Top Selling Effect Pedals of 2019

Line 6 seems to have a big share of the multi-effects processor and inexpensive modeling combo amplifier market.   From entry level guitarists to veterans who are tired of hauling stacks of gear, Line 6 is an industry leader. 

This years addition to the market is the multi-effect processor HX Stomp.

Description:

HX Stomp™ is a professional-grade guitar processor that delivers the sound of Helix® amps, cabs, and effects in an ultra-compact pedal. Whether you prefer to play through a traditional amp-and-pedal setup, or go direct onstage or in the studio, HX Stomp seamlessly integrates into a variety of environments and applications. Utilizing the same DSP and HX Modeling technology as its bigger Helix brethren, the HX Stomp guitar pedal nonetheless fits easily onto your pedalboard, or even in the pocket of your gig bag. There are over 300 amps, cabs, and effects—including a looper. HX Stomp contains all the same HX models found in Helix family products, as well as the legacy effects library from Line 6® M-Series pedals, and stompbox modelers such as the DL4™. Use it as a “super stompbox,” a backup or travel rig, an add-on tone expander when combined with other modelers, an audio interface—or even a complete guitar or bass rig.

It is difficult to speak of EHX pedals and not speak of the coveted “Muff” brand.  In 2019, EHX reintroduced guitarists to the 1973 Ram’s Head fuzz pedal.  It is easy to see why the Big Muff Pi Ram’s Head pedal has fared so well this year, with its smaller enclosure and smaller price point.  This analog pedal reaches the #2 spot on the list this year.

Description:

A faithful reproduction of the highly coveted 1973 Violet Ram’s Head Big Muff heard on countless classic recordings and famous guitar solos. It delivers the unmistakable articulate string separation and exceptional sustain that’s made the V2 Big Muff so sought after. Now with a few choice updates for convenience including true bypass switching, an LED to indicate effect status and the option of being powered by a 9-volt AC adapter.

Source Audio hits the “Top Ten” list twice this year.  Working with the team at Sweetwater seems to have its benefits.  The digital Collider delay and reverb pedal takes the 3rd spot on the list this year.  Source Audio’s “One Series” seems to be a hit with guitarists around the world.  The sleek look and easy to operated knobs and switches gives users a lot of pedal variety for the price.

Description:

Design complex soundscapes in seconds with the Collider Delay+Reverb. We hand-picked 12 standout delay and reverb effects from our award winning Nemesis Delay and Ventris Dual Reverb, and put them together in one compact housing with massive power and dead simple control. The Collider’s intuitive control surface makes it easy to mix-and-match any two-engine combination of delay and reverb. Dual footswitches provide individual Engage/Bypass control over each effect, making it a perfect choice for live performance.

The Collider offers an exceptional collection of rich, spacious tones, including realistic reproductions of vintage Analog, Tape, and Oil Can Delays, classic models of Spring and Plate Reverb, natural replications of large and small acoustic spaces, and an intriguing and highly musical selection of “unnatural” tones including a tripped-out Reverse Delay and an other-worldly Shimmer Reverb.

Synthesizer effect pedals have been all the rage over the past few years.  Not to be outdone, Boss adds its new SY-1 into the mix in 2019.  Although Boss already has the SY-300 and SY-1000 digital synthesizer pedal, the world is going mini so Boss fit 121 synthesizer sounds into their best selling standard enclosure.  You would be hard-pressed to find a new Boss pedal in the standard enclosure not make a “Top Ten” list.

Description:

With the SY-1, it’s never been easier to infuse your creative arsenal with BOSS’s legendary guitar synth technology. This amazingly expressive tool is filled with 121 ultra-responsive sounds, all distilled down into a BOSS compact pedal that slides easily into any setup. Best of all, it’s as simple to use as a standard stompbox, so you don’t need any background in synth programming to bring a new world of sonic textures to your music.

It is no secret, the world loved EarthQuaker Device’s pedals.  The EQD sound and marketing team introduced the world to another Tube Screamer style pedal and hit a home run.  This analog beauty came out mid-season and hit the ground running.  The $99.00 price tag introduced many new customers to EarthQuaker Devices.  Careful, it may be a gateway drug to their other amazing EQD effect pedals.

Description:

Plumes® is a unique, all-analog approach to a classic tube-like overdrive circuit offering 3 different clipping voices, loads of headroom and almost three-dimensional clarity that will push your amp over the edge. The re=imagined tone control is finely tuned to sculpt low end, clear top end, and focus mid-range with blooming sustain.

After the global sensation of the Walrus Audio digital Fathom reverb pedal, Walrus Audio introduces guitarists to the new Slo Multi-Textured reverb.  Go “dark” by switching to a lower octave or emphasize a brief burst of reverb to accentuate a specific note or phrase.   Walrus Audio tone and artwork are taking the world by digital storm.

Description:

The Slö Multi Texture Reverb allows players to create lush, modulated, sleepy and ambient soundscapes. Stocked with three different algorithms specifically designed to invoke textures for bringing dreams from your subconscious to reality. The toggle switch allows three different reverb modes, Dark (Lower Octave), Rise (Ambient Swell) and Dream (Latching Pad), while secondary functions on the switch change between different wave shapes for the modulation on the reverb trail. Combine deep modulation with long washy trails and experience, the Slö.

The JHS Pedals second incarnation of its original Colour Box seems to be a hit.  The Colour Box 500, introduced in 2017 was a powerful tone shaping preamp for professional guitarists and studios.  At the introductory price of $899.00 it didn’t fit into most guitarists budgets, but the Colour Box V2 hit the market at $399.00, and hit the top selling list at #7!

Description:

From the Beatles’ “Revolution” to Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” to Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl,” some of rock’s most storied guitar tones were created by skipping the amp and plugging right into a vintage recording console. The JHS Colour Box V2 takes that concept and drops it on your pedalboard. With a fully analog, transformer-based design and sweet-sounding EQ section, the Colour Box V2 is a tone-shaping wizard that can re-create classic tones or help you produce unique signature sounds.

Not just for guitarists, Colour Box V2 sounds great on bass, keys, and vocals, too. And it’s a versatile studio tool favored by engineers for adding swagger and personality to any recording.

Source Audio had a great 2019.  Two “Top Ten” pedals in one year.  The Source Audio C4 Synth comes fully loaded.  Create custom C4 Synth presets from its three pre-loaded patches.  Select from 11 envelope followers with adjustable attack/decay and run two, simultaneous 16-step sequencer patterns.  A lot of options packed into this small enclosure with only four knobs.

Description:

The C4 Synth unites all the sound creation tools of a classic Eurorack modular synthesizer and packages them in a compact and easy-to-use effects pedal for guitar or bass. Out of the box the C4 offers six dynamic synth tones that range from vintage analog to the thoroughly modern. It is essentially a modular synth in a small pedal with unprecedented tracking abilities, lightning-fast response, and countless sound options. With the addition of the Neuro Desktop Editor (a free download for Mac and Windows machines) and Mobile App. (for iPhone and Android) it’s easy to browse from the ever-growing library of highly-inspired presets created by the Source Audio crew and the expanding community of C4 enthusiasts.

The monumental success of the Fulltone OCD spawned the OCD Ge germanium version in 2019.  Like its predecessor, the new OCD Ge sounds amazing through any style amplifier or stacked with other effects.  Accentuate warm highs or lows with the flip of a switch.  Another amazing, affordable pedal from Fulltone.

Description:

The OCD pedal is the only pedal that uses 2 x Mosfets configured as hard-clipping to ‘Voltage reference” instead of the usual way: to ground.” The earliest OCDs used 2 x Mosfets plus 1 x Germanium diode, but very quickly these diodes became harder and harder to find, and they became expensive. Recently I stumbled across a reasonably large stash of the right kind of Germanium diodes so I ponied-up and bought all of them.

So I decided to do a run of the ultimate OCD: a Custom Shop offering with a few circuit tweaks using 2 x Mosfets plus 2 x Germanium diodes, and one hell of a beautiful paint job… Metallic Teal with a chrome undercoat! This beauty morphs between blues and greens depending on the light and angle. And what would the ultimate OCD be without a Blue LED? The sound? Great definition, more tube-like feel, a bit wider dynamic range, more sustain, and a more focused single-note tone. And as with all Fulltone pedals… 100% Built in the USA.

Boss introduces its 7th looper pedal to the market in 2019.  The digital Boss RC-10R Rhythm Loop Station is packed with options and 280 presets to play though its two-track operation.  It grabs the final spot on the Top Selling Effect Pedals of 2019 list.

Description:

Combining song-based looping and organic rhythms in a compact package, the RC-10R brings fresh inspiration to live performances, songwriting sessions, and daily practice. This next-generation Loop Station is a real-time creation machine, enabling you to develop spontaneous music that moves and grooves with two unique song sections, intros/endings, and rhythm fills.

Onboard controls and visual loop indicators provide easy, self-contained operation, while expanded control is possible with external switches and MIDI. A vast rhythm library is on hand to cover nearly any music genre, and you can even import your own rhythms to personalize the RC-10R for specific songs and styles.