Transistoriser – Dirty Socks Effects

The Transistoriser from Dirty Sock Effects is a fuzz pedal that punches well above its weight. Hand-built by Ewan — the one-man mind behind Dirty Sock — this silicon fuzz captures the raw, unruly energy of vintage circuits like the Shin-Ei FY-2 and Mosrite Fuzzrite, while introducing clever controls that make it a serious tone-sculpting tool.

The Fuzz and Volume knobs behave exactly how you’d want — from spitty, low-gain crackle to searing, full-on saturation. But it’s the Texture control that sets this pedal apart, adding an extra transistor stage that lifts your tone into harmonic-rich territory without sacrificing clarity. The Thick/Thin toggle makes it just as suited for fat bass lines as it is for tight, cutting riffs.target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>

Whether you’re chasing blown-out garage rock chaos, gnarly stoner tones, or something more nuanced and reactive, the Transistoriser doesn’t just deliver — it inspires. The output is loud, the character is unique, and the sonic possibilities are far wider than the simple layout might suggest.

Yes, it’s fuzzy. Yes, it’s noisy. But that’s exactly the point. The Transistoriser is unapologetic fuzz at its best — weird, wild, and wildly playable.

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Transistoriser

Dirty Socks Effects

The Gazelle – Tampco

The Tampco Gazelle is a high-voltage tube preamp pedal that delivers vintage warmth and modern flexibility in a rugged, eye-catching design. Inspired by the legendary Seymour Duncan KTG-1 — most notably used by Kevin Parker of Tame Impala — the Gazelle brings that iconic analog flavour to both guitar and bass setups.

At the heart of the pedal are real vacuum tubes running at proper high voltage, delivering natural saturation, harmonic complexity, and unmistakable tube dynamics. The aesthetic is just as compelling, with exposed tubes and a stripped-back metal enclosure that screams boutique quality.

The pedal features three modes: Bypass, which runs your signal through the tube circuit for added clarity and warmth; Lead, which pushes the gain into classic preamp crunch territory; and Lead Boost, a dedicated volume boost for solos or standout sections. The Push and Tightness switches add extra tonal shaping, letting you tighten the low end or enhance midrange attack.

Whether you’re after subtle tube sparkle, gritty overdrive, or a full-volume lead tone, the Gazelle adapts easily — and sounds incredible while doing it. For players chasing that elusive blend of vintage tone and modern reliability, this is a serious contender.

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The Gazelle

Tampco

Tone Oven – Tampco

The Tone Oven is a dual-mode warmer drive pedal designed to serve up rich tone with a side of grit. Whether you’re after smooth saturation or crunchy heat, it delivers flavour by the knobful — and brings a bit of fun to your pedalboard while it’s at it.

Built around two distinct modes, the Tone Oven offers versatility in a compact format. Start mode keeps things warm and velvety, enhancing your clean or edge-of-breakup tone with subtle tube-like character. Switch to Grill, and you’re in crunchy territory — think sizzling mids and a bitey drive that’s perfect for rhythm and lead parts alike.

The three cheekily named controls — Time (gain), Temp (tone), and Fan (level) — let you dial in your perfect recipe. From subtle, toasty warmth to searing overdrive, it’s easy to shape your sound without getting lost in menus or presets.

Aesthetically, it’s playful. Sonically, it’s solid. The Tone Oven isn’t about precision modeling or endless presets — it’s about instant, tasty tone. Whether you’re cooking up bluesy licks, fuzzy indie chords, or spicy garage riffs, this pedal brings the heat in all the right ways.

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Tone Oven

Tampco

The Twist – Tampco

The Twist is a modulation pedal that walks the line between chorus and flanger, blending both into a single, expressive unit that never feels overly technical. It’s designed to be musical first — giving you inspiring movement, not math.

The control layout is smart and flexible. Shape lets you morph the wave shape of the modulation, while Rate determines the speed — with a handy LED that pulses in sync. Width controls the depth of the effect, and Rezo adds a dose of resonance that makes the modulation sing, shimmer, or snarl depending on how you dial it in.

A Frequency Range switch allows you to focus the modulation on specific bands, unlocking subtle shimmer or full-spectrum swirl. There’s also a straightforward Output level to keep your signal where it needs to be.

The Twist stands out for its musicality. Whether you’re chasing watery chorus textures or classic jet-plane flange, it strikes a balance between depth and control. It never feels sterile — just rich, vibey, and a little unpredictable in the best way. If you’re looking to add motion and life to your tone without overcomplicating things, this pedal might be exactly what you’re after.

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The Twist

Tampco

Catacombs – Wampler

The Wampler Catacombs brings delay and reverb together in a way that feels natural, musical, and instantly inspiring. Designed to eliminate the usual menu-diving and deep-editing, it offers 11 curated delay-reverb combos that range from subtle space to full-on cinematic ambience.

The delay side covers everything from analog-style repeats to warm tape echoes, while the reverb section delivers everything from small room reflections to lush shimmer trails. But what makes Catacombs special is how well these elements blend — each pairing feels intentional, with modulation options that add depth without overwhelming your tone.

Controls are simple and intuitive: Delay Time, Feedback, and Delay Tone handle the delay side, while Reverb Tone, Mod Rate, and Mod Depth shape the spatial character. It’s easy to go from tasteful slapback to expansive ambient washes, with a tap tempo function ensuring your delays always stay locked to the tempo.

With MIDI compatibility, stereo I/O, and a compact footprint, the Catacombs fits easily into a modern pedalboard — whether you’re scoring a film, building ambient textures, or just adding atmosphere to your leads. It’s a creative tool that doesn’t get in your way, and it sounds incredible right out of the box.

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Catacombs

Wampler

ReWired – Wampler

Why choose one drive when you can have two — and run them any way you want? The Wampler ReWired, built in collaboration with Nashville session king Brent Mason, is a dual overdrive/distortion pedal that covers everything from light grit to full-bodied crunch. Side A is the Overdrive — smooth, warm, and super touch-sensitive. Perfect for rhythm work, it also features a Blend control so you can mix in your clean tone and keep that clarity when things get dirty.

Side B brings the Distortion — tighter, punchier, and great for leads or driving riffs. Both sides include Level, Gain, Tone, and a Fat control for dialing in extra low-end.

What really sets this pedal apart is its routing flexibility. Each side is completely independent, with separate ins and outs, so you can run them into different amps, split them with other pedals, or stack them together. A toggle switch flips the signal path — Overdrive into Distortion for raw saturation, or the other way for a more focused, articulate drive.

Whether you’re chasing Brent’s tone or just want a pedal that plays nice with your rig, ReWired delivers serious tone-shaping power with zero fuss.

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ReWired

Wampler

Ampero II Stage – Hotone

The Hotone Ampero II Stage might show up in pedalboard conversations, but it’s far more than a guitar pedal — it’s a full-featured multi-instrument rig designed for songwriters, performers, and producers alike.

With built-in effects and presets for electric and acoustic guitar, bass, vocals, and keys, this unit is a creative hub. You can plug in via ¼”, XLR, USB, or MIDI, and route sound out through stereo ¼” or XLR outs — perfect for both stage and studio. The onboard touchscreen makes editing fast and intuitive, while the looping system, metronome, and eight assignable footswitches open up massive live potential.

It’s loaded with presets that sound great straight out of the box — including tones inspired by legends like Cream, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin. We loved the “Hot Rod” patch for crunchy blues leads, “Basic Clean” for crisp, articulate rhythm work, and “Landscape” for cinematic pads perfect for ambient guitar, synths, or even experimental vocals.

The Ampero II Stage is user-friendly, incredibly flexible, and fun to explore. Whether you’re gigging, writing, or recording, this pedal brings a studio’s worth of tone-shaping into a single, touchscreen-driven box.

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Ampero II Stage

Hotone

GP-200 – Valeton

The Valeton GP-200 is a compact, affordable multi-effects unit that punches well above its price point. Whether you’re writing at home, tracking in a project studio, or jumping onstage, this pedal offers serious flexibility without overwhelming your pedalboard — or your wallet.

With over 140 amp and cab sims and 240+ effects, there’s a tone here for nearly every genre. From crunchy blues to crystal cleans and full ambient pads, it’s a dream for songwriters who want a wide sonic palette without collecting a wall of pedals. Navigation is refreshingly easy, thanks to a clear color display, intuitive menu layout, and quick preset access.

Connectivity is another strong point — with XLR outs, MIDI, FX loop, USB audio, and an onboard expression pedal, the GP-200 slots seamlessly into live or recording setups. Add in a built-in looper, tuner, and user-friendly preset system, and you’ve got a genuinely gig-ready unit.

In our test, the ‘70s Blues’ patch gave us smooth, vintage grit, while ‘Pure Clean’ delivered a tight, polished tone perfect for layering. No, it won’t rival top-tier modelers — but for anyone wanting a reliable, all-in-one rig on a budget, the GP-200 is seriously impressive.

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GP-200

Valeton

Heatseeker – Crazy Tube Circuits

The Heatseeker from Crazy Tube Circuits instantly brings to mind that classic ACDC vibe—raw, punchy, and unmistakably vintage. This pedal’s analog preamp paired with a unique ‘enhancement circuit’ boosts your guitar’s response, attack, and clarity, giving your tone a lively, dynamic edge.

It features a versatile three-band EQ alongside master, preamp, and level controls, plus a dedicated knob for the enhancement circuit that adds extra definition. A three-way switch lets you choose between different classic British tube circuits, tailoring your sound from smooth and warm to biting and aggressive. For even more sonic muscle, there’s the standout Wall of Sound switch, which fattens up your tone with more output and rich low end.

Control is king here, with two footswitches independently activating the amp section and the enhancement circuit, letting you dial in exactly how much grit and sparkle you want on the fly.

Whether you’re chasing vintage crunch or modern punch, the Heatseeker nails those tones with flair. That Wall of Sound mode? It’s a beast—delivering a colossal, face-melting guitar tone that demands attention. A powerful pedal for players craving classic warmth with a fresh twist.

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Heatseeker

Crazy Tube Circuits

Golden Ratio – Crazy Tube Circuits

Great tone is all about balance — so why make it harder than it needs to be? The Golden Ratio from Crazy Tube Circuits is a smart upgrade to their Phi pedal, now packing three different types of compression in one sleek box.

Whether you’re blazing through fast rhythms or delicately picking chords, this pedal gives you the choice of FET, OTA, or Opto compression to suit your dynamic style. It covers all the usual compressor controls — volume, blend, ratio, release, attack, and threshold — laid out intuitively on knobs, plus a three-way toggle to switch compression types instantly.

Visually, it’s a winner too, featuring a classy black finish with subtle Fibonacci-inspired designs that make you feel like you’ve truly struck gold.

The FET mode adds a crisp, punchy edge, perfect for tightening up rhythm parts with a bit of bite. Meanwhile, the Opto setting is smooth and natural, ideal for picking and bringing out the guitar’s organic tone without losing dynamics.

If you want a versatile compressor that balances punch, clarity, and character, the Golden Ratio is a strong contender to start with. It’s all about making compression work for your playing — simply and beautifully.

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Golden Ratio

Crazy Tube Circuits

ToneX One – IK Multimedia

The ToneX One from IK Multimedia is a pocket-sized powerhouse that punches way above its weight. It brings the flagship ToneX amp and pedal modeling tech into a streamlined stompbox format — giving you access to over 250 Tone Models, plus space for 20 custom captures. Think boutique amp tones, studio-grade effects, and pro-level flexibility, all in something that fits in the palm of your hand.

Built-in EQ, compression, reverb, and noise gate give it serious standalone potential. You can run it in stereo, dual mono, or straight to headphones, making it equally at home on stage, in the studio, or at your desk. USB-C support means quick preset swapping and seamless integration with the excellent ToneX software, which is really where the pedal shines.

The single footswitch handles bypass or A/B switching, and even doubles as a tuner — clever, compact, and functional. There’s also a bonus “browsing” mode with an extra live preset.

If there’s a downside, it’s that editing on the unit can feel fiddly — but once you’ve got your sounds dialled in via software, the ToneX One becomes a true do-it-all solution. Amp-in-a-box? Try rig-in-a-box.

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ToneX One

IK Multimedia

Focus Fuzz Deluxe – Great Eastern FX

The Focus Fuzz Deluxe is Great Eastern FX’s most evolved fuzz to date — a refined, gig-ready take on their vintage germanium fuzz circuit. Designed for players who love fuzz but hate how it can disappear in a live mix, this pedal adds a smart pre-fuzz gain stage and intuitive tone shaping to keep things thick, musical, and front-of-house friendly.

The pedal features four distinct modes. Boost adds weight and warmth to your clean tone, with the Focus control allowing you to dial in extra presence or subtle grit. Switch to Drive, and you’ll find a smooth, amp-like breakup that responds beautifully to your picking dynamics — again with Focus shaping how your tone sits in the mix.

Then there’s Fuzz — a vintage-style germanium circuit with that classic broken-speaker character, but refined enough to cut through clearly. The dedicated Fuzz control gives you everything from saggy splatter to rich, sustaining sustain.

Engage Overtone, and you unleash a bold, octave-up effect. It’s raw, chaotic, and powerful — not always polite, but always interesting. Layered together, these modes create a fuzz experience that’s dynamic, versatile, and genuinely usable on any stage. A modern fuzz with vintage soul — and actual focus.

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Focus Fuzz Deluxe

Great Eastern FX

XO Variable Crossover – Great Eastern FX

The XO Variable Crossover isn’t your average pedal — in fact, it’s not really a pedal at all in the traditional sense. Dubbed “a pedal for your pedals,” this clever little box doesn’t make sound, it reshapes it — unlocking entirely new tonal territory from the gear you already own.

At its core, the XO splits your signal into two frequency bands — low and high — and routes each through different effects chains. Want your low end clean and ambient, but the highs snarling with distortion? No problem. The Crossover Frequency knob lets you define where the split happens, while Return Balance blends the two signals back together with precision.

A Range toggle tailors the crossover point for guitar or bass, and the Phase Invert switch helps solve phase cancellation issues — or create them deliberately for weirder, more experimental sounds. There’s even a Dry Blend control to reintegrate your original signal if needed.

Used creatively, the XO becomes a powerful tone-shaping ally. Pair a transparent drive with a lush chorus, or send only your highs through wild modulation while your lows stay rock solid. It’s a game-changer for adventurous players who want more control — not more clutter.

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XO Variable Crossover

Great Eastern FX