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Average Price: $320

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$50

$176+

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Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Amptweaker Tight Metal". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 22, 2026.

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Description

Meet the Amptweaker Tight Metal, the overdrive pedal that redefines what it means to have a tight, aggressive, and cutting metal tone. Designed specifically for the modern metal guitarist, this pedal provides a unique tight control, allowing you to shape your low-end response for a clear, percussive sound that cuts through any mix. The Tight Metal's circuitry is meticulously crafted to ensure that your riffs sound precise and articulate, no matter how fast or complex.

With its user-friendly interface, the pedal is straightforward yet versatile, featuring a three-band EQ that gives you the freedom to customize your tone to your heart’s content. The built-in noise gate ensures that your sound remains crisp and free from unwanted hum or feedback, even at high gain settings. Whether you’re chugging through heavy palm-muted riffs or shredding solos, the Amptweaker Tight Metal ensures a smooth transition between dynamic playing styles.

Key Features:

  • Unique tight control for low-end response shaping
  • Built-in noise gate for unwanted sound elimination
  • Three-band EQ for comprehensive tone customization
  • High-gain range for aggressive metal tones
  • True bypass switching ensures signal integrity when the pedal is off
  • Designed for precision and clarity in complex riffs and solos

Product specs

Brand Amptweaker
Model Tight Metal ST
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Categories Distortion Pedals

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Amptweaker Tight Metal pedal?

The Amptweaker Tight Metal pedal is designed to deliver a tight, aggressive metal tone with substantial gain and clarity, ideal for modern metal and hard rock genres.

Does the Amptweaker Tight Metal work well with both tube and solid-state amplifiers?

Yes, the Amptweaker Tight Metal is versatile and can enhance the sound of both tube and solid-state amplifiers, providing a consistent high-gain metal tone.

How does the "tight" control on the Amptweaker Tight Metal affect the tone?

The "tight" control on the Amptweaker Tight Metal allows you to adjust the pedal's attack and response, tightening the low end for a more focused sound or loosening it for a thicker tone.

Is the Amptweaker Tight Metal pedal suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Amptweaker Tight Metal pedal is built for durability and performance, making it a reliable choice for live metal and rock performances.

Can the Amptweaker Tight Metal be used with a bass guitar?

While primarily designed for electric guitar, the Amptweaker Tight Metal can also be used with bass guitars for a heavy, distorted tone, though tonal adjustments may be necessary.

The Tone King

The Tone King

amptweaker tightmetal - amp tweaker tight metal - Distortion Effects Pedal Demo / Review

Video thumbnail for amptweaker tightmetal - amp tweaker tight metal - Distortion Effects Pedal Demo / Review by The Tone King

amptweaker tightmetal - amp tweaker tight metal - Distortion Effects Pedal Demo / Review

The Tone King

The Tone King

Video thumbnail for Amptweaker Tight Metal by Amptweaker

Amptweaker Tight Metal

Amptweaker

Amptweaker

Video thumbnail for No Tubes? Meet The TIGHT METAL by AmpTweaker 2022 by Christian Lee Vasquez

No Tubes? Meet The TIGHT METAL by AmpTweaker 2022

Christian Lee Vasquez

Christian Lee Vasquez

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique collaboration between James Brown and guitarist of Misery Index

  • Mimics tones of 5150 and Ampeg VH-140C with versatility

  • Ideal for achieving 80's Thrash Metal sound and modern Nu Metal

  • Features like built-in effects loop and output EQ curve enhance functionality

  • Side Track and Send/Return features for expanded setup options

  • Capable of acting as a preamp for consistent tone across various amps

  • True Bypass, Gate switch with Chomp, and Mid switch with Thrash settings

  • Compatible with 9V-18V supplies, allowing tone "variacing"

  • Magnetic Battery access door for easy battery changes

  • Handmade in the USA with a 5-Year Limited Warranty

CONS

  • Single tone control might limit tonal shaping for some users

  • Not optimal for lower tuned guitars with more mids, like Korn's sound

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Amptweaker Tight Metal.

Features and functionality

  • The footswitch on the Amptweaker Tight Metal is a hard click type, not a soft switch, which affects the tactile feedback during use.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Tight Metal provides a less scooped and lower gain sound compared to the MXR Fullbore Metal, resembling amp distortion more closely.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners recommend pairing the Tight Metal with a TS808 overdrive pedal and potentially an MXR EQ pedal for scooping mids and boosting lows.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Ideal for bedroom players seeking a thrash sound, it provides a distinct amp-like distortion that can complement live settings with additional modulation.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Review: Amptweaker Tight Metal. Video here. | by Alex Lynham | postguitar | Medium

medium.com

The Amptweaker Tight Metal pedal impresses with its powerful, practical, and reasonably priced distortion, making it a solid choice for metal enthusiasts. The pedal's standout features include the 'tight' control, which delivers a dry, desaturated tone ideal for drop-tuned riffs, and the 'chomp' noise gate, which is highly effective for djent-style music. While not a direct replacement for the 5150, it excels in providing a unique thrash metal sound. Despite some better distortions on the market, its combination of features and price point make it a compelling option for shredders.

positive

Amptweaker TightMetal Pedal Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Amptweaker Tight Metal pedal delivers a fierce bouquet of high-gain metal tones with a remarkably natural noise gate, making it a formidable choice for thrash enthusiasts. Its robust build and thoughtful design, like the rollbar for secure settings and an effortless magnetic battery drawer, make it stage-ready. The pedal's standout feature is its versatile Tight control, which shapes the tone from loose to tight, perfect for palm-muted riffs. While its massive gain and trebly tone may require careful tweaking to avoid overpowering the mix, the pedal provides ample tools to fine-tune your sound. Ideal for metalheads craving tight, gated distortion, though it may not appeal to those outside the metal genre.

positive

Amptweaker Tight Metal Review | SevenString.org

sevenstring.org
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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tuckerofthorraxe

Hail James Brown.

James Brown, designer of the Peavey 5150, owns and is the builder of Amptweaker stuff. This pedal was a joint project with him and one of the gutarists of Misery Index. According to James, it's kind of a mid point between a 5150 and an Ampeg VH-140C. This version just had a single tone control, but there were other controls to help offset the limiting nature of that design. Another cool feature was the output volume being able to sit at line level, so as to act as a preamp into an effects loop return or into a stand alone power amp. If you're a touring metal musician going overseas and using unfamiliar amps for backline, this may be your saving grace to have some semblance of a consistent tone through pretty much anything. Do recommend.

kinggrey

Metal Thrashing Mad!

This pedal absolutely NAILS the 80's Thrash Metal sound. Anthrax's "Got the Time" is a perfect comparison. It'll also match Metallicas first four albums (five if you count Garage Days). And then most Nu Metal like Disturbed, Drowning Pool, and Slipknot can be matched with this. It's got it's own built in effects loop. I don't use it but it's a cool feature. I do find, however, that Korn, or bands with lower tuned guitars with more mids don't sound as good through this pedal as they do through a JCM or DSL. But that's just personal preference.

jessebelanger

Best preamp for the 5150 tone

Description : The TightMetal was created by adding additional stages in front of a carefully modified TightDrive. The resulting thicker and much heavier distortion is tweaked by a simple built-in output EQ curve, and can further be adjusted by the output Tone control.

Features : True Bypass switch Tight Attack Control Gain, Tone, & Volume Controls Gate switch with Chomp setting for quick stops Mid switch with Thrash setting Effects Loop with Pre/Post switch..tracks On/Off Footswitch LED lit knobs when using a power supply Battery disconnect switch with red indicator Current: 12mA with 9V battery, 28mA with 9V adapter Works with 9V-18V supplies like 'variacing' your amp up and down DC Adapter jack, standard 2.1mm X 5.5mm, center ground Magnetic Battery access door opens w/o tools Handmade in the USA 5 Year Limited Warranty

Artist usage

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See how Tom Peters uses Amptweaker Tight Metal

Tom Peters

Guitarist

Alpha Male Tea Party

...
Verified via YouTube

At 5.58 he discusses this pedal

Genre Usage

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Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Amptweaker Tight Metal, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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dave_weiss

dave_weiss

Gear IQ 343

dave_weiss

dave_weiss

Gear IQ 343

dave_weiss

dave_weiss

Gear IQ 343

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