Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $178

High-end/Boutique

$50

$176+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "1981 Inventions LVL Full-Range Overdriver". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Jun 3, 2026.

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Description

Step into the world of dynamic sound shaping with the 1981 Inventions LVL Full-Range Overdriver. This guitar pedal is designed for musicians who crave versatility and control over their tone. Created by Matt Hoopes, this pedal stands out with its unique op-amp based circuit, providing a broad spectrum of overdrive tones from subtle warmth to gritty, full-bodied distortion. The LVL Overdriver is all about transparency, allowing the true character of your guitar and amp to shine through while enhancing your sound with rich harmonic content.

The user-friendly interface includes three straightforward controls: Level, Gain, and Tone. These allow you to dial in just the right amount of drive and EQ, making it easy to adapt to any musical style or performance environment. Whether you're looking to push your amp into natural overdrive or add a touch of bite to your clean tones, the LVL Full-Range Overdriver is your go-to tool for sonic exploration.

Crafted with high-quality components and a durable enclosure, this pedal is built to withstand the rigors of regular gigging while maintaining impeccable sound integrity.

Key Features:

  • Unique op-amp based circuit for a wide range of overdrive tones
  • Transparent design maintains the natural character of your guitar and amp
  • Intuitive controls: Level, Gain, and Tone
  • High-quality components ensure durability and sound fidelity
  • Designed by Matt Hoopes for versatility across different music genres

Product specs

Brand 1981 Inventions
Model LVL Full-Range Overdriver
Finish Various
Year 2023 - 2025
Made In United States
Categories Overdrive and Boost Pedals
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

What type of music genres is the 1981 Inventions LVL Full-Range Overdriver best suited for?

The LVL Full-Range Overdriver is versatile, offering a wide range of overdrive tones suitable for genres like rock, blues, and alternative. Its full-range capability allows it to enhance both clean and driven sounds, making it adaptable to various musical styles.

How does the LVL Full-Range Overdriver differ from other overdrive pedals?

This pedal provides a unique full-range overdrive that retains clarity across the frequency spectrum, unlike many overdrives that focus primarily on midrange frequencies. It's designed to enhance your guitar's natural tone while adding a smooth, dynamic overdrive.

Can the 1981 Inventions LVL Full-Range Overdriver be used as a clean boost?

Yes, the LVL Full-Range Overdriver can function as a clean boost, offering transparent gain to push your amp without adding significant coloration, making it ideal for enhancing solos or driving an amp further into overdrive.

Is the LVL Full-Range Overdriver suitable for use with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?

Absolutely, this pedal is designed to complement both single-coil and humbucker pickups, providing clarity and responsiveness regardless of the pickup type, allowing you to maintain your guitar's character.

What power supply does the 1981 Inventions LVL Full-Range Overdriver require?

The LVL Full-Range Overdriver requires a standard 9V DC power supply, which is typical for most guitar pedals, ensuring easy integration into your existing pedalboard setup.

WJB3

WJB3

Three Sounds: 1981 Inventions LVL Boost/Drive

Video thumbnail for Three Sounds: 1981 Inventions LVL Boost/Drive by WJB3

Three Sounds: 1981 Inventions LVL Boost/Drive

WJB3

WJB3

Video thumbnail for 1981 Inventions LVL Full Range Overdrive Pedal Demo by Russo Music

1981 Inventions LVL Full Range Overdrive Pedal Demo

Russo Music

Russo Music

Video thumbnail for All the sounds!! LVL Full Range Overdriver by 1981 Inventions! Best sounds ever! #npd #levelup by THE PEDAL COLLABORATIVE

All the sounds!! LVL Full Range Overdriver by 1981 Inventions! Best sounds ever! #npd #levelup

THE PEDAL COLLABORATIVE

THE PEDAL COLLABORATIVE

Video thumbnail for 1981 Inventions LVL Giveaway! 1981 Inventions LVL Full-Range Overdrive Demo and Review by Sunday Tone

1981 Inventions LVL Giveaway! 1981 Inventions LVL Full-Range Overdrive Demo and Review

Sunday Tone

Sunday Tone

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about 1981 Inventions LVL Full-Range Overdriver.

Features and functionality

  • The LVL shines when used as an always-on preamp, enhancing clean tones when paired with a compressor and reverb.

    Source
  • The LVL's ability to push the DRV results in a notably rich saturation, with users emphasizing its capacity to unlock complex tonalities when stacked with specific pedals.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The LVL is particularly effective when stacked with other pedals, especially the DRV, creating a rich, layered sound.

    Source
  • Users running the LVL at the end of a drive chain appreciate its role in shaping the overall tone and dynamics.

    Source
  • Owners highlight the LVL's versatility, noting it achieves diverse tones from rich saturation when boosting the DRV to acting as a preamp with other gain pedals.

    Source
  • It's noted as an "always on" pedal to push cleans towards breakup, fitting between a boost and the Morning Glory's lower gain.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The LVL can replace klone pedals when stacking with the DRV, providing a unique tonal character.

    Source
  • Some owners prefer the LVL over the DRV for its touch sensitivity and ease in dialing lower-gain tones.

    Source
  • When set as a preamp, some users prefer the LVL over the DRV for its capacity to enhance other gain pedals, offering a nuanced tonal range not typically found in klone pedals.

    Source
  • The LVL is compared to a preamp, EM Drive, Hot Cake, and OCD, but offers unique interactions, leaning more towards a boost or preamp type pedal.

    Source
  • The LVL is perceived as less overdriven and tight compared to the OCD, offering a different tonal character.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners find it excels in low-gain, transparent overdrive applications, pushing cleans to the edge of breakup.

    Source
  • Some suggest the LVL's gain is similar to the lowest gain on a DRV, making it ideal for stacking with other pedals.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The high price is attributed to handmade production in the US, with custom enclosures contributing to the cost.

    Source
  • For its price, some recommend considering alternatives like the Timmy for its EQ controls or the Prince of Tone for higher gain options.

    Source

Critic Reviews

1981 Inventions LVL review – the ultimate gain-stacker?

guitar.com

The 1981 Inventions LVL is a standout low-gain overdrive that excels both solo and in combination with other pedals, demonstrating impressive tonal versatility. With a minimalist design and intuitive controls, it offers a rich palette of sounds, from a subtle boost to full-bodied overdrive. However, while it shines as a gain-stacker, purists seeking a straightforward low-gain experience might find it veers into more aggressive territory than expected. Overall, the LVL successfully builds on the legacy of its predecessor, the DRV, solidifying its place in any pedalboard with character and charm.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Joe Reinhart uses 1981 Inventions LVL Full-Range Overdriver

Joe Reinhart

Guitarist, Music Producer

Algernon Cadwallader

...
Verified via YouTube

Joe Reinhart is confirmed to use the 1981 Inventions LVL Full-Range Overdriver, as seen during Algernon Cadwallader's performance at WXPN Studios on September 13, 2025. The full pedal board is visible at the 5:57 mark of the performance video, which provides clear evidence of the gear used.

See how Jack O'Shea uses 1981 Inventions LVL Full-Range Overdriver

Jack O'Shea

Guitarist

Bayside

...
Verified via Photo

A 1981 lvl can be seen on jacks pedalboard in this post

Album Usage

The 1981 Inventions LVL Full-Range Overdriver has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use 1981 Inventions LVL Full-Range Overdriver, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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