Finding the right guitar pedals can dramatically shape your sound, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking great tone requires breaking the bank. At guitarplayers.net, we’re dedicated to helping you explore all facets of guitar playing, and that includes proving you don’t need to spend a fortune to build a killer pedalboard. You might have found some unexpected cash – maybe $70 from an old coat pocket – and are wondering how to best invest it in your guitar setup. Forget printer ink or oil changes; that money is pedal money!
Instead of mundane purchases, what if you could snag a pedal that inspires creativity and expands your sonic palette? We’ve curated a list of 10 Affordable Guitar Pedals under $70 that we genuinely love. These aren’t just “good for the price” options; they are legitimately impressive pedals that deliver exceptional value. While words can only do so much to describe sound, we encourage you to check out video demos to truly hear these pedals in action and understand why they’ve made our list of top budget-friendly picks. Keep in mind that prices can fluctuate, and while we’ve done our best to reflect current market values, always double-check listings for the most up-to-date pricing.
1. BBE 427 Distortion: Unleash Classic Rat Tones for Less
If you’re chasing the legendary distortion of a vintage ProCo Rat but don’t want to shell out a thousand dollars (or more!), the BBE 427 Distortion is your answer. This affordable distortion pedal captures the essence of that iconic circuit in a pedalboard-friendly and budget-conscious package. While original “big box” Rats are known for their hefty size and price tag, the 427 Distortion offers a smaller footprint, a cool blue finish, and, most importantly, that snarling, versatile Rat sound for around $60. From gritty overdrive to full-blown distortion and even fuzz-like tones, the BBE 427 proves that cheap distortion pedals can deliver serious sonic firepower.
2. Danelectro Tuna Melt Tremolo: Vintage Tremolo Vibes on a Budget
The Danelectro Tuna Melt Tremolo is a testament to the fact that affordable pedals can have character and charm. For around $39, this pedal delivers surprisingly rich and warm tremolo effects. Don’t let the plastic housing fool you; the circuit inside is fantastic, providing a range of tremolo speeds and depths to add texture and movement to your guitar tone. Whether you’re after subtle shimmers or choppy, rhythmic pulses, the Tuna Melt is a versatile and incredibly cheap tremolo pedal that’s perfect for adding vintage-inspired vibes to your playing. It’s a fantastic option for players looking to experiment with tremolo without a significant investment.
3. Deadbeat Delay Lay Lay Analog Delay: Warm, Tape-Like Echoes Affordably
Despite its name suggesting an analog circuit, the Deadbeat Delay Lay Lay Analog Delay utilizes a digital PT-2399 chip to create its warm, vintage-sounding echoes. This clever design allows it to offer analog-style delay characteristics at a remarkably affordable delay pedal price point. Often, pedals using the PT-2399 chip can suffer from noise issues, but the Lay Lay Delay is impressively quiet, delivering clean and clear repeats. It’s capable of everything from subtle slapback to longer, ambient delays, making it a versatile and budget-friendly delay pedal that punches well above its weight in terms of sound quality and features.
4. DOD Stereo Flanger FX75-B: Classic Flanger Sounds Without Breaking the Bank
The DOD FX75-B Stereo Flanger is a gem from DOD’s classic pedal era, offering rich and swirling flanger effects for around $59. This affordable flanger pedal is known for its versatility, allowing for subtle chorus-like thickening to deep, jet-plane swooshes. Many guitarists appreciate using flanger subtly to add depth and texture to clean guitar tones, and the FX75-B excels in this application. Its ability to create a unique “slap delay” flange effect further enhances its appeal. For players seeking classic flanger tones without the high price tag of vintage or boutique pedals, the DOD FX75-B is an outstanding and cheap flanger pedal choice.
5. Dr. J D-56 Planes Walker Fuzz: Face-Melting Fuzz Tones for Under $70
Prepare for sonic mayhem with the Dr. J D-56 Planes Walker Fuzz. This $65 fuzz pedal is a powerhouse of thick, saturated fuzz tones, capable of both melting faces and warming hearts. Its vibrant pink enclosure hints at the sonic intensity within. The Planes Walker Fuzz is surprisingly versatile for a budget fuzz pedal, featuring a “Color” control that acts like a mids shaping knob and a switchable silicon/germanium circuit. The germanium setting delivers a warmer, more distortion-like fuzz that cleans up nicely with your guitar’s volume knob. For players looking to explore the world of fuzz without a hefty investment, the Dr. J D-56 is a fantastic and affordable fuzz pedal that delivers serious fuzz firepower.
6. Marshall ED-1 Edward Compressor: Squish Your Tone Affordably
Compressors can be essential tools for shaping dynamics and adding sustain to your guitar tone, but they are often perceived as complex and expensive. The Marshall ED-1 Edward Compressor breaks that mold, offering a well-built and affordable compressor pedal for around $45. Part of Marshall’s ED-1 series, this pedal features a robust metal enclosure and knobs, suggesting a quality build that belies its price. From subtle smoothing to extreme “squished” compression, the Edward Compressor provides a range of compression effects. It’s an excellent entry point into compression, allowing players to experiment with its effects without a significant financial commitment. If you’re compressor-curious, the Marshall ED-1 is a great and cheap compressor pedal to start with.
7. Electro-Harmonix Neo Clone Analog Chorus: Classic Chorus Sounds Made Affordable
The Electro-Harmonix Neo Clone Analog Chorus is a modern take on the legendary Small Clone chorus, delivering those sought-after classic chorus tones at an affordable chorus pedal price. While the price has slightly increased since its initial release, at around $55, it remains an incredibly accessible option for adding lush, swirling chorus to your guitar sound. Its simple single-knob and switch operation make it incredibly easy to use, ensuring you can quickly dial in great chorus sounds without getting lost in complex controls. For players seeking a straightforward and budget-friendly chorus pedal with a classic pedigree, the Neo Clone is a top contender.
8. MXR GT-OD Overdrive Pedal: Versatile Overdrive Tones for Under $70
The MXR GT-OD Overdrive Pedal offers a wide spectrum of overdrive tones, from subtle boosts to crunchy drive, all for around $65. While its green enclosure and three-knob layout might suggest Tube Screamer territory, the GT-OD is its own distinct circuit, drawing inspiration from the Zakk Wylde Overdrive but with its own voicing. It excels particularly in the medium-gain range, delivering a smooth and articulate overdrive that’s great for blues, rock, and more. For players who are always on the hunt for new overdrive flavors, the GT-OD is a fantastic and affordable overdrive pedal that provides excellent versatility and value.
9. TC Electronic Skysurfer Reverb: Quality Reverb at a Bargain Price
Every guitarist needs a reverb at some point, and the TC Electronic Skysurfer Reverb makes adding quality reverb to your setup incredibly affordable at around $53. Its appealing baby blue enclosure houses three distinct reverb algorithms: Plate, Hall, and Spring. The Spring setting is particularly noteworthy, delivering a splashy, vintage-inspired spring reverb sound. Whether you need subtle ambience or lush, cavernous reverb washes, the Skysurfer is a versatile and cheap reverb pedal that provides excellent sound quality and a range of useful reverb types.
10. Donner Nano Series Metal Head: Mini Metal Mayhem for Just $29
Rounding out our list is the Donner Nano Series Metal Head, a tiny but mighty distortion pedal that delivers high-gain metal tones for an astonishingly low price of around $29. This affordable metal pedal is perfect for players who crave aggressive, high-gain sounds without sacrificing pedalboard space or budget. Despite its small size and price, the Metal Head is capable of producing thick, searing distortion tones suitable for metal riffs and aggressive rock styles. For players looking for a cheap distortion pedal specifically for metal and high-gain genres, the Donner Metal Head is an unbeatable value.
These ten affordable guitar pedals are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to budget-friendly gear that delivers exceptional performance. They prove that you don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve inspiring and versatile guitar tones. Explore these options, experiment with your sound, and discover how far $70 (or less!) can go in expanding your pedalboard and unleashing your creativity.
