Distortion is a guitar effect that alters the signal’s waveform, creating a gritty, aggressive sound characterized by a high level of harmonic content and sustain. It’s achieved by amplifying the input signal to the point where the amplifier or pedal’s circuitry begins to clip, causing the waveform to become squared off and jagged. This clipping produces harmonics that weren’t present in the original signal, resulting in the characteristic “gritty” or “dirty” tone associated with distortion. Distortion pedals typically feature controls for adjusting the amount of gain or distortion applied, as well as tone-shaping knobs to tailor the sound’s frequency response. Distortion is widely used in rock, metal, and punk music to add power, aggression, and sustain to guitar solos, riffs, and rhythm parts, creating a bold and intense sonic impact in the mix. Popular distortion pedals include the Boss DS-1, Pro Co Rat, and Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi.
Guitar FX (effects) refer to the wide range of pedals and processors that shape and manipulate a guitar’s signal to create different sounds. From classic distortion and overdrive to reverb, delay, modulation, and pitch-shifting, effects are at the heart of a guitarist’s creative toolkit. Whether analogue or digital, stompbox or multi-effects unit, Guitar FX allow players to express mood, texture, and dynamics in unique ways. Used thoughtfully, they can transform a simple riff into something atmospheric, aggressive, or entirely otherworldly.
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.
Tube refers to vacuum tube technology used in guitar amplifiers to amplify the signal. Tube amps are celebrated for their warm, rich, and dynamic tone, producing natural overdrive and smooth distortion when pushed. They respond sensitively to a player’s touch and playing style, offering expressive sound shaping that many musicians prefer. Although tube amps require more care and maintenance than solid-state models, their classic sound and feel keep them popular among guitarists worldwide.
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Fender is one of the most iconic guitar and amplifier brands in the world, famous for classic models like the Stratocaster and Telecaster. Known for their bright, versatile tones and durable construction, Fender instruments have shaped the sound of countless genres from rock and blues to country and jazz. Their amps and accessories are also highly regarded for quality and performance, making Fender a go-to choice for musicians of all levels.
£159.99
Nos 6205 preamp tube 3-Band EQ with tight control and switchable boost Level and boost controls Package Dimensions: 7.366 L x 13.462 H x 12.192 W (centimeters)
£134.99
Few things are as satisfying as the real-deal distortion sound of glowing glass—vacuum tubes are responsible for the tones you fell in love with. MTG:LA is a tube distortion pedal based around a genuine, U.S.-made NOS 6205 preamp tube. Tone, Bass, Treble and Tight controls make it easy to shape your sound, while the distinctly Fender footswitchable…
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For you: 1x Fender MTG-TUBE tremolo pedal
£115.00 £92.00
Fiery sounding and flexible, the Pugilist Distortion is ready to add some heavyweight gain to your rig. This original design features dual gain engines – with independent tone controls for each – letting you select multiple variations of distortion, ensuring this pedal will play well with any rig. The Series/Blend switch lets you stack channels for…
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Authentic Vintage Tone: The TO800 recreates classic tube-like crunch using original 4558 op amps and MA150 distortion diodes, delivering rich, overdriven tones perfect for rock Customizable Sound: Shape your perfect tone with dedicated Drive, Tone, and Level controls, allowing you to fine-tune your sound to your exact preferences Easy to Use: The i…
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