The Best Overdrive Pedals on Reverb
The most popular overdrive pedals on Reverb, updated daily.
If there's a single effect that most players would pick as their desert island pedal, it would be an overdrive. The numbers back up that assertion: it's the most popular effect category on Reverb and one of the most versatile effects on the market. All the grit, character, and color of your rig can completely change with the twist of a tone knob, volume bump, and even placement in the effects chain.
From the organic tube grit of the Fulltone OCD Transparent Overdrive to the gain-fueled power of the iconic Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer, the most in-demand and best overdrive pedals on Reverb are all right here, ready to be added to your board.
The list below updates daily and reflects the most popular overdrive pedals on Reverb according to buyers on the platform. Click on each entry for more info and check out the bottom of the page for details to consider when buying the right overdrive for your rig.
- 1
ProCo RAT 2 Distortion
Starting at $60The ProCo RAT ranks as one of the most widely used distortion pedals ever, a favorite of such disparate musicians as Jonny Greenwood, Nels Cline, Kurt Cobain and John Scofield. The ProCo RAT 2 emerged in 1988 and continues to be a popular pedalboard staple for both guitarists and bass players with its characteristic jagged gristle, courtesy of the legendary LM308 chip. - 2
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
Starting at $80For just a touch of dirt and push, the Boss BD-2 Blues Driver has been a perennial favorite for both bedroom players and celebrities such as John Mayer and Brad Paisley. Falling somewhere between your amp's natural clean tone and the mid-soaked scream of an Ibanez TS-9, the Blues Driver hits the sweet spot of articulation and grit. - 3
Greer Lightspeed Organic Overdrive
Starting at $180Sporting a streamlined three-knob interface with highly reactive parameters to your playing that retain the natural sound of your guitar with a velvety clipping profile, the Greer Lightspeed Organic Overdrive infuses a rig with rich tonality that sounds like an extension of the existing setup. Built to provide a low- to mid-gain oompf to your sound with the added option of functioning as a completely transparent boost, this effect is a vied-for staple on a blues, country, or rock pedalboard. - 4
JHS Morning Glory V4
Starting at $129.99Featuring double the headroom as the previous model, a new boost mode incorporated into the gain toggle and a tap switch input for essentially serving up two pedals in one on the fly, the JHS Morning Glory V4 brings even more gain-laden sparkly goodness than ever before. Still able to dial in that perfect transparent overdrive in a wide range of gain from bluesy warmth to screaming breakup, this flagship of JHS retains its place as the centerpiece firework on any board. - 5
EarthQuaker Devices White Light Overdrive
Starting at $148Featuring a comp switch for adjusting the highs and mids and a Weight knob for precisely sculpting the amount of saturation in the signal, the White Light offers a wide spectrum of overdrive characters in a compact pedal. Designed to emulate the classic overdrives of the '80s, this effect is an ideal choice for heavy metal, rock, and thrash. - 6
Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
Starting at $45Debuting in 1981, the Boss SD-1 is the second longest running Boss pedal and a pioneer in the world of compact overdrives. Even today, people still use it as an alternative to a Tube Screamer. Why pay $200 for a boutique overdrive when you can dial in the right amount of crunch and dirt for less with time-tested, original overdrive circuitry? - 7
MXR CSP039 Duke of Tone Overdrive
Starting at $139 - 8
EarthQuaker Devices Plumes Small Signal Shredder Overdrive
Starting at $75Though modeled off of Ibanez's classic Tube Screamer, the EQD Plumes is not merely a clone. Instead of using an IC op-amp in the circuit, EQD replaces it with what it calls a "low-noise JFET op-amp for a more robust and precise signal, with a significantly lower noise floor." So whether you crank it or use the pedal at more modest gain levels, you’ll keep extraneous noise to a minimum. A 3-way toggle lets you choose between clipping options for either a more compressed or more transparent sound. While the Tone knob lets you add bass or high-end without losing mids. - 9
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer Reissue
Starting at $79Before there was a Klon, before there was an explosion of boutique overdrives, there was the Ibanez Tube Screamer. Its subtle, mid-boosted sound changed the way guitarists thought about their place in the sonic spectrum and spurred a wave of imitators. Today, it remains one of the most popular and borderline requisite items on any pedalboard. - 10
DigiTech Bad Monkey Tube Overdrive
Starting at $135The DigiTech Bad Monkey is a Tubescreamer-esque overdrive with separate high and low EQ controls. It includes a Mixer Output to go direct into a board or interface, with a cabinet simulator built in. - 11
Wampler Tumnus Overdrive Pedal
Starting at $100Conceived with an easy-to-use three-knob interface, ultra-compact chassis for saving pedalboard space, and fine-tuned overdrive circuit designed to give mythical tone, the Wampler Tumnus Overdrive Pedal captures one of the most beloved sound the guitar world in the smallest of packages. Providing an immensely organic break-up reminiscent of classic tweed amps, the Tumnus easily holds down the fort on its own, but also plays nicely when stacked with existing overdrive or boosts as an additional tool in your sonic arsenal. Whether you're looking for a new workhorse or just want to augment your current setup, this tiny titan's fierce character is a welcome addition to any set-up. - 12
Electro-Harmonix Soul Food Overdrive
Starting at $65The Electro-Harmonix Soul Food pedal seeks to mimic the classic Klon Centaur tone and succeeds in fooling most ears. The real value, however, is recognized by discerning listeners who appreciate the original and satisfying sonic territory that the EHX Soul Food overdrive provides in the spaces where it differs from the Klon. - 13
Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini
Starting at $45The Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini combines the all-time classic tone of the Tube Screamer with convenience of a bite-sized stompbox. For decades players like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Trey Anastasio have built their overdriven sound on the Tube Screamer circuit, and the Mini delivers that exact growl and bite in a format that will fit into any board. Add one to your rig and see what generations of guitarists have relied on pedals like the TS-9 and TS-808 to bring out the very best flavor of their guitars and amps. - 14
Xotic EP Booster
Starting at $65An Xotic EP Booster added to your effects chain is like ripping a wet blanket off of your tone. This little transparent FET preamp naturally enhances the sound of your guitar and amp with a drive that replicates the pre-amp on a vintage Echoplex tape delay. - 15
Wampler Tumnus Deluxe Transparent Overdrive
Starting at $150Sporting the same transparent circuit with expanded controls like a nuanced three-band EQ and two-way switch for kicking in extra gain, the Wampler Tumnus Deluxe is a do-it-all boost/overdrive packed with legendary tone. Able to instantly push your tone to that sweet organic amp roar right before breakup, this versatile effect keeps your rig's natural tone with plenty of room to tweak. - 16
Fulltone OCD V1 Series 4 Obsessive Compulsive Drive Pedal
Starting at $160One of the most popular overdrive pedals in the world, the Fulltone OCD pedal is well known for enhancing the natural tones of your guitar and amp while adding a healthy dose of classic grit. The Fulltone OCD began an era of boutique overdrive pedal building, and is an inexpensive addition to any pedalboard. For a slight wicked sparkle or as extra muscle to a stacked chain, the Fulltone OCD is a must-have. - 17
Fulltone OCD V2 Transparent Overdrive
Starting at $160Building on the legendary design of one of the most-used transparent overdrives in history, the Fulltone OCD V2 Overdrive bolsters the amp-like roar and rich harmonics of the original with a new buffer, input section, and enhanced bypass.
- Controls: Volume/Drive/Tone knobs, HP (High-Pass)/LP (Low-Pass) Filter switch
- Other Features: Enhanced output buffer, Class A 2N5457 JFET input, True/Enhanced Bypass modes selectable via internal switch
- 18
MXR CSP027 Timmy Overdrive
Starting at $90.75Made in collaboration with Paul Cochrane—the brain behind the highly coveted Timmy overdrives—this MXR Timmy offers all the same tone in a smaller and more affordable package. Original Timmys helped launch the boutique craze for perfect transparent overdrives. The MXR Timmy places that hallowed sound on your pedalboard. With simple controls for volume, gain, and treble/bass EQ and your choice between three types of signal clipping, you'll be able to find the perfect flavor of overdrive for you needs. - 19
Warm Audio Centavo
Starting at $139 - 20
Benson Amps Preamp Pedal
Starting at $180Bringing together features like the organic warmth of onboard vacuum tubes, hand-wired construction, and streamlined gain/volume/two-band EQ interface that affords a surprising wealth of tonal versatility, the Benson Preamp Overdrive/Distortion is a do-it-all dirt box that adds premium grit to your rig. Built with a circuit based on Benson's much-loved Chimera 30W amp endorsed by players like Ryan Adams, the Preamp is marked by its effortless ability to dial in pristine boost, bluesy overdrive, and even toe the line of throwback fuzz and distortion. A no-nonsense approach to a staple effect using the finest ingredients.
What to Consider When Buying an Overdrive Pedal
Boost vs. Overdrive vs. Distortion
If you're new to the world of overdrive, differentiating between boost, overdrive, and distortion can be a bit tricky. But there a few key, easy-to-remember points to keep them sorted:
- A boost pedal, as the name implies, is intended to simply give a boost to your volume level without coloring your tone.
- An overdrive pedal, meanwhile, encompasses a world of pedals but at their core, they're meant to add to your signal and imitate a tube amp at the point of breakup.
- A distortion pedal drenches your sound in gain for a high-decibel shriek.
EQ or No EQ?
You'll notice that some overdrives come with added knobs for high, mid, and low (or just high and low), allowing you to sculpt frequencies on the overdrive. If you have a few overdrives/boosts in your chain and are looking for a few fine-tuned flavors on tap, this can be clutch. If you just want to turn on a pedal and get a crunchier sound, they're not necessary.