Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (10)
$179.99
Guitar Center
5.0 (9)
$179.99
Reverb
5.0 (5)
$178.95 New
$140.13 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (17)
$179.99
zZounds
5.0 (5)
$179.99

Average Price: $170

Standard/Professional

$80

$181+

Price Tier

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret MKI". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash the raw power of vintage British amps with the Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret. Designed for guitarists who crave the classic-era Marshall sound, this pedal delivers an authentic rock experience right at your feet. With its two distinct circuits—the Super Lead and Super Bass—this pedal offers a dynamic range that channels everything from the iconic plexi tones to the roaring JCM800, all while maintaining exceptional touch sensitivity.

The Dirty Little Secret isn't just a pedal; it's the backbone of your rig. Its versatility allows it to be an "always on" overdrive, perfectly complementing other effects in your pedalboard. Whether you're looking to drive your tone into gritty overdrive or pull back for a cleaner, more nuanced sound, this pedal's intuitive controls give you the flexibility you need. Simply adjust the master, treble, middle, bass, and preamp dials to craft your perfect tone.

Flip the internal slider switch to toggle between the two modes. The Super Lead mode offers a high-gain, mid-focused punch, while the Super Bass mode provides a warmer, low-mid emphasis, perfect for pairing with fuzz pedals. This pedal's adaptability makes it a must-have for musicians looking to explore a wide array of sonic possibilities without sacrificing the quality or character of their sound.

Key Features:

  • Two circuits in one: Super Lead and Super Bass
  • Controls: Master, Treble, Middle, Bass, Preamp
  • Internal slider switch for circuit selection
  • True-to-amp response ideal for stacking with other pedals
  • Compact design, pedalboard friendly
  • Powered via 9-volt battery or external power supply

Product specs

Power 9V
Bypass true bypass
Analog/Digital analog
Reverb

Reverb

Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret Demo

Video thumbnail for Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret Demo by Reverb

Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret Demo

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret by Guitarist

Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret

Guitarist

Guitarist

Video thumbnail for Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret (Classic Marshall Tones) by Catalinbread Effects

Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret (Classic Marshall Tones)

Catalinbread Effects

Catalinbread Effects

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret MKI.

Use cases and applications

  • The Dirty Little Secret excels as a foundation overdrive, particularly when paired with fuzz pedals like a Fuzz Face, offering a gritty clean alternative channel.

    Source
  • The Dirty Little Secret functions effectively as a second channel for amps, emulating vintage Marshall distortion, particularly when used with clean Fender amps in Super Lead mode.

    Source
  • When used in an effects loop setup, the Dirty Little Secret is often placed last before the amp, allowing other drive pedals to push it for added gain.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Running the pedal at 18V significantly improves clarity, although it requires additional setup to bypass the amp preamp, making it less practical for some users.

    Source
  • The pedal is noted for its ability to handle other pedals well, particularly when stacked, despite some users finding it harsh or aggressive when used alone.

    Source
  • Users appreciate the pedal's performance when powered at 18 volts, though this requires specific setups like bypassing the amp's preamp section.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners frequently compare the Dirty Little Secret unfavorably to the Boss DS1 with Keeley Mod and the Wampler Plexidrive, citing a lack of saturation and fullness.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users expected more gain from the pedal and found it lacked the fullness of a true Marshall, describing it as too harsh and brittle.

    Source
  • The pedal is noted for its touch sensitivity, responding well to dynamic playing and varying input levels, enhancing its versatility in different musical contexts.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners commonly place fuzz and overdrive pedals before the Dirty Little Secret in their signal chain, with modulation, delay, and reverb effects following it.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Gosha Pinchuk uses Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret MKI

Gosha Pinchuk

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Gosha Pinchuk is confirmed to use the Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret MKI, as evidenced by a photo he shared on Instagram on August 8, 2020. The second image in the post, which captures his pedalboard from 2015, clearly displays the Dirty Little Secret MKI model.

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 Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret MKI, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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