Guitarists use distortion pedals to add a distorted or overdriven sound to their playing. Distortion is achieved by amplifying the guitar signal beyond its limits, resulting in a crunchy, saturated tone. This type of sound has become an integral part of many popular music genres, such as rock, metal, and punk.

By using a distortion pedal guitarists have greater control over the level and type of distortion in their sound. You can adjust the gain, tone, and level of the distorted signal to shape your tone to your specific needs. Some distortion pedals also offer different types of distortion, such as a mild, bluesy crunch or a heavy, aggressive metal tone, allowing guitarists to switch between sounds with ease.

Certain distortion pedals are designed to mimic popular amplifier tones. The LPD Pedals are excellent for Marshall amplifier tones and our Westminster Effects 2716 nails the distorted Mesa Boogie style tone.

If a distortion pedal doesn’t add enough chaos to your sound, you can go a step farther and try a fuzz pedal.