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10 Screamer-Style Pedals

10 Screamer-Style Pedals

One of the most ubiquitous pedals ever made has inspired generations of offshoots.

The little green box has graced the pedalboards of so many guitar legends. Here are 10 options across this subsection of variation and innovation, ranging from budget-friendly reproductions to over-the-top, all-in-one affairs.

Wampler Moxie Overdrive Pedal

This mini monster was inspired by the now sought after TS10 (thanks, John Mayer!) and features two different EQ settings via the voice switch and additional MOSFET gain via the fat switch. Featuring the classic 4558 chip, it can be powered with an 18-volt adapter for increased headroom.

wamplerpedals.com

Wampler
$149.97

JHS Bonsai

Having trouble deciding what Screamer to grab? Why not get the “greatest hits?” Josh Scott nabbed his favorites and faithfully recreated nine variations in a single stomp—warts and all.

jhspedals.info

JHS
$249.00

Emerson Custom Scranton Screamer

Stick it to those geeks in Utica with this Dundie-winning overdrive that features an active 2-band EQ plus two different clipping modes (symmetrical and asymmetrical).

emersoncustom.com

Emerson Custom
$149.99

Origin Effects Halcyon Green Overdrive

The real twist in this circuit is the addition of the company’s adaptive circuitry, which adjusts the dirt voicing to the dynamic aspects of your playing. Based on the classic TS808, it also features an alternate mod mode aimed at boosting already cranked high-gain amps.

origineffects.com

Origin Effects
$299.00

EarthQuaker Devices Plumes Small Signal Shredder

Dubbed a “small signal shredder,” this pedal offers the Trinity of Screamer controls (level, tone, and gain), but throws in a three-position toggle that allows you to move from no clipping to either LED or asymmetrical silicon for a looser feel.

earthquakerdevices.com

EarthQuaker Devices
$99.00

Maxon OD808

The original designers of the 808 circuit offer up a faithful reissue full of that trademark compression and low-end cut. It also uses the same JRC4558 chip and has a lower noise floor than the original—useful for when you’re pushing high-gain stacks that are cranked to the gills.

maxonfx.com

$149

Electro-Harmonix East River Drive Classic Overdrive 

Pedal legend Mike Matthews’ take on a Screamer-style circuit is this wildly affordable and dead-simple overdrive that stays faithful to the roots of the original but tweaks the sound to give it a unique edge.

ehx.com

Electro-Harmonix
$81.60

Way Huge Green Rhino MkV

A new, smaller version of Jeorge Tripps’ classic interpretation offers up two new controls for fine tuning your tone. The freq knob cuts or boosts either 100Hz or 500Hz while curve helps tame any harsh high end.

jimdunlop.com

Way Huge
$129.99

MOOER Green Mile Electric Guitar Overdrive Pedal

This extremely affordable Screamer-style pedal not only will save you space on your pedalboard, but it comes equipped with two different modes (hot and warm) to give you increased gain and presence.

mooeraudio.com

Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive Mod Overdrive Pedal

Featuring a unique clean level control, Voodoo Lab’s flagship overdrive offers three different gain modes that go from vintage 808-style to more modern hi-gain fare.

voodoolab.com

Voodoo Lab
$199.99

Improved tracking and richness in tones. Stereo panning potential. 100 presets.

Can be hard to use intuitively. Expensive!

$645

Electro-Harmonic POG III

ehx.com

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EHX’s most powerful polyphonic octave generator yet offers guitarists, sound designers, and experimental musicians an endless maze of pitch-shifted effects to explore.

It’s been a very rainy, moody couple of weeks, which is to say, perfect weather for getting lost in the labyrinthine depths of the new Electro-Harmonix POG III polyphonic octave generator. The POG III is yet another evolution (mutation?) within EHX’s now rather expansive stable of octave effects. But to those who know the POG through its original incarnation, or one of several simpler subsequent variants, the POG III represents a pretty dramatic leap forward.

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Vox’s Valvenergy Tone Sculptor

Two new pedals from the Valvenergy series use a Nutube valve to generate unique dynamics and tone ranges that can be used to radical ends.

When tracking in a studio or DAW, you’re likely to use compression and EQ on most things. Many enduringly amazing and powerful records were made using little else. And though many musicians regard both effects as a bit unglamorous and utilitarian, EQs and comps are as capable of radical sounds as more overtly “weird” effects—particularly when they are used in tandem.

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Significantly smaller and lighter than original TAE. Easy to configure and operate. Great value. Streamlined control set.

Air Feel Level control takes the place of more surgical and realistic resonance controls. Seventy watts less power in onboard power amp. No Bluetooth connectivity with desktop app.

$699

Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander Core

boss.info

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Boss streamlines the size, features, and price of the already excellent Waza Tube Expander with little sacrifice in functionality.

Many of our younger selves would struggle to understand the urge—indeed, the need—to play quieter. My first real confrontation with this ever-more-present reality arrived when Covid came to town. For many months, I could only sneak into my studio space late at night to jam or review anything loud. Ultimately, the thing that made it possible to create and do my job in my little apartment was a reactive load box (in this case, a Universal Audio OX). I set up a Bassman head next to my desk and, with the help of the OX, did the work of a gear editor as well as recorded several very cathartic heavy jams, with the Bassman up to 10, that left my neighbors none the wiser.

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Darkglass Electronics unveils ANAGRAM, a flagship bass platform designed to redefine tone, flexibility, and performance. The pedal’s extraordinarily deep feature set includes multiple effects and modeling, an on-board looper and tuner.

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