A pedal is a compact device that guitarists use to alter their instrument’s sound by shaping effects such as distortion, delay, reverb, and modulation. Typically housed in a rugged enclosure and controlled by footswitches, pedals are designed to be placed on the floor for hands-free operation during playing. They can be analogue or digital, true bypass or buffered, and come in countless varieties to suit different styles and preferences. Pedals are essential tools for creating signature tones and adding colour and texture to a guitarist’s sound.
A preamp (preamplifier) is the first stage in your guitar signal chain that takes the weak signal from your guitar and boosts it to a usable level for shaping tone and driving the power amp.
It’s where much of your tone is formed—controlling gain, EQ, and character. In valve (tube) amps, the preamp stage is what gives you that classic warmth and breakup when pushed. In modern rigs, standalone preamp pedals or rack units can mimic classic amp tones or create entirely new ones. Whether in a studio or live setup, a good preamp is the heart of your sound.
We have new and used Catalinbread musical equipment available on our website for fast direct delivery from sellers across the UK & Europe.
Catalinbread is a respected boutique pedal maker from Portland, Oregon, known for creating hand-built effects that blend vintage soul with modern features. Their pedals are designed to inspire creativity, often drawing on classic amps and echo units for tonal inspiration. Favourites like the Belle Epoch delay and Formula 5 overdrive are praised for their warm, dynamic response. They are popular for players who want character, quality, and a touch of the unexpected in their sound.
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