Quick Hit: Karma MTN-10 Review

Ratings Pros: Expansive palette of voices. Great dynamic range. Impressive low-end resonance and sustain. Slinky playability. Tuning stable. Virtually indestructible. Cons: Highs can get a bit harsh depending on your setup. Awfully pricey compared to similar new-model ODs. Street: $225 Karma MTN-10 karmaguitaramps.com

Tones: Ease of Use: Build/Design: Value:

The MTN-10 is producer Greg Droman’s take on the other green distortion box from Ibanez. Over the last few years, the original Mostortion MT10 Mos-Fet Distortion has gained popularity among tone hounds, and the price has gone up to near $400. Droman decided to create a sturdier and more affordable solution. His MTN-10 mimics the same controls found on the Mostortion and uses the same CA3260 IC that’s found in the original.

I’ve always dug MOSFET-style distortion. When done right, it gives you just the perfect amount of compression and dirt without sacrificing feel. The MTN-10’s 3-band EQ is wildly interactive and really requires minimal tweaking. Simply start at noon and season to taste. I found the MTN-10 to also be an excellent clean boost. It had plenty of full-range response and was incredibly reactive to dynamics. Once the gain knob went past 1 o’clock, there was a high-end sizzle which could be useful for ripping leads or long, sustaining parts. Without a doubt the Karma MTN-10 is a worthy torchbearer that surpasses the original in build quality, price, and availability.

Test Gear: Schroeder Chopper TL, Gibson Les Paul Custom, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV