gear giveaway

Distortion Pedals

Preorder: Kinotone Sparks Overdrive/Wavefolder/Filter/Synth

Kinotone is a relatively new boutique US pedal brand that is grabbing attention for designing unusual and creative compact stompboxes that work well with guitar, synths or any instrument with an output. The Sparks, mostly a filter + distortion pedal, is their second product after the very well-received Ribbons. The…Click on the title for more

Preorder: Kinotone Sparks Overdrive/Wavefolder/Filter/Synth

2024 Best Plexi Pedals & Marshall-Style Distortions: a Buyer’s Guide

(Almost) everyone familiar with the electric guitar loves the sound of a cranked Marshall amp. From Eric Clapton and Angus Young to Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads, Plexi amp and their later, higher gain reincarnations from the JCM series have been used by many guitar players over the years…Click on the title for more

2024 Best Plexi Pedals & Marshall-Style Distortions: a Buyer’s Guide

Benson Amps Preamp Overdrive/Distortion

The Benson Amps Preamp Overdrive/Distortion (listed at $249) sports a circuit Based on the company's Chimera 30 watt guitar amplifier (going for $1949), but substitutes FET transistors for the vacuum tubes. The result is an extremely amp-like and versatile clean boost/overdrive/fuzz pedal that imparts rich harmonics and a very musical EQ to your…Click on the title for more

Benson Amps Preamp Overdrive/Distortion

Universal Audio UAFX 1992 ANTI High Gain Amp

Universal Audio is back with a new member of their UAFX series with the Anti 1992, a stereo pedal that meticulously recreates the iconic sounds of the metal of the '90s, packing a world of distortion into a compact stompbox, whether you're a fan of Scandinavian death metal or Southern…Click on the title for more

Universal Audio UAFX 1992 ANTI High Gain Amp

Most overdrive and distortion pedals are based on pre-existing circuits if not downright clones of stompboxes that have stood the test of time. That can't be said for the JHS Hard Drive, a high gain distortion publicized by the brand as their first attempt "at a full-blown and respectable modern…Click on the title for more

JHS Hard Drive

Empress Heavy Menace Distortion

At first glance, the Empress Heavy Menace seems like a pedal that might win the contest for "most tweakable distortion pedal in a compact case." Also, it looks very cool, notwithstanding its demonic references! An evolution in compact case of the company's popular Heavy pedal, the Heavy Menace could be…Click on the title for more

Empress Heavy Menace Distortion

Decibelics The Reverend XX

Handmade in Spain, the Decibelics The Reverend XX is a dual version of the company's ZZ Top inspired single channel distortion pedal. Its circuit is based off the vintage Bixonic Expandora, a RAT mutation known for being one of the first dirt boxes able to deliver all sorts of saturated…Click on the title for more

Decibelics The Reverend XX

Pedaltrain Nighlight Distortion

Known for their popular pedalboards, Pedaltrain just entered the actual pedal arena by releasing their two debut stompboxes: the Daylight Overdrive and the Nightlight Distortion. Both effects prioritize simplicity and tone, and went through a whole year of testing by renowned Nashville session players with various guitar/amp combinations. That's also…Click on the title for more

Pedaltrain Nighlight Distortion

Fuzzrocious Big Fella Drive/Fuzz/Distortion

Most modern dirt boxes try to provide a wide range of tones, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a device capable of matching the range of the Fuzzrocious Big Fella, a pedal that can deliver overdrive, distortion, gated fuzz, and feedback. With a circuit that runs at 9v or 18v…Click on the title for more

Fuzzrocious Big Fella Drive/Fuzz/Distortion

RAT Pedals and Best RAT Clones in 2024 | A Buyer’s Guide

With its origins dating back to 1978, the RAT is one of those simple yet unique pedals that are at once legendary, widespread, and affordable. There have been many different variations of the circuit from the original builder, Pro Co, but overall, the line has remained fairly true to the…Click on the title for more

RAT Pedals and Best RAT Clones in 2024 | A Buyer’s Guide

WMD Geiger Counter Distortion/Bitcrusher

When I first took a look at the WMD Geiger Counter pedal I thought for sure that the WMD stood for Weapons of Mass Destruction and thought , "OK, these guys are no joke". Come to find that WMD actually stands for William Mathewson Devices and that he is actually...…Click on the title for more

WMD Geiger Counter Distortion/Bitcrusher

Does it Doom? Doomsaw Distortion

The Does it Doom? Doomsaw distortion is a pedal built by a musician running a popular website and YouTube channel dedicated to gear for metal-related genres. It's a variation of the BOSS HM-2 tweaked for a better low-end. It's slightly less aggressive than the original but delivers a better low-end…Click on the title for more

Does it Doom? Doomsaw Distortion