Overdrive / Distortion Pedals

Overdrive and distortion effects are by far the most popular pedals on the market and often the first type of effect guitarists buy when entering the world of pedals. In simple terms, an overdrive pedal is designed to simulate an overloaded guitar signal. In the early days before pedals, guitarists looking for a wild tone would turn the input level of their amps up to overload the power section and output, creating a pleasing ‘overdriven’ tone. Pedals do essentially the same thing, with more or less of their own sound added into the mix depending on your choice of pedal.

Distortion is a more exaggerated form of this. Distortion radically overdrives the front end of your sound, resulting in rock, metal and more extreme tones depending on your approach. You can simulate classic valve stacks from rock’s history without having to play at ear splitting volumes to achieve the requisite overdrive.

Distortion is a primary tool in every guitarist's tone toolbox. At guitarguitar, we are obsessed with guitar pedals and with overdrive & distortion pedals in particular. In each of our UK stores you’ll find a vast array of stomp boxes available from the mildest overdrive to the most gargantuan distortion. We keep ranges from all the major brands including Electro-Harmonix, BOSS, Ibanez & MXR. Alongside these, you’ll find comprehensive selections of hand-made pedals from smaller, more boutique manufacturers such as Xotic, Darkglass, Catalinbread, Morgan and Walrus Audio. These pedals often go further in terms of features than the mainstream choices. Make sure you dive in and experiment!