Collection: Distortion Pedals
Distortion effect pedals are a cornerstone of rock, metal, and many other music genres, providing the gritty, powerful sound that defines countless iconic tracks. At Chicago Music Exchange, our collection of distortion pedals for sale online includes options for every player, from beginners to seasoned pros. These pedals are essential for both recording and live performance, allowing musicians to shape their tone and add intensity to their sound. Browse our selection of new and used distortion pedals to find the best fit for your rig, whether you're looking to emulate classic sounds or create something entirely new.
Distortion Pedals
Distortion pedals are the secret weapon behind some of the most iconic guitar tones in history. Whether you’re chasing crunchy rock riffs, searing metal leads, punk rawness, or indie textures, distortion pedals shape clean guitar signals into something bigger, louder, and more aggressive. At Chicago Music Exchange, you’ll find the best distortion pedals—new, used, and boutique—ready to inspire your next riff. Shop our collection and buy distortion pedals online with fast shipping or try them in person at our Chicago store.
History of Distortion
The story of distortion starts with accidents: guitarists in the 1950s cranked small amps past their limits, or even slashed speaker cones, to create the gritty, broken sound audiences soon craved. The fuzz revolution of the 1960s cemented distortion in music history, thanks to the Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz-Tone (famously heard on “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”) and legendary pedals like the Tone Bender and Fuzz Face.
By the 1970s and ’80s, companies like MXR, Boss, and ProCo turned distortion into a stompbox staple. The MXR Distortion+, Boss DS-1, and ProCo RAT gave guitarists reliable, portable ways to sculpt gain-heavy tones without blowing up an amp. Punk bands, metal acts, and arena rockers adopted them, cementing their place on pedalboards worldwide.
Today, distortion pedals span every corner of the market, from vintage distortion pedals that collectors prize to cutting-edge boutique models and powerful digital recreations. Whether you’re into classic distortion pedal history or modern sound design, distortion remains at the heart of rock ’n’ roll.
How does Distortion work?
At its core, distortion happens when a guitar signal “clips”—the waveform is pushed beyond its limit, creating harmonic overtones and compressed sustain. Soft clipping (think overdrive) produces warmth and dynamic sensitivity, while hard clipping (true distortion) creates a tighter, more aggressive edge.
So, what’s the difference between Distortion vs Overdrive vs fuzz?
Overdrive emulates a tube amp just on the edge of breakup; distortion adds heavier saturation and sustain; fuzz obliterates the signal into buzzy, velcro-like chaos.
EQ, gain structure, and amp pairing all matter, too—“guitar distortion explained” means understanding how mids, highs, and lows shape your sound. The same pedal can feel smooth through one amp and brutal through another.
Iconic Distortion Pedals
Some pedals defined entire genres. The Boss DS-1 powered countless rock and grunge classics, from Kurt Cobain to Steve Vai. The ProCo RAT became a favorite for punk, indie, and metal guitarists with its midrange growl and singing sustain. The MXR Distortion+ carried Randy Rhoads into heavy metal history, while the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi blurred the line between fuzz and distortion for Smashing Pumpkins’ wall of guitars.
Modern boutique makers like JHS, Wampler, and EarthQuaker Devices continue pushing boundaries with multi-mode circuits, unique clipping stages, and amp-like dynamics.
When fans search for famous distortion pedals or ask about guitarists who use distortion, these names always rise to the top. From Metallica’s high-gain saturation to Billy Corgan’s op-amp fuzz and the shoegaze textures of My Bloody Valentine, distortion isn’t just an effect—it’s the DNA of modern guitar music.
Genres & Use Cases
Distortion can adapt to every style:
- Rock: Add crunch and punch for riffs and solos.
- Metal: Achieve tight, palm-muted aggression with distortion pedals for metal.
- Punk: Push mids forward for raw, cutting tones with distortion pedals for punk.
- Indie/Alternative: Stack distortion with modulation or reverb for shoegaze textures and walls of sound.
Players searching for distortion pedals for indie or heavy genres discover that the right pedal is less about genre rules and more about creativity. Dialing in your tone can mean stacking multiple drives or choosing a single pedal that defines your sound.
Choosing the Right Distortion Pedal
When it comes to choosing a pedal, one should consider:
- Gain level – subtle breakup or crushing high-gain.
- EQ flexibility – fixed tone vs adjustable bass, mids, treble.
- Bypass type – true bypass preserves tone, buffered boosts long chains.
- Build quality – boutique hand-wired vs rugged mass-market.
- Compatibility – match the pedal to your guitar and amp for best results.
Some players prefer analog warmth, while others lean toward digital versatility with presets and multi-mode switching. Beginners often ask about the best distortion pedal for beginners—and the answer usually lies in simplicity, reliability, and versatility.
Whether you’re weighing boutique vs mass-market, or just wondering how to choose a distortion pedal, it comes down to your style, your rig, and your ears.
Distortion Pedal Accessories
Getting the most out of your pedal means supporting it with the right gear. Power supplies keep your board quiet and reliable, patch cables ensure clean connections, and pedalboards let you organize everything for live or studio use.
Signal chain also matters: placing distortion before modulation effects like chorus or delay creates classic tones, while experimenting with placement yields creative results. For players searching distortion pedal setup or pedalboard accessories for distortion, CME has everything you need to keep your tone tight and road-ready.
Why you should Buy Distortion Pedals from CME
Chicago Music Exchange is your destination for distortion pedals for sale—from affordable stompboxes to rare vintage distortion pedals. Our curated selection includes new, used, and boutique models from top brands, with demos and expert recommendations available online or in-store.
When you buy distortion pedals online at CME, you’re backed by a team of gear experts passionate about helping you find the perfect match for your guitar and amp. Whether you’re chasing a legendary tone or searching for something completely new, CME connects you with the tools to get there.
Pedalboards
A distortion pedal is only as good as the setup around it, and a well-built pedalboard keeps your drive section organized, reliable, and ready for anything. Pedalboards provide a solid foundation to mount, protect, and power your pedals, so whether you’re stacking overdrive, fuzz, and distortion or running a single high-gain favorite, your effects stay secure and your signal stays clean.
The right pedalboard makes your rig easier to manage—cables stay tidy, power supplies stay hidden, and switching pedals mid-set feels effortless. From lightweight travel boards to pro-level setups with room for dozens of effects, a dedicated pedalboard ensures your distortion pedals sound consistent every night.
Explore our collection of pedalboards designed to handle everything from compact stompboxes to full multi-pedal chains. Give your distortion pedals the stage they deserve with a pedalboard that’s built to deliver performance, protection, and tone.
Powersupplies
Every great distortion pedal relies on a rock-solid foundation: clean, consistent power. Without it, the rich harmonics, tight attack, and saturated sustain you expect can be clouded by unwanted hum, hiss, or signal dropouts. A dedicated power supply keeps your board stable and your tone uncompromised, letting your distortion pedals perform exactly as designed—whether you’re stacking overdrives for subtle grit, dialing in fuzz for vintage chaos, or pushing modern high-gain into full roar.
Unlike batteries or daisy-chain adapters, an isolated supply ensures each pedal gets the right voltage and current, so your distortion stays sharp, defined, and noise-free. Pairing your drive section with the right supply means fewer headaches onstage, less troubleshooting in the studio, and more time spent focused on playing. Explore our pedal power supplies and give your distortion pedals the reliable energy they deserve—because tone this good shouldn’t flicker.
Distortion Bass Pedals
When it comes to bass, distortion isn’t just about grit—it’s about power, presence, and keeping the low end intact. Bass distortion pedals are designed to deliver crushing drive and growl without sacrificing clarity or bottom-end punch, giving bass players the edge to cut through a mix while still holding down the foundation. Whether you’re chasing vintage tube-style breakup, modern high-gain aggression, or a subtle touch of warmth, the right bass distortion pedal shapes your sound with precision.
Unlike standard guitar drives, bass distortion pedals preserve low frequencies and offer tone-shaping controls that keep your lines full, focused, and articulate. From studio sessions to live stages, they provide consistent, reliable tone that works in rock, metal, funk, or experimental settings. Explore our collection of bass distortion pedals to find the perfect balance of grit and groove—because your bass deserves distortion that hits as hard as your playing.