Before we get into the nitty-gritty of what makes a good distortion pedal, here’s a quick lesson in what distortion actually is in relation to your guitar.

So, What Is Distortion?

Distortion occurs when you turn up the gain on an amplifier or there are too many frequencies in the signal chain. This results in a pleasant (or not so pleasant) clipping of the sound coming out of your amp. In music theory, distortion is referred to as harmonic distortion. This means that there are extra harmonic frequencies being generated by the distortion. Some people like this, some people hate it.

There are different types of distortions as well. Distortion can be created by using effects pedals but it can also be created by overdriving an amp’s preamp valves and power valves. This kind of distortion is called tube saturation and it creates more harmonics than effects pedals do.

The 8 Best Distortion Pedals For Guitar

1. MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion Pedal

2. Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff With Top Boost Electric Guitar Effect Pedal

3. Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal

What is distortion? In the purest sense, distortion is any alteration to the original signal of a guitar. This could be anything from turning the volume up and down to adding effects. For the purpose of this guide though, we’ll be looking specifically at distortion pedals, which are effects that intentionally alter the guitar’s sound.

Distortion pedals can be useful in many ways. For example, you may want to use them to fatten up your solos or add a bit of grit to your rhythm sound. It all depends on what sound you’re going for.

There are many different kinds of distortion pedals out there, and it can be a bit overwhelming trying to choose one that suits your needs best. To give you an idea of what’s available, we’ll take a look at 8 of the best distortion pedal options on the market right now.

If you’re going to play guitar, it’s inevitable that you’ll need to use a distortion pedal at some point. Whether it be for an epic metal solo or to add some grit to your lead tone, distortion is a staple in any guitarist’s arsenal. But where do you start?

It can be a bit overwhelming when you first start looking at the range of distortion pedals on the market. In this article, we’re going to take a look at what distortion is and how it works as well as some of the best available options. We’ve tried to pick pedals across different price points, so no matter what your budget there should be something for you here.

Distortion pedals are one of the most popular types of guitar pedals. Distortion is an effect that changes the tone of your guitar, making it sound like you’re playing through an amplifier or speaker.

This effect has been used for a long time by guitar players to create more aggressive sounds in their music. The best distortion pedals can give you a wide range of sounds, from subtle overdrive to full-on fuzz.

But not all distortion pedals are created equal. Some produce better tones than others, while others have features that make them easier to use with other effects like delay and reverb.

So we’ve compiled a list of the eight best distortion pedals in one place so you can find what’s right for your needs!

A distortion pedal is an amplifier that overdrives the input signal to create a crunchy, warm and gritty sound. Distortion pedals range from light to heavy and are a staple in the rock music genre. A distortion pedal can be used to create a variety of sounds including overdrive, boost, fuzz and distortion.

In this post we will be exploring some of the best distortion pedals on the market and what makes them so good.

We’ve reviewed over 50 guitar pedals here at GuitarFella with many more reviews being added daily, we have also covered some of the best overdrive pedals, fuzz pedals and delay pedals on the market too.

Purchasing a distortion pedal is a tough decision. It can make or break your sound, and the sheer volume of options is overwhelming.

This guide aims to clear things up, so you can make the best choice for your rig.

A Quick Note About Distortion Pedals

You’ll notice that most of the pedals on this list are made with guitarists in mind. That’s because distortion was first used by guitarists as a way to push tube amps into overdrive.

However, distortion pedals can be used by bassists as well. In fact, some pedals like the Electro-Harmonix Bass Big Muff are specifically designed for bassists. If you use your bass amp’s distortion setting, you may find that using a pedal gives you more control over your tone.

Without further ado, let’s get into it!

Distortion refers to when the sound coming out of your guitar becomes distorted by clipping. This happens when the signal from your guitar is overloading the amplifier.

Clipping occurs because when you play a note on your guitar, it creates an “attack” which is the part of the wave where the amplitude increases sharply. At some point, the amplifier will no longer be able to cope with this sharp increase in the volume and it will stop amplifying the signal.

The amount of distortion you get depends on how hard you play. If you play hard, you’ll get more distortion and if you play softly, there will be less or no distortion at all.