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Average Price: $219

High-end/Boutique

$60

$151+

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Standard

High-end

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Description

The Durham Electronics Sex Drive is a versatile boost effects pedal designed to enhance your guitar's natural tone while offering a touch of grit when needed. Known for its high-quality JFET transistors, this pedal provides a clean, transparent boost that can push your amplifier into overdrive, or simply add clarity to your sound. Ideal for guitarists seeking a pedal that delivers subtle to significant sonic enhancement, the Sex Drive maintains your instrument's original character without coloring the tone excessively.

This pedal is a favorite among musicians for its ability to go from a clean boost to a light overdrive, making it perfect for a wide range of genres and playing styles. Its intuitive control interface includes Volume, Gain, and Tone knobs, allowing for precise adjustments to achieve your desired sound. The Sex Drive also includes a unique toggle switch for selecting between boost and compression modes, providing additional flexibility for your performance needs.

Whether you're looking to cut through a mix or add a touch of warmth, the Durham Electronics Sex Drive offers a reliable solution with its robust construction and straightforward operation. It's a pedalboard staple for those who appreciate quality craftsmanship and nuanced tonal control.

Key Features:

  • High-quality JFET transistors for transparent boost
  • Volume, Gain, and Tone control knobs for precision
  • Toggle switch for boost and compression modes
  • Durable construction suitable for live performance
  • Maintains the natural character of your guitar's tone

Product specs

Brand Durham Electronics
Model Sex Drive Overdrive/Boost
Finish Silver
Year 2010s
Made In United States
Categories Overdrive and Boost Pedals

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Durham Electronics Sex Drive pedal?

The Durham Electronics Sex Drive provides a transparent boost and light overdrive, enhancing your guitar's natural tone without coloring it. It's ideal for adding sustain and clarity to your sound.

Is the Durham Electronics Sex Drive suitable for use with both electric and acoustic guitars?

Yes, the Sex Drive pedal is designed to work well with both electric and acoustic guitars, offering a clean boost and subtle overdrive to enhance your instrument's natural sound.

Does the Durham Electronics Sex Drive pedal work well with other effects pedals?

The Sex Drive is known for its ability to stack well with other pedals, particularly overdrives and distortions, making it a versatile addition to any pedalboard setup.

What power supply does the Durham Electronics Sex Drive require?

The Durham Electronics Sex Drive pedal requires a standard 9V DC power supply, which is common for most pedalboards and effects setups.

Can the Durham Electronics Sex Drive pedal be used as a standalone overdrive?

While primarily a boost pedal, the Sex Drive can be used as a standalone overdrive for adding light grit and sustain to your tone, making it versatile for various playing styles.

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Durham Electronics Sex Drive Clean Boost Pedal

Video thumbnail for Durham Electronics Sex Drive Clean Boost Pedal by ProGuitarShopDemos

Durham Electronics Sex Drive Clean Boost Pedal

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Video thumbnail for Durham Electronics Sex Drive Clean Boost Pedal | CME Gear Demo | Charlie Sexton by Chicago Music Exchange

Durham Electronics Sex Drive Clean Boost Pedal | CME Gear Demo | Charlie Sexton

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Video thumbnail for Durham Electronics Sex Drive guitar effects pedal demo with Dr Z amp by gearmanndude

Durham Electronics Sex Drive guitar effects pedal demo with Dr Z amp

gearmanndude

gearmanndude

Video thumbnail for Durham Electronics - SEX DRIVE by Brett Kingman

Durham Electronics - SEX DRIVE

Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

Video thumbnail for Durham Electronics Sex Drive by Marco van der Peet

Durham Electronics Sex Drive

Marco van der Peet

Marco van der Peet

Video thumbnail for Official Durham Electronics Sex Drive Overview by Durham Electronics

Official Durham Electronics Sex Drive Overview

Durham Electronics

Durham Electronics

Video thumbnail for Durham Electronics Sex Drive by musictoyznetwork

Durham Electronics Sex Drive

musictoyznetwork

musictoyznetwork

Reviews

PROS

  • Adds a "glassy" bump to tone, enhancing sound quality

  • Provides a clean, organic boost without altering natural amp tone

  • Features both "soft" and "hard" compression options

  • Can be left on continuously for a consistently improved tone

  • Functions as an effective volume increase with minimal gain adjustment

  • Offers a natural-sounding, unobtrusive boost

  • Boasts a high-quality buffer, ideal for long pedalboards

  • Described as having a special, almost magical effect on sound

CONS

  • Interior build quality may appear subpar or used

  • LED light excessively bright for some settings

  • Considered overpriced by some users for its functionality

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Durham Electronics Sex Drive.

Features and functionality

  • The tone knob has a narrow sweet spot that enhances highs, aiding in cutting through live mixes, though excessive use can lead to harshness.

    Source
  • The LED is notably bright, prompting some users to apply Rockboard LED dampers for reduced glare, comparable to the EQD Sea Chorus brightness.

    Source
  • The Sex Drive is praised for its beautiful and simple design, which appeals to users seeking straightforward pedal options.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Valued for bringing Stratocaster output to match humbuckers, it excels in achieving edge-of-breakup tones at lower volumes, often used as the final gain stage in pedal chains.

    Source
  • The Sex Drive is often used as a clean boost, particularly favored for its ability to enhance clarity and presence without altering the guitar's natural tone.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Durham Electronics Sex Drive is favored over other clean boosts like the RC Booster and Fender Engager for its simplicity and effective performance.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners of the Sex Drive frequently highlight its effectiveness in clean boost applications, making it a preferred choice among enthusiasts who have tested multiple pedals.

    Source
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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N

Special Sauce is right

When players talk about magical pedals that provide that "something extra" or "special sauce," one can be forgiven for some eye rolling. But the truth is, some pedals really do have that mojo goin' on. This pedal brings the mojo - hard. I used to use it as a lead boost until I realized I simply HAD to leave it on all the time. It's that good.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how The Edge uses Durham Electronics Sex Drive

The Edge

Guitarist

U2

...
Verified via Photo

In this article, Music Radar interviews Edge's guitar tech Dallas Schoo and details his touring rig for 2009's "360° Tour." It lists the Sex Drive among his effects.

See how Brad Paisley uses Durham Electronics Sex Drive

Brad Paisley

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified

According to a post by Zac Childs on Ask Zac, Brad Paisley used a Durham Electronics Sex Drive pedal in 2005.

See how Rich Robinson uses Durham Electronics Sex Drive

Rich Robinson

Guitarist

The Black Crowes

...
Verified via reverb.com

Rich Robinson is associated with the Durham Electronics Sex Drive pedal. Originally designed to meet the specific needs of musician Charlie Sexton, this clean-boost pedal enhances bottom end and sustain without altering the amplifier's natural tone or adding unwanted nasal qualities. The Reverb listing confirms Robinson's ownership of this pedal.

See how James Williamson uses Durham Electronics Sex Drive

James Williamson

Guitarist

The Stooges

...
Verified via Photo

The Durham Electronics Sex Drive pedal is listed in this article by Premier Guitar, in the sidebar, among the effects that Williamson has used.

See how "Captain" Kirk Douglas uses Durham Electronics Sex Drive

"Captain" Kirk Douglas

Guitarist

The Roots

...
Verified via YouTube

"Captain" Kirk Douglas uses a Durham Electronics Sex Drive on his live pedalboard rig for The Tonight Show Staring Jimmy Fallon. It is shown [@ 2:30] in the video.

This pedal was also mentioned in the 2019 Premier Guitar interview..

See how Ken uses Durham Electronics Sex Drive

Ken

Guitarist, Keyboardist

L'Arc-en-Ciel

...
Verified via Free The Tone

Shown within multiple rack setup designed by FREE THE TONE for LIVE 2017 25th L'Anniversary LIVE Event as per photos published on FREE THE TONE's blog (2017).

See how Steven Van Zandt uses Durham Electronics Sex Drive

Steven Van Zandt

Guitarist

E Street Band

...
Verified via Tumblr

As part of Van Zandt's rack in 2013.

See how Robert McDowell uses Durham Electronics Sex Drive

Robert McDowell

Guitarist

Manchester Orchestra

...
Verified via Wordpress

Found on Rob's Pedalboard in this Picture Circa the Early 2010's.

See how Colin Hay uses Durham Electronics Sex Drive

Colin Hay

Singer, Guitarist

Men at Work

...
Verified via Hugeracksinc

The second is an acoustic board designed for Colin Hay of Men at Work. Colin wanted a very versatile system that was state of the art. It allows him to blend his dry acoustic sound with stereo effects.

A custom box was built by Martin to allow a DI feed and stereo XLR through the pedals to the house as well as a mono amp send. The box also allows a master mute of all outs to the tuner and a mute of the XLR's and amp send individually. The XLR's are ISO'd with two Jensen Transformers.

The signal chain is as follows: Custom switching box---Demeter Tube DI---EBS Comp----Durham Sexdrive----Fulldrive II----Boss Loop Station---TC Modulator----TC Nova Delay---Swith box.

The Demeter tube DI is an incredibly natural sounding piece. The TC pedals blended in stereo are amazingly spacious.

See how Brendan Ekstrom uses Durham Electronics Sex Drive

Brendan Ekstrom

Guitarist

Circa Survive

...
Verified via Guitar

According to Guitar Geek's rig diagram, Ekstrom uses Durham Electronics Sex Drive Pedal.

See how Carl Broemel uses Durham Electronics Sex Drive

Carl Broemel

Guitarist

My Morning Jacket

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

In the Premier Guitar video "My Morning Jacket Rig Rundown" by John Bohlinger, it is confirmed that Carl Broemel's pedalboard includes a Durham Electronics Sex Drive.

See how David Grissom uses Durham Electronics Sex Drive

David Grissom

Guitarist

Storyville

...
Verified via YouTube

In this 2GHTR livestream show, David Grissom shows his pedalboard at 12:02. The pedal is clearly visible.

Album Usage

The Durham Electronics Sex Drive 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 Durham Electronics Sex Drive, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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miles_cookman

miles_cookman

Gear IQ 217

miles_cookman

miles_cookman

Gear IQ 217

miles_cookman

miles_cookman

Gear IQ 217

miles_cookman

miles_cookman

Gear IQ 217

miles_cookman

miles_cookman

Gear IQ 217

miles_cookman

miles_cookman

Gear IQ 217

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