Tonebox Recommended Pedals
Mooer E-Lady
The Eleclady serves up a classic analog flanger sound and comes packed with a filter mode as well as oscillator effects. This guitar effects pedal from budget stompbox maker Mooer features two separate effect modes; Normal gives the effected signal a light, subtle sweep while Filter cranks the effect up for more dramatic sonic changes. The Eleclady may be tiny, but its versatile flange sound and full metal shell make it a roadworthy addition to your pedalboard.
Catalinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe
Known for creating musical devices that they want to utilize themselves, the self-proclaimed gearheads at Catalinbread introduce the well-thought-out Belle Epoch Deluxe, a digital incarnation that perfectly honors the iconic 1970’s Maestro Echoplex EP-3 tape delay. With its self-oscillation functionality and discrete preamp, the Belle Epoch Deluxe digitally features all the incredible analog variation and dynamic power offered by the EP-3. It is a complete reproduction of the EP-3 but without the tape cartridge components.
Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI V2
If you think Tech 21’s Bass Driver DI is just another direct input box, think again. This SansAmp-powered DI box can serve up everything from vintage tube amp sounds to bright modern slap tones. You get three different outputs which you can connect to power amps, mixers, PA systems, or to other effects pedals. For the Bass Driver DI V2, Tech 21 further enhanced the Bass Driver DI’s tonal versatility with a switch that lets it cover the lower frequency registers of five- and six-string basses.
Suhr Riot
As its name implies, the Suhr Riot is a high-gain distortion box ready to make a tiny clean tube combo sound like an angry stack. It will make you forget that you are playing via a pedal. It works with the amp to produce a full sound that does not sound overly electronic or artificial. The Riot features the touch sensitivity and sonic characteristics of a high-quality 100-watt tube amp. It consists of Dist, Level, and Tone knobs. Use the Dist to set the amount of gain added to your tone, bringing you from classic crunch to high-gain goodness.
Xotic EP Booster
Eric Johnson, Jimmy Page, and Eddie Van Halen are just some of the legendary guitarists who used the classic EP-3 echo effects processor’s preamp stage to create their signature tone. Thanks to boutique guitar effects pedal company Xotic, you can use that preamp too via the EP Booster, a boost pedal based on that very same preamp. The EP Booster can dish out up to 20dB of extra juice that you can use to hit your amp harder and make your signal soar above the mix.
Empress Effects ZOIA
Empress Effects’ ZOIA is loaded with a massive collection of modules to realize virtually anything you can imagine. LFOs, oscillators, bit crushers, filters, envelope followers are only some of the available modules which may be connected in almost any way you desire. Essentially a modular synthesizer in pedal form, the ZOIA offers the modules required to build a tremolo or delay from the ground up. It allows you to craft your custom effects, midi controllers, synthesizers, and digital pedalboards. Empress Effects has also developed modules for all your common guitar effects.
Drive Pedals
Way Huge Red Llama
A faithful reissue of the first-ever Way Huge stompbox, the Red Llama Overdrive MkII takes you from juiced clean tones to tight, bottom-heavy riffage and buttery leads. It is a continuation of where the legendary model left off in 1999. All the features that made the Red Llama OD so great remain where Mr. Huge left them. Season to taste whatever amp, dirty or clean, big or small—the pedal serves as a perfect compliment to them, with a lush harmonic palette accessible on the simple control panel.
XVive V7 Tube Drive
The V7 Tube Drive from budget guitar effects maker Xvive is an extremely versatile drive pedal that can deliver all the tube-style overdrive you need. This pedal purrs at low gain settings, dishing out a warm, vacuum tube overdrive, but becomes a menacing, growling monster once you kick it into high gear. Crank that Drive pot all the way up and you can get pretty close to full-on clipping fuzz saturation. The Tube Drive is a true pint-sized overdrive powerhouse.
Big Joe B-309 Texas Screamer
Developed in collaboration with legendary blues guitarist Johnny Winter, the Big Joe B-309 Texas Screamer Johnny Winter Edition is a simple, rugged, and great-sounding true analog overdrive guitar effects pedal. With just three knobs—Gain, Tone, and Level—dialing in the amount of tube-style overdrive you want to get that vintage, juicy blues-rock tone is simplicity itself. The Big Joe B-309 Texas Screamer requires a 9V battery or a 9V DC power supply and comes with true bypass switching.
Electro-Harmonix Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi
Germanium transistors have long been considered essential when it comes to crafting authentic vintage-sounding overdrive tones. For the Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi, Electro-Harmonix went above and beyond, cramming four individual germanium transistors into one powerful and versatile stompbox. The independent overdrive and distortion effects each have two germanium transistors, and you can stack them together to dish out a four-transistor wall of pure growl. Dedicated control knobs for both the overdrive and distortion sections give you full control over your tone.
Maxon 9-Series Overdrive
The OD-9 Overdrive from Maxon may look like your classic fave, but the similarities end there. Enhanced circuitry with the JRC4558 IC delivers that creamy, smooth, and dynamic overdrive fancied by guitarists. Level and Drive knobs adjust the volume and intensity, while Hi Boost/Hi Cut tone controls set the brightness from smooth and warm to red-hot. From mild boosts to outrageous roars, the OD-9 gives you the most extensive range of valuable, noticeably tube sounds available.
Mooer Hustle Drive
The Hustle Drive is budget stomp maker Mooer’s take on the Fulltone OCD overdrive guitar effects pedal, one of the most sought-after and copied overdrive stomps in existence. It not only accurately replicates the OCD’s core tonal characteristics, but it also expands the original’s versatility by adding two new modes. Warm mode gives you the natural warmth and dynamic response of a classic tube amp while Hot mode cranks the heat up to scorching to give your signal a massive crunch.
Joyo High Gain Distortion
From classic AD/DC crunch to Metallica’s tight metal attack, the JF-04 High Gain Distortion guitar effects pedal from Joyo is a quick and affordable way to get the same rocking tone your guitar heroes use. The JF-04 High Gain DIstortion is Joyo’s take on the venerable Marshall Shredmaster distortion pedal and features dedicated Gain, Treble, Mid, and Volume control knobs for precise tone shaping. You get a ton of gain, long sustains, and dripping harmonics. Plus, it goes really well with a black shirt.
Rowin DIST-I
The LEF-301A DIST-I distortion pedal packs a massive high gain punch in its very affordable and pedalboard-friendly chassis. This stompbox from budget guitar effects pedal maker Rowin makes it very easy to dial in a heavy, aggressive distortion tone perfectly suited to your playing style. Three dedicated knobs controlling Level, Tone, and Gain do the heavy lifting when it comes to shaping your tone. Small as it is, the LEF-301A DIST-I is built road-tough with a die-cast metal chassis and heavy-duty true bypass switching.
Carl Martin TOD
The Carl Martin TOD Overdrive is the relaunch of the Limited Edition Dizzy Drive, which was created to commemorate the reunion tour of Danish alternative rock band Dizzy Mizz Lizzy. At the peak of the band’s success, guitarist Tim Christensen used a Boss Turbo Overdrive into his Marshall Stack, which produced a heavily-driven, high-gain sound Carl Martin wanted to improve upon. He sought an identical tonal quality but with more headroom and phatter. The TOD high gain overdrive distortion is compact, pedalboard-friendly, and packaged within a die-cast case consists of four knobs and one switch.
Big Joe B-303 Metal
Thick mids and lows, insanely long sustain, and crunchy saturated harmonics are right at the tip of your toes with the Big Joe B303 Metal guitar effects pedal. The Shaper knob lets you boost and scoop your tone’s presence and emphasize the middle or high and low frequencies. The Gain knob, meanwhile, enables you to control precisely how much distortion you want in your sound, whether it’s s subtle guttural growl or a primordial roar. The Big Joe B-303 Metal pedal features true bypass switching.
Carl Martin Plexitone Lo-Gain
The Carl Martin PlexiTone Lo-Gain is a single channel pedal designed alongside Pete Thorn. It comes in a compact, pedalboard-friendly enclosure consists of three knobs and one switch. In addition to Pete’s minor modifications, which provide the pedal with a tighter bottom end and quite softer high frequencies, it has a similar gain structure as the original Pro Series PlexiTone’s High Gain setting and plays better with various amps. The single PlexiTone Lo-Gain features Carl Martin’s new DC-DC converter circuitry.
Vick Audio 73 Ram’s Head
The 73 Ram’s Head has more dirt compared to the Black Russian and is smoother than the V1 Triangle. What sets the 73 Ram’s Head apart is the unbelievable sustain it can give you. It has been built for guitarists who want their ax singing like a hummingbird, featuring a delightful violin-esque sustaining sound. You can utilize the Sustain knob to optimize lengthy sustain with some harmonic distortion. Hendrix banked on this BMP for his mellow, seamless, Electric Lady sound.
Electro-Harmonix Nano Double Muff
The Double Muff faithfully recreates the creamy overdrive sound of the classic 1969 Muff Fuzz and then doubles it to give you cascading, over-the-top high-gain distortion. The Double Muff keeps the no-nonsense aesthetic; you get a footswitch and two dedicated volume knobs for each of the Muff Fuzz circuits to dial in the worn but warm speaker-style overdrive of a vintage tube amp. A two-way toggle switch lets you choose between using just one Muff Fuzz overdrive or cascade two overdrive effects together.
Wampler Fuzztration
A modern fuzz box whose range of sound runs the gamut from vintage hair to swampy, sludgy doom, the Fuzztration stomp from Boutique guitar effects pedal maker Wampler is everything you ever wanted in a fuzz pedal—and more. You get iron-fisted tone sculpting power via a three band EQ, plus you can switch between a classic, tight voicing to a deep, open one via a built-in toggle. Although it can easily deliver classic fuzz tones, the Fuzztration really shines when you let it roar.
JHS Pedals Crayon
The JHS Pedals Crayon lets you experience the gritty preamp tones of the Colour Box within a more compact and budget-friendly guitar pedal. This simplified variant of the Colour Box is capable of delivering the compressed overdrive and fuzz sounds of various classic recordings. This mighty little box packs all the color and features of a vintage studio preamp when cranked. The Pre-Vol and Master knobs work in tandem to give you extremely useful colorful tones.
Fairfield Circuitry Four Eyes
It’s hard to stick out in the saturated fuzz market, but Fairfield Circuitry’s Four Eyes Crossover Fuzz does so with aplomb. Three parallel JFET fuzz circuits, a voltage-controlled state variable filter, and a three-band EQ let you use the Four Eyes to explore a vast world of fuzzed-out tonal possibilities. From super thin to extra fat, from a subtle whisper to an aggressive scream, smooth vintage germanium to hard-edged silicon, you can get more fuzz tones out of the Four Eyes than you ever thought possible.
ZVex Machine
Boutique guitar effects pedal company Zvex have built something that not a lot of stompbox makers would even think about: a dirt pedal built entirely to work with the other dirt and fuzz pedals on your chain. It’s nothing groundbreaking on its own, but put it in front of your other fuzz pedals and its crossover distortion—a true world first in any stompbox, ever—distorts the parts of our distorted signal’s waveform that most dirt and fuzz boxes don’t even touch. What you get is a new and unique distorted sound that still respects your original dirt tone.
MOSKY Silver Horse
The Klon Centaur is, hands down, one of the most copied overdrive pedals ever. It’s so often copied, in fact, that budget guitar effects pedal brand Mosky Audio made two Centaur-based overdrive pedals: the Golden Horse and this one, the Silver Horse. What differentiates the two is a two-way switch on the latter that lets you choose between Hard and Soft clipping modes. The Silver Horse also features a trio of dedicated control knobs for tone sculpting.
T-Rex Octavius
A tri-tone generator with a brilliant Boost function and a comprehensive set of controls, the Octavius by T-Rex Engineering delivers everything you seek in octave generation—plus a beautiful T-Rex tone. It enables you to capture that classic octave-down effect heard from Machine Gun by Jimi Hendrix and other recordings. You may also add in a high octave and blend the octaves to your liking to produce your signature sound. The Octavius is controllable using the Boost, Master Mix, Lo Oct, and Hight Oct knobs.
Pro Co FATRAT
Building off the original RAT pedals’ foundation and popularity, the Pro Co FATRAT distortion pedal is entirely developed in the US and boasts full tonal flexibility via a selection of original or MOSFET clipping circuits. The new unit’s MOSFET clipping section gives you a mild smoothing in the upper mids and a more amp-esque tone throughout the RAT’s range, sans losing the classic pedal’s basic feel. The FATRAT also includes a bass enhancement that improves the bass response, suitable for guitarists and bassists who tune down their instruments.
Xvive Amplitone
Budget guitar effects pedal company Xvive’s Amplitone is a pint-sized powerhouse that can boost your amp all the way to its limits. It delivers up to 20dB of clean analog boost powered by a FET input stage that can dish out vintage tube-style distortion if you place it behind a drive box. A Tone knob lets you balance the bass and treble mix, lifting one up without drowning out the other. It also has a Tone toggle that lets you turn the tone control effect on and off.
Morley Man FX Dual Boost Distortion
The folks at Morley know a thing or two about good guitar tone. They also know that sometimes some extra gain muscle is all that separates a milquetoast solo from a killer one during a gig. That knowledge and experience are evident in the Morley Man FX Dual Boost Distortion. a classic analog distortion pedal with two separate boost switches for cutting through the mix. The clean boost gives you up to 20dB of extra gain, while the distortion boost gives you another 15dB.
Tech 21 BST-D
Looking for big, tight, aggressive distortion? That’s exactly what you get with Tech 21’s Boost Distortion guitar effects pedal. Dial in your perfect dirt tone with the dedicated Level, Tone, and Drive knobs then use the unique Sag pot to control the distortion effect’s dynamic pick attack response. The Boost Distortion doesn’t just add dirt to your signal, though; a separate Boost section gives you up to 21dB of punchy, crystal clear signal juice to take your signal over the edge.
Two Notes Le Crunch
Two Notes’ Le Crunch dual channel preamp pedal packs the classic vintage crunch attack of a Marshall amp stack—the defining sound of rock’n’roll. Channel A is pure plexi overdrive, while channel B kicks things up into a higher gear with more gain and a powerful post-gain EQ. These channels can be used independently, in parallel, or cascaded for extreme tonal versatility. Each channel also features its own dedicated control knobs and EQ sections for iron fisted tone tweaking.
MOOER 004 Day Tripper
Mooer Audio’s Micro Preamp line of guitar effects pedals is all about giving shoestring budget shoegazers easy and affordable access to the legendary tones served up by classic and boutique amp models. The Mooer 004 Day Tripper is packed full of British grit courtesy of the classic Vox AC30, an amp that’s been used in thousands of hit records. It comes with two switchable channels as well as volume, gain, bass, mid, and treble controls. It also features a cab sim on and off switch.
Lehle Sunday Driver
Maximize your guitar tone with the Sunday Driver by Lehle. This high-end preamp comes in a portable footprint. It boasts JFET-based circuitry and gives you two operation modes. It eradicates signal loss through effects and leads, keeping your signal clear and strong. Position the Sunday Driver preamp between your amp and pedals, select the Driver setting and get ready for tonal bliss—regardless of how many stompboxes you are running. With the Sunday Driver, your sound becomes fuller, livelier, and more dynamic.
Carl Martin 3 Band Parametric Preamp
Carl Martin’s 3 Band Parametric Preamp is specially designed for use with your acoustic instruments. These instruments often necessitate a balanced line driver and high-quality EQ. Carl Martin packed those features within a handy stompbox enclosure with both XLR and 1/4″ outputs. For supreme flexibility, Carl Martin deemed it essential to build a top-grade 3 band semi-parametric EQ. Its 3 Band Parametric Preamp also works well for direct studio recordings and tweaking the sound of electronic instruments.
Pigtronix Bob Weir’s Real Deal
The Pigtronix Bob Weir’s Real Deal acoustic preamp gives you a very clear, screaming acoustic guitar tone while faithfully preserving the natural wooden sound of your instrument. It is universally compatible with all kinds of acoustic guitar pickup—from a simple, passive piezo element to intricate active systems leveraging internal microphones, magnetic pickups, and/or contact elements. The Bob Weir’s Real Deal features 60db gain on microphone channel and crossover sweeps from 300Hz to 3kHz. It consists of Volume, Piezo, Crossover, and Microphone controls.
Joyo JF-307
The JF-307 Clean Glass guitar effects pedal from Joyo brings the classic tone of blackface-era Fender amps straight to your feet. As its name suggests, this tiny stompbox does justice to Fender’s classic twangy and clear clean channel sound. There’s also a dedicated Drive knob for when you want to add saturated, sustain-friendly dirt. The JF-306 Night Train is an Ironman pedal, so it’s small enough to fit in your front pocket and features a flip cover to keep your control dial settings safe.
Blackstar LT Boost
Blackstar’s LT Boost overdrive pedal allows you to push your amp over the edge. Its patent-applied-for gain circuit brings you every tube-like tone and response you wish. Unlike other boost boxes that carry only one knob, the LT Boost provides three controls—BASS, GAIN, and TREBLE. The BASS and TREBLE knobs can function as a frequency boost or cut. Delivering anything from warm boost to pushed overdrive tones, the Blackstar LT Boost will surely give you the edge you need.
JHS Pedals Milkman
The Milkman is a convenient two-in-one pedal with a tiny footprint that easily fits into your rig. It is a collaborative concept between JHS Pedals’ Josh Scott and Milkman Sound’s Tim Marcus, aiming to build a pedal that serves up an echo/slap delay and boost which can double as an always-on enhancer. If you play rockabilly, surf, country, swing, or just about any other style of good old American twang, then you need to get your hands on the Milkman.
Black Cat Pedals OD-Boost
The OD-Boost is a two-channel boost/overdrive pedal combining the OD-1 with a clean boost circuit. Both channels can be utilized individually or together simultaneously. The OD-Boost is a dynamic, robust, and extremely loud pedal that lets you find and explore the best grades of raw, unprocessed dirt. The pedal carries VOLUME and DRIVE knobs for the OD channel, and a BOOST knob to adjust the Boost channel’s level. The Boost and OD channels complement each other well, with several valuable combinations possible by changing the order of the channels and blending the circuits.
Xotic BB Plus
The BB Plus from boutique guitar effects pedal company Xotic is a dual channel boost and overdrive preamp stomp that boasts amazing tonal transparency. Channel A houses the heart of the original BB Preamp and packs the same amp-like tones that made the BB Preamp famous. Channel B, meanwhile, features one of Xotic’s most veratile booster circuits ever with its own three-band EQ stack. Go combo with Channel A, plexi with Channel B, or stack both in any order you want.
Electro-Harmonix The Mole
Dig deep into the bowels of your sound to unearth low-end frequencies that are positively subterranean. The Mole bass booster pedal from Electro-Harmonix gives your signal’s low frequencies a rich tone and a 20dB boost. Operation is dead simple: dial in the amount of boost via the Boost knob and step on the footswitch to start rattling ribcages. Whether you’re a guitarist or a bassist, this little critter will let you plumb the depths of your bottom end.
J. Rockett Lenny
Considered a “happy accident,” the Lenny is a reproduction of the iconic Dumble Steel String Singer popularized by Stevie Ray Vaughan. The plan was to build a Steel String Singer being pushed to give color, feel, and texture versus a merely clean and loud tone. It is a highly musical boost that adds color to your tone, in an inspiring fashion like a Neve console. The Lenny features a definite mid character as well as a sound that cuts through a mix. It also takes advantage of the advanced Speed Switch system.
Modulation Pedals
JHS Pedals Emperor V2
The JHS Pedals Emperor V2 is a vintage-correct vibrato/chorus effect capable of achieving the Arion SCH-1’s distinct sound. It serves as a do-it-all modulation solution whether you want a seasick vibrato, convincing rotary simulation, or mild sheen. It leverages a Bucket Brigade 3207 chipset to nail the warmth of ‘80s-esque analog chorus pedals. JHS Pedals has also incorporated adequate onboard and outboard control, so you stay in full command of the Emperor’s voice. The V2 boasts an improved EQ knob and prevents low-end loss.
Caline CP-13 Super Chorus
The Caline CP-13 Super Chorus guitar effects pedal is an all-analog classic chorus stompbox that gives you a wide range of different chorus tones. Versatile, reliable, and quiet as a whisper, the CP-13 is the perfect chorus pedal for guitarists working with a shoestring budget. Its two-knob Depth and Rate controls let you create surprisingly versatile chorus effects that fatten up and enhance your guitar’s sound. The Caline Cp-13 Super Chorus comes with a true bypass feature.
Rowin Ensemble
The LN-304 Ensemble chorus pedal serves up the classic sound of a vintage Roland Jazz Chorus thanks to a circuit based around an MN3207 bucket brigade device chip. Budget guitar effects pedal maker Rowin managed to pack an impressive pure and warm chorus sound into the LN-304’s tiny chassis and even gave it two distinct voicing modes, Normal and Deep, which you can switch between using an integrated two-way selector toggle. The LN-304 Ensemble also features dedicated Level, Depth, and Rate pots for precise tonal control.
Joyo Future Chorus
Despite its name, the JF-316 Future Chorus guitar effects pedal from Joyo has a wealth of deep, rich chorus tones that, unlike other chorus pedals, don’t have a metallic, flange-like tinge. Harmonically intricate chorus sounds can be dialed in via the simple Level, Depth, and Rate control knob layout. As an Ironman pedal, the JF-316 Future Chorus is small enough to fit in your front pocket and features a flip cover to keep your control dial settings safe.
Carl Martin Classic Chorus
Carl Martin spent a year researching and creating the Classic Chorus for the vintage guitar nut in you. The pedal comes in a solid diecast housing consists of off-white chicken-head knobs. Plug into this pedal, step on the Bypass switch to on the effect, tweak the depth and speed controls to achieve your preferred chorus effect, and then raise the level to show off the awesomeness of your sound. You will be astonished at how the Classic Chorus brings you back to the “day” with its full, round, classic chorus sound.
Dunlop Uni-Vibe
The MXR Uni-Vibe Chorus/Vibrato gives you classic tones and textures with a more compact footprint, straightforward three-knob layout, and true bypass switching. It delivers the exact rich, chewy textures that players have utilized since the late 1960s. Designed with today’s gigging players in mind, the effect comes in a regular MXR housing—a fraction of the weight and size of the original. The MXR Uni-Vibe consists of Depth, Level, and Speed knobs that let you dial in the effect to your liking.
Xotic Robotalk 2
The original Robotalk has long been one of Xotic’s most popular boutique guitar effects pedals. They’ve since brought it back in a big way via the new and improved Robotalk 2. This dual channel envelope filter packs quite the feature list, with the two independently voiced and stackable channels being number one. Each channel is distinct, giving you a wide range of hyper-saturated wah tones whichever one you use. When you’re ready to get down and dirty, though, stacking them together is the way to go.
Electro-Harmonix BassBalls
The BassBalls Twin Dynamic Envelope Filter effects pedal from Electro-Harmonix uses not just one but two narrow sweeping filters to process your signal and give your tone a unique vocal quality. Use the Response control knob to modify the very variable sweep range determined by your own picking attack. The BassBalls also comes with an integrated distortion switch to crank up your harmonics. The BassBalls is specifically optimized for bass signals but also works extremely well when used with a guitar.
Dwarfcraft Devices Happiness
Dwarfcraft Devices’ Happiness multi-filter effects pedal is sure to put a smile on the face of any lover of synth sounds. This feature-rich multi-mode filter pedal lets you create a wide range of spacey synth-inspired tones via its low pass, band pass, and high pass filtering. With seven dedicated control dials and two separate selector switches, the sky’s the limit when it comes to tone sculpting, even for the most consummate stompbox sound shapers. Happiness also works well with basses, drum machines, and synths.
DOD Gonkulator
The DOD Gonkulator packs two effects into a single chassis consists of Ring, Frequency, Output, Distortion, and Gain knobs. It is capable of the clangy, robotic sounds of the ’90s original plus the ability to cover distorted experimental ground. The Gonkulator pushes boundaries and makes statements with boundless modulating effects. Other features include an adjustable carrier signal, lighter aluminum chassis, true bypass circuitry, and revamped PSU jack. True bypass lets your tone stay pristine even when the pedal is off.
Electro-Harmonix Frequency Analyzer
The Frequency Analyzer XO guitar effects pedal from Electro-Harmonix is, at its most basic, a ring modulator, but the sounds it can produce go way beyond what your garden variety ring modulators are capable of. This updated stompbox adds moving harmonies to the notes you play while integrated high order filters enhance the variety of the harmonies and cut down on cross-distortions. Dedicated Blend, Fine, and Shift controls make it easy to dial in the perfect techno-tinged sound for your purposes.
Maxon 9-Series Auto Filter
Maxon’s AF-9 Auto Filter loads the coolest auto-wah and swept filter effects into a portable, user-friendly enclosure. Opto-coupler circuitry emulates the shimmering, watery filtering of iconic vintage units. The AF-9 consists of Threshold and Peak sliders that let you adjust the degree of effect as well as Drive and Range switches that determine the filter sweep’s direction and range. The 100 Hz to 4 kHz frequency range and three selectable filter types (Hi Pass, Low Pass, and Band Pass) enable the AF-9 to work with just about any instrument or input signal.
Rowin Mod Station
A ton of high-quality modulation effects, all packed into a small, very affordable stompbox that you can carry around in your pocket. The powerful LEF-3808 Mod Station multi-effects stomp from budget guitar effects pedal manufacturer Rowin comes with eleven distinct modulation effects, all of which can be further tweaked via its dedicated Level, Speed, and Depth pots. Its footswitch is also multi-functional: pressing down twice will switch between fixed and non-fixed mode while holding it down will let you store a setting you like.
Eventide ModFactor
When it comes to modulation effects, Eventide’s ModFactor multi-effects pedal is the pinnacle. You get all the classics—Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Rotary, Tremolo, and Vibrato—plus a couple of unique Eventide effects. There’s the dreamy, pulsating Undulator, which combines two delays, two detuned voices, and a tremolo effect. Also included is a RIngMod effect that adds futuristic bell-like overtones to your sound. The ModFactor can hold up to 100 presets, has true analog bypass, and supports real-time control via MIDI or expression pedal.
Maxon FL-9 Flanger
The FL-9 Flanger from Maxon features a pure analog signal path that leverages the Panasonic MN3207 BBD IC to deliver some of the beefiest flanging and time-delay effects possible. Regeneration, Rate, and Depth dials enable you to achieve anything from lush jet-esque flanging sweeps to hollow metallic overtones to shimmering chorus and vibrato. Besides the standard controls, the FL-9 carries a Delay Time knob which allows for an extensive range of unique spatial effects. Silent operation makes it suitable for studio or on-stage use.
Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress
The original Electric Mistress’ slithering, rippling modulation effects are once again being made easily available to flang-heads thanks to the Deluxe Electric Mistress XO from Electro-Harmonix. This isn’t just a straight reissue of the classic analog pedal, though. The Deluxe Electric Mistress XO still packs the same rich flange effects and the much-loved Filter Matrix mode, but in a new pedalboard-friendly chassis that features true bypass and can be powered by a standard 9V battery or compatible power supply.
Marshall Regenerator
Give your pedalboard an extra dose of ambiance with the RG-1 Regenerator, a two-in-one chorus and phaser guitar effects pedal from tone masters Marshall. Think of it as the ‘80s sound crammed into a sturdy, compact stompbox. You get six easily customizable modes: chorus, M chorus, flanger, phaser, step phaser, and V vibe, with the latter two being particular standouts. Separate speed and depth dials let you tailor the RG-1 Regenerator’s sound to your exact tonal tastes, plus there’s a dedicated knob for controlling the effect’s intensity.
Ibanez FL9
The FL9 Flanger by Ibanez delivers vintage flanger tones with different controls. It includes knobs for Delay Time, Width, Regen, and Speed. The FL9 boasts a full frequency response, zero clock noise, wide operation range, and durable construction. Similar circuitry and famed flanging effects of the vintage ’80s model but built to closer tolerances for better consistency. If you are in the market for an original, now is the perfect time to bring this ’80s favorite home.
Rowin Phaser
Budget guitar effects pedal maker Rowin seems to be addicted to making their already tiny pedals even smaller. Such is the case with the LN-313 Phaser, the nano-sized version of Rowin’s LEF-313 Phaser. Like its bigger brother, the LN-313 Phaser packs more versatility and bigger phaser sounds than its size and price would suggest. It also features the same two switchable phaser modes: the warm, old-school Vintage mode and the more modern, full-bodied Modern mode.
Source Audio Soundblox2 Orbital Modulator
Boasting a diverse sound palette, the Source Audio Soundblox 2 Orbital Modulator is an ultra-compact, versatile, and sturdy multi-effects pedal. It features a dynamic arsenal of precision-engineered flanger, tremolo, chorus, and phaser effects. Nine adjustable parameters, twelve effect types, and internal/external modulation control elevate it way beyond the sonic limitations of old-school modulation pedals. The Orbital Modulator’s rack-mount power gives you infinite modulation possibilities, including variable notch phasers, rotary speaker simulation, through zero flange, multi-voiced choruses, and many more.
Empress Effects Phaser
Leveraging an innovative VCA-based design, the Empress Effects Phaser delivers exceptional signal-to-noise ratio. It is the new generation in the advancement of digitally-controlled analog tech. It boasts a pure analog signal path but is managed by a microprocessor, enabling it to preserve its analog flavor and character while adding possibilities for adaptability and control. It is capable of very funky auto-wah, classic jet sounds, and ring modulators, as well as Univibe and vibrato sounds on tap.
Walrus Audio Vanguard
From thick harmonic sweeps to waves of symphonic phase effects, the Vanguard dual phase pedal from boutique guitar effects pedal maker Walrus Audio is built to push your sound’s sonic boundaries further than you thought possible. The Vanguard comes packed with not one but two phaser circuits that act in series with one another. You can use a single 10-stage phaser or run your phased signal through a second phase circuit to create unprecedented and complex tonal textures.
Eventide ModFactor
When it comes to modulation effects, Eventide’s ModFactor multi-effects pedal is the pinnacle. You get all the classics—Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Rotary, Tremolo, and Vibrato—plus a couple of unique Eventide effects. There’s the dreamy, pulsating Undulator, which combines two delays, two detuned voices, and a tremolo effect. Also included is a RIngMod effect that adds futuristic bell-like overtones to your sound. The ModFactor can hold up to 100 presets, has true analog bypass, and supports real-time control via MIDI or expression pedal.
Fender Lost Highway Phaser
The Lost Highway Phaser by Fender delivers a powerful, versatile analog phasing to your rig. This eight-stage analog phaser boasts switchable waveforms and speeds. It also includes a sensitivity control that enables modulation rate changes according to your playing dynamics. A Fender amp jewel LED adds a classic one-two audiovisual punch to your pedalboard. LED-backlit knobs let you see your control settings on a dim stage quickly. The Lost Highway Phaser comes in a sturdy, player-friendly design.
Catalinbread Valcoder
The Catalinbread Valcoder takes ’60s Valco-style tremolo in a pedalboard-friendly package. Catalinbread has revamped its 2008 Valcoder pedal to include separate Output and Input knobs that provide greater creative flexibility and allow you to produce more sounds. The Valcoder features an all-discrete analog circuitry that reacts to your picking style. You can now enjoy the real-feel ’60s amp experience without needing to lug around a vintage heavy tube amp. All you need is some cables, your guitar, and the Valcoder!
Joyo Extreme Metal
The JF-17 Extreme Metal guitar effect pedal’s name speaks for itself. This distortion pedal from Joyo serves up epic metal tones swimming in defined highs and subterranean bass; cut or boost the mids–it’s your choice. In fact, the three-band EQ lets you boost or cut whichever frequency you want. The JF-17 Extreme Metal, by itself, already goes up to 11, but once you engage the Boost switch, which has its own Boost dial, you can crank this baby up to 12.
Xvive V16 Undulator
With two types of tremolo modulation writhing under its hood, the Undulator all analog tremolo effects stomp from budget guitar effects pedal maker Xvive is one versatile beast. It gives you a choice between sine and square wave shapes and features true stereo outputs. Want to stick to mono? The Undulator does that well, too. Simple Speed and Depth controls keep the Undulator an easy to use but extremely musical tremolo pedal. The Undulator also features true bypass switching.
Walrus Audio Monument V2
The Monument dual footswitch stompbox from Walrus Audio is essentially two tremolo effects in one. It’s both a harmonic and standard tremolo that lets you whip up a slew of rich modulation pulses with peaks and valleys that can be as smooth or as sharply jagged as you want them to be. The Monument V2 features a pretty sizeable redesign and has a much smaller form factor while still retaining the original’s terrific tremolo tone.
Morley Mini Tremonti
The Morley Mini Tremonti A Dying Machine Wah effects pedal packs all of the features in Mark Tremonti’s signature Morley wah into a pedalboard-friendly chassis wrapped in the album art for his album “A Dying Machine.” The hybrid classic-modern sound and sweep of the Mini Tremonti’s big brother is there as well as the extra 20dB of gain muscle. While small, the Mini Tremonti still features Morley’s electro-optical structure, True-Tone Buffer Bypass, and switchless operation.
Donner Golden Tremolo
The Donner Golden Tremolo pedal lets you enjoy classic tremolo effects with a massive range of depths and speeds. You can use the Bias knob to adjust the color of the sound. The Golden Tremolo consists of dedicated Depth, Speed, and Bias knobs that enable you to dial in the sound you want. It comes in an all-metal housing that makes it compact and exquisite. Like other amazing effects pedals, it also includes true bypass as well as an LED indicator.
TC Electronic Tailspin
The Tailspin Vibrato by TC Electronic serves up a ton of gorgeously-vintage vibrato tones within a stompbox. Boasting a pure analog, bucket-brigade design, the Tailspin Vibrato gives you anything from pitch-bendy, warped-vinyl tones to gentle wobbles to incredibly smooth slow or fast whirling-speaker organ sounds. A durable metal enclosure with dedicated Output, Input, and True Bypass indicates that the Tailspin Vibrato is both pedalboard-friendly and roadworthy. Grab one now for wave after wave of vintage goodness.
Dunlop Uni-Vibe
The MXR Uni-Vibe Chorus/Vibrato gives you classic tones and textures with a more compact footprint, straightforward three-knob layout, and true bypass switching. It delivers the exact rich, chewy textures that players have utilized since the late 1960s. Designed with today’s gigging players in mind, the effect comes in a regular MXR housing—a fraction of the weight and size of the original. The MXR Uni-Vibe consists of Depth, Level, and Speed knobs that let you dial in the effect to your liking.
Eventide H9 Core
Eventide H9 Core
The H9 Core acts as the entry-level version of Eventide’s monstrous H9 MAX multi-effects pedal. It comes with 25 presets from the original glitch-heavy, pitch-shifting H910/H949 Harmonizers, plus for a fee, you can augment its effects arsenal via the H9 Control app. You can pick and choose the effects you purchase to make an H9 Core that’s truly unique to your needs, or just go all out and turn your H9 Core into an H9 MAX.
EarthQuaker Devices Aqueduct
Wobbles, trills, pulsations, bends, squiggles, and wiggles—you get all these and more with EarthQuaker Devices’ Aqueduct pitch vibrato guitar effects pedal. This vintage-inspired stompbox uses eight different modulation modes to serve up almost any kind of pitch vibrato effect your mind can think of. Its intuitive and easy-to-use interface features only three knobs: one for Rate, another for Depth, and a rotary selector for picking the modulation mode—but those three are really all you need to break new sonic boundaries.
Catalinbread Callisto
The Callisto’s elegant, versatile feature set and compact size make it an invaluable addition to your pedalboard. It integrates several top-grade components to give you the best tonal response possible. It features a reliable, precise Bucket Brigade chip and Burr-Brown op-amp for clean amplification. The Callisto allows you continuous control of Mix, Density, Rate, and Width for 100% organic tones and impeccable impact. You can get wonderfully wobbly vibrato and chimey, glistening chorus effects in one sturdy footswitch-operated chassis.
Eventide ModFactor
When it comes to modulation effects, Eventide’s ModFactor multi-effects pedal is the pinnacle. You get all the classics—Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Rotary, Tremolo, and Vibrato—plus a couple of unique Eventide effects. There’s the dreamy, pulsating Undulator, which combines two delays, two detuned voices, and a tremolo effect. Also included is a RIngMod effect that adds futuristic bell-like overtones to your sound. The ModFactor can hold up to 100 presets, has true analog bypass, and supports real-time control via MIDI or expression pedal.
MXR Siete Santos Octavio Fuzz
The MXR Siete Santos Octavio Fuzz features a searing circuit spec’d from the Jimi Hendrix Octavio Fuzz, revamped for the Reverend Billy F. Gibbons featuring an AC power jack for modern convenience and seven-band EQ for tone shaping. It couples the Octavio Fuzz circuit with seven graphic EQ sliders so you can boost or cut a whole frequency spectrum, from 100Hz to 6.4kHz, by ±18dB. It retains the Fuzz and Level controls from the original unit. The Siete Santos Octavio Fuzz is perfect if you want to borrow some of Rev. Willie’s magic.
DigiTech Whammy Ricochet
The Whammy Ricochet brings you the effects of DigiTech’s legendary Whammy without a bulky treadle. This compact pitch shift pedal is controllable using its momentary footswitch. The Whammy Ricochet is simple, featuring a Range toggle switch and seven selectable pitch intervals giving you several tone-bending options. It also includes an LED ladder that displays your shift trajectory and a latching footswitch mode, which allows you to fall or rise to pitch and remain there. All that combine to form the signature Whammy pitch-shifting along with new sounds.
Aguilar Octamizer
All bassists crave a deep, organic tone. The Octamizer produces an extensive range of musical sounds one octave below your original note. It boasts independent volume controls for both the Octave and Clean sounds, making dialing in the perfect amount of each a breeze. Both discrete signal paths have their tone controls intended to improve and broaden their musical possibilities. The CLEAN TONE control allows for boosting of bass while cutting treble and vice versa, while the OCTAVE FILTER control allows you to shape the octave sound from deep and smooth to aggressive and edgy.
Danelectro DJ-12 Chili Dog Octave Mini
A seriously musical stompbox for the shoegazer on a shoestring budget. The Danelectro DJ-12 Chili Dog Octave can generate up to two extra octave tones, each of which has its own control knob. OCT1 gives you a clear, more treble-focused tone one octave down from your guitar signal while OCT2 is a heavier, more pure-sounding tone that’s also dropped one octave down. This guitar effect pedal can also track notes pretty well, even bent ones.
MXR Sub Octave Bass Fuzz
The Sub Octave Bass Fuzz by MXR serves up a roaring low end with earth-shaking fuzz. It combines two distinct fuzzes with a snarling sub-octave signal, boasting a range of controls for fine-tuning your sound, including an individual Dry volume knob to guarantee clean low-end retention. The engineers at MXR combined the Bass Octave Deluxe’s Growl section with a long-forgotten fuzz circuit. With three independent output level controls for dry signals, fuzz, and sub-octave, you can craft your recipe of subterranean tones sans compromising your instrument’s natural sound.
Rowin Harmonizer
The LEF-3807 Harmonizer from budget guitar effects manufacturer Rowin is a three-mode pitch shifter and harmonizer pedal with a compact, pedalboard-friendly form factor. It can serve up a lush harmony with precise polyphonic pitch shifting as well as a spacey chorus-like detune effect. The Harmonizer has a ±2 octave pitch range, with up to 16 optional parameters that you can select via a dedicated Range dial. A three-way toggle switch that lets you go Up, Detune, and Down, combined with Dry and Wet knobs, give you a very wide range of shifting flavors.
Timing, Dynamics & EQ Pedals
Caroline Kilobyte Lo Fi Delay
If you are big on Lo-Fi and ’80s digital delay, the Kilobyte Lo-Fi Delay from Caroline Guitar Company is perfect for you. Kilobyte has established itself as among the most comprehensive digital delay pedals available in the market. It features a powerful preamp with +21dB boost, Jack DeVille-designed modulation circuit, all-analog signal path, and a low-fi digital delay chip often used for low fidelity sound equipment such as children’s toys and karaoke machines.
Way Huge Aqua-Puss MkII
The Aqua-Puss Analog Delay MkII from Way Huge is making its epic comeback, geared to bathe a tone-thirsty world in beautifully smooth delay. With a roll of the Delay control, you can go from a tight 20ms delay to whooping 300ms. The Feedback knob adjusts delay duration and intensity. Be warned though as extreme settings can send the pedal into a self-oscillating insane mode. The Aqua-Puss Analog Delay MkII dishes out vintage delay tones and tape-based echo without the hassle of old-fashioned gear.
TC Electronic Flashback Triple Delay
The Flashback Triple Delay is an extraordinary three-engine delay pedal boasting versatile engine routing, inbuilt TonePrints, and subdivision control. Three individual engines enable you to run up to three different delays simultaneously, in parallel or in series, to produce luscious effects. Use the dedicated subdivision knob to assign rhythmic patterns to every delay, with eleven distinct settings providing you with plenty of creative scopes. The Flashback Triple Delay lets you go as insane as your imagination permits.
TC Electronic Gauss Tape Echo
Hardly any delay effects are more legendary or revered than vintage tape echo machines. Their warm, thick tones have become the thing of icons, but they are elusive, expensive, and pretty temperamental—that is until now. The TC Electronic Gauss Tape Echo is a vintage-esque echo pedal that naturally simulates the sound of those iconic tape echo machines, works great with others, and is budget-friendly. It boasts a very responsive and simple three-knob layout with control over Volume, Sustain, and Delay.
EarthQuaker Devices Space Spiral V2
Feeling adventurous? The Space Spiral analog-voiced digital delay guitar effects pedal is the perfect companion for delay addicts who want to break new sonic ground. A digital engine serves up to 600ms of analog-style repeats, while an onboard variable waveshape low-frequency oscillator lets you switch from a smooth triangle shape to a sudden and choppy square wave. V2 of the Space Spiral features Flexi-Switching; tap the footswitch once to use it as a latching switch or hold it down to make it act as a momentary-type switch.
Pigtronix Echolution 2
The Echolution 2 by Pigtronix serves up arguably the most sophisticated collection of delay effects ever. It gives you a delay line with as much as 12 seconds of delay and two taps that you can subdivide into several time divisions to produce cool rhythmical effects. An envelope, LFO, and innovative multimode analog filter allow you to create cool modulation effects. The Echolution 2 features a Halo mode that imparts sparkle to your sound. As if that were not enough, it boasts advanced control options, 60 killer presets, and much more.
MOSKY Spring Reverb Mini
The Spring Reverb is budget guitar effects pedal manufacturer Mosky Audio’s affordable version of the Malekko Omicron Spring Reverb, the first spring reverb mini pedal to hit the market. You get low-noise spring reverb with a near-bottomless depth thanks to a unique dwell circuit. You can control the reverb rate via the Dwell knob and the dry/wet signal balance via the Mix knob. Perhaps best of all, the Spring Reverb is less than a quarter of the price of a Malekko.
EarthQuaker Devices Ghost Echo V3
The Ghost Echo vintage voiced reverb guitar effects pedal, a chimeric cross between analog and digital, is based on classic spring reverb units but is just as capable of dishing out cavernous hall-type reverb effects and rockabilly slapback delays. For its V3 update, EarthQuaker Devices kitted out the Ghost Echo with upgraded low-noise op-amps, twice the reverb signal output compared to the V2, and a recalibrated Dwell control knob that can trigger self-oscillations when cranked to the max.
TC Electronic Skysurfer
Credits to three amazing onboard, studio-quality reverb algorithms, the incredibly tasty Skysurfer Reverb from TC Electronic is the ultimate yet affordable answer to your reverb prayers and cravings. It serves as your one-way ticket to that perfect wave. It allows you to skim conveniently across churning ocean, sail through the ambient spray of the surf, or swim in a cavernous grotto. Built around exceptional studio-grade algorithms, the Skysurfer Reverb serves up all the rich, transparent reverb sounds you could ever imagine without sacrificing your natural tone.
Source Audio Soundblox2 Dimension Reverb
The Soundblox 2 Dimension Reverb from Source Audio serves up twelve different shades of reverb. You can select from six reflectively diverse room sounds, two spring and two plate reverbs, echo, and modulation reverb. It carries an assignable Option control allowing you to adjust nine distinct parameters: time, treble, bass, wet/dry mix, diffusion, modulation rate, pre-delay, output level, and modulation depth. The Soundblox 2 Dimension Reverb comes in a sturdy, compact cast aluminum enclosure with two user presets and multifunction in/out jacks compatible with MIDI, Hot Hand, or the Source Audio Dual Expression Pedal.
Laney Black Country Customs Secret Path
The Black Country Customs Secret Path by Laney is a charming pedal created reverbs for Plate and Spring, evocative of the glory days of vintage amp and studio tones coupled with contemporary sound quality and reliability. Boasting a solid metal chassis built, the Secret Path carries four control knobs as well as a three-way toggle switch that lets you select between three distinct modes: Plate, Spring, and The Secret Path. This ultra-versatile reverb pedal has plenty of great qualities.
Mad Professor Kosmos
The Kosmos reverb guitar effects pedal from Mad Professor epitomizes the boutique pedal ethos by going above and beyond what a regular garden variety reverb stomp can do. It’s surprisingly feature-rich considering its small, pedalboard-friendly size. It’s packed with 11 reverb types, has a soft click footswitch that pulls double duty by triggering an “infinite” reverb effect when held down, a full complement of tone-shaping dials, and a unique Control knob that changes different parameters depending on the currently selected effect.
Boss BC-1X Bass Comp
The Boss BC-1X Bass Comp is a compressor pedal with attitude. Boasting Boss’ game-changing Multi-Dimensional Processing (MDP) technology for pro-level multiband compression and intelligent circuit controls, this easy-to-use effects pedal helps make sure you get a completely natural sound no matter the setting by applying just the right amount of compression to each of your signal’s frequencies. The Boss BC-1X Bass Comp is the easiest way to get studio-quality sound at every gig you play.
Keeley Aria
Two of Keeley’s most popular effects, combined in one stompbox. The Keeley Aria guitar effects pedal marries Keeley’s highly-transparent compressor circuit with the touch-sensitive overdrive circuit that powers the Red Dirt pedal. There’s a lot of versatility in this box; you get seven dedicated control knobs, plus the Drive channel has switchable low- and high-gain modes. Oh, and you can choose to put the compressor before or after the drive effect and even insert some other pedals between them.
Pigtronix Germanium Gold Micro
Get the classic Pigtronix custom shop distortion/sustainer/compressor effect in compact form with the Pigtronix Philosopher’s Tone Germanium Gold Micro. This superlative variant of the best-selling and award-winning Pigtronix Philosopher’s Tone compressor takes the optical sustain engine of the original unit and allows you to combine a layer of germanium-enhanced distortion. The Germanium Gold version’s unique diode arrangement provides you with a smooth top end and lush midrange response, configured to suit the components of the optical sustainer driving it.
Boss CP-1X Compressor
Powered by Boss’ game-changing Multi-Dimensional Processing (MDP) technology, the CP-1X Compressor is the vanguard of the next generation of compression effects pedals for guitars. Its four-knob interface makes it easy to preserve your tone’s character whatever genre you play, plus intelligent processing means you get a range of advanced dynamics control that you won’t find in the average compressor pedal. There’s even a handy gain reduction indicator so you can always tell exactly how much compression the pedal is applying.
Keeley Limiting Amplifier GC-2
The clear, iron-fisted tone control of the Keeley Bassist pedal, in a design that works for guitars, keyboards, and other instruments. The GC-2’s THAT Corp 4320 op-amp gives you low noise and high sonic fidelity; it’s like having an affordable studio-grade compressor and limiter with you all the time, whether you’re in-studio or onstage. Use it as a compressor to give your tone extra punch, as a limiter to keep your amp from edging into distortion territory, or just use it as a clean boost for cutting through the mix.
Vox Snake Charmer Compressor
The Snake Charmer Compressor is another amazing pedal from Vox’s Cooltron series. Its tube compression circuitry delivers smoothing tone control for balancing out spikes and peaks while preserving the overall gain consistency. A Low/High switch allows you to select between two overall ratio levels. Gain reduction controls include release and attack. A Gain Reduction Indicator provides you visual cues of the results of your settings. Other features include a High-End Emphasis control to fine-tune the amount of compression placed over the guitar signal.
MXR Ten Band EQ
The Ten Band EQ by MXR has been updated with true bypass switching, noise-reduction circuitry, brighter LEDs for enhanced visibility, a lightweight aluminum chassis, and a second output so you can run two independent signal chains. Featuring ten meticulously picked frequencies and input/output level controls, the Ten Band EQ allows you to tune your guitar or bass rig to any room quickly, produce earth-shaking low-end, warm up an amplified acoustic, restore level, punch, and treble response to a cramped pedalboard, and many more.
Boss GE-7 7-Band EQ
The Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer is one of the most useful guitar effect pedals you could ever add to your pedal chain. It doesn’t matter what style of music you play, its seven-band EQ will give you complete and precise control over your sound. The Boss GE-7 7-Band EQ’s equalizer ranges from 100Hz to 6.4kHz with a boost/cut of +/- 15dB per band, making it the ideal equalizer for guitar signals. Place it after your favorite distortion pedal and you can drastically cut down unwanted feedback.
ammoon EQ7
Adding an equalizer to your pedal chain can make a big difference in your tone, and with the ammoon EQ7 Mini Guitar Equalizer you won’t have to break the bank or even expand your pedalboard to do it. The EQ7, as its name suggests, has a seven-band EQ slider with an adjustable gain range of ±15dB per band and seven frequency centers— 63Hz, 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 1.0KHz, 2.2KHz, and 5KHz—for fine-tuning your guitar signal’s frequency range to your exact tastes.
Boss GEB-7 7-Band Bass EQ
The Boss GEB-7 Bass Equalizer is the pinnacle of seven-band equalizer pedals built specifically to handle the bottom-heavy frequency ranges of electric bass guitars, including five- and six-string models. Thanks to a frequency range that goes as low as 50Hz, the GEB-7 can also handle tone and depth adjustments for an upright bass outfitted with pickups. Each of the GEB-7’s seven EQ bands can be boosted or cut by up to 15dB, while a gain control features a range of +/-15dB.
Aguilar Tone Hammer
The Aguilar Tone Hammer preamp/direct box allows you to take full control of your tone. It is an invaluable addition to every bassist’s toolbox. Built on the OBP-3 preamp, the sturdy Tone Hammer boasts wholly sweepable midrange frequencies, treble, and bass controls. This powerful combination places multiple sculpting capabilities at your fingertips, and you may directly connect it to a live sound system or your recording rig. The Tone Hammer is rocking the Adaptive Gain Shaping circuitry, allowing you to dial in anything from serious overdrive to vintage tones.
JHS Pedals Haunting Mids
Find that scary good tone that haunts your imagination with the Haunting Mids from JHS Pedals. This simple yet frightfully effective sweepable-mids EQ preamp is capable of transforming just about any pedal or amp into a ghastly monster. It consists of Volume, Sweep, and Mids controls, as well as a Hi/Lo toggle. The Sweep and Mids knobs work in tandem to get the right frequencies to scoop or boost mid frequencies. The Haunting Mids is great for manipulating the midrange character of your drive pedal.
Latest Reviews
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The 5 Best Preamp Pedals
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The 6 Best Compressor Pedals
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The 5 Best Bass DI Pedals
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The 7 Best Wah Wah Pedals
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Latest News
Minneapolis pedal company Chase Bliss Audio has unleashed an adventurous delay-based unit called the Habit. Advertised as a “freeform sampler and musical sketchpad,” the Habit yields traditional delays with the
KMA Machines has announced a revamped and slimmed down version of its Wurhm distortion pedal—the Wurm 2. When the Wurhm first came to the music realm in 2020, it was
Boss has lifted the veil on two new digital stompboxes spec’d from its legendary RE-201 Space Echo—the RE-2 and RE-202. Stripping the RE-201 sound down to its core essentials, the
Line 6 has updated its cult-favorite DL4 Delay Modeler to MkII, hauling the 1999-dated original into the present-day era by some tonal tweaks and pretty aesthetic. Under the hood, the new-and-improved
Metallica electric guitar star Kirk Hammett has taken to Instagram to announce that his second signature Dunlop Cry Baby Wah is in the works. Dressed in a striking purple colorway
Way Huge has unveiled an aesthetic reimagining of its Saucy Box pedal, the limited-edition Chalky Box. Way Huge is popular for its quirky pedal names, such as the Overrated Special,
Mr Black Pedals has launched an expanded version of its Analog Chorus/Vibrato—the Analog Chorus/Vibrato Deluxe high-fidelity BBD time modulator. Built as an expansion of its highly-coveted three-knob predecessor, the new
Victory Amps has unveiled The Copper preamp stompbox spec’d from its 2019 Copper amp head. The Copper is an all-valve preamp voiced after British amps from the late 1950s. Players
Strymon has gone all-black with the limited-edition Midnight variants of its Deco, BigSky, and El Capistan pedals, each sporting black dials and a blacked-out chassis. In an Instagram post today,
Mexican stompbox manufacturer Paradox Effects has lifted the veil from the Carmesí all-pass phase modulator. With the new feature-laden phaser, you have the choice between four- and eight-stage phasing, with
At the request of players, the German pedal brand Nobels has revamped its highly-rated ODR-1 overdrive to include an internal Bass Cut switch under the stompbox’s battery cover to provide greater control
Fractal Audio has unleashed its most sophisticated amp modeler and multi-effects unit yet, the FM9. In this do-it-all floor unit, you get four DSP cores, multiple foot-switching capabilities, 100+ stompbox
Electro-Harmonix has announced the long-awaited reissue of its highly sought-after 1973 Violet Ram’s Head Big Muff, a circuit popularized by David Gilmour and acclaimed for its excellent sustain and articulate
Dunable Guitars has teamed up with Dave Davidson of the metal band Revocation for the new Eidolon Dave Davidson signature delay, reverb, and boost pedal. The Eidolon delivers 20 dB
TC Electronic has released a compact, budget-friendly take on the iconic Klon style of transparent overdrive stompboxes—the Zeus Drive. Sporting a similar compact form factor as TC Electronic’s Magus Pro
Utility Pedals
Korg Pitchblack Chromatic Tuner
Compact yet tough, the Korg Pitchblack Chromatic Tuner serves as your one-stomp ticket to staying in tune. This gig-bag essential loads exceptional functionality and accurate tuning into a sleek, portable floor unit that is convenient to use anywhere. An innovative chromatic floor tuner with a large LED screen makes it an indispensable tool for bassists and guitarists. When performing live, you will appreciate the Pitchblack’s clear, well-lit display and the large footswitch allows for convenient access. The Pitchblack’s sturdy aluminum enclosure makes it roadworthy.
BOSS TU-3s Tuner
The Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner is the go-to stompbox tuner for any and all serious musicians, and its little brother the Boss TU-3S Compact Chromatic Tuner serves up everything the TU-3 can, in a more compact form factor. Everything from the bigger TU-3’s performance and durability to its tuning functions and display are recreated in the TU-3S, minus the actual pedal switch. If you’re running low on precious pedalboard space, the Boss TU-3S Compact Chromatic Tuner is what you need.
Korg Pitchblack Custom (Blue)
Korg’s Pitchblack pedal tuner has established a reputation as a must-have tool for any pedalboard due to its excellent visibility, high sensitivity, and solid built. To continue its legacy, Korg launched the Pitchblack Custom, which gives you unprecedented precision and visibility. Besides the ultra-high +/- 0.1 cent tuning accuracy, the Pitchblack Custom includes true bypass switching that prevents any coloration or loss in your sound. It also features four kinds of meter display modes. The Pitchblack Custom comes in a limited edition bright blue finish and is built to provide years of worry-free operation.
TC Electronic Polytune Noir Mini 2
The original PolyTune Noir has set the benchmark for how supercool a tuner could be with its sleek black appearance and compact design. Now the PolyTune 2 Noir is a portable tuner featuring strobe, chromatic, and polyphonic tuning for quick and precise tuning. It comes with an ambient light detector and an ultra-bright 109-LED display that give you a clear and instant readout in any viewing condition. It loads the most groundbreaking tuning technology into an ultra-compact chassis sporting a basic black paint job.
Electro-Harmonix V256 Vocoder
With up to 256 adjustable vocoder bands, the V256 vocoder pedal from Electro-Harmonix is a true beast of a machine. Talking guitar effects, futuristic robotic voices, and gender-bending pitch adjustment are just some of the cool voicings you can create with the V256 and then store in up to nine onboard memory locations. It’s even got a Reflex Tune feature, giving you an auto-tune pitch correction effect that you can take with you on stage.
Carl Martin Tuner
The Carl Martin Tuner is attractive, simple, efficient, and handy for any type of guitarist. Housed in a classic die-cast black enclosure, the Tuner is switchable between standard readout and strobe. Both are clear, bright, and readable from a standing position. The Tuner is an excellent addition to your Carl Martin pedal collection. It features a true bypass on/off for a clean signal path, mute switch for silent tuning, and can be calibrated from 437 to 443.
Boss RC-202 Loop Station
The Boss RC-202 Loop Station is the perfect weapon for always-mobile beatboxers, club performers, and electronic musicians. With powerful looping and multi-effect functions packed into a compact tabletop unit, this two-track version of the popular RC-505 Loop Station features four Input FX and four Track FX, the ability to save loops to memories in real-time, and expanded foot control and MIDI capabilities. The Boss RC-202 Loop Station gives you full creative freedom whether you’re on stage or off.
Boss RC-505 Loop Station
As Boss’s flagship tabletop looper, the Boss RC-505 Loop Station is packed full of essential tools and features for serious beatboxers, club performers, and singers the world over. The RC-505 comes with five simultaneous stereo phrase tracks, each of which has its own dedicated controls and independent volume faders, plus you can apply up to three simultaneous effects to both its Input FX and Track FX sections. The RC-505 also features 99 phrase memories, 85 onboard rhythm patterns, external controller support, a USB port, and more.
JOYO AQUARIUS
The Aquarius guitar effects pedal from Joyo pulls double duty as both a multi-mode delay pedal and a looper. Use each function separately or use both simultaneously to create some truly righteous soundscapes. The delay section comes with eight different delay modes including digital, analog, and a glitchy 8-bit style delay. The looper part of the equation gives you up to five minutes of recording time. As a part of Joyo’s Revolution or R Series line of pedals, the Aquarius comes with some cool switchable ambient LED effects.
GOKKO Repeater
The GOKKO Repeater Looper GK-27 guitar effects pedal is a workhorse loop stomp at a price that’s very hard to beat. You get one control dial, one footswitch, and a lengthy 10 minutes of available loop time to craft your own highly intricate, multilayered tracks. Recording a loop and adding unlimited overdubs is simplicity in itself; press on the footswitch once to turn the LED red and you’re recording. Step in it again to turn the LED blue and that marks the end of the loop. Rinse, repeat, and enjoy.
Digitech TRIOPLUS
The DigiTech Trio+ is among the most impressive performance, writing, and practice tools for guitarists. This simple-to-use guitar pedal is built on DigiTech’s famed Trio technology which listens to your playing and instantly plays drum and bass accompaniment. The Trio+ gives you five additional genres for achieving the perfect feel. You select a genre and style variation, then start playing. The Trio+ pedal also includes three bass line modes that will fit any style of music you are playing.
ammoon Looper
The ammoon AP-09 Nano Loop Electric Guitar is a great budget clone of the venerable TC Electronics Ditto Looper Pedal, but with twice the maximum recording time. The AP-09 Nano Loop lets you record up to 10 minutes and comes with unlimited overdubs, undo, redo, and delete functions. Using it is as simple as stepping on a switch and turning a knob, of which it only has one to control the volume. You can also download and upload loops to the AP-09 Nano Loop via its integrated USB port.
ZVex Super Ringtone II
The Super Ringtone II is boutique guitar effects company Zvex’s juiced up 16 step version of the original Ringtone sequencer. This insanely versatile ring modulator can deliver everything from subtle, hypnotic detunes through to otherworldly laser battle sounds and all points between. You can use it no matter the time signature you’re playing in by choosing between 16 steps in the sequence. The Super Ringtone II also features tap tempo control, MIDI sync, a hold feature, eight programmable memory banks, and delta speed control.
Rowin Booster
The RW-LEF-318 Booster from budget guitar effects brand Rowin is a solid boost pedal choice, especially if your wallet is hurting and your pedalboard is getting a little too crowded. It serves up a high headroom signal boost that’s surprisingly transparent. If any coloration still creeps into your tone, the Booster comes with dedicated Bass and Treble EQ knobs for fine-tuning your sound. This reliable clean boost will do well straight in front of an amp or behind another drive or dirt stomp.
Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe
The Echolution 2 Deluxe from Pigtronix provides you with an unparalleled collection of delay effects and incredible on-the-fly programming versatility. An envelope, an LFO, and an exceptional multimode analog filter enable you to achieve cool modulation effects, and the Echolution 2 Deluxe’s Halo mode gives some sparkle to your sound. It comes packed with powerful real-time control options, 60 killer presets, and a comprehensive set of onboard controls that lets you craft and edit presets on the Echolution 2 Deluxe.
Donner Mod Square
The Donner Mod Square is a modulation pedal that lets you have seven modulation effects, including Flanger, Vibrato, Rotary, Tremolo, Phaser, Chorus A, and Chorus B, to add musical color to your tone. It comes in an aluminium-alloy chassis consists of three function knobs (Rate, Depth, and E.Level) for setting the effect level. Use the E.Level control to adjust the effect level, Depth for the effect depth, and Rate to set the effect speed. Mod Square also features a true bypass switch and an LED indicator that displays the working state.
TC Electronic Alter Ego X4
If you are into tap delays, you are perhaps a frustrated guitarist due to the bulk, maintenance, and reliability issues associated with those units. The Alter Ego X4 by TC Electronic gets you the iconic sound of several well-loved vintage tape delay units less the headaches. It provides you with the power of TC’s TonePrint tech to record and download presets from your iPhone straight to your pedal. Try the Alter Ego X4 and experience the sound of the most drool-inducing vintage delays.
Lehle 3 at 1
When performing live, changing instruments can be a pain without the 3at1 instrument switcher from Lehle. Constantly switching cables is difficult, and no one wants to hear a hum, pops, and clicks while doing it. No matter if you play keyboards, acoustic-electric guitar, or bass, the 3at1 easily handles any instrument or line-level input, and allows you to move between them quietly. With the 3at1, you are allowed stereo switching of as much as three different instruments to one output. You can control it and synchronize with other Lehle pedals through MIDI.
Xotic X-Blender
Boutique guitar effects pedal company Xotic’s X-Blender is a unique loop unit with a switchable parallel effects loop. That big knob in the middle controls the wet and dry signal mix, giving you complete tonal control over your sound. As you might expect from a high-end boutique effects loop pedal, the X-Blender remains completely transparent all throughout and dutifully preserves your core tone and signal. It features true bypass switching to eliminate any signal interference when you switch it off.
Morley Mini Classic Switchless Wah
A classic Morley wah sound in a small and affordable package. The Mini Classic Switchless Wah boasts all of Morley’s signature features: a classic wah tone powered by an MQ2 inductor, Electro-Optical circuitry so you don’t have to worry about worn out pots, silky smooth switchless operation, and True-Tone Bypass Buffer. If you’re looking for your first wah effects pedal—or even your first Morley wah—you won’t go wrong with the Morley Mini Classic Switchless Wah
Marshall P801
Every good pedalboard setup needs an amp footswitch or two. If you’re gunning your signal through a Marshall amp, then there’s no better fit than a Marshall footswitch. The Marshall PEDL-10008 or P801 single latching footswitch pedal gives you full control over your amp’s Channel signal. Run your guitar signal through the clean channel for softer passages, then use the P01 to seamlessly switch to the overdrive channel when it’s time to bust out a scorching-hot solo.
Morley Kiko Loureiro Mini Switchless Wah
The switchless signature wah pedal Morley created for Brazilian guitar virtuoso Kiko Loureiro is beautiful. Small, simple, and extremely musical, this little green monster is powered by a custom MQ2 inductor set to Loureiro’s favorite wah tone and sweep. It also features Morley’s famous Electro-Optical wah circuit design, True Tone bypass, and a glow-in-the-dark treadle design. Whether you plug in a guitar, a bass, or keyboards, the Kiko Loureiro Mini Switchless Wah will let your signal soar high above the mix as you lay down scorching hot grooves.
DigiTech RP1000
Get added control to express yourself at will with the DigiTech RP1000. It is the most advanced DigiTech guitar effects pedalboard system yet, featuring a killer collection of 200 presets and 160 effects to produce a tremendous range of tones. The RP1000 provides you with all the necessary tools from practice to recording. It integrates with your stompboxes and into your amp, not the other way around. It features exclusive Stompbox and Amp loops and does not interfere with your tone.
Boss FS-5U
The Boss FS-5U is a compact, lightweight, and durable momentary or non-latching footswitch built to withstand even the roughest and toughest of tours and stages. Plug the FS-5U into any guitar effects pedal that has external footswitch compatibility and you can engage that pedal’s effect only for as long as you keep your foot on the switch. The FS-5U is the perfect non-latching footswitch for getting those insane solo-punctuating sustains or hitting precisely-timed spot delays.
JHS Pedals Little Black Buffer
The Little Black Buffer by JHS Pedals is the remedy for poor guitar sound resulting from employing numerous pedals. Since it gives the perfect input impedance for your rig, you can quickly notice your guitar sound is reinvigorated with a full, natural tone that sounds like you are connected directly into your amp—regardless of how many pedals you utilize. The Little Black Buffer is your ticket to a sound signal chain and a small price to pay for tonal perfection.
Truetone Pure Tone
Before it changed its name to Truetone, Visual Sound had been making guitar effects pedals for two decades. Among the many innovations it created was the buffer circuit in its pedal releases. Now, under the Truetone moniker, that very same buffer circuit has been made available in pedal form. Put it first in your effects chain and the Truetone Pure Tone Buffer pedal will eliminate cable capacitance and tone suck, common headaches for musicians with long guitar cables.
Mission Engineering VM-Pro (Red)
Housed in a fiery red chassis, the VM-PRO by Mission Engineering is the most sophisticated volume pedal you will find. It addresses several common issues with volume pedals, which result in mismatching and tone sucking problems. It works with your baritone, bass, electro-acoustic, or electric guitars. The VM-PRO is also compatible with other electric and acoustic instruments such as steel guitars, electronic keyboards, and instrument microphones. It incorporates compatibility switches for utilization with passive/active pickups as well as fuzz pedals.
Mooer Microbuffer
Ever notice that the longer your cable gets, the worse your tone seems to become? It’s especially noticeable when you’re a consummate shoegazer with a pedalboard filled with dozens of interconnected pedals. The MBF1 Micro Buffer guitar effects pedal from budget stomp maker Mooer helps you minimize tone suck caused by pedal and cable impedance problems. Stick it in your pedal chain, choose a high or low EQ cut, and use the Boost knob to bump up the signal level in case of any volume loss.
Mosky Dec Mini
The Dec Buffer Booster from budget guitar effects pedal brand takes its circuit design and tonal cues from the Wampler Decibel+ buffer and boost pedal. It packs two essential pedalboard problem solvers into one compact pedal: excellent, stable signal buffering and a pristine clean boost. Controls are dead simple; you get one knob that controls the gain level and one footswitch. THe Dec Buffer Booster knows what it’s supposed to do and does it well.
Lehle Sunday Driver SW
The Sunday Driver SW from Lehle is a portable high-end preamp for acoustic and electrical instruments. It allows acoustic guitars, electric guitars and basses, as well as other stringed instruments like cellos, double basses, and violins to unleash their musical potential. Boasting a high-quality JFET technology, the Sunday Driver SW lets you switch between two operation modes: D (Driver) and S (Sunday). In off status, the Sunday Driver SW offers two modes of operation—TB (True Bypass) and TS (True Sound).
Behringer Noise Reducer
Cut all those annoying hums, buzzes, and unwanted noises out of your guitar signal entirely with the Behringer Noise Reducer NR300. You can dial in your perfect response using the Threshold and Decay knobs, use the send and return loop to reduce noise from your other pedals, or even cut out your signal entirely with a single stomp. If you love using guitars with single-coil pickups and high-gain amps but hate all those extra noises that clutter up your signal, this is the pedal for you.
MXR Noise Clamp
Clampdown on excess noise and hiss with the Noise Clamp pedal by MXR. By sensing the dry signal of your guitar, it lowers the noise level in the effect loop, putting the kibosh on even your noisiest signal. A single Trigger dial lets you select the volume threshold at which the Noise Clamp is active, and a green LED tells you whether the gate is on/off. The Noise Clamp can trim noise up to 26dB, preserving riff definition at massive gain levels.
Rowin Nosie Gate
Get rid of unwanted buzzes, hisses, and hums in your guitar signal with the LEF-319 Noise Gate from budget guitar effects pedal manufacturer Rowin. The Noise Gate does exactly what it says on the tin; it takes you guitar’s dry signal and eliminates the noise level within your effects loop. Just set the minimum volume threshold where the pedal’s functions kick in via a dedicated Threshold knob, choose Hard or Soft gating via the two-way selector, hit the footswitch, and enjoy noise-free playing.
Donner Noise Killer
The Noise Killer is arguably one of the most competitive noise gate pedals you can find on a limited budget. It delivers the core performance and features that are essential for a decent pedal of this kind. It lets you choose between Hard and Soft modes, which provide hard effect and soft effect of noise reduction respectively. The threshold range goes from -70dB to +10dB. The Noise Killer comes in an aluminium-alloy enclosure, and like many great effector pedals, it also features a true bypass function.
Alexander Pedals Defender
Don’t let the Defender Stargate Drive’s classic arcade game-inspired graphics fool you. This new stompbox from Alexander Pedals is a shapechanging beast that takes fuzz, distortion, and overdrive to intergalactic heights. The Defender allows you to create your quirky, clipped tones from various built-in modes. It offers several configurable options with preset storage and expression control. With simultaneously selectable “special effect” (PIT, SPC, FLT) and Distortion mode (OD, DST, FZ), it sets a course to marvelous guitar tone.
CNZ Audio Noise Gate
If you are looking to minimize the buzz in your signal when you are not playing, look no further. The Noise Gate from CNZ Audio successfully tames your overdrive pedals, guitar signal, and whole effects chains. The Toggle Switch includes two settings: the Soft setting relaxes on the release and lets it end less abruptly, while the Hard setting is ideal for removing undesired string noise and creating clean silence in between a heavy-metal riff’s notes.
Joyo GEM BOX III
The Gem Box III is Joyo’s flagship entry in the guitar multi-effects processor arena, and it packs quite a punch. The Gem Box III features 61 preamp models, 157 effect types, and 300 preset tones. It also comes loaded with 26 impulse responses, to which you can add your own via Joyo’s Studio software. For playing solo, the Gem Box III’s drum machine with 40 presets and 10 metronome rhythms will come in handy along with the 52-second looper. And when it’s time to hit the stage, this sturdy unit will hold up to the rigors of the road.
Mooer Micro Drummer
Rock, pop, jazz, R&B, funk, latin, metal, blues, reggae—whatever style of music you play, the Micro Drummer can serve up a pretty authentic drum track emulation for it. This digital drum machine guitar effects pedal from budget stompbox masters Mooer is packed with 121 different drumbeat patterns spread across 11 genres. Just pick a genre with the rotary selector, dial in your preferred volume, speed, and tone, and then use the tap tempo to get the beat you want.
Singular Sound BeatBuddy
Introducing a drum machine within a guitar pedal format—the BeatBuddy by Singular Sound. It allows you hands-free and creative control of the beat. You can conveniently insert fills, throw in drum breaks, add accent hits, shift from verse to chorus, and more, to produce an unparalleled live drummer effect—all in an iconic, natural 24-bit sound. The BeatBuddy is loaded with features for all kinds of musicians. A visual beat display makes it effortless to enhance rhythm or play with unusual time signatures.
Rowin Beat Loop
The LBL-01 Beat Loop is a versatile and affordable combination drum machine and looper pedal from budget-priced guitar effects pedal manufacturer Rowin. The looper section can record for up to five minutes in each of 30 separate storage locations. The drum machine has two drum groups with 40 drum types, half of which are standard while the other half is electronic. The LBL-01 Beat Looper also has a separate dual footswitch controller that lets you control the drum section.
Singular Sound BeatBuddy Mini
The Singular Sound BeatBuddy Mini is a drummer within a guitar pedal enclosure. It provides entirely hands-free, creative control of the beat. No matter what instrument you use, you can easily transition from verse to chorus, insert fills, throw in drum breaks, add accent hits, and more to yield an unparalleled live drummer effect. Utilized in the music programs of Berklee College of Music and Frost School of Music, the BeatBuddy Mini is arguably the most efficient way to enhance your rhythm and master different genres while improvising and having a great time.
DigiTech SDRUM
The DigiTech SDRUM is an intelligent drum machine for bassists and guitarists. By merely scratching across your guitar strings, the SDRUM learns a kick and snare pattern which establishes the foundation of the beat you wish to hear. The SDRUM yields, according to this pattern, a professional sounding drum beat with different variations and embellishments to complement your beat. You no longer have to disrupt your creative flow when browsing through lists in a frustrating attempt to get your desired beat.
Other Pedals
Mad Professor Snow White Auto Wah
The Snow White Auto Wah traces its pedigree all the way to a rack-mounted BJF remote wah circuit from the early ‘90s. Mad Professor took that circuit, went all Dr. Frankenstein on it, and crammed it into a compact, pedalboard-friendly stompbox chassis. What you get is a highly musical and extremely flexible auto-wah with tracking so fast and accurate that most other auto-wah pedals would be left in the dust. The Snow White Auto Wah is hand-made and hand-wired in Finland using only top-quality components.
Dunlop Cry Baby Bass
Designed by bassists for bassists, the Dunlop 105Q Cry Baby bass pedal allows you new ways to groove. It concentrates on the top end and midrange of your tone, keeping your lows solid and intact so your sound remains powerful and thick. It also features an adjustable Q that allows you to set how extreme the wah effect is. This amazing pedal is used by acclaimed bassists such as Robert Trujillo, Doug Wimbish, Flea, and several others.
Vox V847 Union Jack
Vox’s limited-edition V847 Union Jack advances on the V847’s legendary design with improved functionality and dynamics, credits to some design changes. A revamped inductor takes the new pedal’s specs way closer to that of the original. The input buffer prevents impedance loading of the signal to keep your instrument’s tone in bypass mode. By remaining true to the feel and tone of the 60s Vox wah while broadening its legacy, the V847 Union Jack provides you with a contemporary update on a classic.
MOOER The Wahter
Finally, a great sounding wah that’s literally small enough to carry in your back pocket on the way to a gig. The Wahter guitar effects pedal from budget stomp maestro Mooer is an inversion of the classic wah pedal design; it’s about a fourth the size of a typical wah pedal but still serves up a classic wah tone. The Wahter uses pressure sensors instead of a switch, plus it has built-in foot rings that unfold to give you a larger surface area with which to work your wah magic.
Rowin Auto Wah
Boutique level auto wah sound at a price that won’t flatten your wallet. The LEF=3804 Auto Wah from budget guitar effects pedal maker Rowin can serve up a wide range of classic wah tones, from a soft, slow wah to a faster, more watery Cry Baby-esque attack. You can dial these in using the dedicated Cutoff, Shape, Reso, and Speed control knobs. The LEF-3804’s Auto Wah’s footswitch also has a secondary function: hold it down to store a parameter to create some interesting layered tones.
EBS WahOne
The WahOne by EBS lets you produce anything from vintage classics to contemporary wah-wah sounds with depth and warmth. This genuinely versatile wah-wah pedal is specially developed to level up your bass groove. The WahOne is built on the classic wah-wah concept plus additional features. It includes various cool options such as an inbuilt tube simulator circuit. Boasting a convenient dial-in design, the WahOne keeps you in control. Employ it as a volume pedal, wah-wah, or envelope filter.
Boss AD-2 Acoustic Preamp
Many guitar pickup systems can’t quite reproduce an acoustic guitar’s warmth and depth, covering them instead in harsher-sounding tones. That’s where the Boss AD-2 Acoustic Preamp guitar effects pedal comes in. Whether you’re onstage or in the studio, you can draw out more of your acoustic-electric’s natural and woody tones with a twist of the Acoustic Resonance knob. You can also use the Ambience knob to add reverb and cut annoying feedback noise using the Notch dial.
Rowin LT-901
A tuner is arguably the most important tool a musician can have in their arsenal. The tiny LT-901 mini chromatic guitar tuner from budget guitar effects pedal manufacturer Rowin is an ideal fit for those who want to make efficient use of space on their pedalboards. Short of a clip-on tuner, the LT-901 is one of the most inconspicuous and affordable tuners available on the market. Don’t let its small size deter you, though; it’s fast and has a large display so you won’t have to squint.
Joyo Wooden Sound
Despite its name, the simulated acoustic sounds served up by Joyo’s JF-323 Wooden Sound guitar effects pedal are far from stiff and flat. You can coax rich, natural acoustic tones from your electric guitar without any signal squish, especially when you’re strumming out a rhythm. As one of Joyo’s Ironman pedals, the JF-323 Wooden Sound is small enough to fit in your front pocket and features a flip cover for keeping your control dial settings safe from stray stomps. Way better than lugging around another guitar to a gig.
MOOER Lofi Machine
The LoFi Machine guitar effects pedal from budget stompbox masters Mooer takes your guitar signal and reduces its sample rate to create everything from subtle grunge with a sprinkling of glitch to full-on digital squawk effects. The sample rate and wet/dry signal mix are controlled via dedicated mini-knobs while the big Bit knob dictates the sampling depth. The LoFi Machine also has a three-way toggle switch for optimizing the effect for guitar, bass, and synth inputs.
Zoom AC-2 Acoustic Creator
The AC-2 Acoustic Creator by Zoom is a revamped direct box that serves up everything you need to achieve your natural acoustic tone anywhere you play from the studio to the stage. It instantly restores the tone lost via acoustic pickups, guaranteeing that your live sound stays resonant, lush, and true to your selected instrument. The AC-2 Acoustic Creator features high-quality preamp, piezo/magnetic input pickup select, reverb effect, and three-band equalizer. It also includes an inbuilt chromatic visual-led Tuner and Anti-Feedback control.
Rowin AC Stage
The LEF-320 AC Stage pedal from budget guitar effects stompbox maker Rowin gives your electric guitar the strummy goodness of an acoustic. The AC Stage is particularly adept at adding a deep layer of the shortened, glassy resonance that characterizes a good acoustic guitar. It features three acoustic modes, with Standard being the basic acoustic sound. Jumbo mode simulates the deep voice of a full bodied dreadnought guitar while a Piezo mode rounds out the three voicings.
Darkglass Hyper Luminal
Get a studio’s worth of compressors that fit on your pedalboard with the Hyper Luminal compressor pedal from Darkglass. Incorporating digitally modeled sidechain circuits and a 100% analog signal path, the Hyper Luminal recreates some of the most iconic compression tones of all time. It gives you three selectable modes (BUS, SYM, and FET) and access to advanced fine-tuning and mapping through an inbuilt USB interface and free Darkglass Suite software. The Hyper Luminal also features a 10-segment Gain Reduction meter for setting your compression level.
Radial BigShot EFX
Set up two independent effects loops then add them to your pedal chain as you see fit with the BigShot EFX true bypass effects loop switcher from Radial. Therefore, those tone robbing non-true bypass pedals and noisy pedals that you love to hate can already be utilized and entirely removed from the signal path when you don’t need them. Better yet, when your effects loop is on standby, you can turn on/off pedals at will and ready your sound.
Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff Pi
The Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff Pi is all about giving the beefy bottom ends of bass guitars some warm Muffy love. The Bass Big Muff Pi is actually based on two classic Big Muffs, taking the classic fuzz sounds of the Sovtek Big Muff Pi and the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi and optimizing them to handle rib-rattling low frequencies. Dedicated tone, Volume, and Sustain knobs give you a wide range of control over your fuzzed-out tone, while a Bass Boost/Dry toggle switch lets you bump your low-frequency content up.
Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus
When you’re all about that bass, you need a chorus pedal that can keep up with your bottom end. The Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus is specially designed to handle the strictest demands of a professional bass player, applying rich chorus effects to higher frequencies while minimizing muddiness on the low end with a Low Filter knob. The Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus is the perfect stompbox for bassists who want a greater range of expression and a resonating, more compelling sound.
Boss GEB-7 7-Band Bass EQ
The Boss GEB-7 Bass Equalizer is the pinnacle of seven-band equalizer pedals built specifically to handle the bottom-heavy frequency ranges of electric bass guitars, including five- and six-string models. Thanks to a frequency range that goes as low as 50Hz, the GEB-7 can also handle tone and depth adjustments for an upright bass outfitted with pickups. Each of the GEB-7’s seven EQ bands can be boosted or cut by up to 15dB, while a gain control features a range of +/-15dB.
Boss BC-1X Bass Comp
The Boss BC-1X Bass Comp is a compressor pedal with attitude. Boasting Boss’ game-changing Multi-Dimensional Processing (MDP) technology for pro-level multiband compression and intelligent circuit controls, this easy-to-use effects pedal helps make sure you get a completely natural sound no matter the setting by applying just the right amount of compression to each of your signal’s frequencies. The Boss BC-1X Bass Comp is the easiest way to get studio-quality sound at every gig you play.
Morley Power Wah Volume
The Morley PWO Power Wah cranked up to 11 by the addition of a new volume control circuit. The PWO Power Wah Volume comes equipped with a custom HQ2 inductor that brings the classic funk and a volume control section with a silky smooth audio taper. Morley’s innovative electro-optical circuit design makes worn out pots a thing of the distant past while True-Tone Bypass Buffer technology keeps your tone pure and pristine in both wah and volume mode.
Mission Engineering VM-1
Featuring a sleek red finish, the VM-1 from Mission Engineering is a passive volume pedal intended mainly for utilization with your guitar. The 500K impedance is perfect for use with various passive electric guitar pickups. The VM-1 is point to point hand-wired with a mute switch and tuner out. The potentiometer comes sealed needing no maintenance and is rated at greater than a million operations. The VM-1 is entirely passive, requiring no external power supply or battery to operate.
Morley Volume Plus
Guitar, bass, keys, and whatever else—the Morley PVO+ optical volume pedal can handle any and all comers. This all-purpose pedal serves up two volume control modes. In standard mode, it works just like your typical full-range volume pedal. Switch over to audio taper mode and you can do violin-like volume swells. A switchable minimum volume control lets you set separate rhythm and lead tones while Morley’s famous electro-optical circuit design means you won’t have to worry about wearing down your pots ever again.
Ernie Ball 250k Mono Volume Pedal
Get complete and precise volume control right at your feet. The Ernie Ball 6166 250k Mono Volume Pedal is an excellent hands-free option for controlling your volume. It features a super-smooth sweep and has a micro taper switch that lets you choose between two different volume swell rates. It’s calibrated specifically for the perfect handling of passive audio signals and comes with an independent tuner output for unobtrusive onstage tuning. The 250k’s rugged aluminum construction means it can withstand the rigors of constant use.
Morley Mini Volume
Need a good volume pedal but you’re already running out of pedalboard space? The Morley Mini Volume turns the volume pedal, a pedalboard essential that unfortunately often takes up so much space, into a small but road-tough workhorse that won’t let you down in the studio or on the road. It features a smooth, quiet audio taper for perfect and seamless volume control, Morley’s signature electro-optical circuit structure, and glow-in-the-dark treadle rubber and toe-end logo designs.
Boss FV-30H
Built like a tank and small enough to save valuable real estate on your pedalboard, the Boss FV-30 series of foot volume pedals is the epitome of the workhorse volume pedal. These volume pedals built using 100-percent professional-grade, aluminum die-cast units with smooth pivot action that registers even the most subtle of volume changes. The Boss FV-30H foot Volume pedal is a high-impedance pedal with a built-in tuner specially designed to handle direct guitar or bass connections.
Mission Engineering SP1-L6 Helix
Mission Engineering has partnered with Line 6 engineers to build a pedal suitable for the Helix Rack, the SP1-L6H. The pedal connects to your Helix Rack and allows expressive control over volume, wah, and rotary effects. The SP1-L6H also incorporates a convenient toe switch for seamless, hands-free switching between your effects. You can connect it to inputs on the Helix Rack, HX Stomp, and Rack floor controller. With the SP1-L6H switching expression pedal in your arsenal, you can maximize your Line 6 Helix.
Dunlop Volume X
Keep your effect pedal parameters in check or produce amazingly smooth volume swells with Dunlop’s DVP3 Volume (X) Pedal. This amazing pedal is compact, solidly-built, and ready for the road. The Volume (X) Pedal manages volume and FX parameters, boasting an adjustable rocker tension and Dunlop’s patent-pending Low Friction Band-Drive for supreme durability—all within a pedalboard-friendly enclosure. Together with FX, Volume, and Output jacks, the DVP3 also includes a handy Tuner output for quiet tuning onstage.
Korg EXP-2 Expression
Bring your keyboard playing to life with Korg’s EXP-2 Foot Controller. You can use this ultra-versatile foot controller as a compact and lightweight expression pedal when using OUTPUT-2 or a volume pedal when employing OUTPUT-1 and INPUT-1. You may set the minimum volume in a range from zero to about 50%. The EXP-2 works with most Korg keyboards, modules and effect processors. It features a selectable minimum setting through the side-mounted slide control and carries a three-conductor cable.
Mission Engineering Red EP-25K
Packaged within a vibrant red chassis, the EP-25K from Mission Engineering is a two-channel pedal built for utilization with equipment that favors a 25K expression pedal such as TC Electronic, Moog, Eventide, and Strymon. It incorporates a 25K Ohm potentiometer instead of the 10K potentiometer found in a standard Mission EP-1. The EP-25K includes two outputs that you can utilize to control two expression pedal devices at once. It is also compatible as an input for the Expressionator.
Boss EV-30 Dual Expression
Every pedalboard owner knows space is a premium. Boss kept that in mind when designing the Boss EV-30 Dual Expression Pedal, giving it a small form factor and big expression features that rival that of any full-size expression pedal. The EV-30 comes with isolated dual expression outputs so you can control two separate effects with a single pedal, independent pedal range adjustments for each output, and a polarity switch that makes it compatible with most pedals that support an external expression pedal.
Tapestry Audio Bloomery Active Volume Pedal (Black)
The Bloomery active volume pedal by Tapestry Audio boasts some distinctive differences from a standard volume control pedal. At a size of only 7.8″ x 2.25″, it consumes less space while staying comfortable for your foot. The Bloomery is machined out of steel, providing it with a durable solid feel. A slide potentiometer plus a direct shaft drive eradicates the need for pesky strings, delivering a distinct smooth volume curve. The active model helps you prevent tone loss at high-end frequencies and keep your guitar tone clean.
Danelectro BK-1 Big Spender Spinning Speaker
The Danelectro BK-1 Big Spender Spinning Speaker guitar effect pedal is the perfect rotary speaker stompbox for musicians working with a very tight budget. Separate Volume and Treble knobs keep the simulated rotary speaker effect from becoming just another mishmash of phaser, chorus, and vibrato effects. A dedicated Speed knob and a Ramp switch separate from the main Effect switch simulate the speeding up / slowing down sounds of a real Leslie speaker for a greasy, gritty, shimmering rotary speaker effect.
Two Notes Torpedo C.A.B.
A lot of things may change between each gig, from your backline to the room quality, but with Two Notes’ Torpedo C.A.B. you can be sure your preferred tone will stay the same. The Torpedo C.A.B. is a high-end cabinet simulator in stompbox form that gives you a direct line from your guitar rig to a PA system, mixer, or recording interface. Use the Torpedo C.A.B.’s selection of 32 pre-loaded cabinets or load your own IR files to capture your perfect tone.
Electro-Harmonix Lester G Deluxe
The Lester G is a full-featured Leslie-style rotary speaker emulator enhanced with a specially designed compression circuit that can further boost the rotating speaker effect when you use it with a guitar. This guitar effects pedal from Electro-Harmonix also features Fast and Slow modes controllable via footswitch, an Acceleration dial that lets you control the transition rates between the different speeds, and a tweakable tube-style overdrive section for giving your tone extra grit and hair.
MOOER Radar
The tiny Radar guitar effects pedal from budget stomp maker Mooer might just be the next mainstay on your pedalboard. It’s a full-featured pro-grade cab sim that comes packed not only with 30 different cab models, but it also features 11 mic models and 4 power amp models. You can store and recall up to 36 user presets, connect it to a computer via USB, or plug in headphones when you want to squeeze in a quick practice sesh.
Boss AC-3 Acoustic Simulator
Want to dive into a soft and sweet acoustic ballad in the middle of a set but don’t have the slightest inclination to bring along a big and bulky acoustic guitar? The Boss AC-3 Acoustic Simulator lets you travel light. With its powerful Composite Object Sound Modeling (COSM) technology and four different acoustic simulation modes, you can turn any electric guitar into a variety of warm and bright acoustics using the Boss AC-3 Acoustic Simulator.
MOOER Audiofile
The Audiofile guitar effects pedal from budget stomp maker Mooer is an all-analog hi-fi headphone amplifier for your pedalboard. It’s basically a tiny amp that you can use to practice in peace while having complete access to every single pedal on your chain. Put it as the last pedal on your pedalboard, plug in a pair of headphones, activate the analog cab sim, and you’re good to go. You can even leave it connected when you’re playing live; you can either bypass the Audiofile or turn the cab sim off and use it as an always-on signal buffer/booster.
Electro Harmonix Superego Synth Engine
Part synth, part sustain pedal, and part sampler—the Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine is a truly versatile and unique guitar effects pedal. Make your guitar sound like a synthesizer. Give your tone insane levels of sustain. Sustain a chord then freeze it so you can solo over it. If you’re looking to break through to new and unexplored soundscapes, this stompbox is your ticket. The Superego Synth Engine features all-analog circuitry and comes with a built-in effects loop.
Earthquaker Devices Data Corrupter
EarthQuaker Devices’ Data Corrupter puts your guitar signal through a meat grinder, mangling it beyond all recognition—and in this context, that’s a good thing! A modulated monophonic PLL circuit turns your tone into a three-voice synth with a heaping helping of thick fuzz, and with six dials, two rotary selectors, and two toggle switches you get all the tone sculpting tools you’ll ever need. If you really want your guitar to stop sounding like an actual guitar, plug it into the Data Corrupter and watch the sonic sparks fly.
Boss MO-2 Multi Overtone
The Boss MO-2 Multi Overtone guitar effects pedal is among the vanguard of Boss’s next generation of stompboxes. Powered by the magic of Roland’s innovative Multi-Dimensional Processing (MPD) technology, the MO-2 generates harmonically rich overtones that complement, enhance, and thicken your guitar or bass sound, whether you’re playing clean or distorted. Three unique modes and a dedicated Detune knob let you add all-new dynamic resonance textures to your sound, ranging from shimmering multi-string sounds to organ- and synth-like voicings.
EarthQuaker Devices Organizer V2
The Organizer is a polyphonic organ emulator that makes your instrument sound like a massive, old-timey church organ. The Organizer’s Leslie-style warbles give your sound a decidedly haunting atmosphere, whether you plug in a guitar, a bass, drums, synths, or even a mic into it. Create brand-new sonic soundscapes quickly and easily with the Organizer’s six control knobs, including Up and Down controls for the octave effect and a Choir knob that lets you dish out an additional two octaves up, two octaves down, and slightly delayed direct signal for that full church organ sound.
Keeley Synth 1
The Synth 1 guitar effects pedal from Keeley is a monophonic synth pedal that reads your signal’s pitch and doubles it using simple synth waveforms. Dial in anything from an instant synth effect to volume swell-style layering using the Filter and Attack knobs, then use the Blend dial, the three-position wave shape selector, and the fuzzed-out Chaos switch to create cool and unique sounds you can use to great effect. Connect an expression pedal for even more control.
WMD Geiger Counter Civilian Issue
This is the future of digital dirt. WMD’s Geiger Counter boutique distortion guitar effects pedal delivers a cornucopia of dirt tones, from the classic and recognizable to some insanely twisted, octave folded lo fi fuzz that brings to mind the irradiated wind that follows in the wake of a mushroom cloud. The Geiger Counter Civilian Issue is a stripped down version of the original, featuring 32 preset sounds and a far less complicated control layout.
