Thomann's Cool Online Guides: Distortion Effect Pedals
A classic Ibanez Tubescreamer or Colorsound Tonebender can fetch many times its original price from guitarists in search of the ultimate killer tone and sustain.
- 1.Introduction
- 2.History
- 3.What’s Out There Today
- 4.Booster
Welcome to our Distortion Pedal Online Advisor.
Perhaps the most popular of all stomp boxes, ‘distortion’, ‘booster’ and ‘overdrive’ pedals have become almost as collectable as guitars themselves over the years. A classic Ibanez Tubescreamer or Colorsound Tonebender can fetch many times its original price from guitarists in search of the ultimate killer tone and sustain.
From the crunching tones of nu-metal to the searing beauty of Santana or Cream-era Clapton, electric guitarists the world over have experimented relentlessly with all kinds of boxes, in all kinds of sizes, to find their own unique sound. Here, we look at the history of the distortion pedal, and explore methods of getting the best out of your preferred model.
Our Online Advisor extends to several pages - you can jump from section to section using the index below or the navigation at the bottom of each page.
Distortion Effect Pedals overview
Best rated products
Top Brands Show all brands
All brands
- Abasi
- Alexander Pedals
- Amptweaker
- Amt
- Anasounds
- Bearfoot
- Beetronics
- Behringer
- Big Joe
- Blackstar
- Bogner
- Boss
- Carl Martin
- Catalinbread
- Cmat Mods
- CopperSound Pedals
- Crazy Tube Circuits
- Danelectro
- DAngelico
- Daredevil Pedals
- Darkglass
- Death by Audio
- Diezel
- Digitech
- Duesenberg
- Dunlop
- EarthQuaker Devices
- Egnater
- Electro Harmonix
- Elektron
- Emma
- Empress Effects
- Engl
- Ernie Ball
- EWS
- Fairfield Circuitry
- Fender
- Finhol
- Foxgear
- Friedman
- Fulltone
- Greenhouse Effects
- Gurus
- Harley Benton
- HoTone
- Ibanez
- J. Rockett Audio Designs
- Jam Pedals
- Jet City Amplification
- JHS Pedals
- JoeMeek
- Joyo
- Keeley
- KHDK
- Klon
- KMA Audio Machines
- Komet Amplification
Most popular products
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Steinberg Cubase Pro 10
Audio MIDI Sequencer (DAW) 32 Bit integer and 64 bit float, Unlimited number of simultaneously usable audio and MIDI tracks, Supports up to 256 physical inputs and outputs, 5.1 surround support, Score Editor, Key Editor, Drum Editor, Sample Editor,...
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Sony WH-1000XM3 Black
Noise Canceling Headphones Wireless via Bluetooth (LDAC), Closed, Circumaural, 40 mm driver - dome (copper voice coil), Frequency response: 4-40000 Hz, Sound pressure level: 104 dB / mW, Impedance: 47 ohms, High-quality audio streaming with LDAC, Touch operation on...
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Steinberg Cubase Pro 10 EDU
Educational Version ATTENTION! This software version can only be purchased under certain conditions defined by the manufacturer! Please make note of our terms and conditions for buying educational software under "Downloads" at the bottom of...
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Electro Harmonix Grand Canyon
Effect Pedal for Electric Guitar Delay and Looper, Digital operation, 12 Effect Types, Fully functional looper, Up to 3 seconds delay time, TAP tempo, Stereo outputs, 13 Delay presets, Looper has up to 16 minutes recording time, Unlimited number...
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Harley Benton SpaceShip 80 w/Hardcase
Adjustable & Lightweight Pedalboard Rugged powder-coated aluminium frame, Covered in a carpet like material, Adjustable height and tilt, Easy power supply installation underneath the frame, Dimensions: (W x D x H) 800 x 390 x 70-85 mm, Weight:...
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the t.mix 201-USB Play
2 Channel DJ Mixer with USB / SD / Bluetooth Player 2 Stereo inputs: phono / line / MP3, 1 Microphone input with talkover: 6.3 mm Jack, Headphone output: 6.3 mm Stereo jack, Master Out: XLR / RCA, Rec...
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Hughes&Kettner BlackSpirit 200
Guitar Amp Head The secret behind the sound of the BlackSpirit 200 is the completely new technology developed especially for sound production: Bionic Tone Generating. Here the complex dynamic processes of classic tube circuitry has been reproduced and optimised...
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Singular Sound BeatBuddy Mini 2
Effects Pedal Drum accompaniment in pedal form, The beat can be controlled live while playing with the footswitch, No programming required, 9 Drum sets, 24 Genres, 200+ Styles, Several time signatures, Non-quantized beat recordings by professional drummers provide original...
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Akai MPK mini Limited Black
Compact USB / MIDI Pad and Keyboard Controller Special edition of the MPK mini MKII in black, 25 Synth-action keys, 4-Way joystick for dynamic pitch / modulation control, 8 MPC pads with note repeat, Arpeggiator, 8 Assignable controls for...
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Korg PA-1000 Musikant SD Dongle
Micro SD Card For Korg PA-1000 Musikant, To activate the Musikant software, the associated software installation package must be downloaded via Korg, German version, 240 Styles, 250 Keyboard sets, 244 Sounds, 31 Drum kits, 266 Pads, 400 Songbook files,...
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Harley Benton SpaceShip 60 w/Hardcase
Adjustable & Lightweight Pedalboard Rugged powder-coated aluminium frame, Covered in a carpet like material, Adjustable height and tilt, Easy power supply installation underneath the frame, Dimensions: (W x D x H) 600 x 305 x 70-85 mm, Weight:...
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Quilter Interblock 45
Quilter Interblock 45; transistor amplifier head for electric guitar; ultra compact 45 Watt guitar power amp, Great as spare or Pedalboard Amp, switch between Cab Sim and Full Range mode, silent recording via Balanced Line Output; 1 channel; power: 45...
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