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MXR Rockman X100
Guitars “Perfect for anyone seeking that specific '80s arena-rock vibe”: MXR Rockman X100 pedal review
Red Witch Apothecary Series Pedals: these beautifully crafted stompboxes have colour-coded aluminium dials, floral designs and some unique analogue circuits.
Guitars “I wanted to design a pedal range that’ll last 10, 20, 30, 40 years... It could be something you could bequeath to those you love”: Exquisite stompboxes, built to last a lifetime, meet Red Witch’s Apothecary Series
Soma Laboratory Harvezi Hazze
Guitar Pedals “A genuinely fun take on the classic distortion-slash-fuzz pedal”: Soma Laboratory Harvezi Hazze review
Harley Benton ST JAM-ster: The new high-performance S-style from the budget gear giant comes in metallic red and gray finishes with black pickguards and vibrato.
Guitars “The ST-JAMster raises the bar on what a beginner guitar can do”: Harley Benton’s new entry-level electric is a stylish S-style with a $140 price tag and onboard effects
An Electro-Harmonix POG 3 octave pedal on a concrete floor with a guitar pedal
Guitar Pedals “A frankly ludicrous pedal that stakes itself as the ultimate octave funhouse”: Electro-Harmonix POG 3 review
Aclam Go Rocky Go: a stompbox inspired by the Vox Conqueror, the solid-state amp used by the Beatles circa The White Album
Guitars “The Magical Mystery Tour and the White Album, this guy is the perfect tool to recreate those tones”: Aclam unveils Go Rocky Go, a Vox Conqueror in a pedal for nailing late '60s Beatles tones
J Rockett PXO
Guitar Pedals "The PXO is that rarest of things - an overdrive that is a little bit different": J Rockett Audio Designs PXO Phil-X Signature Boost and Overdrive Pedal review
  1. Guitars
  2. Guitar Pedals

16 signature guitar effects pedals

News
By Matthew Parker last updated 3 February 2020

All of the guitar-hero branded stompboxes we've reviewed

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Ibanez Jemini Distortion

Ibanez Jemini Distortion

From the Gibson Les Paul to Eddie Van Halen's Peavey 5150, guitar heroes have been slapping their names on customised equipment since the dawn of rock 'n' roll. Fortunately, it's resulted in some truly brilliant stompboxes. Here's a round-up of all the weird and wonderful signature effects pedals we've reviewed on MusicRadar, including signature gear from Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen, John Petrucci, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.

Ibanez Jemini Distortion

Guitarist: Steve Vai

MusicRadar's verdict:

"If you’re a Vai fan, you’d be mad to miss out on one of these uniquely-finished, limited run pedals, all for a reasonable price."

Ibanez Jemini Distortion review

Page 1 of 16
Page 1 of 16
Jim Dunlop BG95 Buddy Guy Signature Cry Baby wah

Jim Dunlop BG95 Buddy Guy Signature Cry Baby wah

MusicRadar's verdict:

"At a full £90 more than a standard Cry Baby, it is very pricey indeed. Nevertheless, it's among the most musical wahs we've ever played."

Jim Dunlop BG95 Buddy Guy Signature Cry Baby review

Page 2 of 16
Page 2 of 16
TC Electronic John Petrucci Dreamscape multi-fx

TC Electronic John Petrucci Dreamscape multi-fx

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Even if you're not hacking your way through the Images And Words songbook, The Dreamscape is still a super-cool one-stop box for modulation."

TC Electronic John Petrucci Dreamscape review

John Petrucci talks TC Electronic Dreamscape

Page 3 of 16
Page 3 of 16
DigiTech Brian May Red Special multi-fx

DigiTech Brian May Red Special multi-fx

MusicRadar's verdict:

"For those of us who do revel in the guitar sounds of Brian May, the models here are absolutely the best available today. We’re told that Brian has been considering using a unit on stage and surely there’s no better recommendation than that."

DigiTech Brian May Red Special review (pedal discontinued)

Page 4 of 16
Page 4 of 16
Morley Mark Tremonti wah

Morley Mark Tremonti wah

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Not the best for funk or blues, but for everyone else the Tremonti pushes all the right buttons."

Morley Mark Tremonti Wah review

Page 5 of 16
Page 5 of 16
MXR ZW90 Wylde Phase

MXR ZW90 Wylde Phase

MusicRadar's verdict:

"To use a culinary parallel, it's like adding oregano to a bolognese - it's subtle and not exactly vital, but a nice finishing touch to impress your dinner guests/bandmates. But there are an awful lot of other stompboxes on the menu…"

MXR ZW90 Wylde Phase review

Page 6 of 16
Page 6 of 16
Jim Dunlop Jerry Cantrell Cry Baby wah

Jim Dunlop Jerry Cantrell Cry Baby wah

MusicRadar's verdict:

"It may be a fair bit pricier than the standard model, but Jerry Cantrell's signature wah is a proper Cry Baby, and then some…"

Dunlop Cry Baby Jerry Cantrell Wah review

Page 7 of 16
Page 7 of 16
DigiTech Eric Clapton Crossroads multi-fx

DigiTech Eric Clapton Crossroads multi-fx

MusicRadar's verdict:

"While the absence of the Bluesbreaker sound is disappointing, there's still enough great sounds on the Crossroads to justify the pedal's price tag. The acoustic guitar and rotating speaker simulations alone make it superb value for money."

DigiTech Eric Clapton Crossroads review (pedal discontinued)

Page 8 of 16
Page 8 of 16
MXR Eddie Van Halen wah

MXR Eddie Van Halen wah

MusicRadar's verdict:

"While the looks aren't to everyone's taste, this is a seriously impressive wah pedal that's well worth trying out."

MXR Eddie Van Halen wah review

Page 9 of 16
Page 9 of 16
Jim Dunlop JH3s Jimi Hendrix Octave Fuzz

Jim Dunlop JH3s Jimi Hendrix Octave Fuzz

MusicRadar's verdict:

"It might look like a block of cheese but this pedal will help you sound like Jimi Hendrix. The fuzzed-out octave sounds it produces might be a bit too raw for some, but retroheads will love it."

Jim Dunlop JH3s Jimi Hendrix Octave Fuzz review

Page 10 of 16
Page 10 of 16
DigiTech Jimi Hendrix Experience multi-fx

DigiTech Jimi Hendrix Experience multi-fx

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A fantastic pedal that manages to faithfully reproduce Hendrix's fat, rich tunes."

DigiTech Jimi Hendrix Experience review (pedal discontinued)

Page 11 of 16
Page 11 of 16
MXR EVH117 Flanger

MXR EVH117 Flanger

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Despite the cost this is great fun, and if Ed's your hero it's unlikely that anything else will do."

MXR EVH117 Flanger review

Page 12 of 16
Page 12 of 16
Vox Satchurator distortion

Vox Satchurator distortion

MusicRadar's verdict:

"It sounds great; the perfect mix between vintage and ultra-modern distortion stompboxes."

Vox Satchurator review

Page 13 of 16
Page 13 of 16
Jim Dunlop Joe Bonamassa Cry Baby wah

Jim Dunlop Joe Bonamassa Cry Baby wah

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A superb blues and rock‑oriented wah."

Jim Dunlop Joe Bonamassa Cry Baby wah review

Jim Dunlop Joe Bonamassa Cry Baby wah press release

Page 14 of 16
Page 14 of 16
Blackstar HT Blackfire distortion

Blackstar HT Blackfire distortion

MusicRadar's verdict:

"At £199, it's a pretty serious purchase, but with two channels of convincing valve tones, pro build quality, tonal flexibility via the ISF control, and that handy emulated output, this is a viable option for any rig that's in need of a sonic power-up."

Blackstar Gus G HT Blackfire Distortion review

Blackstar Gus G HT Blackfire Distortion press release

Page 15 of 16
Page 15 of 16
Jim Dunlop SC95 Slash Cry Baby Classic wah

Jim Dunlop SC95 Slash Cry Baby Classic wah

MusicRadar's verdict:

"If you use a wah in a rock environment and don't necessarily need to double as a Nile Rodgers-style funk guitarist at weekends, you should give this a try."

Dunlop SC95 Slash Cry Baby Classic review

Page 16 of 16
Page 16 of 16
Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker

Matt is a freelance journalist who has spent the last decade interviewing musicians for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

Read more
MXR Rockman X100
“Perfect for anyone seeking that specific '80s arena-rock vibe”: MXR Rockman X100 pedal review
Red Witch Apothecary Series Pedals: these beautifully crafted stompboxes have colour-coded aluminium dials, floral designs and some unique analogue circuits.
“I wanted to design a pedal range that’ll last 10, 20, 30, 40 years... It could be something you could bequeath to those you love”: Exquisite stompboxes, built to last a lifetime, meet Red Witch’s Apothecary Series
Soma Laboratory Harvezi Hazze
“A genuinely fun take on the classic distortion-slash-fuzz pedal”: Soma Laboratory Harvezi Hazze review
Harley Benton ST JAM-ster: The new high-performance S-style from the budget gear giant comes in metallic red and gray finishes with black pickguards and vibrato.
“The ST-JAMster raises the bar on what a beginner guitar can do”: Harley Benton’s new entry-level electric is a stylish S-style with a $140 price tag and onboard effects
An Electro-Harmonix POG 3 octave pedal on a concrete floor with a guitar pedal
“A frankly ludicrous pedal that stakes itself as the ultimate octave funhouse”: Electro-Harmonix POG 3 review
Aclam Go Rocky Go: a stompbox inspired by the Vox Conqueror, the solid-state amp used by the Beatles circa The White Album
“The Magical Mystery Tour and the White Album, this guy is the perfect tool to recreate those tones”: Aclam unveils Go Rocky Go, a Vox Conqueror in a pedal for nailing late '60s Beatles tones
Latest in Guitar Pedals
Fortin Fourteen Dual Boost Overdrive: the new tricked-out green stompbox from Mike Fortin packs two Tube Screamer OD flavours in one housing and is packed with features.
“Each of the three modes represents a milestone in pedal history”: Fortin triples down on modded-TS tones with the Fourteen – an boost/overdrive pedal representing the “apex of Mike Fortin’s modification philosophy”
Brad Paisley wears a white cowboy hat, burgundy jacket black jeans and cowboy boots as he sits with his new Fender Lost Telecaster from the Custom Shop.
“I like the real thing that happens when you dig in a little bit and the amp starts to cry for mercy”: Is the compressor pedal a country guitar essential? Brad Paisley doesn’t think so – and here’s why
Polyend Mess
“Not another multi-effect for your dentist,” but Polyend’s Mess looks like an FX sequencing powerhouse that you can really get your teeth into
ThorpyFX Hanami
“We were able to up the gain and the volume on tap way past the levels we would normally get”: ThorpyFX’s Hanami fuzz pedal is packing NOS germanium, dynamic, and blooming lovely
JHS Pedals NOTADÜMBLË: the new DIY pedal kit from the Kansas stompbox company requires no soldering, is keenly priced, and promises two channels of tone inspired by the holy grail tube amps favoured by the likes of Joe Bonamassa.
“A half-million dollars of tone at your feet”: Nail the sound of a holy grail tube amp with a pedal you made yourself – JHS Pedals unveils the NOTADÜMBLË solderless DIY kit
Catalinbread Wake Chorus/Octaver: this blue-green stompbox combines a chorus with an octave down effect running in parallel, which you can blend into your guitar signal and make it sound bigger.
“An additive chorus effect that plays well as an ‘always-on’ tonal thickener with a twist”: Don’t sleep on Catalinbread’s Wake if you’re looking for dream pop tones on your pedalboard
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Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $550 off a premium Fender Strat, £380 off the Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335, and £189 off the Boss SDE-3000D delay pedal

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