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.
We have new and used One Control musical equipment available on our website for fast direct delivery from sellers across the UK & Europe.
£74.00 £65.00
Legendary distortion used by guitarists everywhere since 1978. BOSS’s first distortion pedal defined a bold new sound, delivering hard-edged attack and smooth sustain that’s been a staple of players for generations. The classic DS-1 tone is behind the signature sounds of numerous rock legends, and is ready to fuel your own signature sound today. Ha…
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Affordable, with good quality. Extremely versatile. Bass, Treble, Gain and Level controls. Sturdy alloy casing. True bypass. On/Off LED status indicator.
£49.99
JOYO Baatsin 8 in 1 overdrive & distortion pedal, picked 8 classic overdrive and distortion sounds after we studied many guitarists' great preference. Pure analogue circuit, one pedal offering several genres of music, it's good value for money, with true bypass provide transparent tone,minimize the tone loss to keep the best tone quality. Whole new…
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JOYO Ultimate Drive gives you rich bordering-on-distortion overdrive, surpassing what a diode tube amp can provide. It's great for feedback, picking out your guitar's natural harmonics effortlessly and the high/low switch will give you that extra kick without having to change your settings. Whole aluminium-alloy housing classic stoving varnish fini…
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Introduced in 1978 among the earliest models in the BOSS compact series, the orange DS-1 redefined the sound of distortion and remains as influential today as ever. The DS-1 is the top-selling BOSS compact pedal ever. DS-1W is the latest version of the legendary DS-1, upgraded and hand built in Japan with Waza Craftsmanship for the ultimate BOSS to…
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