6 Best Distortion Pedals You Need In Your Rig, Right Now!

Dagan shows us his 6 best distortion pedals, including some classics and some brand new guitar pedals you really need to hear.
Distortion pedals used in this video:
00:00 - 6 Best Distortion Pedals
01:18 - MXR M104 Distortion Plus: bit.ly/2GhqJX9
05:09 - Landlord FX Whiskey Chaser Distortion Pedal: bit.ly/Whiskeychaser
08:16 - Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal: bit.ly/2GeeDOM
12:16 - Fender Pugilist Distortion Pedal: bit.ly/2warc8I
15:42 - Blackstar LT Metal Distortion Pedal: bit.ly/2Ggylt8
20:00 - Boss MT-2W Metal Zone Waza Craft Pedal: bit.ly/2GikDGh
In this video we see get to hear Dagan put 6 of the best distortion pedals to the test. These pedals range from lush, smooth crunch to all out bone shaking, riff worthy goodness!
These distortion pedals are, in our opinion, some of the best distortion pedals ever made and dare we say it ; of ALL time! All of which are readily available at all PMT stores and at PMT online.
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[@TheSanctionextremis]

This guy rules. He's like if Captain Jack Sparrow was a guitar store employee. Awesome video.

[@Malediction99]

Well Johnny Depp based Jack Sparrow on Keith Richards, an English rock guitarist, and Dagan is....an English rock guitarist. Maybe they're all like this.

[@greasylepruican255]

How tf do you know this?

[@ladyshecone7740]

I thought the same so I scrolled I knew ot wasn't just me lol

[@Duderz96]

More like Russel brand tho

[@DareBear2099]

Most apt description I've heard of this guy. Love that though lol

[@rogermcnooddle318]

Come here for the pedals and fall in love with the epiphone explorer lol

[@deadlegs187]

Roger McNooddle I WAS after a Tele hahah

[@srh361]

"fell"

[@rogermcnooddle318]

Ray Helton sorry i talk french and it’s always funny when i try to comment in english...

[@H.E.M.]

Is funny since is from a guy in a metalcore band

[@AutoBodyEverything]

Yea it’s nice but it could use a good intonation

[@guitarrock58]

This guy is probably the only nice guitar store employee in the world. Every time I go to a guitar store, they are either snobs or just assholes, and I don't even play stairway to heaven nor sweet child o mine, just to not irritate them. I play generic stuff for like 5 minutes, and they're like ''hey you gonna buy that guitar?'' To which I reply : ''Well i'm not sure yet'' , and then they say : ''Okay have a nice day'', and take the guitar away.

[@elvinblake687]

you cant imagine how hard is find good stuff in countries which is rock n metal is not popular

[@SteveMallam]

guitarrock58 Jordan and John who work with Dagan in the Newcastle PMT store are also great blokes!

[@smitbar11]

@@SteveMallam Its a shame he's not at the Nottingham store, that would be cool

[@harakirikiss6128]

What the fuck? Any guitar store that takes away the guitar for no good reason, doesn't deserve you money

[@NTWrestling18]

If your kid that wont happen

[@mike285]

I use a ds-1 distortion pedal on a guitar with single coil pick ups and a beginner amp, and needless to say, it sounds really good, especially tuned half a step down

[@xbmpr]

Surprising lol that was my first setup and it sounded like squealy garbage

[@mike285]

@@xbmpr oh yea, i upgradedb i still have the same guitar, just different amp and pedal

[@daver1883]

As soon as he started playing Symphony of Destruction, I knew this dude was a true rocker.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

That Epiphone looks nicer than an actual Gibson.

[@morteparla6926]

-- because it is. Gibson has off-brand, Chinese clone quality. My first guitar ever, which I still have, is a Jay Turser fender strat clone, made in China. The fit and finish on the guitar is better than the Explorer I owned 2 years ago, and sold out of disappointment. 2 Gibson's later and I can't justify ever buying another. Why pay $1,700 for a guitar with worse quality than a $500 guitar that's exactly the same -- but better? The Gibson name is legendary in it's own right, but not legendary enough for me too pay over 3x the price for an imperically worse guitar. Gibson's war on Dean is just the cherry on top. I'm done with the company, for good.

[@robertventurini9382]

Ya really lol

[@Niven42]

Aren't the high-end Epiphones and lower-end Gibsons (price-wise) made in the same factory?

[@xander4644]

@RCFGamer This is the Lee Malia signature. The guitarist from Bring Me The Horizon

[@RandomPotatoProductions]

check out the schecter e-1 frs

[@jonathanhughes9281]

Usually I can't stand Russell Brand, but who'd have thought he was great at guitar videos.

[@oliverbahr8677]

Finally! Someone sees the similarity!

[@MrRwk314]

🤣

[@matthewblack7206]

@@oliverbahr8677 Dagan does not look like Brand. If you stood them side by side in real life, you'd see that.

[@VladimirGolev]

Really like you use mid-price gear to show affordable devices. This how such reviews should be done. Vs other channels, where people show how $250 combo sounds great using gibson $4k guitar. Or opposite 1.5k head with $1k 4x12 cab + epiphone $500. Appreciate that.

[@lefthandluke8923]

Love this guy's style. Great demos. Much appreciated!

[@adrianclamp5154]

I had a MXR dist + from 1977 and I used it with various amps. The last amp I used was an original 1971 Marshall 2061 head (20 watt) and the MXR was great as a pre amp, that provided me with more volume. It was limited but useful for my set up at the time. Unfortunately like so many other people I loaned it to someone and I haven't seen it since. I currently use a Sans amp GT 2 and occasionally a Tone Bender. However I don't play heavy rock or metal.

[@user-iv3qi9yq1u]

Extremely satisfying to watch this kind a review, when the guitarist is such skillful as you, man, thanks so much!

[@HydeBaker]

MXR from the early 80’s is a beautiful thing with filtertron variations. & yes, the volume isn’t as hot as a lot of other pedals.

[@rickhill6277]

Great Demo Dagan!! I’ve been a Touring/Studio/Local Guitarist for 53yrs and at 65 I’m still cook in’. I had one of the Original MXR + Pedals and they still cook man!! Wish I still had it!!! Great job man keep up the Good Work! Cheers brother!

[@tomthumb4325]

Like yourself at 59 I'm still rockin out at weekends in a band hope I'm still going at 65 music is timeless keep it up sir

[@TechValleyJeff]

@rickhill6277 Nothing replaces the sound of the MXR Distortion +. I bought one when they first came out, along with the MXR Phase 45. Both were different than the current models - they had script italic writing and they did not have external power inputs. It was battery only. Well, though touring and time, I've lost both of them. I replaced the MXR Distortion + with a newer one, this time with an external power jack. The MXR Phase 45 was replaced by the now MXR Phase 90 - same control, plus external power jack. Rock On, my friend...🤟

[@Mordenaartje]

You're such a fun and positive soul. Someone who you could talk to for hours. Keep it up!

[@distortionfiend]

I believe Dagan actually sold me a Landlord Whiskey Chaser a while back. I can testify to it's gainy goodness. Thing's a little monster! Produces some fantastic tones after preamp distortion to get a Swedish sound too

[@TruthSurge]

anyone remember DOD Preamp 250? Man, that thing was great. Just overdrive with no tone variation or mud. Just more gain. Very much like the MXR distortion + but I liked the DOD better. Seemed to not color the sound at all.

[@curtcadotte6689]

I won a DOD distortion pedal back in the late 90s.... Fucken thing was SICK, it was even called 'Death Metal'..... Never heard anything since that matched! 🥀

[@TruthSurge]

@@curtcadotte6689 Not heard of that one. But it probably sounded great. I just always wanted more gain w/o too much fuzz so that Preamp 250 really seemed to work for me. Tube Screamer was ok, too.

[@joshuaallgood7030]

The DOD has more output volume, so that's a clear improvement. I also find that it's more articulate and you can hear the pick attack even when cranked; not fuzzy at all. I think both work best for different applications. The Distortion + for more vintage voiced sounds, and the DOD for more modern ones, because the DOD has a more dynamic gain range so it's better for overdrive tones (although you can get a nice Fender-ish sound from the MXR if you crank the output to max).

[@jamescroy9464]

DOD Death Metal is my favorite distortion. The 250 works as the od imo

[@RuffusandRusselGaming9799]

Did anyone hear its made a comeback?

[@vpsoundlabs1956]

Cool video! Finding the right distortion(s) is always a challenge. I ended up liking and using the following chain: Friedman BE-OD MXR Super Badass Nobels ODR-1 Klon Centaur

[@scottgeyer2019]

I like my Distortion + a lot, but it was recently supplanted on my board by a DS-1, which I love!

[@EpicTetsu]

This dude is awesome. Watched the entire vid but before I even got to the very end I was like this dude was not only informative, but kicked ass and stayed on the level I gotta Subscribe🤘😎

[@amberpaigejames9054]

Really appreciate the enthusiasm! And great playing! A fine review. Thank you, charming :)

[@matthewhenry3591]

Hey just wanted to extend my gratitude. I've been on a quest for tone the last few years trying to find the perfect distortion. I've usually used a rat and A DS1 but they weren't what I was looking for. I fiddled with some metal pedals and while they gave me the gain I wanted, they are so shrill and piercing. I took a leap of faith and ordered the black star LT and DUDE it is exactly the sound I've been looking for thank you!!!

[@robertmailloux3720]

I have both Boss Ds1 40th and the pugilist and both sound amazing in my rig.The DS-1 sounds good at low gain with coils.

[@golgothaassassin5035]

I like the that Dagan actually sets up the pedals and tests them. the Blackstar is a good pedal, but Ive seen others just pass by it. same with the DS1. fingers are different, peoples attack is different, see what you can get out of a piece of equipment before you pass it up. keep an open mind.

[@taunoctua245]

I still have my 70's era Distortion+ from the 70's. I crank the distortion, and back off the volume to parity. I pretty much do that that with all my distortion/fuzz pedals.

[@alanbaker378]

I like MXR, & the Black Star, & the Boss DS-1 & the Fender & the Boss Metal Zone (especially the Waza Craft one) & Landlord Whiskey Chaser! He'll I like em all, I'd have a pedal board with just distortion pedals on to be honest! Great review of six knockout pedals, thanks Dagan.

[@robmccarver8978]

Always LOVE watching you demo….

[@chipmcdip8629]

Good choice with the DSL 40! I have that thing, and it turns up so well!

[@unforsakenproductions62]

I was thrilled to see the Blackstar here! A friend of mine has the LT Metal... I loved it, and I ordered it. The store accidentally sent me the HT Metal instead... only about 3x the value! :D I did the honesty thing and contacted them... they hummed and hawed about it, and then finally just let me keep the HT Metal. YESSSS!!! Think LT Metal, but with 3-band EQ and a 12AX7 tube for awesome warmth and more amp-like saturation. Because of the tube, it sounds GREAT for direct recording with some good IR's. It's now my go-to tone for direct recording! But the LT Metal has an absolutely fantastic sound as well at a much more affordable price. HIGHLY recommended!

[@dam7ri]

The Digitech DF7 models both of the Boss pedals, but if you have to have a Boss pedal, their Overdrive-Distortion is the most versatile one. That 1 pedal covers everything from an OD-1 to the MT-2. Use that with an EQ (it's a shame they don't make the PQ-4 anymore), and there isn't a close approximation of any other distortion pedal that you cannot acheive.

[@jesalbrtarteaga64]

Awesome guitarist!!🤟🏼I agree MXR distortion+ has that tone to the bone richness in it, the vibe is just right👉🏼punchy,nasty,wicked,down & dirty classic pedal,still a great descent price if your in budget..this yellow pedal is built like a tank it won’t disappoint,I’m enjoying it now more than ever🤟🏼Keep On Rockin’!!!👊🏼

[@nope110]

I recently got a whiskey chaser, they sound so much better in real life, i couldn't believe it was only £40!

[@mattthemetalguitarist]

Everytime he gallops, I think he's gonna play Battery. But he doesn't... 😭

[@stevelynch5843]

Well Dagan I haven't played in a decade or more but I found one of your video's the other day and have watched all you inspirited me to pick it back up and I never would have known about that Fender I just ordered one

[@Diggerdog2nd]

I still have & use my MXR distortion plus from the 70's that I bought in 1982 for $15. In 1991 I also got another one new when Dunlap took them over. Both are great but the original does sound a little different & better then the Dunlap. The original Rat is also great as well as the SL drive I got when I saw Guthrie Govan using one.

[@theabysmalplane2016]

I love how you opened up the video with a bullets and octane riff. My disease to be precise.

[@mattgilbert7347]

Love my MXR Dist+ and Fender Pugilist. Cheap as chips but don't sound cheap. The Dist+ is a great dirty boost and the Pugilist can go from Marshally overdrive to full Djenty max gain. Bob Mould, famous MXR Dist+ user. He made that thing roar.

[@blakerunyon8523]

DS-1 is amazing. I have it practically always on. Such a lovely crunch (all knobs at 12 give or take). Really picks up your own dynamics very well. Makes you feel like it’s all you need! S Tier pedal!

[@Anonymous.android]

Came looking for a good pedal and heard the first one and feel like it's exactly what I'm looking for. I'll still watch the rest of the video regardless

[@goodenoughworshipguitar6232]

Great Demo. So entertaining AND informative

[@helobubba1999]

Great video! Only thing I’d add is I’ve used a lot of distortion pedals over the years and I keep going back to the ProCo RAT. I think a lot of it is just personal preference.

[@PMTVUK]

That's also a great pedal! I have one myself! -Lee

[@derpimusmaximus8815]

TBF, I prefer to have a decent gain sound from the amp that can be either hit with a clean boost in front, or tidied up with an EQ in the effects loop.

[@HansBaumeister]

nearly got rid of my SD-1 because it just didn‘t sound good through the Fender Mustang III I had at the time. Luckily I kept it - now that I run a tube amp, I love it!

[@samtah1145]

SD-1???

[@nikoma_]

I’ve used just the DS-1 for ages and the DS-2 I ordered arrives tomorrow so hyped!

[@kevhol1973]

Dude I love you vidz. You make watching fun. Keep em coming

[@HelloMrTosh]

I sometimes go back to this video when I'm a little sad, always provides good sounds and entertainment 😁

[@pizzamon795]

I used to have a Boss Metal Zone I ran it through my 1965 blackface Fender Champ amp. it sounded killer.

[@kayody6378]

I hated my metal zone till I saw this video. Looking at your tone setup for it has made my tone sound so much better

[@MrSonofagun45]

Run it through the effects loop if you don't already. Great pedal.

[@go6o-so6o86]

And if you dont have a fx loop?

[@MrJimboslice0]

@@go6o-so6o86 use it but as a preamps or with a Good EQ

[@jaychen2000metal]

Diezel VH4, Revv g3 and g4. Boss Metal core, EVH 5150

[@AutoBodyEverything]

The low E string on the guitar doesn’t hold up too well but it’s also good to not have such an expensive guitar because we do want the majority to hear these pedals from the starting line and not like we are advertising a product using the highest quality gear but we can still imaging the sounds we are hearing in this video still have potential to sound even better on or with better gear. Awesome vid I love it thanks buddy I loved the black star and the orange boss. On the other hand the metal zone pedal will never die out.

[@trentschlick3261]

The guitar is probably from the store so it's been played a lot and it is a metal guitar so u got the kids playin chugs on the low E nonstop, so it's probably almost dead

[@pdooley730]

Hell yeah Gary used the DS1 all the time in the early 80s with his stock 60s Strats. That’s why I always got on on my pedalboard!

[@studiopierrot4745]

What a good comparison, it really helped me. thanks

[@MrTPF1]

Absolutely LOVE the DS1!!

[@Johnnykwik082]

Nice video Amigo. I like that it wasnt all about the most brutal distortion pedals. That's saying alot bc that's all I care about. It was a good overall of the sound.

[@draganm7823]

Who needs to pay admission to go to a comedy club when you have the very informative and entertaining Dagan!

[@Metalbass1979]

Great video. I've always thought the same about the DS1. Side note: You really need to play authentic. As soon as Gibson finds out that Epiphone is copying their design........oh.......nevermind. 😆

[@wingempe289]

Epiphone and gibson is owned by the same company. Epiphone is like a cheaper version gibson. Just like toyota and lexus.

[@REDDRAGON666ful]

LaroLao Lang just like ESP and LTD...

[@svst208]

LaroLao Lang its a fucking joke

[@sparkyguitar0058]

@@svst208 Gibson's coming after people who don't get the joke. And hit'em over the head with a broke Les Paul neck. IF THEY CAN FIND 1.

[@_jony711]

A thing you need to know is if you buy a boost pedal that distortion sounds better for metal sounds like the mxr distortion + if you boost it sounds better because if you add more distortion of the pedal the sound sounds more compressed

[@cnemi22]

Wow. That Pugilist sounds incredible!!!

[@inthewild5776]

Love Dagan. Seriously, his reviews are fun, interesting and he doesn’t take this shit too seriously. And he’s got skills. Well done!

[@jaychen2000metal]

Blank Slate You mean Jack Sparrow

[@robbymarquez8245]

Fabulous playing! These all sound great over the marshall dsl

[@jaxonvictoria4345]

Anyone know what neck pickup that is? Planning on a P90 (or HSP90) install for mine.

[@brandontadday6288]

That landlord sounds beautiful. So much body and warmth.

[@miss_bec]

The Metal Zone made me feel things I don't think I've felt before.

[@720plife]

Been looking at the Boss DS1, and your video sold me on it. Thank you so much!

[@llluuuyyyooo]

Hi. Did you finally buy it? Is it worth the investment of a pedal from 1978 in the middle of 2020? Im interested on it too. Cheers!

[@1977raider]

His videos are the best from the States you Rock man \m/

[@andriusposka4483]

Thanks mate! Ds1 just blew me away

[@2ndplayeruser]

I own a Boss DS-1, I think what's holding back that pedal for me is my actual guitar. That being a Greg Bennett design Malibu Model MB-1

[@marlonharvey278]

The Pugilist is pedal of choice you have more control an mix ability an full sounds with the blend

[@fredericadda]

I own a DS1, a Metal Zone and recently bought a Fender Full Moon. The Metal Zone has that unique compressed, thrash sound that earned it a place on my pedalboard. I used to keep the DS1 for its more classic “Iron Maiden” sound but recently replaced it with the Full Moon. More versatile and has a boost from hell!!

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

metal zone for the win : )

[@yannlaliberte8407]

Metal Zone all the way, I bought it 20 years ago and still love it.

[@eemeli-guitar8512]

Hi, im looking for a distortion pedal for hard rock/metal, im aiming for a Led Zeppelin/Jimmy Page tone, but i pretty much can't get my hands on a vintage marshall plexi or a British Pedal Company Tone Bender pedal. Any idea for a good pedal for that purpose? :D

[@ronjakaos]

Thanks a lot for this!!! The next thing I'm gonna by is the metalzone pedal!

[@PMTVUK]

An amazing pedal!

[@colinhenry__]

O YEA THAT'S WHAT I LOVE TO HEAR! LET THE DS1 REVOLUTION BEGIN! LET THE FIGHT BEGIN!! God how I love it when people start admitting that the DS1 is good indeed

[@PMTVUK]

The DS-1 is easily one of the best pedals ever! I Have 3! -Lee

[@thechannelforeverything2170]

Colin Phan the DS-1 is great with my Strat, all you have to do is turn the tone knob down on the pedal and it sounds really good.

[@Ripprock1]

That Epi. Explorer is smokin. And I thought I was not interested in them. Thanks for the change of thought.

[@princephilip-v5t]

tbh I hear little between them all. When someone can play that well everything sounds good and Im just more blown away by the playing and get lost in any sound discrimination, Glad to hear he likes the ds1 though. I have it and thought everyone thought it was crap

[@gciiifilms1752]

Need more happy positive people like this dude, love these reviews

[@real_fjcalabrese]

My DS-1 came from a used bookstore in Tucson, AZ.

[@BOZZAAAAA333]

Love the video. Can you do one on overdrive pedals too?

[@joshuafacer5000]

12:18 Brompton Cocktail? Never hear anyone play this riff!

[@Viroh]

That Metal Zone sounds just what I have been looking for! I bought a 200€ starter electric guitar package with an amp and a guitar, but no pedal. Sadly I'm gonna have to buy the whiskey one cos it's more affordable, lets upgrade later :)

[@corporaterobotslave400]

I have a 70's MXR distortion + but it's more like grey poupon than yellow. It doesn't fire up any more, but when it did it was terrific punk rock at 50-75% D and brutal metal 75-100% D thru a pair of Black Widow speakers and a spring reverb. Took it to a shop in Portland and they said they couldn't fix it (?) so I will have to get a replacement soon. I think my Boss DS-1 walked away with some lead guitarist a few years ago. I've had a Metal Zone for a few years, sounds best stacked with the DS-1 or MXR D+ as a pre-gain/boost. Now I'm playing sludgier doom using a Bass Big Muff Pi... got an recc's on doomier distortion pedals? tnx.

[@chrisv6517]

I'd like the same recs. Have the bass big muff, a metalzone, eq, compressor and m90 phase. Want the electric wizard/ monolord sound.

[@wilsonkowira383]

damm that blackstarr sounding is the one i searching the whole time thank you dude for the review

[@lordcrotchula5811]

Should I get the boss pedal or the blackstar as my first pedal? I have a Blackstar amp so that’s why I’m leaning towards the LT

[@HeroPunkOficial]

that avenged sevenfold riff that you played when u showed the fender p distortion... just sick

[@kokoro5516]

what genre of music did you play at 6:45 - 6:55. I love that melody.

[@chrisdangelo6539]

Help out pls, I'm trying to get a George Lynch type tone, which pedal should i get?

[@timmackenzie8145]

Ive used a few of the more classic of the bunch like the Boss DS1, the metal zone and my buddy used the mxr pedal back in the day.

[@zosojstro]

Great demo luv the Epiphone

[@pinoyako4347]

love the Metal Zone Waza and Blackstar! :)

[@LeeKirkman88]

Boss Ds2 with its turbo distortion is awesome also

[@dr.phantom5147]

That Boss Waza craft Metal Zone MT-2W is some serious pedal.

[@cameronrekunyk]

Do you recommend the Boss Distortion DS-1 or the MXR Distortion +

[@blakjack3053]

Good information, very useful..I recommend you use room mics with your close mics whenever possible thank you.

[@colinhenry__]

8:48 the best line ever

[@O_Towne_Bear]

Also: Billy Duffy uses Boss Pedals including the DS-1

[@davidg4726]

Great video, Dagan! I agree with you! I Dig the DS1 style of distortion! Nirvana's Kurt Cobain Also used one!

[@simezra]

blackstar and fender sound the best for me

[@unforsakenproductions62]

I agree completely that the Blackstar and Fender were the best sounds.

[@jameshill2015]

Gotta agree..I am not in to heavy metal but for a distortion effect the Metal Zone really has them beat...

[@brodaczus]

Hello i want to know how its pedals works on mix... because its a huge difference

[@rhobinuddin]

Whiskey Chaser and Blackstar LT are my favs

[@raul21md]

I actually really enjoyed the Whiskey Chaser pedal.