Effects pedals are not going away – in fact the market is bigger than ever. And we're happy to see it as big names and smaller operations create inspiring new sounds for us to create and go overdrawn on our bank accounts with. But amongst the showboating boutique overdrive, reverb and delay pedals, there's a dark horse that's been announced as its top-seller of 2021.
It's the Keeley Compressor Plus!
And considering how versatile compression stompboxes can be, it's perhaps not such a surprise to hear one of the best compressor pedals of all time making its way to so many pedalboards. But what other pedals are resonating with players?
And this is where it gets interesting - a looper pedal is at number two in the chart. The compact and simple TC Electronic Ditto. But three couldn't be more different; the Line 6 HX Stomp. perhaps the best multi-effects amp processor for value currently on the market.
Meanwhile the Boss DS-1 is still going strong! Let's take a look at the whole top 20 and be sure to check out our links to find out more.
Reverbs's biggest-selling pedals of 2021 overall
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5. Hologram Electronics Microcosm
6. ProCo Rat 2
12. EarthQuaker Devices Plumes
13. Electro-Harmonix Op-Amp Big Muff Reissue
16. Dunlop Cry Baby Wah GCB-95
17. Keeley Caverns Delay Reverb V2
19. Boss GE-7 Graphic EQ
20. Digitech Drop
Reverb has also listed the top 10 pedals released this year in terms of sales on the site. And 2021 was a very good year with Universal Audio making its debut into the world of high end stompboxes and Earthquaker Devices and Walrus Audio affirming their places as one of the best pedal designers in the world right now…
1. EarthQuaker Devices Astral Destiny
2. EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas (Standard Release Only)
5. Way Huge Atreides Analog Weirding Module
6. JHS PackRat
7. Boss HM-2W Heavy Metal Waza Craft
8. Boss SD-1 40th Anniversary Super Overdrive
9. Universal Audio Starlight Echo Station
10. Universal Audio Golden Reverberator
Vote for the best new guitar effects pedal of 2021
Rob is the Reviews Editor for GuitarWorld.com and MusicRadar guitars, so spends most of his waking hours (and beyond) thinking about and trying the latest gear while making sure our reviews team is giving you thorough and honest tests of it. He's worked for guitar mags and sites as a writer and editor for nearly 20 years but still winces at the thought of restringing anything with a Floyd Rose.
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