While the BluesBreaker has proven to be a very influential pedal, it has had its flaws that many players and builders have been eager to address.
The pedals on this list are not complete clones, and all of them have added or modified the original Blues Breaker circuit topology in some way.
Whether it’s adding output volume, gain, changing the EQ, or adding various clipping options.
Best BluesBreaker Pedal
Here are the best Bluesbreaker-style pedals you can buy right now.
1. JHS Morning Glory V4
The pedal that put JHS on the map, the Morning Glory has become more famous than the original Blues Breaker, and maybe even more famous than the King of Tone.
And it sounds really good! Josh Scott popularized the idea of adding a JFET output gain stage to the Blues Breaker circuit to increase the available volume.
The V4 Morning Glory includes additional features like a higher gain stage and a bright-cut switch.
2. Wampler Pantheon
This is the most amp-like of the BluesBreaker-style pedals. Featuring an extensive control set, it is available in single and dual-channel versions.
The Pantheon is Wampler’s take on the classic Blues Breaker design. With an additional 3-band EQ and voicing control, it takes the original design a step further.
Wampler researched some of the best replicas and used the best ideas from each to create this unique overdrive.
A 3-way voicing switch lets you choose between a variety of gains, diode combinations, and EQ schemes. Whether you want subtle dirt or full-on gain, it delivers a rich sound without being muddy.
Available in single or dual-channel stereo versions. Faithfully reproducing the original circuit, it adds something new to the equation. Wampler has put its own spin on the classic while giving it a fresh take.
3. Origin Effects Halcyon Blue
The Halcyon line of pedals uses a proprietary system called Adaptive Circuitry to automatically adjust the voicing of the effects in real-time based on peak attack and volume changes, improving dynamics and tonal consistency.
The Blue version is based on the Marshall Blues Breaker. This adaptive system can be bypassed for a more authentic, vintage tone, or used in “Mode I” for a more subtle “full-on” Mode II.
4. 45 Caliber Overdrive Gold Guitar Effects Pedal
The 45 Caliber is based on the 1962 Marshall JTM45. From blues breakups to big British crunch, the gain knob is versatile enough to handle it all.
All analog circuitry and a 2-band EQ section can be adjusted to suit your desired amp. No matter what amp you have.
Stomp switches are usually the first thing you need to repair on a pedal, so the 45 Caliber uses J Rockett’s solderless Speed Switch technology.
That means if a switch breaks, you can replace it almost immediately and get your pedal fixed. With its wide gain range and true bypass switching, don’t hesitate to add this to your pedalboard.
5. Electro-Harmonix OD Glove MOSFET Overdrive
This MOSFET overdrive is designed to react like a tube amp. Electro-Harmonix quality meets EHX tone in this affordable option.
The OD Glove uses MOSFET semiconductors to achieve a more realistic amp-like tone. It is designed to give you the sound of a classic Marshall Plexi amp powered by EL34 power tubes.
The Tone Shift switch boosts the midrange to give your sound more weight, something Marshall amps are legendary for. It operates on 9V or 18V for a tighter, more focused sound or more headroom.
At just over $80, this is the least expensive option on this list, but it doesn’t sound cheap. And it has the build quality that Electro-Harmonix pedals are known for.
6. Jackson Audio Golden Boy
The Blues Breaker is a refined and affordable play, with a famously smooth breakup, and all the clarity and dynamics you get from a tube amp.
The Jackson Audio Golden Boy designed in collaboration with Joey Landreth, the Golden Boy is the perfect BB-style pedal.
3-band EQ, cycleable gain stages, four clipping diode voicings, internal presence, and tone controls, and a footswitchable MOSFET boost make this one of the most versatile Bluesbreakers on the market.
7. Zvex Box of Rock
ZVEX makes some of the most unique pedals in the industry. This is a faithful recreation of the BluesBreaker sound, complete with the addition of a boost channel.
If you are looking for the timeless sound of a Blues Breaker turned up to 10, the Box of Rock is a more customizable option.
Since all of the pedals are hand-painted, no two are exactly the same. However, the circuit perfectly replicates the sound of the JTM45.
Channel 1 has two channels and four control knobs: Drive, Tone, Volume, and a high-headroom boost with a single knob to set the level.
Zvex makes some very interesting pedals, except for the hand-painted ones, and the Box of Rock is a faithful recreation of the spirit of the Blues Breaker.
And if you don’t like the original orientation, there is a vertical option available. The switches are closer together, but all the tones are the same.
8. Bondi Effects Del Mar mkii
This is a sophisticated modern mid-gain overdrive that combines the best elements of the Blues Breaker, Klon, and Tube Screamer and is hard to beat.
Two gain voicings are switchable via a central toggle, with the lower position providing the tone often associated with the Blues Breaker, while the upper position offers the clean section of the Klon with a TS-style clipping stage, along with a clear and detailed response.
The MkII also features an improved power supply, lowers the noise floor, and introduces new, quieter true bypass switching.
9. Browne Amplification Carbon
A high-end Bluesbreaker-inspired stompbox designed to give players a wide range of tonal options with just three knobs. One of the unique features of this pedal is that the tone sounds brighter the higher the gain is set.
This is partly due to the circuit’s massive output potential, which can also be used as a clean boost at low gain settings.
The Tone knob allows you to fine-tune the low/high-frequency balance to complement your pickup/amp combo.
10. Snouse Black Box 2
A hand-wired Blues Breaker with lots of customization. Demand for the Black Box has skyrocketed during the pandemic, and there’s now a two-year waiting list.
However, this is a great-sounding, finely crafted pedal with boost and presence controls and an optional external voicing switch.
FAQ
What is a Blues Breaker pedal?
The Bluesbreaker pedal is an overdrive/distortion type that is modeled after the famous Marshall amps produced in the early 60s and early 70s. It was originally one of the first box amps released in the early 90s.
They are quite expensive on the used market, but Marshall is re-releasing them now, so you can get them for much less.
Does John Mayer use a Bluesbreaker?
Yes! John Mayer is one of the biggest fans of this style of pedal. In fact, he is one of the reasons why this pedal is so popular. It is great for blues styles, but don’t think it can’t be intense when set up properly.
What is the difference between a Tube Screamer and a Bluesbreaker?
The two are somewhat similar, but there are some key differences between the circuits.
The Tube Screamer is designed to emulate the tone and harmonics of an overdriven tube amp, while the Bluesbreaker pedal is designed to sound like a specific amp.
What does the Bluesbreaker sound like?
The Bluesbreaker is actually a nickname for the Marshall JTM45 amp. Legend has it that Eric Clapton named it after the popular amp in the UK blues scene in the 1960s. It was the first combo amp to be released by Marshall.
Conclusion
All of the above pedals are great and all offer fantastic tones. Which overall tone profile best suits your preferences and your specific application requirements will depend on your playing style and dynamics.
Also Read: Best Guitar Distortion Pedals