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1981 Inventions DRV

^# 59

Equipboard's ranking is determined by analyzing factors such as professional artist usage, popularity, user ratings, reviews, and more.

$225.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (9)

2 Critic Reviews

3 Reviews

Find out who is using 1981 Inventions DRV

8 community setups

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17 wishlisted

79 saved

Page last updated Jun 07, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 7, 2026.

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Reviews

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4.0 (91)

$225.00 14 available New

$145.00 54 available Used

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Average Price: $185

High-end/Boutique

$80

$181+

Price Tier

In the Distortion Effects Pedals category, 1981 Inventions DRV is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Crafted through a thoughtful collaboration between 1981 Inventions founder, Matt Hoopes, and Jon Ashley of Bondi Effects, the 1981 Inventions DRV is a masterclass in distortion. This pedal seamlessly merges the raw power of a classic RAT-inspired distortion with a meticulously designed preamp boost circuit, creating a versatile sonic palette for guitarists. Encased in a robust steel enclosure, the DRV doesn't just aim to replicate vintage tones—it embodies them with warmth and responsiveness that can conjure anything from gritty overdrives to mellow, nuanced textures.

What sets the DRV apart is its ability to maintain clarity and definition across all gain settings, making it a favorite among musicians who cherish both its simplicity and depth. Whether you're chasing the raw edge of a punk riff or the smooth sustain of a blues solo, the DRV offers a dynamic range that can be tailored to your unique sound. With its intuitive control layout, dialing in your desired tone is as straightforward as it is satisfying.

Key Features:

Collaboration between Matt Hoopes and Jon Ashley of Bondi Effects
Combines a RAT-inspired distortion circuit with a preamp boost circuit
Encased in a durable steel enclosure
Warm, responsive tones with a broad range of textures
Easy-to-use control layout for versatile sound shaping

Product specs

Brand	1981 Inventions
Model	DRV Overdrive
Finish	Various
Year	2018 - 2025
Made In	United States
Categories	Overdrive and Boost Pedals
Pedal Format	Standard

FAQs

What type of distortion does the 1981 Inventions DRV provide?: The 1981 Inventions DRV offers a RAT-inspired distortion with a unique dual-circuit design, combining a distortion circuit and a preamp boost. This setup delivers a smooth, vintage-style distortion with a pronounced midrange push.
Is the 1981 Inventions DRV suitable for both guitar and bass?: Yes, the 1981 Inventions DRV is versatile enough to be used with both guitar and bass, providing a rich, full-bodied distortion that complements a wide range of musical styles.
Does the 1981 Inventions DRV require a specific power supply?: The 1981 Inventions DRV operates on a standard 9V DC power supply, commonly used with most guitar pedals. It does not support battery operation.
How does the 1981 Inventions DRV differ from other RAT-style pedals?: The 1981 Inventions DRV distinguishes itself with its dual-circuit design, offering both a distortion circuit and a preamp boost, resulting in greater headroom and a smoother distortion profile.
What are the standout features of the 1981 Inventions DRV's sound?: The 1981 Inventions DRV is known for its signature midrange thickness and vintage feel, reminiscent of classic ribbon mics, providing a warm and dynamic distortion tone.

Videos

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Living Room GD

1981 Inventions DRV (demo)

Living Room GD

1981 Inventions DRV - vs - ProCo Rat

LeFevers Audio

1981 Inventions DRV - What's The Hype? Is This The Best Distortion Pedal?

Buddy Blues

My most used drive EVER - 1981 Inventions DRV | Secret Weapons Demo & Review

Mark Johnston

1981 Inventions DRV vs 1985 ProCo RAT

shnobel

1981 Inventions DRV Blackout (demo)

Aaron Sternke

1981 Inventions DRV

Curtis Kent

1981 Inventions DRV: The 'boutique Rat' and why it isn't a boutique Rat

Dickie's 90-Second Pedal Demos

1981 Inventions DRV - 3 Favourite Settings

Guitar Emerge

1981 Inventions DRV - Gear Spotlight

90s Punk Rock Covers

1981 Inventions DRV - Still The BEST Distortion Pedal In 2022?

B's Music Shop

1981 Inventions DRV Pedal - Demo

AJ Olsen

1981 Inventions DRV Overdrive/Distortion - Shell Pink // Demo By David Dayton

David Dayton

1981 Inventions DRV Distortion Pedal: Demo and Review. Does it live up to the hype?

Palen Music Center

Reviews

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PROS

Wide range of tones, from smooth drive to heavy distortion
Provides more usable tones than similar pedals like the Rat
Allows for nuanced, articulate sounds
Glorious low gain breakup tone even at zero drive
Versatile across genres, from Brit Crunch to Punk and more
Reacts well to volume changes for preamp effect
Non-fuzzy at high gain, maintaining clarity

CONS

Requires volume crank for preamp effect, lacks internal trim
Might not suit modern metal tones well
Learning curve due to interactive knobs

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about 1981 Inventions DRV.

Comparisons

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The DRV offers more clarity and articulation at lower gain settings compared to a standard ProCo Rat, especially beneficial for humbuckers or hotter pickups.
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The DRV is contrasted with the Black Mass 1312, with some preferring the latter for its artwork and perceived better value.
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Described as sounding like a low-gain Rat stacked with a Klon clone, the DRV is noted for its shiny and glassy sound, which may not blend well with amplifiers.
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Features and functionality

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Noted for its unique low-to-mid gain range, the DRV features a built-in preamp, offering a different dynamic response and tonal clarity than typical RAT pedals.
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Despite being a simple 3-knob pedal, the DRV's circuit is heavily modded from a standard Rat, offering a broader range and more complex tonal characteristics.
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Use cases and applications

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The DRV excels in band settings, particularly for cutting through a mix, though it may lack low-end presence for solo playing.
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Particularly effective for rhythm playing, the DRV's low-to-medium gain settings are praised for their exceptional clarity and articulation.
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Mods and upgrades

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For DIY enthusiasts, the PedalPCB version offers a more cost-effective way to achieve the DRV's sound, with recommendations for predrilled enclosures available from Tayda Electronics.
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User experience

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Owners highlight the DRV's aesthetic appeal, often citing its attractive design as a reason to keep it on their pedalboard despite its high price.
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Numerous buyers report significant delays in shipping, with some waiting over 10 weeks, despite initial estimates of 2-3 weeks, highlighting inconsistent delivery timelines.
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Many users note poor customer service, often requiring multiple attempts to get responses, sometimes only receiving communication via Instagram comments.
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Buyers express frustration over new product announcements and sales while existing orders remain unfulfilled, indicating potential issues with current order prioritization.
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Some users find the pedal's performance inconsistent, with great low-gain settings but less satisfactory results as the gain increases.
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The DRV, when used into an overdriven amp or stacked with other drives, can achieve more desirable tones, suggesting its utility in layered setups.
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Value and pricing

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Several users express the sentiment that the DRV is overpriced for its similarities to the RAT, suggesting alternatives like the Walrus Iron Horse for more versatility.
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It's noted that some DRV editions are sold at a discount after initial higher-priced sales, frustrating early buyers.
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Critic Reviews

Review: 1981 Inventions DRV

guitar.com

The 1981 Inventions DRV overdrive pedal garners high praise for its stunning aesthetics and exceptional sound quality. Described as more than just an Instagram sensation, it delivers rich, musical overdrive reminiscent of classic pedals with enhanced nuance and elegance. The controls offer wide tonal versatility, from clean boosts to powerful overdriven roars. While its bridge setting might initially seem spiky, the cut control effectively shapes the tone. The DRV maintains the guitar's character across genres with minimal adjustments, standing out in a competitive market. Despite its high demand and limited availability, it's celebrated as one of the best overdrive units available.

positive

Full Review

1981 Inventions DRV Review

thegearconfessions.com

Full Review

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 9 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

charlie_hurst

618

about 3 years ago

Glorious, wide ranging drive pedal

The 1981 DRV is a modified Rat circuit, which has been tweaked to give a wide range of smooth drive tones right up to heavy distortion. The most attention has been paid to the lower gain overdrive tones, and it shows. Glorious low gain breakup tone, even with the drive set to zero with humbuckers (just a little higher with single coils).

Not sure it can hang with modern metal tones, but is great for everything up to that point.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Audio Engineer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Alternative rock

pillowpants

430

almost 7 years ago

A better RAT

This is probably the best version of a RAT you can get. The RAT is a very good pedal but the fuzz can be much and seems to never clear at higher volumes. However, the DRV is above and is so clear but people think its a RAT clone but its more of a upgraded model that can be used for more genres.

Roles:

Guitarist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Rock Pop Orchestra