Struggling to find the best distortion pedal for punk? We are here to help you.
As a distinctive subgenre of garage rock, punk tracks tend to be hard-hitting and punchy without being aggressive and hard-hitting. You can create singular tunes for post-punk, glam punk, hardcore punk, or any other punk rock style you prefer by choosing the right instrument and pickups.
The most practical way to modulate the output from your instrument to suit your punk style would be to use a good distortion pedal.
‘Distortion pedals’ as the terminology indicates, distort or rather fine-tune your guitar’s tunes to mold them to your preferred mode.
We have put together some of the most versatile distortion pedals prized by players all over the world.
Best Distortion Pedals for Punk Rock (Comparison Table)
| Image | Model | Dimensions | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boss DS-1 Distortion Guitar Pedal (Top Pick) | 4 x 6 x 3 | Check Price |
 | Pro Co RAT2 Distortion Pedal (Close Runner-Up) | 4.8 x 4.5 x 3.3 | Check Price |
 | MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion | 4.5 x 6 x 2.75 | Check Price |
 | TC Electronic Grand Magus (Best on a Budget) | 5.2 x 2.91 x 2.28 | Check Price |
 | MXR M104 Distortion + | 5.5 x 2.5 x 4.5 | Check Price |
 | Boss ODB-3 Pedal | 5.9 x 3.7 x 2.5 | Check Price |
1. Boss DS-1 Distortion Guitar Pedal (Editor’s Choice)
Launched in 1978, the DS-1 Distortion Guitar Pedal is the introductory distortion pedal from BOSS that attained iconic status by underscoring innovative sound. As BOSS’s inaugural distortion pedal, the DS-1 excelled in reproducing smooth, well-rounded sustain and sharp attack feted by guitarists.
The DS-1 distortion pedal, despite coming such a long way since its introduction, still sports the original design and continues to be BOSS’s bestselling compact pedal of all time.
This distortion pedal by Boss continues to be the inspiration behind the composing of groundbreaking music worldwide. Before DS-1’s advent, most distortion pedals generated muddy and raucous tones when the distortion was set high. However, Boss’s technicians created a distinctive distortion circuit in 1978 that helped produce taut, sharp gain with smooth and colorful harmonics.
At the same time, the versatile distortion circuitry did not interfere with the intrinsic attributes of playing techniques and various instruments. As a result, the unique tone of DS-1 made a noticeable impact on numerous musical genres that emerged during the ’70s and ’80s, including punk, metal, and hard rock. DS-1 continues to make a striking influence not only on new-fangled music genres and subgenres but also on many players.
You can titillate the DS-1 to deliver a wide gamut of sounds by making the most of its tone, level, and distortion knob controls. DS-1’s distortion knob presents a vast spectrum, from gentle boost for lashing pedals and amps to gutsy gain for rock and jazz riffs. Likewise, simply turning the tone knob leftwards and rightwards allows you to dial in everything from silky, thick lead voices to razor-sharp rhythm sounds.
Pros
- Vintage-quality tones for all musical genres
- Performs excellently as a booster when set at low distortion
- Perfectly hard-edged assaults even when distortions are maxed out, which is ideal for biting solos and stocky rhythms
- It doesn’t suppress the natural sounds of your playing style, instrument, and pickups
- Exclusive tone control facilitates a wide spectrum of sound molding
- 5-year limited warranty from BOSS
Cons
- Some players have found that this pedal is a bit fizzy and nearly does away with low end.
2. Pro Co RAT2 Distortion Pedal (Close Runner-Up)
Once you use the Pro Co RaT2 Distortion Pedal, you bet you’ll want it to be your default distortion pedal. Whether you specialize in jazz, punk, blues, or rock, the RAT2 from Pro Co will become your go-to distortion pedal sooner or later.
This distortion pedal comes with the iconic RAT filter control that you can turn towards the right for delivering delicate and warm higher-end frequencies.
If you struggle to slice your way through the complex maze of the mix, turn the knob to the left. A simple rolling of the control leftwards ensures that your bass’s inherent brilliance comes to the fore. This versatile distortion pedal dials in just the right gain intensity ranging from gentle and soft overdrive to flat-out fuzzy attack.
Expect the RAT2 to straddle across overdrive, fuzz, sustain, and distortion for reproducing gritting bawdy to charmingly raunchily grubby notes. Use the RAT2’s volume knob to bring the appropriate gain level impeccably balanced against the bypassed lucid tone. In addition, the distortion, filter, and volume knobs glow in the dark, thus enabling you to use the pedal in low light.
Pros
- Practically indestructible steel enclosure
- The signal path is 100% analog
- Extremely durable jacks, knobs, and footswitches
- Ideal for boosting solos
- Enables tube amps to shift from shimmering clean to convivial overdrive effortlessly
Cons
- Players struggle to remove the rubberized feet at the bottom while installing them on the pedalboard.
3. MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion Pedal
The felicitated MXR Custom Badass Team was unwilling to rest on their laurels after creating the masterpiece-the M78 Custom Badass ’78 Distortion. Instead, the team’s consistent drive to achieve perfection spurred the creation of the MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion Pedal. For your convenience, Jim Dunlop’s M75 Super Badass Distortion Pedal offers you the long-established and time-honored analog or harmonic distortion.
The Super Badass spans the entire spectrum from the contemporary ‘hollowed out’ metal distortion to the low-gain overdrive of the classic ’70s. You can dial in every conceivable tinge of dirt thanks to the stupendously intuitive distortion control. Take advantage of the bass, mid, and treble control knobs for customizing your soundstage after setting the desired crunch level.
Featuring true bypass switching, the Super Badass comes across as a fully roadworthy distortion pedal thanks to its resilient components and heavy-duty housing. MXR has distilled its extensive experience developing analog guitar pedals and used this expertise to create M75 Super Badass. As a result, the MXR M75 distortion pedal’s rudimentary articulation is crisp and taut.
Pros
- With the unity volume set to approximately 10 o’clock, there’s a mindboggling output range you can experiment with
- Make the most of the three-band EQ for cutting through metallic or raise the midrange for vintage fare
- 3/4th of the distortion delivers a chunky thickset growl that’ll impress players of most rock genres
- Exceptional build quality
Cons
- Cranking up the distortion excessively might overwhelm things
- Not sufficiently crunchy for metal
4. TC Electronic Grand Magus Distortion Pedal (Best on a Budget)
The Grand Magus Distortion Pedal from TC Electronics effectively simulates organic tube amp-style distortion typified by the taut bottom-end tone and natural slump. Brimming with the tense bottom-end tone, tube firmness, and vintage tube amp-style distortion, the Grand Magus dials in the quintessence of rock ‘n’ roll.
To make your instrument sound heavenly, all you need to do is pair the Grand Magus’s tonality with a tube-rectified standard power supply.
The Grand Magus excels in gleaning the normal power supply sag and the blissfully warm chorals rendering it a masterpiece. This is your go-to distortion pedal if you’re looking for velvety highs, loaded mids, and stretched bottom-end from your riffs. You can also make good use of its mild tonal character and ultra-wide gain range from hefty distortions to crispy tones.
Rock players can discover the ideal middle ground as the Grand Magus offers a more than gentle overdrive without going overboard like a metal pedal. Instead, this is a super-compact pedal with top-mount jacks, making it easy to install on a pedalboard. So regardless of whether your concert demands an ultra-crunchy high-gain tone or a shady vintage distortion, the Grand Magus is up to the task.
Pros
- Virtually unbreakable metal casing
- Top-mounted I/O ports
- It offers much more than what it’s worth
- Multiple and colorful shades of gain
- Organic tube-like distortion
Cons
- Tone shaping capability is not as good as BOSS DS-1 or MXR M75
- The true bypass control functions in reverse, unlike most distortion pedals
5. MXR M104 Distortion + Pedal
The M104 Distortion + from MXR guarantees delightful and thrilling distorted tunes from a pedalboard-friendly roadworthy piece. Furthermore, the MXR M104 Distortion + Pedal can fully transition from dynamic overdrive to exaggerated fuzz with effortless ease. No wonder this distortion pedal by MXR tends to be an integral component of heavy metal or rock guitarist’s rig.
Dialing in your choice tunes is a breeze with a straightforward turning of the distortion knob. First, you have to turn the knob for distortion to the right degree for pulling off your desired crunch level. After that, you need to tweak the output knob to set the volume to your preferred level.
If you’re looking for a manageable distortion at low volume, just set the controls at t minimum. On the other hand, if you desire a warm and full-bodied tube overdrive, turn the knobs clockwise a bit. And for blending the protracted sustain with a prominent distorted, blurred tone, set the knobs to the maximum.
Pros
- Hardwearing metal enclosure for long term use
- Compact design enables the pedal to be mounted on pedalboard without taking up excessive space
- Delivers vintage 70’s distortion and early 80’s hard rock tone
Cons
- Turning up the distortion level might lead to loss of bass and treble, resulting in somewhat muffled sound.
6. Boss ODB-3 Guitar Chorus Effects Pedal
Designed and created exclusively for four- and five-string basses, the Boss ODB-3 Guitar Chorus Effects Pedal reproduces powerful, resounding distortion.
Bassists and players specializing in post-punk, rave music, techno, Fluxus, drum and bass, and electronic dance music choose Boss OCB-3. Since Boss started making guitar effects pedals, the manufacturer set the standards for different effects pedals.
If you wish to accomplish those nebulous forceful bass tunes that rock, heavy metal, and punk players rave about, then you don’t need to look further. This guitar chorus effects pedal lets you achieve that earth-shattering distortion that typifies today’s metal, industrial, and techno genres.
Pros
- Compatible with 4- and 5-string guitars
- ‘Industrial’ and ‘techno’ players rave about this pedal for its thumping distortion
- Excels as a 2-band EQ
Cons
- Players may have to put up with white noise/fuzz when they crank up the high-end.
FAQ: Best Pedal for Punk Distortion Tone
How to Get Punk Rock Distortion?
As a music genre universally referred to as punk, punk rock first made its appearance in the 1970s and is considered an offshoot of garage rock. Punk numbers tend to be fast-paced and typified by driving melodies and sharp singing styles. Now the guitar type, pickups, and amps in your setup make a huge difference to the quality of punk timbre.
However, in this guide, we’re going to focus exclusively on how pedals and amps let your instrument deliver the goods. Contrary to what many players think, pedals (delay, overdrive, distortion, etc.) can significantly influence what you’re trying to accomplish from your bass.
If you’re used to playing your guitar without a pedal (or pedals, for that matter), then try practicing using one. You’ll indeed feel the difference; better still listen to songs that have been captured and recorded using a pedalboard.
What Does a Distortion Pedal Do?
Unlike good overdrive pedals, distortion pedals tend to be a tad more forceful and insistent, totally changing the character of your tone and lending it a new persona. A distortion pedal in sharp contrast to an overdrive (that merely takes your amps to the distortion threshold) modifies the tunes to your liking. In addition, distortion pedals pack a mouthful of grit and dirt into your tone.
And depending on what you choose, the pedal might create a focused gloomy devastating distortion or grave swinging crunch. Irrespective of whether you prefer playing forcefully or with gentleness, the result will be the same. As a solid clipping unit, the distortion pedal’s chief purpose is distorting sound, and it does the job quite skillfully.
Best distortion pedals work great with heavy metal and hard rock and their associated subgenres, delivering a loaded tone characterized by murky output. And based on how you set the controls, the pedal could even intensify the signal.
However, if you’re looking to revel in dialing in greater sustain bordering on the feedback, you’ll need to compress the signal, and the pedal excels in this task as well.
You’ll find a distortion pedal indispensable if you want to ring in the grimy taut clang of heavy metal and the high-gain timbre of a solid-state amp. Simply put, distortion pedals are perfect for players specializing in heavier musical genres such as hard rock, heavy metal, and punk rock. In addition, you must mount a distortion pedal on your pedalboard if you want your instrument to deliver striking arpeggios and trend-setting solos.
The Standard Troika in Your Pedalboard That You Can’t Do Without
If you’re still holding on to that vintage pedalboard from the 1980s, then you must have preserved that standard troika. Yes, you got that right! The distortion (pedal), compressor (adjustable gain amp), and chorus.
Starting with the distortion pedal, this device delivers a more aggressive and saturated sound than an overdrive pedal. Operating distortion pedals is also quite simple and straightforward-you need to tweak the knobs properly for dialing in your desired tonality. The Boss DS-1, MXR Distortion +, and RAT2 are three perceptive distortion pedals that you can install on your pedalboard.
Coming to compressors, they work as intuitive, adaptable gain amps that help achieve the sweet spot in your soundstage. A good compressor performs as a practical pedal, especially if you play post-punk and want your chords and punches to stand out. Talking about chorus, it delivers the modulation or intonation effect that replicates your instrument’s signal and exaggerates it with a bit of delay.
Eventually, you get a sound that is more colorful and well-rounded.
Conclusion: The Best Distortion Pedal for Punk
So there you go – the top distortion pedals for post-punk, art-punk, anarcho-punk, street punk, and other punk subgenres.
Choosing the best out of the six products can be pretty challenging, particularly for punk specialists. Nevertheless, all these models let you work with various instruments and amps.
Our pick is the Boss DS-1 pedal. It’s the best distortion pedal for punk available on the market at the moment.