gear giveaway

Distortion Pedals

Source Audio Ultrawave Multiband Distortion

After an initial limited batch sold directly through the manufacturer, The Source Audio Ultrawave is now widely available through all the shops that carry the Boston company's pedals. We also learned that there is a bass version of it. This is a multi-mode, multi-band distortion pedal presented as a "Stereo…Click on the title for more

Source Audio Ultrawave Multiband Distortion

Electrofoods Ultd. + Dirge Electronics RBMK

For those born too late to know or remember, RBMK was the name of the (lovely) model of nuclear reactor that melted in Chernobyl that day in 1986. If you wanted to find just a word to described it, probably "unstable" would be it. Electrofoods Ultd.'s RBMK is a boost/overdrive/distortion…Click on the title for more

Electrofoods Ultd. + Dirge Electronics RBMK

GOAT Analog Distortion Generator

The GOAT Analog Distortion Generator is a stompbox that will intrigue those who love vintage circuits with an interesting story. It's a pedal that recreates the Rockman Distortion Generator, a rack-mounted effects from the '90s designed by Boston's guitarist Tom Sholz, and a parent of the somewhat legendary Rockman, a…Click on the title for more

GOAT Analog Distortion Generator

Joyo Dark Flame R-17 Distortion

Metal guitarists in search for something new should take a look at the new Joyo Dark Flame, a high-gain distortion that doesn't break the bank (it's only $59!) featuring a 3-knob EQ and three different voicings (Stock, Bright and Dark). You can hear its aggressive tones in the videos below.…Click on the title for more

Joyo Dark Flame R-17 Distortion

Cult Overdrive Circuits: Clark Gainster Clones, and the Hoochee-Mama

The Story of the Clark Gainster Clones and the Hoochee Mama The Clark Amplification Gainster and Browntone Hoochie Mama are two overdrive pedals that are rarely mentioned separately. This might be due to the fact that the latter, although inspired by the former, is still able to deliver something different…Click on the title for more

Cult Overdrive Circuits: Clark Gainster Clones, and the Hoochee-Mama

Wonderful Audio Apex Distortion

The Wonderful Audio Apex is a distortion pedal that started as a RAT-based circuit and ended up becoming its own (still vaguely ratty) thing. The original idea was to experiment with the vintage RAT's LM308 chip. A JFET front-end gain stage was then added to recreate the effect you get…Click on the title for more

Wonderful Audio Apex Distortion

BOSS IR-200 Amp and IR Cabinet Simulator

The BOSS 200 series welcomes another member to its growing family, the IR-200 Amp and IR Cabinet Simulator, an uber-comprehensive stereo device for performing, rehearsing, and recording without the burden of real amp and cabinets for both guitar (8amp types) and bass (3 amp types). We could spend all day…Click on the title for more

BOSS IR-200 Amp and IR Cabinet Simulator

Suguru Big Katsu Distortion

Notwithstanding its fun Japanese snack theme, the Suguru Big Katsu Distortion is a pedal made for rather tense musical styles: a high-gain distortion delivering - to quote the manufacturer - "crunchy and thick tones reminiscent of post-rock or shoegaze styles"! Its thick tone with a slight low-end roll-off is delivered…Click on the title for more

Suguru Big Katsu Distortion

Gear Ant YellowJacket Dual Distortion

There seems to be some consensus among guitarists that, in the new millennium, having just one dirt box won't cut it. Hence, the proliferation of dual gain pedals. The Yellow Jacket is the take on this format of up-and-coming builder Gear Ant's, a dual distortion circuit that stacks voicings loosely…Click on the title for more

Gear Ant YellowJacket Dual Distortion

KMA Machines Guardian of the Wurm

Earlier this year, I stood in front of a contemporary art installation from a Quebec-based artist asking me to trigger, via pedal, the end of the world. Irresponsible as I am, I stomped on it, but nothing happened (Quebequas are renowned for loving provocations). Today I am presented with a…Click on the title for more

KMA Machines Guardian of the Wurm

New Pedal: Gojira FX Tanto Drive/Distortion

Hand-built in the UK, the Gojira FX Tanto is an aggressive yet versatile overdrive and distortion pedal offering a full spectrum of tones from overdrive to distortion to borderline fuzz. Notwithstanding the bright, Japan culture-inspired illustration, this is a pedal created with Doom and Metal players in mind. The unlabeled…Click on the title for more

New Pedal: Gojira FX Tanto Drive/Distortion

New Pedal: Guitar & Gear Gus Gone Mad Distortion

For most pedal lovers, it will take about three seconds glance to gather what kind of pedal is the Guitar & Gear Gus Gone Mad. Yep, it's a RAT clone. Hand-built by a tiny Norwegian manufacturer, this pedal expands on the palette of the classic rodent distortion with three clipping…Click on the title for more

New Pedal: Guitar & Gear Gus Gone Mad Distortion