Supercool Pedals is a Canadian company that makes stompboxes that sound hip and look seriously groovy.

Among its offerings is the “800” Preamp/Distortion, which harkens back to ’70s mid-overdrive designs like the DOD 250 and MXR Distortion +. What’s noteworthy is that the “800” has two distinct clipping voices, dubbed 0.01% and 8.0% on the toggle.

Without getting too techy, 0.01% triggers an LED diode that delivers a punchy, midrange-heavy overdrive, heard on a million rock records. The 8.0% setting jumps to a silicon diode and is more-scooped and aggressive. Internally, DIP switches activate the output-treble filter. In all, the “800” recalls the simplicity of a ’70s pedalboard, back when you might drive a non-Master-Volume head with your preamp box of choice. Supercool makes that happen in one flexible box for guitar or bass, with any amp.

With its epic Dr. Seuss-inspired graphic, The Thneed is a light/mid overdrive that offers transparent circuitry to enable your playing dynamics to shine. The Thneed’s sole switch is alluringly titled Unless, which triggers bass boost on the gain circuit, for more low-end. Internal DIP switches control precise amounts of gain, true or buffered bypass, and a bank that provides four pairs of clipping diodes (like LEDs and true Germanium). If you love the sound of a tube amp just breaking up into the dirty stuff, check out The Thneed.

For the murky, compressed crunch of a vintage Muff, the ’77 Fuzz Blender has your number. The nicotine-infused box has knobs for Level, plus Tar (gain) and Smoke (mid sweep), as well as a novel Blend wet/dry knob. Flavor gives scooped or boosted mid, which you enhance by adjusting Smoke. The Clipping Mode Selector toggles between symmetrical and asymmetrical voices. There are tons of tones in here, from thick Hendrixian haze to brash thrash riffing. This is a killer stompbox for vintage dirt-a-holics.

This article originally appeared in VG’s February 2024 issue. All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.