Electric guitars use magnetic pickups to convert string vibrations into an electrical signal, which is then amplified. Unlike acoustic guitars, they rely on amplification for volume and tone shaping, making them highly versatile in genres like rock, blues, jazz, and metal. Electric guitars come in many body styles—solid, semi-hollow, and hollow—and feature different pickup configurations, neck types, and hardware. From smooth clean tones to aggressive distortion, they offer a wide sonic range, making them the backbone of modern guitar music.
Overdrive is a type of guitar effect that simulates the natural distortion that occurs when a tube amplifier is pushed beyond its clean limit. Overdrive pedals achieve this by boosting the input signal of the guitar, causing the amplifier to saturate and produce a warm, saturated, and crunchy sound.
Overdrive pedals are commonly used in various styles of music, including rock, blues, and punk, to add grit, sustain, and harmonic richness to the guitar’s sound. They are versatile tools that can be used to achieve a wide range of tones, from subtle breakup to full-on distortion, depending on the settings and the amplifier being used. Some classic examples of overdrive pedals include the Ibanez Tube Screamer, the Boss OD-1, and the Fulltone OCD, among others
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 SubZero musical equipment available on our website for fast direct delivery from sellers across the UK & Europe.
SubZero is the in-house brand of UK retailer Gear4music, offering a range of affordable musical instruments and accessories. Their product lineup includes electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, pedals, and accessories, catering primarily to beginners and budget-conscious musicians.
£73.00 £67.40
Since 1981, the SD-1 Super Overdrive has been a go-to gain pedal for generations of players—trusted across genres for its reliable tone and performance. Built on the groundbreaking asymmetrical clipping circuit of the iconic 1977 OD-1—one of the first-ever BOSS compacts—the SD-1 carries forward a true overdrive legacy. The SD-1 delivers rich, smoot…
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£34.99
Overdrive pedal that balances vintage tones with modern design Lift your sound with the integrated 'Boost' toggle switch All-analog circuitry delivers authentic sound quality Solid, consistent performance via robust enclosure and true bypass switching Please Note – This pedal does not come with a power supply
£22.99
Get tube-like distortion, smooth sustain and super-fat tone Unique balance control to blend between overdriven and dry bass sound for maximum punch Dedicated level, 2-band eq and gain controls for awesome sound shaping Blue status led for effect on/off and battery check Blue status led for effect on/off and battery check
£98.80
Dual-Stage Overdrive Circuit offers a level of sustain and compression unmatched by any overdrive pedal Increased dynamics yield a bigger sound than any previous BOSS overdrive pedal International products have separate terms, are sold from abroad and may differ from local products, including fit, age ratings, and language of product, labeling or i…
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£34.99
Thick, creamy overdrive with rich harmonic overtones Instantly achieve massive tones with the intuitive interface Maintain maximum signal integrity via true bypass design Optimised protection of internal components thanks to tour-grade enclosure Please Note – This pedal does not come with a power supply
