Top 7 Distortion Pedals: Rated by Guitarists Worldwide

guitarmachines1
Mar 24
4 min read

Updated: Apr 27

Distortion pedals are the backbone of most rock, metal, and even blues guitarists' sound. These versatile pedals transform the clean signal of your guitar into gritty, growling tones, creating everything from crunchy chugging riffs to soaring lead parts. With the right distortion pedal, you can drastically alter your tone and express yourself in new ways.

Here's a guide to 7 of the best distortion pedals that guitarists swear by. Whether you're looking for a classic vintage tone or a modern high-gain monster, there's something on this list for everyone.

These pedals have been thoroughly researched across guitar forums and websites, and are used by renowned guitarists worldwide. I've also personally tested them over the years, and paid close attention to the tones of certain bands, investigating which pedals they use. The list of pedals is not necessarily in order of ranking.

1. Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal

Overview: The Boss DS-1 is a legendary pedal that has been a staple of rock and punk for decades. It’s simple, reliable, and provides a wide range of tones, from subtle crunch to heavier distortion.
Tone Profile: It delivers a smooth, rounded distortion with a slightly scooped midrange, making it perfect for hard rock, punk, and early metal.
Who It's For: Guitarists who want a no-nonsense, affordable pedal that works in various genres.
Notable Guitarists: Kurt Cobain (Nirvana), Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

2. Pro Co Rat 2 Distortion Pedal

Overview: The Pro Co Rat 2 is a highly versatile pedal known for its ability to produce distortion, fuzz, and even overdrive, depending on how you dial it in. It’s an iconic pedal used by a wide range of musicians.
Tone Profile: The Rat 2 has a gritty, aggressive distortion with plenty of sustain, making it perfect for everything from punk to classic rock and alternative.
Who It's For: Players looking for a pedal that can deliver both smooth and aggressive distortion with just a twist of a knob.
Notable Guitarists: David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), James Hetfield (Metallica), Jeff Beck

3. EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2

Overview: The Acapulco Gold V2 is a one-knob, amp-in-a-box distortion pedal inspired by the sound of a cranked vintage Sunn Model T amp. It’s known for delivering an unruly, raw power that mimics a full stack.
Tone Profile: Huge, crushing distortion with raw, fuzzy overtones. The Acapulco Gold is perfect for stoner rock, doom metal, and any genre that requires thick, saturated fuzz.
Who It's For: Guitarists looking for massive, unrelenting distortion with a simple, no-fuss control layout.
Notable Guitarists: Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss), Matt Pike (Sleep, High on Fire), Brent Hinds (Mastodon), Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth)

4. MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion

Overview: This pedal from MXR covers a broad range of distortion, from classi c rock tones to modern high-gain metal. The M75 is a workhorse pedal, offering tons of tonal versatility.
Tone Profile: From overdriven warmth to brutal, tight distortion. It handles lower tunings well, making it great for heavier styles.
Who It's For: Metal and rock players who want an affordable, powerful pedal for heavier sounds.
Notable Guitarists: Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave), Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers).

5. MXR M104 Distortion+

Overview: The MXR M104 Distortion+ is a classic, minimalist distortion pedal that has been a favorite since the '70s. It offers a warm, gritty distortion that responds well to your playing dynamics.
Tone Profile: Classic, vintage-sounding distortion with plenty of grit and character. It’s not high-gain, but provides a smooth, natural breakup.
Who It's For: Players who want a simple, vintage distortion with an old-school rock and roll vibe.
Notable Guitarists: Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne), Dave Murray (Iron Maiden), Brian Molko (Placebo), Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead)

6. TC Electronic Dark Matter Distortion

Overview: The TC Electronic Dark Matter is designed for players who want a versatile, amp-like distortion with a broad tonal range. It excels in producing tight, focused distortion without sacrificing clarity.
Tone Profile: Tight, defined distortion with an amp-like feel. The low-end stays clear, and the pedal’s tone control allows for everything from vintage warmth to modern aggression.
Who It's For: Guitarists looking for a versatile distortion that can handle both classic rock tones and heavier modern styles
Notable Guitarists: Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big, Racer X), Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders), Steve Morse (Deep Purple), Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio)

7. Fulltone OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Drive)

Overview: The Fulltone OCD is a pedal known for its dynamic and touch-sensitive overdrive/distortion capabilities. It blurs the line between overdrive and distortion, making it one of the most flexible pedals on the market.
Tone Profile: Transparent overdrive with a smooth yet aggressive distortion. It retains your guitar's natural tone while adding plenty of grit.
Who It's For: Players who want a pedal that reacts well to picking dynamics and can switch between overdrive and distortion.
Notable Guitarists: Josh Klinghoffer (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pluralone), Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), Gary Clark Jr.

Choosing the right distortion pedal is essential for crafting your perfect guitar tone. Each of these pedals offers something unique, whether it’s the classic crunch of a Boss DS-1, the raw power of the EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2, or the versatile tonal range of the TC Electronic Dark Matter. With the MXR M104 Distortion+ for vintage warmth and Fulltone OCD for touch-sensitive, dynamic playing, this list covers a wide range of tonal possibilities.

Whatever your style or preferences, one of these pedals will help you create the sound that inspires your playing.