So, imagine this: you stumble upon $70 tucked away in your old jacket. Strange things happen, right? Maybe a generous soul slipped it in, or perhaps it’s leftover cash from a community event. The origin doesn’t really matter. What’s important is you now have some extra money to spend. You could handle some practical errands like printer ink or car maintenance. Or maybe indulge in a few fancy coffee drinks.
But as a guitarist, another thought might cross your mind: gear. Specifically, guitar pedals. And before you dismiss the idea thinking $70 won’t get you far in the pedal world, think again. For that amount, you can actually score some seriously cool and useful effects pedals that can elevate your guitar playing without emptying your wallet.
Instead of those other options, consider investing that found money into your sound. There’s a fantastic selection of guitar pedals available for under $70 that deliver impressive tones and functionality. Let’s dive into ten awesome “Cheap Guitar Pedals” that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to get great effects.
BBE 427 Distortion
First up, we have the BBE 427 Distortion. This pedal is a fantastic find because it takes its inspiration from the legendary ProCo Rat. Original vintage “big box” Rat pedals are highly sought after and can easily cost over $1000. The BBE 427 offers a similar circuit design in a more pedalboard-friendly size and at a fraction of the price, usually around $60. Plus, it comes in blue!
For guitarists seeking that classic, gritty distortion sound without the vintage price tag, the BBE 427 Distortion is an excellent and affordable option. It provides a robust and versatile distortion capable of handling a wide range of musical styles.
Danelectro Tuna Melt Tremolo
Next on the list is the Danelectro Tuna Melt Tremolo. Just the name itself is memorable, and the price is even more appealing: around $39. Yes, you read that right, under $40 for a tremolo pedal.
Tremolo is a valuable effect for adding subtle modulation or choppy rhythmic textures to your guitar tone. The Tuna Melt delivers a surprisingly good tremolo sound for its incredibly low price. While it comes in a plastic housing, the circuit inside is well-regarded, offering a warm and usable tremolo effect that punches well above its weight. It’s a perfect entry point into tremolo effects or a great backup option to have in your gig bag.
Deadbeat Delay Lay Lay Analog Delay
Don’t let the “Analog Delay” in the name completely fool you; the Deadbeat Delay Lay Lay is a digital delay pedal that cleverly emulates the warmth of analog delays. It achieves this using the PT-2399 chip, a popular choice for creating affordable delay effects with a vintage vibe. You can usually find this pedal for around $60.
Despite being digital, the Lay Lay Delay offers a warm and pleasing repeat that’s great for slapback echoes or longer, ambient delays. One common issue with pedals using the PT-2399 chip is noise, but the Deadbeat Delay manages to keep the noise floor impressively low. For guitarists needing a versatile and affordable delay that leans towards a warmer, vintage-inspired sound, the Lay Lay is a strong contender in the cheap guitar pedals category.
DOD Stereo Flanger FX75-B
Moving into modulation territory, the DOD Stereo Flanger FX75-B is a fantastic vintage-style flanger that often flies under the radar. DOD pedals from this era are known for their quality and unique sounds, and the FX75-B is no exception. You can typically find these for around $59, making them another excellent cheap guitar pedal option.
DOD Stereo Flanger FX75-B Pedal
Flanger effects can range from subtle swirling textures to jet-plane whooshing sounds. The DOD FX75-B excels at providing a more subtle, chorus-like flanging that adds depth and movement to clean guitar tones. It can also create more pronounced flange effects when desired. For players looking to explore flanger effects without spending a lot, the DOD FX75-B offers vintage character and versatility at a budget-friendly price.
Dr. J D-56 Planes Walker Fuzz
For fuzz aficionados on a budget, the Dr. J D-56 Planes Walker Fuzz is a pedal to check out. This fuzz pedal, typically priced around $65, delivers a range of fuzz tones, from smooth and warm to ripping and aggressive. And it comes in pink!
The Planes Walker Fuzz features controls for “Color” (mids), “Input” (gain), and a switch to toggle between silicon and germanium clipping modes. This provides a good amount of tonal flexibility, allowing you to dial in different fuzz flavors. The germanium setting offers a warmer, distortion-like fuzz that cleans up nicely with your guitar’s volume knob. If you’re looking to venture into fuzz territory without breaking the bank, the Dr. J D-56 Planes Walker Fuzz is a fun and surprisingly versatile choice.
Marshall ED-1 Edward Compressor
Compression is an often-underappreciated effect, but it can be incredibly useful for evening out dynamics, adding sustain, and shaping your guitar tone. The Marshall ED-1 Edward Compressor offers these capabilities at a very affordable price, around $45.
Part of Marshall’s ED series of pedals, the Edward Compressor is built with a sturdy metal enclosure and knobs, giving it a quality feel despite its low price. Compressors “squish” the dynamic range of your signal, making quieter notes louder and louder notes quieter. This can result in a more consistent and punchy tone, especially useful for clean playing, funk rhythms, or adding sustain to lead lines. If you’re curious about compression and want to experiment without a big investment, the Marshall ED-1 Edward Compressor is a great entry point.
Electro-Harmonix Neo Clone Analog Chorus
The Electro-Harmonix Neo Clone is a modern take on the classic Small Clone chorus, known for its lush and watery chorus effect. While the price has slightly increased since its initial release, it’s still a very affordable chorus pedal, typically found around $55.
Chorus pedals add a shimmering, thickening effect to your guitar tone, making it sound wider and richer. The Neo Clone keeps things simple with just a rate knob and a depth switch, making it easy to dial in great chorus sounds quickly. It’s a fantastic option for players new to chorus effects or those seeking a no-fuss, classic chorus sound on a budget. The Neo Clone remains a solid value in the world of cheap guitar pedals, offering a recognizable and desirable effect.
MXR GT-OD Overdrive Pedal
For overdrive tones, the MXR GT-OD Overdrive is a versatile and well-regarded pedal that often sells for around $65. Despite its green enclosure and three-knob layout, it’s not a Tube Screamer clone. Instead, it’s based on circuitry derived from MXR’s Zakk Wylde Overdrive, offering a slightly different flavor of overdrive.
The GT-OD excels at providing smooth, medium-gain overdrive tones that are great for blues, rock, and pushing a clean amp into breakup. It’s less about high-gain shred and more about warm, amp-like overdrive. Many guitarists find the GT-OD to be a useful addition to their pedalboards, offering a different flavor of overdrive compared to the ubiquitous Tube Screamer. If you’re looking to expand your overdrive palette without spending a lot, the MXR GT-OD is a strong contender.
TC Electronic Skysurfer Reverb
Reverb is an essential effect for adding space and ambience to your guitar tone. The TC Electronic Skysurfer Reverb provides a range of reverb options at a very affordable price, around $53. And it comes in a pleasing baby blue color!
The Skysurfer Reverb features three reverb modes: Plate, Hall, and Spring, covering a wide range of reverb styles. From subtle room ambience to lush hall reverbs and splashy spring reverb sounds, the Skysurfer offers versatility for different musical contexts. For players needing a reliable and affordable reverb pedal, the TC Electronic Skysurfer Reverb is a great option that delivers quality reverb sounds without breaking the bank.
Donner Nano Series Metal Head
Finally, for those who like it heavy, the Donner Nano Series Metal Head delivers high-gain distortion in a mini pedal format for an incredibly low price, often around $29.
Don’t let the small size fool you; the Metal Head is designed for metal and hard rock tones, providing a thick and aggressive distortion. While perhaps not the most nuanced or versatile distortion, it excels at delivering high-gain sounds perfect for metal riffs and solos. If you’re looking for a cheap and compact pedal to unleash your inner metal guitarist, the Donner Nano Series Metal Head is a fun and affordable option.
This list is just a starting point, but it demonstrates that you can find a wide variety of excellent guitar effects pedals for under $70. These cheap guitar pedals prove that great tone doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. So, if you find yourself with a little extra cash, consider investing in one of these affordable gems and expand your sonic possibilities without emptying your wallet.
