal that will bring you tons of sonic enjoyment and likely will only gain in value over the years.
Perhaps you have a different view. I would love to hear your perspective.
Feel free to email me at andy@smallaxemusic.com or comment below.
bootcamp 6.1 windows 10 drivers downloadfree download torrentbit software for windows freebangla keyboard for pc free downloadline free download windows 7 freegoogle gmail download for windows 10windows vista free download full version with key for pc 32 bit freeadobe flash player 64 bit free download for windows 10firefox download for windows xp free freedownload betternet for pc freeepson tm u220d windows xp driver download free
worms free download windows 7 free
hp deskjet f4100 driver for windows 7 free download free
download tamil keyboard for windows 10
igi 3 game download for pc windows 7 32 bit
creative 5.1 speakers driver download for windows 10
download game minecraft pc full version
death rally pc game download
garageband for windows pc free download
usb driver for windows xp sp2 download free
frogger 2 game download for pc
download clickpad windows 10
arma 2 combined operations free download full game pc
dave 2 game free download for windows 10
language arabic download windows xp free
all video player software free download for windows xp free
https://chromebrowser.ru/file-viewer-free-download-for-windows-10-file/
https://rd-ok.ru/download-windows-10-fall-creators-update-get-the/
https://bestsmiles.net.ru/download-photoshop-free-full-version-for-windows-2/
https://fundamentservis.ru/tp-link-tl-pa2010-manual-tp-link-tl-pa2010-user/
https://chromebrowser.ru/free-download-windows-10-iso-64-bit-full-version/
free download game srs for pc full version
vice city free download for pc windows 10
windows update 1511 download free
itunes for windows 10 download 64 bit
hp webcam download windows 10
download etcher for windows 10
download whatsapp apk for pc windows 10
chrome offline download for windows 10 64 bit
chess game download for windows 10
batman vs superman game free download for pc
download left 4 dead 2 free pc
music player download for pc windows 7
emperor battle for dune windows 10 download
adobe application manager free download windows 10
kms activator download for windows 10
https://bestsmiles.net.ru/download-russian-language-for-windows-10-windows/
https://bestsmiles.net.ru/download-sound-driver-windows-10-64-bit-results/
https://chromebrowser.ru/framework-4-0-download-windows-10-install-net/
https://bestsmiles.net.ru/download-speedify-for-windows-10-speedify-for/
https://fundamentservis.ru/transmission-audio-ultimate-system-transmission/
league of legends free download for windows 10
dream aquarium windows 7 free download free
all android mobile pc suite software free download
angry gran run free download for pc
dpinst exe 64 bit download windows 10
windows 10 home premium iso download free
download gom player for pc windows 7
foxpro for windows 10 64 bit free download
download windows 10 version 1803 iso
idt high definition audio codec hp windows 10 download
windows 2007 home and student download freemame emulator download windows freedownload gnu octave for windows 7 freedownload freegate for windows 10 free14 august photo frames free download for pcjre for windows 10 64 bit free downloadwindows 10 defender update download freedownload windows xp service pak 2 freewindows 8.1 developer preview download freecricket game for pc 2gb ram download
chew wga free download for windows 7 free
speed up download windows 7 free
lose your marbles free download for windows 7 free
download gta vice city game in pc
free download groove music for windows 10
free picasa 3 download for windows 10
download game ps2 for pc tanpa emulator
smart switch pc windows 10 download
idt high definition audio codec hp windows 10 download
battlefield 4 pc game free download
oracle 8i software free download for windows 8 free
desktop sticky notes windows 10 download
lexmark 2500 series driver download windows 10
microsoft essentials download for windows xp free
windows 7 upgrade 32 bit download free
https://fundamentservis.ru/halo-3-odst-sergeant-johnson-code-how-to-unlock/
https://fundamentservis.ru/dragon-age-inquisition-silent-sister-build-welcome/
https://fundamentservis.ru/msn-10-day-weather-topeka-ks-weather/
https://fundamentservis.ru/asrock-880gmh-u3s3-asrock-880gmh-u3s3-motherboard/
https://fundamentservis.ru/dota-2-reborn-update-play-dota-2-offline-without/
download ruby for windows 10
ad blocker for windows 10 edge free download
download facebook messenger for pc windows 8
bus games free download pc
microsoft windows xp sp3 free download free
download windows 10 home iso file
download and install winscp for windows 10
any video converter for pc windows 10 free download
download despicable me game for pc
upgrade windows xp sp3 download free
best drift game for pc free download
best pc horror games free download
cadillac dinosaur game free download pc
battlefield 5 pc multiplayer free download
google pay for pc windows 7 download
https://fundamentservis.ru/jio-join-app-download-download-jiocall-for-pc/
https://fundamentservis.ru/gigabyte-ga-ep43t-ud3l-ga-ep41t-ud3l-rev-1-0/
https://fundamentservis.ru/intel-serial-io-driver-what-does-it-do-do-i-need/
https://fundamentservis.ru/reflections-of-life-dark-architect-reflections-of-2/
https://fundamentservis.ru/what-is-marvell-miniport-driver-results-for/
gold miner game download for windows 10
best gta game for pc free download
viber windows phone free download free
linux download on windows 10
windows software update download free
download game billiard for pc offline
download pc games in 1gb parts
download sketchup 2018 windows 10
intel r hd graphics 3000 windows 10 10.0 driver download
download password cracker for windows 7 free
hydroxychloroquinr chloroquine tablets hydroxychloroquine treats what
Great site. Chic design. I found a lot of interesting things here. Visit this beautiful site – and rate it
http://virginities.xyz
http://thumbxxx.xyz
http://bizar.xyz
http://rucks.xyz
http://birat.xyz
http://didlo.xyz
http://birast.xyz
http://husten.xyz
http://vaginaxx.xyz
http://xxxed.xyz
Adult Tube
https://torgovaya.xyz/dhgate.com The best store
adult video 002f68b
tadalafil dapoxetine cialis without prescription what is the use of tadalafil tablets