Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases.

Spruce Effects Introduces Arborist V2 Overdrive

Spruce Effects Introduces Arborist V2 Overdrive

The Arborist V2 is designed to offer a well-balanced discrete transistor circuit and features two gain stages to add volume and grit to your clean signal.


Spruce Effects has introduced the Arborist V2, a fresh update of the light-medium gain boost and drive sounds of the original Arborist. It’s most useful as a gain stacking tool, or as a powerful way to push your already distorted tube amp into sweet and colorful sustain.

Version 2 features a brand new two-band tone stack, similar to the famed Fender TweedBassman 5F6A, and the pedal provides four knobs for controlling Output Volume, Gain, Bass and Treble. The Arborist V2 also features a secret weapon: a 3-way toggle switch to access drastically different diode clipping options. They are based on a unique germanium feedback/diode clipping arrangement and are balanced enough to switch on the fly, but unique enough to allow for extremely fine-tuning by interacting with the other controls. They can loosely be described as (1) Balanced, (2) High Gain, and (3) Bright. Each one has its own unique frequency being clipped, so finding a clipping setting that works for your guitar, amp, and saturation goals is easy when coupled with the tone stack.

The Arborist V2 includes these features:

  • Standard 9v center negative power – no battery compartment
  • Premium Gorva true bypass footswitch
  • Top-mounted Switchcraft jacks
  • Hand-wired and assembled in California
  • "Volume" controls the amount of output (a lot)
  • "Gain" controls the gain of the dual transistor stages for tube-amp-like overdrive at reasonable volumes
  • "Treble" and "Bass" controls work very similarly to the famous Fender Bassman 5F6A tone stack. They are very interactive and allow for fine tuning of highs and lows in the different voicing positions
  • 3-way voicing toggle to change clipping characteristics

Available in two colors – Dana Sage (mint green) and Vintage Green (dark green) -- theArborist V2 carries a $180 price.

For more information, please visit spruceeffects.com.

It’s this easy!

This convenient, easy-to-use controller can open up an entire world of sonic shape-shifting. Here are some tips to either inspire you to try one or expand how you’re currently using this flexible, creative device.

If you’re not yet using expression pedals, you should consider them. They have the power to expand and control your sonic universe. For the uninitiated, expression pedals are controllers that typically look like volume or wah pedals. Of course, traditional volume and wah pedals are expression pedals, too, but they are dedicated to controlling only those two effects.

Read MoreShow less

Voltage Cable Company's new Voltage Vintage Coil 30-foot guitar cable is now protected with ISO-COAT technology to provide unsurpassed reliability.

Read MoreShow less

Featuring dual-engine processing, dynamic room modeling, and classic mic/speaker pairings, this pedal delivers complete album-ready tones for rock and metal players.

Read MoreShow less
MonoNeon Rig Rundown
- YouTube

The Memphis-born avant-funk bassist keeps it simple on the road with a signature 5-string, a tried-and-true stack, and just four stomps.

Read MoreShow less