Are you on a tight budget but still looking to add some flavor to your guitar sound? Consider adding guitar pedals.
These magical little devices can take your sound from meh to mesmerizing, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to get guitar pedals.
In this article, we explore the best guitar pedals under $50 that can give your sound the boost it needs.
Here is a summary of the top picks:
- BOSS Distortion Guitar Pedal, DS-1 (Most Popular)
- TC Electronic MojoMojo Overdrive Pedal (Best value)
Best Guitar Pedals Under $50 Reviewed- Top Picks
BOSS Distortion Guitar Pedal, DS-1
Boss Distortion Guitar Pedals have been in the market since the 1970s. A good deal of notable artists still use it, so you can’t go wrong with Boss DS-1.
It’s arguably the most trendy distortion pedal, associated with legendary names like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Kurt Cobain.
Boss DS-1 features three controls: tone, level, and distortion knobs that customize overall sound per the player’s desire. Furthermore, it embodies a super-tough construction, but its features are basic, and its sound isn’t the very best.
It has a straightforward design coupled with an AC power connection, and it can take a 9V battery. It has a robust metal casing with a rubber pad capable of handling a lot of stomps.
The orange machine is deemed popular because of its distinctive hard-clipping classic tone. Its simplicity and versatility have proven to be a strength.
It’s known for reproducing dynamics of playing from a smooth cutting sound to a rough metal style.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Fairly versatile
- Can get into fuzzy domains
- Quality vintage distortion
- Durable
Cons
- Lacks additional features
- Lacks a super original tone
- Drains batteries
TC Electronic MojoMojo Overdrive Pedal
If you are craving a classic tube amp-style drive, TC Electronic Mojomojo should be a top choice. It is your ticket to a valve-like overdrive and offers you that authentic tube amplifier feel.
TC Electronic Mojomojo features drive and level controls that are pretty straightforward. The active bass and treble EQ knobs affect the overdrive tone and influence the overall response to divergent frequencies. You can match your guitar and amp simply by setting the voicing and EQ.
The pedal encapsulates a True Bypass that ensures ultimate signal integrity and a toggle switch that delivers an extra voicing.
It’s “built like a tank” and incorporates a tight bottom end as well as a natural tube sag. Don’t look any further if you prefer a tonal shift to a dirtier amp sound since the pedal has tone controls that operate over a reasonable range.
TC Electronic Mojomojo works at optimum when paired with a vintage-oriented tube amplifier and is suitable for Blues and Classic rock players. Unfortunately, it sounds compressed if the EQ is misdialed.
Pros
- Easy battery access
- Amp-like dynamic response
- Open distortion
Cons
- Sounds compressed if EQ is dialed incorrectly.
Behringer TO800 Vintage Tube-Sound Overdrive Instrument Effects Pedal
It is deemed one of the most inexpensive guitar pedals, inviting scrutiny into the product. Some find it difficult to reconcile the price attached to the product and the quality of the tubular rock guitar tone oozing from it.
It is the very soul of rock ‘n’ roll and makes an excellent alternative to expensive brands out there. Scores of players fancy this pedal while adding to an amp’s existing gain and boosting solo performances.
Behringer TO800 has Separate Drive, Tone, and Level controls, which allow you to sculpt the exact sound you desire from a vast range of design options. It also features a Status LED for a battery check and effect activation, providing top-notch signal integrity in bypass mode.
This pedal employs 4558 IC alongside MA 150 distortion diodes for bona fide vintage sounds. In addition, it has rugged electronic on/off switches necessary for noise-free operations and runs on a 9V battery.
It sustains the classic blazing sound and keeps every nuance of your playing from smooth overdrive to screaming tube sounds. However, I didn’t like that it’s plastic made and has a lackluster overdrive.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Versatile
Cons
- Plastic housing
- Lackluster overdrive
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MOSKY AMP TURBO 2-in-1 Guitar Effect Pedal Boost
It’s part of the Mosky Handwired series. It’s cloned from Lovepedal Amp11 and regarded as a pedal of many bargains by guitarists.
The deluxe preamp features a low to medium-gain overdrive, which allows you to adjust everything from a seemingly intricate overdrive to mild distortions because of the built-in circuit.
The Deluxe comes with a versatile, punchy two-footswitch overdrive. The Timmy on the left incorporates diode switching capabilities, while the Electra overdrive on the right is identical to the Lovepedal Amp 11.
This pedal also features independent switching between the boost and overdrive channels. It has low-to-medium gain overdrive with a smooth, round, balanced sound.
Mosky Deluxe preamp has mild distortion due to slight overdrive. It also delivers an open sound and has a great dynamic response. You can remove the clipping diodes with the additional switch, making it a clean boost rather than a second drive stage.
However, the pedal works only with a 9V power supply (center negative). It also produces noise or hum due to an unbalanced power supply.
Pros
- Affordable
- Solid tone
- Versatile two-footswitch overdrive
Cons
- An unbalanced power supply may produce a hum or noise
FAQs
Is There A Good Tone In Any Of The Finest Guitar Pedals Under 50?
The pros use a lot of cheap guitar pedals all the time, so you shouldn’t disregard a low priced simply because of the price tag. You can find some of these low-cost jewels on music stages throughout the world.
Can find good but affordable guitar pedals?
There are some high-quality guitar pedals available for under $50. They have enormous sounds and incredible performances to offer. Consider the following options: Behringer TO800, Boss DS-1, TC Electronic Mojomojo, among others.
Conclusion
Guitar pedals are available in a wide range of styles. However, with a modest budget and a little expertise, you can find good guitar pedals under $50 to satisfy your cravings for quality music.