Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $25

Budget/Beginner

$80

$181+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Unleash the beast within your guitar with the BBE AM64 Distortion Pedal, a powerhouse engineered for the metal enthusiast craving that hard-edged American-inspired distortion. Compact yet mighty, this pedal transforms your clean guitar tone into the gritty, aggressive sound that metal genres demand. Its straightforward design allows for easy manipulation, ensuring you find your perfect sound with minimal effort. Whether you're shredding in your bedroom or laying down tracks in the studio, the AM64 is your ticket to iconic metal tones. No longer in production, this pedal is a coveted piece for collectors and tone chasers alike.

Key Features:

  • Hard-edged American-inspired distortion, perfect for metal genres
  • Simple user interface for easy tone shaping
  • Ideal for both practice and recording environments
  • Rare and sought-after, not in current production

FAQs

What type of power supply does the BBE AM64 Distortion Pedal require?

The BBE AM64 Distortion Pedal requires a 9v DC power supply. Please note that an AC adapter is not included with the pedal.

Does the BBE AM64 Distortion Pedal have true bypass?

Yes, the BBE AM64 Distortion Pedal features a true bypass switch, which helps maintain your guitar's tone when the pedal is not in use.

What controls are available on the BBE AM64 Distortion Pedal?

The BBE AM64 Distortion Pedal offers Volume, Tone, and Gain controls, allowing you to shape your distortion sound to suit your playing style and musical genre.

Is the BBE AM64 Distortion Pedal suitable for both rhythm and lead guitar playing?

Yes, the BBE AM64's adjustable Volume, Tone, and Gain controls make it versatile enough for both rhythm and lead guitar playing, providing a wide range of distortion tones.

Does the BBE AM64 Distortion Pedal have an LED status indicator?

Yes, the BBE AM64 Distortion Pedal features a bright blue LED status light, indicating when the pedal is active.

Chris Mann

Chris Mann

BBE AM64 American Metal

Video thumbnail for BBE AM64 American Metal by Chris Mann

BBE AM64 American Metal

Chris Mann

Chris Mann

Video thumbnail for BBE AM64 Demo - Gibson Les Paul / Gibson G-10 by Darrell Qualls

BBE AM64 Demo - Gibson Les Paul / Gibson G-10

Darrell Qualls

Darrell Qualls

Video thumbnail for BBE AM64 by Dave Jennette

BBE AM64

Dave Jennette

Dave Jennette

Reviews

PROS

  • Simple, easy to use for vintage metal tones

  • Less noisy compared to similar pedals

  • Versatile: works as boost, distortion, fuzz, and overdrive

  • Offers good value for money, especially as a DIY enclosure

  • Quality build from a reputable brand

  • Effective tone control

CONS

  • Not powerful enough for some as a standalone distortion pedal

  • Lacks compression and sustain for true metal tones

  • Grainy and thin distortion texture

  • Bulky design

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about BBE AM64 Distortion Pedal.

Use cases and applications

  • The BBE AM64 is noted for creating a muddy sound when used with a Micro Dark amp and a mildly-driven TS9, making it situationally useful.

    Source
  • Some users find it suitable for lower gain rock sounds, possibly modeled after 60s American rock, rather than metal.

    Source

Comparisons

  • It's compared unfavorably to a Guvnor, with suggestions to try MI Audio Crunch Box clones like the Mosky Red Crunch for a better experience.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • One user mentioned purchasing the pedal for $35 on sale, indicating it might be a budget-friendly option for niche use.

    Source
  • A user observed that the pedal is sometimes available for as low as $40 on Reverb, suggesting affordability for collectors or enthusiasts.

    Source
Add

3.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
kaevan

If you come across it for less than $30, buy it immediately.

Considering that at worst case you've invested in a solid 3 Knob enclosure that you could easily gut and rebuild, and at best case you've spent between $20-30 on a pedal that is generally pitted against other pedals ranging from $30-50 and comes out as a unique and interesting option, I'd say this pedal is worth picking up. It is apparently a Guitar Center exclusive from around 2010, and is actually billed as a "Metal Distortion". There aren't really any metal tones you could get out of it, as it isn't very compressed nor does it have much sustain, two things that are really what you're looking for with a good "Metal" circuit. I would say that this pedal is actually more interesting than any of that, and for quite cheap. I've found success using it as a semi-clean boost with a little bit of treble color, as a guttural sounding distortion for chugs, a rippy full gain fuzz-like tone for solos, and even been able to find a happy medium that is akin to an overdrive or tube distortion. The point I'm trying to make is that this simple little circuit is very well made, very cheap, and very versatile. I have seen quality products from BBE throughout the years, and this cheapy doesn't disappoint. Again, at worst case you're spending just a little bit more than you would to purchase a blank enclosure with which to build your own pedal, so if you think of this is a very cheap investment, getting lots of mileage out of it is worth a shot. I certainly am enjoying folding it into my sets!

miky_salomon

It may not be that amazing but it gives you a little boost

For a cheap pedal, it may not be that powerful as a distortion pedal, but if you combine it with other pedals it can give you a nice boost for your solos, or, you can use it to create some noise in your guitar, something like a fuzz

opalcrush

very grainy distortion

decent for money its a little bulky and the tone control is nice but the distortions texture is kinda grainy and thin

Genre Usage

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    kaevan
    kaevan

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