As a guitarist, we all need some distortion pedal now and then. Most guitarists can’t live without a distortion pedal. Moreover, the guitar pedal has more power to change the sound of an instrument than the power of purchasing a new instrument. It is pretty easier to find a comfortable instrument than finding a comfortable pedal. However, we’ve made it relatively easy by listing some of the best distortion pedal for punk.
Furthermore, distortion pedals should be an important part of any punk rock guitarist’s pedalboard. Besides, they can create anything from subtle, warm harmonic-rich distortion to a heavy, crunchy sound.
Top 10 Best Distortion Pedal for Punk
Wampler Plexi-Drive Deluxe V2 Distortion & Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal
- Brand Wampler
- Style Plexi-Drive OD Deluxe
- Color Plexi-Drive OD Deluxe
- Item Weight 1 Pounds
- Item Dimensions LxWxH 7 x 4 x 7 inches
The Wampler builds on the background of the original Plexi-Drive but gives you more control to shape your tone. However, the distortion features a three-band active EQ, perfectly voiced pre-gain booster and additional brightness control, help get almost any Plexi tone from virtually any amp.
Moreover, the unique gain structure of the distortion pedal can cover everything from Vintage ’68 style Plexi tones to the all-out massive rock tones, and the bright switch adds high-end sparkle.
The distortion pedal comes with one knob and a pre-gain boost soft click switch voiced like a specific green overdrive to help push your leads into deep yet creamy overdrive. It is no doubt one of the best distortion pedal for punk.
Pros
- Three active band EQ
- Bass and bright boosts switch for more versatility
- High-grade components for their brighter sound and response
- Soft relay switching
Cons
- It may take some time to get the required sound you want
See Also,
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- Epiphone Sg-Special Beginner Electric Guitar
- Best Acoustic Guitar Amp under 300
- Best Travis Scott Songs
Friedman Amplification BE-OD Deluxe Dual Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal
- Brand Friedman
- Color Black
- Controls Type Knob
- Item Dimensions LxWxH 7 x 5 x 4 inches
The BE-OD Deluxe distortion pedal uses the exact circuit but adds another channel and dual midrange controls. Moreover, the top row is the same as the original pedal, while the bottom row has a slightly lower gain.
Furthermore, the dual “BE” channels allow you set your rhythm, and lead sounds perfect. Also, it delivers a clear tube amplifier sound with the controls used to shape your tone. These controls will take you from mild overdrives to gain nirvana.
Pros
- Three Position Tight Switch for each channel
- Splitter Cable for 18V Operation
- True Bypass Switching
- Dual Channels with Volume, Gain, Treble, Bass, Middle, and Presence
- British Overdrive Tones
Cons
- The switching arrangement is not great.
Abasi Pathos Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal (ABASIPATHOS)
- Brand Abasi
- Controls Type Touch
- Item Dimensions LxWxH 6 x 5 x 3 inches
The distortion effect pedal was crafted in the USA by Tosin Abasi in conjunction with Brian Wampler. The pedal is designed to retain the feel of an American-style tube amp channel. However, the distortion pedal features a smooth and edge voicing that ranges from expressive crunch to scorching yet controlled distortion and sustain.
Furthermore, the pedal also features a musically-tuned EQ shelf and mid control and potent gain and level controls. Thus, it combines the functionality of several dirt boxes in one, starting from a push to a driven amp, a full-on distortion channel, or a boost in front of a digital modeller. In addition, the pedal is made of high-grade components selected for superior sound and response, with a durable soft-touch footswitch.
Pros
- American-style tube amp channel
- Soft-touch footswitch will last for years
- High-grade components are chosen for superior sound and response
Cons
- It is quite pricey
Wampler Dracarys High Gain Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal
- Brand Wampler
- Style Version 1
- Color Dracarys Distortion
- Item Weight 0.34 Kilograms
- Item Dimensions LxWxH 7 x 4 x 7 inches
The powerful sound of Ola Englund inspires the Wampler Dracarys distortion pedal with searing Gain, unparalleled note clarity, and percussive low end. However, the Dracarys distortion pedal has all you need about high Gain giving you that contemporary depth, clarity, aggression and power.
Moreover, the three-band active EQ shapes the tone perfectly, and the gain switch offers two distortion styles. Open is quite open and accessible–minimal compression with maximum tone.
On the other hand, Tight provides a natural compression, and when on lower gain settings, it lowers gain tone so well. These features make the Dracarys one of the best distortion pedal for punk today. In addition, the gain Gain controls the amount of dirt that is heard when the pedal is in use. However, the sound becomes more heavy and thick the more you turn it clockwise.
Pros
- Durable soft-touch footswitch
- Open/Tight Toggle Switch
- Dual Channels with Volume, Gain, Treble, Bass, Middle, and Presence
Cons
- The pedal doesn’t come with a power supply cord.
JHS Angry Charlie V3 Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal
- Brand JHS Pedals
- Style Angry Charlie
- Color Red
- Item Weight 9.1 Ounces
- Item Dimensions LxWxH 6 x 3 x 3 inches
The JHS Pedals was inspired by Josh Scott’s desire to build quality and efficient pedals that stand out in today’s market. As a result, JHS Pedals has developed into a famous yet effective pedal company. However, the distortion Pedal provides one of the broadest lines of effective distortion pedals on the market today. Moreover, JHS is committed to designing, populating, and assembling pedals that produce excellent sound, are easy to use, and work efficiently.
Furthermore, the JHS Angry Charlie has become a staple of the JHS line, and it’s well reckoned with in the high-gain pedal territory. It can breathe JCM800 tones into any rig accurately, and this feature makes it a popular choice for all genres. It is also recommended as one of the best distortion pedal for punk.
- Pros
- Finely tuned Marshall-style 3-band EQ
- Active controls boost
- 3-band tone stack to help nail warm yet searing tones and boundless sustain
Cons
- The volume pot is relatively low.
JOYO R-03 UZI Distortion Pedal Guitar Effect Pedal for Heavy Metal Music High Gain Distortion for Electric Guitar with BIAS Knob True Bypass
The JOYO has 14 years of brand history. However, emerging with solid technical teams, electroacoustic core technology, numerous innovative patents, guide design of music masters, winning the love of fans around the globe, and inspiring musical dreams of many people out there.
Moreover, the R-03 UZI is one of the JOYO effective distortion pedals. It is a high gain distortion pedal for heavy metal music. Featuring a BIAS knob, this enables one to switch between American Distortion and British Distortion easily.
It also features a dynamic balance volume control knob and a gain control knob. In addition, it also features a rigid metal shell material with a glossy finish. An ambience LED light that brings out futuristic and retro style; and a 3-band EQ for maximum frequency adjustment.
Pros
- It features a Gain control knob and a volume control knob
- Unique Bias control knob for beautifying the tone
- 3-band EQ for maximum frequency adjustment
Cons
- The four tiny knobs (3 EQ and 1 Bias) are way too small.
Maxon Compact Series OD808X Overdrive Extreme Bass Distortion Effects Pedal
- Brand Maxon
- Color Red
- Item Weight 0.3 Kilograms
- Voltage 9
- Item Dimensions LxWxH 6 x 3.5 x 2.5 inches
The Maxon has produced the modified version of the classic OD808 Overdrive distortion pedal. The distortion pedal features an extended frequency response that improves the definition and clarity of note without becoming harsh; an output (+5 dB over OD808) for extra volume boost; a buffered bypass switching.
Moreover, its additional level and top-end allow the X to be stacked in a chain of pedals without getting buried under other Dirt boxes. In addition, the pedal also comes with a complex clipping pattern, creating a searing, full-bodied drive tone that helps chords ring and notes sing.
Pros
- Extended frequency response improves note definition and clarity
- Increased Output (+5 dB over OD808) for extra Volume Boost
- The hard clipping yields more aggressive, amp-like distortion
- Buffered Bypass Switching
Cry Baby Standard Wah (GCB95)
- Brand JIM DUNLOP
- Style Pedal only
- Color Black
- Item Weight 1.2 Kilograms
- Item Dimensions LxWxH 10 x 2.5 x 4 inches
The Cry Baby Wah is one of the most iconic guitar effect pedals in music history. Historically, the Cry Baby Wah hit the scene in 1966, and it contributed a new layer of expression to the electric guitar. However, famous guitar players like Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix used the Cry Baby Wah distortion pedal to create some of the most timeless sounds in rock.
The GCB95 distortion pedal features the lush and expressive character of the legendary red Fasel inductor having a more focused high end and an accentuated wah sound. In addition, it also comes with a heavy-duty die-cast housing and a Hot Potz Potentiometer tested to one million cycles.
Moreover, just by rocking your foot back and forth on the pedal, one can instantly change the effect that the CRYBABY has on the tone of your instrument instantaneously.
Pros
- Durable Hot Potz potentiometer
- Heavy-duty die-cast housing
- Powering Options
- Versatile
Cons
- There may be a need for you to buy a power cable or 9-volt battery.
JHS Pedals 3 Series Distortion (3SDISTORTION)
- Brand JHS Pedals
- Style Distortion
- Amperage 9 Milliamps
- Item Dimensions LxWxH 4 x 3 x 2 inches
The JHS produces effective, versatile distortion pedals that can achieve medium gain crunch, distortion, heavy overdrive, and even fuzz tones. Moreover, the controls on the distortion pedal are filter or tone, volume, and distort knobs that offer various sounds in any position.
However, the JHS features Gain, a toggle that allows you to choose between a saturated and compressed or an open and crunchy distortion. This switch has a lot of impact on how the pedal responds to your playing and touches dynamics.
Furthermore, the pedal also offers classic chorus and vibrato modulation sound and a simple and powerful compressor that produces subtle tone smoothing to a super squashed sound.
- Pros
- Extremely versatile
- It offers a wide range of overdrive sounds
- Versatile fuzz box
- Offers classic chorus and vibrato modulation sounds
Cons
- Some customers reviewed that the pedal can be a little noisy, especially in a bright setting.
Boss MT-2 Metal Zone Distortion Guitar Pedal
- Brand BOSS
- Style Standard
- Color MultiColored
- Item Weight 431 Grams
- Item Dimensions LxWxH 5.9 x 3.7 x 2.4 inches
The MT-2 BOSS distortion pedal is one of the best distortion pedal for punk ever. However, the key to its lasting success is the ability to achieve dense, heavy crunch and sustain at almost any volume. It provides an inspiring experience for players at every skill level.
Moreover, the MT-2 works well with all guitar amplifiers and clean “pedal platform” amps. Thanks to its smooth character and active EQ with the semi-parametric midrange. The MT-2 guitar distortion pedal provides a long-lasting sustain and heavy mids and lows like a stack of overdriven amps.
Furthermore, the iconic MT-2 Metal Zone remains the king of high-gain distortion stomps for guitarists worldwide, with over one million sold and counting. In addition, the pedal produces a thick and saturated sound that is well suited for metal styles.
Pros
- An iconic high-gain distortion pedal
- The innovative dual-stage gain circuit
- Three-band active EQ with semi-parametric midrange
- Provides intense sound customization
Cons
- The pedal does not come with a power cord
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Jazz Masters Good for Punk?
Of course, classic Jazzmasters are great for punk. However, a punk could do without their complex circuitry and admittedly troublesome bridge.
What’s the Difference Between an Overdrive Pedal and a Distortion Pedal?
Overdrives pedals are low-gain, mild/medium, and rely on a tube amp saturating to attain high gain sounds. While, on the other hand, distortion pedals do not require a tube amp saturation to get high gain sounds. Besides, distortion pedals are spicier yet tend to alter sounds.
What Does a Distortion Pedal Do?
The distortion pedal is a hard-clipping device that distorts your sound, adding more spice to your sound! It allows you access to the full range of tones you will probably be used to hearing in the music you love. However, it also creates a warm harmonic-rich distortion to a heavy, crunchy sound.
Conclusion
It is pretty hard to crown the best distortion pedal for punk due to their different unique qualities, especially when it comes to punk. However, our top picks would be Wampler Plexi-Drive Deluxe V2 Distortion & Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal and JHS Angry Charlie V3 Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal. Deciding on these two top picks was quite difficult for us due to the versatile features of all the products listed above.
After going through each of the quality distortion pedals for punk, we’ve listed above. We believe with little or no stress, and you’ll be able to select the pedal that best suits your criteria.
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