Xvive V3 Metal review

Maximum scoop, maximum gain

  • £46
  • €52
  • $88
By Michael Brown
( Total Guitar )
published
Unsurprisingly, there's plenty of gain on tap...

MusicRadar Verdict

Although the V3 lacks versatility, you'll be hard pushed to find heavier tones elsewhere.

Pros

  • +

    Great for metal techniques. Mammoth low end.

Cons

  • -

    Might struggle to cut through, live. No scoop adjustable.

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As you might have guessed, the Xvive V3 specialises in heavy.

"Its saturated tones make for effortless palm-muted riffing and legato"

With an extreme scoop to the mids, mammoth low end and mucho gain - its saturated tones make for effortless palm-muted riffing and legato.

But while it sounds great for a spot of bedroom Dimebag riffing, the pedal could struggle in a live band mix.

Also, unlike some other metal distortion pedals, there's no way to adjust the scoop, since the tone control adjusts only the high frequencies.

Michael Brown
Michael Brown

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.