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  1. Guitars
  2. Guitar Pedals

The 12 best new guitar effects pedals of 2017

News
By MusicRadar Team last updated 3 February 2020

The stompboxes deserving of a place on your ‘board

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

12. Xvive Sweet Leo

12. Xvive Sweet Leo

The MusicRadar/Total Guitar Best in guitars 2017 polls have received over 136,000 votes, and we're now ready to roll out the winners. The nominees were what we considered to be the guitarists and guitar gear that have excelled in 2017. Here, we present the best new guitar effects pedals of 2017. First up we have the Xvive Sweet Leo...

We say: “With oodles of nuance this is a versatile asset for any pedalboard.”

Full review: Xvive Sweet Leo review

The MusicRadar Best in guitars awards are brought to you in association with Allianz Musical Insurance - the UK's Number 1 Specialist Instrument Insurer

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
11. DigiTech CabDryVR

11. DigiTech CabDryVR

We say: “For any serious player who uses effects straight into a PA or recording desk, the CabDryVR is an essential purchase, replacing hit-and-miss graphic EQ tweaking with instant sonic satisfaction.”

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
10. Ibanez 850 Fuzz Mini

10. Ibanez 850 Fuzz Mini

We say: “Sometimes the best things do come in small packages.”

Full review: Ibanez 850 Fuzz Mini review

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
9. KHDK Scuzz Box

9. KHDK Scuzz Box

We say: “Another fine pedal from the KHDK team.”

Full review: KHDK Scuzz Box review

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
8. DigiTech FreqOut

8. DigiTech FreqOut

We say: “The FreqOut isn’t the first pedal to attempt feedback emulation, but it is the only one to nail it, and that makes it a must-buy in our book.”

Full review: DigiTech FreqOut review

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
7. Orange Getaway Driver

7. Orange Getaway Driver

We say: “Whether you favour a touch of breakup or a harmonically dense wall of sound, this pedal can get you there."

Full review: Orange Getaway Driver

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
6. Mooer Ocean Machine

6. Mooer Ocean Machine

We say: “Colossal hall and convincing spring tones impress, while audio anarchists will love the apocalyptic textures of dist-verb – what's more, you can freeze the current reverb or delay sound by holding the relevant footswitch down for infinite sustain.”

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
5. Boss MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher

5. Boss MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher

We say: “A genuinely exciting pedalboard development.”

Full review: Boss MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher review

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
4. Line 6 Helix LT

4. Line 6 Helix LT

We say: “If you’ve been tempted by this type of high-end unit but put off by the price, Line 6 has just made it easier for you.”

Full review: Line 6 Helix LT review

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
3. TC Electronic Hall Of Fame 2

3. TC Electronic Hall Of Fame 2

We say:   “A more than worthy update. The reverb sounds are simply fantastic and cover all the bases you could wish for.”

Full review: TC Electronic Hall Of Fame 2 review

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
2. Keeley D&M Drive

2. Keeley D&M Drive

We say: “Stick one of these between your guitar and amp and you won’t be disappointed.”

Full review: Keeley D&M Drive review

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
WINNER: Electro-Harmonix Canyon

WINNER: Electro-Harmonix Canyon

We said: “The audio quality and diversity should make this a no-brainer for experimental players whose compact needs aren’t met by the DD-7 or Flashback and don’t need stereo outs.“

Full review: Electro-Harmonix Canyon review

Page 12 of 12
Page 12 of 12
MusicRadar Team
MusicRadar Team
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“A genuinely fun take on the classic distortion-slash-fuzz pedal”: Soma Laboratory Harvezi Hazze review
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“The EP635 delivers the unmistakable high-gain aggression and clarity that Engl fans love”: Engl packs its iconic Fireball head into a compact dual-channel stompbox with onboard noise gate and IR support
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