gear giveaway

Distortion Pedals

BOSS MT-2 and SD-1 Anniversary Editions

BOSS announced the release of limited-edition anniversary versions of the MT-2 Metal Zone and the SD-1 Super Overdrive, two of the longest-running and most popular models in the company’s leading lineup of compact effect pedals. The SD-1-4A celebrates 40 years of continuous production, while the MT-2-3A celebrates 30 years. Each…Click on the title for more

BOSS MT-2 and SD-1 Anniversary Editions

Lake Effects FVD Rat-Style Distortion

Many architects like minimalism, preferring few well-placed touches to the maximalism of "more for the sake of more. Chicago-based Lake Effects is a pedal company run by an architect, and - in line with our premise - advocates for "A minimalist and practical approach to gear for less noise and…Click on the title for more

Lake Effects FVD Rat-Style Distortion

Wampler Gearbox Andy Wood Signature Overdrive/Distortion

The Wampler Gearbox Andy Wood Signature Overdrive is the result of the marriage of two existing and very popular gain pedals - the Tumnus overdrive and the Pinnacle distortion - and the tweaking Brian Wampler made to the resulting circuit to suit it to the ear of the multifaceted Knoxville-based…Click on the title for more

Wampler Gearbox Andy Wood Signature Overdrive/Distortion

Jackson Audio Asabi Mateus Asato Signature Modular Distortion/Overdrive

In the traditionally "analog obsessed" niche of dirt box builders, Texas' Jackson Audio is one of the few pedal companies out there that's been pushing that format's envelope in a direction that incorporates digital innovation. The company's latest pedal, called Asabi, is a Mateus Asato signature pedal that features two…Click on the title for more

Jackson Audio Asabi Mateus Asato Signature Modular Distortion/Overdrive

Colombo Audio Eruption Plexi Overdrive/Distortion

The death of Eddie Van Halen in October of 2020 has spurred a series of guitar gear releases dedicated to the influential musician. Italian Colombo Audio Electronics' way to pay tribute to the legend was to design a Plexi-style pedal inspired by the guitar tone in the first six Van…Click on the title for more

Colombo Audio Eruption Plexi Overdrive/Distortion

Chase Bliss Automatone Preamp MKII

When Joel Korte of Chase Bliss Audio touched down in Portland, Oregon and began peppering his Instagram feed with pictures of him noshing with Chris Benson of Benson amps, there was much speculation to be had. That speculation manifested at 2019’s NAMM show with the Preamp MKII, a slider-equipped brushed…Click on the title for more

Chase Bliss Automatone Preamp MKII

ToneTuga FX Clockwork MultiDriver

The Clockwork MultiDriverby Charlotte, NC ToneTuga FX is an ambitious pedal. The builder claims it can deliver - with only three knobs - anything "from a crisp treble boost to a crunchy distortion, to a fuzzy sustain," covering all the ground you may want to be covered by a dirt…Click on the title for more

ToneTuga FX Clockwork MultiDriver

Catalinbread Sabbra Cadabra Overdrive Ltd. Clearwell Edition

Guitarists into Black Sabbath should take note of this limited edition version of the Catalinbread | Sabbra Cadabra, an overdrive pedal that simulates the tone of that band's lead guitarist Tony Iommy. The Sweetwater exclusive features a beautiful illustration that's at once satanic and sexy, inspired by Black Sabbath's 1973…Click on the title for more

Catalinbread Sabbra Cadabra Overdrive Ltd. Clearwell Edition

ChiralityAudio Black Swan Modern Fuzz

ChiralityAudio is an Italian company founded by two musical brothers who also run a recording studio, and who already have three pedals in their roster - and some interesting ones at that! The Black Swan (or blackswan) is a simple one-knob high gain distorion/fuzz with plenty of gain to boot.…Click on the title for more

ChiralityAudio Black Swan Modern Fuzz

Brooks Blackhawk Balrog V3

The concentration of pedal (and synth!) builders in the Portland, OR area is truly astounding - we witnessed that passion last year at our super-packed PDX Pedal and Synth Expo, a last hurray before the crowdless COVID days. Today we discover a new builder from that city, Brooks Blackhawk, which…Click on the title for more

Brooks Blackhawk Balrog V3

Spiral Electric FX Allora High-Gain Darlington Fuzz

At a boutique level, building a pedal that ends up becoming a staple on many guitarists' pedalboards is (obviously) a great achievement for any builder, but comes with its drawbacks: almost every admirer will feel compelled to let the manufacturer know what would make it even better for them. This…Click on the title for more

Spiral Electric FX Allora High-Gain Darlington Fuzz

Vertex Ultra-Phonix HRM Overdrive/Distortion

The Vertex Ultraphonix is an overdrive inspired by ultra-rare (and ultra-cloned) Dumble Overdrive Special amp. The HRM (Hot Rubber Monkey) version of this pedal emulates a particularly popular tube mod implemented on a limited number of those amps that resulted in a modification of the mid-range that brought it closer…Click on the title for more

Vertex Ultra-Phonix HRM Overdrive/Distortion