Modern Guitarist

This is by no means one of those best distortion pedals of all time lists, but a list of distortion or overdrive pedals that are now considered classics or legendary. All of these pedals have been around for decades and have been used by pop, rock, blues and jazz players alike. The sound of these stompboxes has influenced the pedals that came later... as well as a new generation of guitar players (these pedals even have their own Wikipedia entry!). Most have also been modified by boutique pedal builders like Robert Keeley and Analogman, and luckily they are all still available for sale. The first Tube Screamer was made in Japan in the late 1970s. The Tube Screamer circuit has been copied by many pedal manufacturers. The most popular use of a Tube Screamer is to push a tube amp to make it overdrive more. Notable users include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kirk Hammett, The Edge, Scott Henderson and John Mayer. The original RAT was developed in Kalamazoo, Michigan in the late 1970s. It became very popular in the early 1980s and its still used by many players today. Notable users include Nuno Bettencourt, Robert Fripp, John Scofield, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Dave Grohl. The Big Muff was produced in New York City in the early 1970s. Called a fuzz by some, distortion by others, its so legendary it had to make the list. The Big Muff was found in countless guitarists pedalboards of the 1970s like Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Carlos Santana and Frank Zappa. Its still used today by many players like Jack White and Dan Auerbach (of The Black Keys). Originally designed in the 1970s by MXR. The MXR Distortion Plus has only two knobs. Notable users include Alex Lifeson, Randy Rhoads, Jerry Garcia, Dave Murray and Thom Yorke. If you feel I shouldve included other pedals here, please share your list below. Los Angeles, CA One of the most respected and celebrated jazz fusion guitarists of his generation, Larry Coryell presents a brand new triple disc box set of unreleased live performances. Titled Aurora Coryellis , this captivating ...Read More