Best Sellers
Top products on Reverb over the past 90 days
Best Sellers in Effects and Pedals - Distortion
- 1
ProCo RAT 2 Distortion
48 available from $68The 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
Daredevil Chicago Rat
One available for $149 - 3
Boss DS-1 Distortion
212 available from $40Arguably the most popular distortion pedal of all time, the ubiquitous Boss DS-1 is bulletproof, classic and affordable. Nearly every guitarist has had (or should have) at least one on his/her board at some point. Steve Vai even had two - one at the front of his chain and one at the end. - 4
Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
131 available from $44Debuting 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? - 5
Boss MT-2 Metal Zone
146 available from $50The Boss MT-2 is an undeniable icon of metal guitar tones and remains one of the most popular pedals in Boss' whole catalog. For players who need a one-way ticket to over-the-top distortion worthy of the legands of thrash, the MT-2 is an easy choice. - 6
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
157 available from $66Few stompboxes have shaped the sound of rock like the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi. Fewer still have gone through as many variations while still maintaining their fan bases. From David Gilmour to Billy Corgan to J. Mascis and Dan Auerbach, the Big Muff Pi continues to be the life blood of fuzz. - 7
Fulltone OCD V1 Series 4
79 available from $125One 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.
The "Series 4" OCD actually encompasses versions 1.4 - 1.7, as determined by the serial number (after about serial number 16,061 for 1.4) or written inside the housing for versions 1.6 and 1.7. All "Series 4" pedals have arrows around the knobs, and contain minimal circuit adjustments from version to version. The Series 4 OCD was replaced by the OCD V2 in 2018. - 8
Electro-Harmonix Soul Food Overdrive
234 available from $50The 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. - 9
JHS PackRat
137 available from $180Inspired by the long history of the ProCo Rat, the JHS PackRat Distortion promises to deliver a whopping nine different variations of Rat in one pedal. JHS's Josh Scott worked on this pedal for an apt nine years, collecting tons of iterations of the ProCo Rat, photographing components, and getting to work on nearly 1:1 recreations. If you love the ProCo Rat in all of its forms iterations, the JHS PackRat is the one-size-fits-all solution for your pedalboard. - 10
Boss OD-3 Overdrive
78 available from $65Featuring a simple interface of tone, volume and level knobs for on-the-fly adjustment, the Boss OD-3 Overdrive can serve up everything from a clean boost to searing overdrive with ease. Housed in a sturdy metal Boss chassis, the OD-3 is a do-it-all overdrive perfect for the guitarist wanting a lot of functionality at a deal. - 11
Fulltone OCD V2 Transparent Overdrive
51 available from $109Building 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
- 12
Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion
71 available from $66One of Boss' longest running pedals (1987 - present), the DS-2 Turbo Distortion has two modes for either warm distortion or a more biting tone. The remote jack allows for an external foot switch to toggle between modes. - 13
Boss OC-3 Super Octave
11 available from $99When an octave bass accompaniment just isn't enough, the Boss OC-3 Super Octave steps in to sweeten the deal. In addition to the original OC-2 mode allowing for one and two lower octave notes, the OC-3 includes a Drive and Polyphonic mode for overdriven tones and an adjustable polyphonic effect. The OC-3 is used by The Black Keys, Van Halen and Tony Iommi. - 14
Analogman Prince of Tone Overdrive Pedal
12 available from $185Clear the path for the heir to the throne. The Analogman Prince of Tone is capable of everything from pure boost to an assault of distortion, perfect for blues rock, stoner metal, or shoegaze. - 15
Boss HM-2W Heavy Metal Waza Craft
94 available from $110The original HM-2 Heavy Metal is a cult favorite, responsible for the extreme "chainsaw" guitar tone of classic Swedish death metal. But other players across metal and rock have made the pedal their own. The HM-2W is Boss' new Waza Craft version. It offers the standard settings of the original, along with new expanded features: including a reduced noise floor, 3dB more volume on tap, and other modern perks. Since HM-2s are still popular on the vintage pedal market, the HM-2W is a premium choice at a more affordable price. - 16
Electro-Harmonix Nano Big Muff Pi
103 available from $55Featuring an ultra-compact enclosure and the same controls for volume, tone and sustain, the Electro-Harmonix Nano Big Muff Pi brings the same creamy fuzz and distortion as the original in a pedalboard-friendly package. Built using the same Big Muff Circuitry in a nano format, this effect is a great introduction to the Big Muff World or just a great fuzz pedal that won't eat up pedalboard space or cash. - 17
EarthQuaker Devices sunn O))) Life Pedal Octave Distortion + Booster V3
86 available from $297The sunn O))) Life Pedal V3 may just be the most refined approach for heavy, crushing tone available. Splitting the octave controls out to become independent (vs. previous models), the circuit itself has been updated to allow for a more pronounced octave effect. Alongside precise controls for distortion and boost, you get full tweakability to tame—or let loose—the Life Pedal's aggressive potential. - 18
JHS Double Barrel V4
40 available from $250The Double Barrel V4 Overdrive from JHS packs the brand-new Moonshine V2 circuit on the right and the Morning Glory V4 on the right. The Moonshine V2 captures the same classic mid-heavy overdrive tones, but with the addition of a clean knob for blending your clean and affected signals. Meanwhile, the Morning Glory V4 overdrive features a new high-gain toggle with Red Remote capability, allowing users to plug the Red Remote directly into the "remote gain" jack with a standard patch cable for even more gain-rich tonal options. akes the classic, versatile but transparent overdrive circuit to a - 19
JHS Violet Lari Basilio Signature Distortion
57 available from $159.20 - 20
JHS Muffuletta Fuzz
108 available from $150Containing six separate Muff circuits, the JHS Muffuletta Fuzz is one of the most comprehensive fuzzes on the market, particularly for fans of the Muff sound. The Muffuletta has the circuitry of the '73 Rams Head, The Triangle, The Pi, The Russian, The Civil War, and JHS' own modern take on the Muff circuit. Choose between each of the six circuits and then shape your fuzz using Tone, Volume, and Sustain knobs. Artists like David Gilmour, J. Mascis, John Lennon, Jack White, The Edge, Pete Townshend, Jeff Tweedy, and many more have all had at least one of these five Muffs as pedalboard staples. - 21
Crowther Hot Cake Overdrive
16 available from $194.60The Crowther Hot Cake Overdrive incorporates elements like non-inverted phase polarity, internal bass accentuation switch for added low-end, and and easy to use three-knob interface consisting of controls for level drive, and presence. Designed to offer a wide range of sonic options, the Hot Cake serves uncolored clean boost with just the volume knob in play and commensurately scales gritty distortion as the drive knob is cranked. - 22
JHS Angry Charlie V3
85 available from $114Featuring the same gain-laden circuitry and nuanced drive/volume controls as the original with the introduction for a three-band equalizer knob section for dialing in that perfect Marshall stack sound, the JHS Angry Charlie V3 continues to bring the noise with more sonic options than ever. The pedal's bass/mid/treble section allows for easy cuts and boosts to transfer from chunky rhythm riffing to fully-scooped metal solos, providing an effect that's definitely a lot more than "Peanuts." - 23
REVV G3 Distortion
22 available from $19.99The REVV G3 is a distortion pedal based on the "purple channel" of the brands most revered amp models. In addition to volume and gain controls and a three-band EQ, the G3 packs a three-position "aggression" toggle that adjusts the amount of gain and overall character of the drive. Though primed largely for full-bore metal tones, the G3 is an extremely versatile drive that can play nicely in just about any rig. - 24
JHS @ The AT+ Plus Andy Timmons Signature Drive
63 available from $135After Andy Timmons began using a JHS Angry Charlie pedal back in 2013, he soon got in touch with the brand's Josh Scott about making some modifications to further suit his needs. The result of this collaboration is the @—a signature overdrive and distortion dirtbox that packs Andy's lead and rhythm tones into a pedalboard-friendly chassis. - 25
JHS Hard Drive
110 available from $129 - 26
Boss OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion
87 available from $14.99Combining their flagship distortion and overdrive pedals into one box the Boss OS-2 allows you to blend a parallel signal between a distortion and an overdrive for a complex variety of tones. This pedal is great for adding some clarity to your lead tone by blending in some overdrive, or add girth to your rhythm by thickening up your tone with some underlaying distortion. - 27
MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion
102 available from $50As part of the Custom Badass line, the MXR Super Badass Distortion has the same reliable components typical of the series. This Super Badass pedal boasts completely analog distortion that is dynamic and sensitive, and can bring you a wide variety of tones from low-gain overdrive to heavy, scooped metal distortion perfect for singing along. - 28
Analogman King of Tone V4 with Red Side High Gain Option
9 available from $800 - 29
Xotic SL Drive Distortion
73 available from $70The Xotic SL Drive is based on the iconic Marshall Model 1959, giving the feel of having a 50W head powering your amp. This little pedal can emulate the tonal response of both the Super Lead and the Super Bass, selectable via an internal switch. - 30
EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold Power Amp Distortion V2
79 available from $75 - 31
Ibanez TS9DX Turbo Tube Screamer 1998 - Present
73 available from $59Building on the shoulders of the legendary Tubescreamer, the TS9DX incorporates the same circuitry as the original with an additional Mode knob for toggling between TS9, Turbo, Hot, and + settings. The TS9DX brings the same warm tube-like overdrive to the table as its predecessors with expansion into low-end territory for a remarkably versatile pedal. - 32
J. Rockett Archer Overdrive
67 available from $130So many pedal companies have tried to put their own spin on the classic Klon KTR, but only the original could give the legend a successor to the throne. J. Rockett Audio's Centaur is a versatile boost and overdrive perfect for the likes of stoner rock, dirty blues, or the wide world of shoegaze. - 33
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff with Tone Wicker
77 available from $65Sporting the same muscle as the standard Big Muff Pi with the addition of a three-way tone wicker switch for light or heavy treble boost, the Big Muff with Tone Wicker combines classic fuzz tones with added versatility. From classic to fierce, the Tone Wicker serves up fuzz any way you want it. - 34
Electro-Harmonix Little Big Muff Reissue
62 available from $54Sporting the same iconic circuitry that made its larger predecessor famous but housed in a compact chassis, the Electro-Harmonix Little Big Muff captures all the legendary fuzz tone while saving space on your board. Built with high gain and designed for maximum sustain, this effect is an ideal choice for anyone looking to get into the world of Muffs while saving some cash. - 35
Strymon Riverside Multi-Stage Drive
97 available from $189The Strymon Riverside Multi-Stage Drive directs the company's eye for attention on the world of the overdrive, providing a pedal that captures a world of dirt in one chassis. Combining the company's coveted DSP technology with analog circuitry throughout four gain stages, the Riverside employs variable circuit tuning to nail that sweet spot whether you're after a warm, bluesy edge or a searing modern distortion. Laid out in an intuitive interface with a three-band EQ positioned after the gain stages for maximum tone shaping, the pedal does the work of multiple overdrives while providing total control over your tone. - 36
Empress Heavy Menace
22 available from $210 - 37
Fulltone Full Drive 2 Mosfet
78 available from $77The Fulltone Full Drive 2 is the most popular boutique overdrive in the world, combining two highly adjustable gain stages into a single casing. With a dizzying array of niche overdrives filling the market, the Fulltone Full Drive 2 remains a no-brainer necessity for studio or stage when you don't want to spend hours swapping out other ODs. - 38
DigiTech Bad Monkey Tube Overdrive
30 available from $104The 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. - 39
Joyo JF-14 American Sound Overdrive
12 available from $22Built with a range of features like three-band EQ, drive and level control, and a large-box design, the Joyo American Sound Overdrive pins down vintage-inspired tweed amp tone in a single box. Designed to emulate the beautifully organic overdriven tone of a '57 Fender Deluxe, the American Sound's affordability and timeless tone make it a first-round draft pick. - 40
Maxon OD-808 Overdrive Pedal
55 available from $84Featuring the original JRC4558 IC circuit and intuitive interface of overdrive, balance and tone, the OD-808 reissue brings all the warm overdriven power of the first generation in an updated chassis. Reasonably priced and built with high-grade components, the OD-808 brings the vintage into the modern for a contemporary classic. - 41
Fortin Amplification Meshuggah Signature Preamp / Distortion
2 available from $400 - 42
Boss DS-1W Distortion Waza Craft
81 available from $100 - 43
Boss MT-2W Metal Zone Waza Craft
63 available from $140Built in the image of a legendary box of destruction with a new fleet of tricks at its disposal, the Boss Metal Zone MT-2W Waza Craft captures arena-filling shred and tear with the tonal options to please any fain of gain. The familiar three-band EQ with semi-parametric mids delivers the focused mid-driven sound that put this pedal on the map with dual-gain circuitry for sounds like a stack of amps. Throw in the added "Wide and tight" custom function to finely sculpt high-gain tone sure to complement any heavy style you'd come across today. - 44
Walrus Audio Eras Five-State Distortion
81 available from $115The Eras Five-State Distortion is a high-gain distortion with five distinct modes. It's all packed into a translucent red enclosure, with art by Adam Forster featuring an apocalyptic four-horned, winged bull. - 45
Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive 1981 - 1988 Made In Japan
68 available from $129.99 - 46
MXR M104 Distortion +
124 available from $50The Distortion + is a classic stompbox from MXR. At the end of the '70s, the MXR logo used on the model changed from a cursive or 'script' logo to a thicker block logo. The modern M-104 Distortion + is produced under the MXR name by Dunlop. - 47
Electro-Harmonix Black Russian Big Muff Pi
63 available from $150Already on its way to classic status, the Black Russian Big Muff is favored by many players for its great bass response and nearly infinite sustain. This Muff is great for leads or thick wall-of-sound fuzz. Grab one now as these Muffs are only going to get more valuable with time. - 48
DOD Overdrive Preamp 250 Reissue
66 available from $9.99Featuring a compact size, simple interface and updated circuitry, The DOD Overdrive Preamp 250 Reissue infuses vintage quality with modern features at an attractive price. Built for the working musician in need of a reliable overdrive that can go from bluesy warms to scorching leads, this pedal is a perfect choice for blues, alt rock, or funk. - 49
Keeley Blues Disorder
52 available from $135 - 50
Electro-Harmonix Satisfaction Fuzz
83 available from $36.30If you've ever thought to yourself, "I can't get no...classic fuzz tones" you need to check out the Electro-Harmonix Satisfaction Fuzz. This small-footprint stompbox delivers the gamut of vintage fuzz sounds from smooth, balanced leads to the buzzy chainsaw heard on the opening riff its eponymous hit. Unlike vintage original '60s fuzzes, the Satisfaction can be had at a price that will leave you, well, satisfied. - 51
Boss MD-2 Mega Distortion Pedal
78 available from $48Built for the aggressive sonic demands of modern metal, the Boss MD-2 Mega Distortion serves up heavy, bass-focused distortion through a dual-stage circuit and tweakable Gain Boost. The character of the effect is sculpted through Tone and Bottom controls for the ideal metal, hard rock, or hardcore tone. - 52
ProCo Lil Rat
43 available from $60 - 53
EarthQuaker Devices Zoar Dynamic Audio Grinder
109 available from $106 - 54
Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal
81 available from $108A legend in the annals of Boss pedals, the HM-2 Heavy Metal is, obviously enough, a pedal intended for those who play heavy metal music. For a lot of players in the heavy realm, the appeal of the HM-2 has a lot to do with the insane amount of boost and tone-shaping this pedal provides. Its unique character has spawned several imitators and landed the HM-2 a place in the signal chain as a who's who of extreme metal players. - 55
Boss DS-1 Distortion MIJ 1980s
101 available from $86 - 56
Boss ML-2 Metal Core Distortion Pedal
90 available from $54The Boss ML-2 Metal Core aims to codify the tones used in Nu Metal, Grindcore, Djent and Industrial recordings. It offers extremely high levels of gain and distortion with heavy lows. - 57
ProCo RAT 2 (Flat Box) 1988 - 2002
45 available from $149.99 - 58
Zvex Box of Rock Vexter
42 available from $145A favorite pedal of J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr, the Box of Rock is a clean boost and distortion housed within one unit. Designed to emulate the tones of a classic overdriven Marshall, the Box of Rock sports separate footswitches for boost and distortion, a streamlined four-knob interface, and Zvex's signature "Distortron" distortion circuit. - 59
Walrus Audio Melee Wall of Noise
79 available from $175 - 60
Boss OD-200 Overdrive
59 available from $164 - 61
Analogman King of Tone
10 available from $750In the realm of overdrives, the King wears purple. The Analogman King of Tone takes any rig into pure, overdriven tube territory, perfect for classic rock, shoegaze, and blues. As a company, Analogman keeps production numbers low which has resulted in a many months long waiting list for pedals like the KoT. This also means that used examples that come up for sale tend to sell very quickly, making the King of Tone one of the hottest used pedals on the market. - 62
Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff Distortion with Top Boost
76 available from $39.99Built with the classic Big Muff circuitry and designed for the most extreme of playing, the Metal Muff Distortion with Top Boost capable of the most aggressive effects demanded in metal. In addition to an onboard three-band EQ for "scooping the mids," the Metal Muff also features a Top Boost control for increasing specific high frequencies for searing leads. - 63
JHS Cheese Ball
67 available from $105 - 64
MXR M78 Custom Badass '78 Distortion
104 available from $46.99The MXR Custom Badass '78 Distortion is factory-modded overdrive with a hot-rodded circuit to provide classic rock distortion regardless of what kind of amp you are using. - 65
JHS Sweet Tea V3
55 available from $265 - 66
Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Big Muff Pi Distortion / Sustainer
55 available from $80The Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Big Muff Pi is an expanded, highly-tweakable version of the classic Pi fuzz. Taking the ubiquitous sound of the standard Big Muff and adding a whole new world of control, the Deluxe Big Muff Pi goes where vintage Muffs simply cannot. A sweepable mid-shift EQ with separate switch lets you stomp into cutting tones for solo sections, offering a different texture from your standard sound. You can even plug in an expression pedal to control the center frequency and get a moving filter happening on the fly. An attack control brings clarity back to your sound, even at extreme gain levels. Little too much noise in your signal? Bring the onboard gate to the party and tame it with ease. Also switchable on the Deluxe Big Muff Pi are a fixed bass boost and a high/low gain setting, making this version of the Muff the most versatile yet. - 67
ProCo Turbo Rat Distortion
27 available from $110Featuring an LED display, traditional RAT filter control for nuanced brightness control and double the output of a traditional RAT with 2.8V, the Turbo Rat is the most intense distortion in the RAT family. Designed to slice through a mix when you really want your playing present, this is a natural fit for any metal genre, but also functions well in post-punk and indie rock. - 68
Death By Audio Apocalypse Fuzz
44 available from $185Ever wanted to have five tweakable fuzzes in one pedal? Then look no further than the Death By Audio Apocalypse. This fuzz and disotortion pedal five distinct fuzz modes along with a sweepable EQ to change up your tone, and the standard volume and drive knobs. From metal tones with a scooped circuit to octave-up sound to a smooshed, high-gain wall of fuzz, the Apocalypse proves an incredibly versatile, flexible fuzz and distortion, giving you a plethora of options to choose from. - 69
Electro-Harmonix East River Drive
90 available from $50The Electro-Harmonix East River Drive is one of the best pedals attempting to chase the original Ibanez TS-808 Tubescreamer tone. Using JRC4558 IC internals, it fosters near-identical classic Tubescreamer response at a much lower price than buying the real thing. - 70
JAM Pedals Rattler mk.2
21 available from $249 - 71
Keeley Super Rodent
55 available from $97.99 - 72
JHS Charlie Brown V4
64 available from $129Built with the same brown sound-summoning controls for volume and drive with the addition of a three-band EQ for added capability in dialing in that perfect overdriven tone, the JHS Charlie Brown V4 expands the original overdrive into a full tone-shaping tool. Capable of taking any rig from classic rock mild gain overdrive to searing JTM half-stack heaven, this new and improved box of muscle may be square, but it's no blockhead. - 73
Boss FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz
12 available from $320The FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz by Boss packs two unique fuzzes into one compact unit while boosting gain. It can recreate a traditional fuzz sound, but it also has the capacity to generate a more modern distortion. With two tone controls, you can adjust to your heart's content until you achieve the perfect, precise tone you're looking for. - 74
Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret MKIII
170 available from $78Built as the foundation for your sound, the Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret MKIII is the company's "always on" pedal. The answer for anyone in search of classic Marshall tones, the MKIII adds a switch for toggling between Super Lead and Super Bass modes, offering highly tweakable overdrive, clean boost and distortion ideal for rock, blues, metal and anything in between. - 75
Darkglass Electronics Microtubes Infinity
38 available from $399.99 - 76
Fulltone Full-Drive 3 Overdrive
22 available from $110Built with an independent JFET boost channel, compact chassis and three-way overdrive voicing switch, the Fulltone Full-Drive 3 offers a boost and overdrive all in one, size-conscious package. Designed on the schematics of the Full-Drive 2 with added features based on feedback from professional players, this is a versatile effect ideal for any guitarist who wants transparent boost, bluesy warmth and screaming overdrive with a few turns of a knob. - 77
Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 Linear Power Booster Nano
90 available from $25A distant cousin of one of Electro Harmonix's earliest effects (the original LPB-1 from 1968), the LPB-1 Linear Power Booster Nano is one of the most commonly used boost pedals available. Using the same circuitry from the original, it ranges from a simple clean boost to full creamy saturation. - 78
Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive Overdrive Pedal
10 available from $75For nearly 15 years, the Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive has been the go-to for those seeking classic Ibanez TS-808 drive without the loss of attack that pedal is known for. It solves this problem by blending a controllable clean signal back in with the drive. - 79
JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature
73 available from $129 - 80
Electro-Harmonix Hot Tubes Nano Overdrive
52 available from $35Electro-Harmonix has reissued its classic '70s CMOS Hot Tubes in miniaturized form with the Hot Tubes Nano. Get that same CMOS overdrive sound that's hyper-sensitive to your every touch and, if you want, remove any excess tone using the Tone Bypass switch for a cleaner sound. - 81
Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal (Black Label)
40 available from $120 - 82
Fairfield Circuitry 20% More
8 available from $299 - 83
Boss FBM-1 Fender Bassman Overdrive Pedal
27 available from $51.99Featuring a three-band EQ, bright input, and vintage design reminiscent of the classic amp, the FBM-1 Overdrive dials in the legendary tones of the coveted Fender Bassman at a fraction of the size and price. The FBM-1 is the perfect solution to turn any amp into a classic rock machine. - 84
Fender Pugilist Distortion
46 available from $65Give the mix a stiff right hook and a swift left uppercut with the Fender Pugilist Distortion, a dual-channel heavyweight bearing the title for gain-soaked champion. Dial in precise tones with independent Gain and Tone knobs for each channel, and when you really want to get a pummel going, blend the two channels to your heart's desire and finish the combo with a Bass Boost switch for fat bottom-end presence. - 85
Catalinbread Katzenkönig Fuzz / Distortion
59 available from $91The Katzenkonig marries the best of fuzzed and distorted worlds with a streamlined four-knob layout, all-discrete circuitry for the highest quality signal path and response and a trio of silicon transistors for split personality effects monster. Translating to "Cat King," this double-duty workhorse summons the '80s arena buzzsaw of the classic RAT with the Germanium '70s psychedelia sound of a Tone Bender for a new ruler of the pedal roost. - 86
JAM Pedals Rattler
24 available from $155The dudes at Greece’s JAM Pedals have a reputation for building gorgeous handmade effects, with custom paint jobs and premium, sometimes rare components. Their take on the RAT, dubbed the Rattler, doesn’t stray far from the vintage RAT design, using a new-old-stock LM308 chip and featuring the standard trio of RAT controls. Where this pedal really stands out is in its amp-like responsiveness and superlative tone, which really nails the fuzzier characteristics of the original RAT circuit. The Rattler doesn’t have a bad sound in it, and the gain is addictively thick and creamy. JAM might just have built the best-sounding RAT clone there is. It rules so much that Nels Cline uses one! - 87
MXR Fullbore Metal
75 available from $54Crafted specifically to appease the distortion cravings of metalheads, the MXR Fullbore Metal ramps up your gain to insanely high levels while its noise gate keeps out noise that typically comes from high-gain pedals to keep your riffs tight and clear. A 3-band EQ with sweepable mid-range frequencies helps you precision shape your tone, and you can even adjust the noise gate to taste so it knows just what to get rid of so you can build that roaring metal distortion you crave. - 88
Barber BUSS Burn Unit Super Sport
3 available from $206.99 - 89
Gamechanger Audio Plasma Pedal High Voltage Distortion Unit
47 available from $211.99For those who want to leave the earthly plane of overdrives and distortions and ride the lightning into uncharted sonic territory, the Gamechanger Audio Plasma Pedal High Voltage Distortion Unit should be your preferred means of transportation. Built around a xenon-filled tube that transform's your guitar's signal into high-voltage discharges, the Plasma Pedal forgoes circuits and transistors for a novel approach to distortion that yields rich non-linear harmonic saturation and enough juice to knock Zeus off of Olympus. - 90
Boss FZ-5 Fuzz
92 available from $61Featuring COSM modeling technology designed to emulate the sound of classic fuzz pedals, the Boss FZ-5 is a frugally priced pedal that doesn't sacrifice on quality. Built with modern techniques that capture vintage tone, the FZ-5 is the perfect fuzzy marriage of new and old. - 91
ProCo Fat Rat
29 available from $125The Fat Rat shares the same specs as the Rat Reissue with the addition of a toggle between original clipping and MOSFET. - 92
Maxon SD-9 Sonic Distortion
28 available from $105The Maxon SD-9 Sonic Distortion summons the sounds of the classic '80s effect through a triumvirate of a recreated knob layout, versatile tone control which takes you from boxy lows to punchy highs with a single twist, and a smooth mid-range gain. Capable of going all the way from a bluesy overdrive to vintage-voiced fuzz to full-on distorted madness, the SD-9 is an ideal candidate for the guitarist looking for classic distorted tones with a wider spread for more versatility. - 93
Boss SD-2 Dual Overdrive
4 available from $210.32Featuring a dual drive design with lead and crunch channels, separate overdrive circuits and clipping diodes for each channel and a red/green LED display for easy indication of which channel's on, the Boss SD-2 Dual Overdrive brings two overdrives to the table for the price of one. Immensely useful for setting a creamy overdrive on one channel and searing distortion on the other, this pedal can be a noise or garage guitarist's best friend. - 94
Walrus Audio Iron Horse V3
48 available from $119.99 - 95
Tech 21 SansAmp Classic
6 available from $356Though the SansAmp technology by Tech 21 has given birth to many other pieces of gear, there's only one Classic. The SansAmp Classic is a distortion pedal with only four knobs that give rise to nearly countless permutations of tone or sound. Starting with three preamp styles, Marshall-style, Mesa-Boogie Style, and Fender-style, leading all the way to simple drive controls, including 8 super unique character modes, the SansAmp Classic demonstrates why it revolutionized Tech 21's entire product line. Smooth overdrive to the crunchiest distortion can all come out of this small box. - 96
Gamechanger Audio Third Man Records Plasma Coil Distortion
41 available from $235.99 - 97
Marshall Blues Breaker
33 available from $349.99The '90s-era Marshall Bluesbreaker has become a highly sought after overdrive thanks in large part to its appearance on John Mayer's pedalboard.
Years of Production: 1991 - 1999 - 98
DigiTech DOD Gonkulator Ring Modulator
48 available from $125Pairing an adjustable carrier signal with a revamped distortion circuit, the DOD Gonkulator essentially brings two effects into one chassis with controls for ring, frequency, gain and distortion. Capable of all the weird modulation goodness of the '90s original with the added ability to cover distorted experimental ground, this pedal pushes boundaries and makes statements with modulating effects limited only by imagination. - 99
Catalinbread RAH
65 available from $115The Catalinbread RAH was named after Led Zeppelin's 1970 performance at the historic Royal Albert Hall, so named for Catalinbread's effort to capture the sound of that show in a pedal. Its overdrive is inspired by Page's playing during the RAH performance and a three-knob tone circuit modeled after the "Jimmy Page" Hiwatt. Catalinbread's RAH overdrive is extremely dynamic, reacting to your pick attack and how you modify your guitar's controls. Hop in a time machine and take it back to '70s Royal Albert Hall with the Jimmy Page-inspired Catalinbread RAH. - 100
Vemuram Butter Machine Michael Landau Signature Distortion
36 available from $299