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Mad Professor 1

$119.99 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (5)

1 Critic Review

1 Review

Find out who is using Mad Professor 1

1 wishlisted

7 saved

Page last updated Jun 19, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 19, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (38)

$119.99 7 available New

$95.00 19 available Used

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Average Price: $108

Standard/Professional

$50

$176+

Price Tier

In the Overdrive Effects Pedals category, Mad Professor 1 is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Unleash the iconic "brown sound" with the Mad Professor 1, a versatile overdrive effects pedal that marries the warmth of a tube amp with the clarity and punch of modern engineering. Designed for guitarists who crave the legendary tone reminiscent of Eddie Van Halen's fiery solos and the vibrant West Coast rock scene of the late '70s and early '80s, this pedal strikes a perfect balance between aggressive distortion and lush reverb. Its compact design and intuitive controls make it an indispensable tool for both studio recordings and live performances, offering a wide range of tones from subtle overdrive to full-blown saturation. Whether you're looking to add depth to your chords or soar through solos with ease, the Mad Professor 1 delivers the goods without the cheese.

Key Features:

Versatile blend of reverb and tube-like distortion
Ideal for achieving the iconic West Coast rock sound
Compact and intuitive design suitable for any setup
Wide tonal range from subtle to aggressive overdrive

Product specs

Brand	Mad Professor
Model	1 (One) Distortion
Finish	Brown
Year	2010s
Made In	United States
Categories	Distortion Pedals, Reverb Pedals

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Mad Professor 1 Distortion pedal?: The Mad Professor 1 Distortion pedal delivers a classic, dynamic overdrive sound with a rich harmonic content, making it suitable for a variety of rock and blues styles.
Is the Mad Professor 1 Distortion pedal suitable for use with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?: Yes, the Mad Professor 1 Distortion is designed to work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups, providing a versatile overdrive tone for different guitar types.
Does the Mad Professor 1 Distortion pedal have a true bypass?: Yes, the Mad Professor 1 Distortion pedal features a true bypass, ensuring that your guitar's tone remains unaffected when the pedal is not in use.
How does the Mad Professor 1 Distortion pedal handle high-gain settings?: The Mad Professor 1 Distortion can handle high-gain settings effectively, offering a smooth, creamy distortion that maintains clarity and note definition even at higher levels.
Can the Mad Professor 1 Distortion pedal be powered by a standard 9V power supply?: Yes, the Mad Professor 1 Distortion pedal can be powered using a standard 9V DC power supply, making it easy to integrate into most pedalboards.

Videos

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Pete Thorn

Mad Professor 1, demo by Pete Thorn

Pete Thorn

Mad Professor : 1 - Distortion/Reverb - demo

Brett Kingman

Mad Professor "1" Pedal demo part 1 by Marko Karhu

Mad Professor Pedals

Mad Professor "1" Reverb/Distortion Pedal Demo

Musician's Friend

Mad Professor "1" Reverb/Distortion Pedal Demo

Guitar Center

Mad Professor 1 guitar pedal demo with Gibson SG Brown Sound in a pedal

gearmanndude

Mad Professor 1 Effects Pedal Demo

Guitar Center

Mad Professor "1" Pedal demo by Jarmo Nikku

Mad Professor Pedals

Mad Professor "1" pedal demo: Part 1 by Olli Siikanen

Mad Professor Pedals

Mad Professor "1" Pedal demo part 2 by Marko Karhu

Mad Professor Pedals

Reviews

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PROS

Mimics 70s cranked Marshalls sound effectively
Excellent for EVH 1978 sounds, especially with a phaser
Can blend well with medium/light gain from amp
Convincing sound even through headphone plugs
Specifically great for solos and 80s music

CONS

Reverb quality is lacking
Mostly complements EL34 driven amps; weaker with others
'Brown' knob has minimal effect on sound

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Mad Professor 1.

Features and functionality

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The pedal combines reverb and overdrive, specifically designed to emulate a "Brown Sound," akin to vintage amp tones.
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Presence knob is crucial for managing high frequencies, which can get fizzy; adding an EQ pedal helps tame this.
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Gain knob adjustments from 9-12 provide a range of distortion suitable for various classic rock tones.
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Comparisons

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General Guitar Gadgets offers kits for similar "Brown Sound in a Box" pedals, costing $60 for a kit without parts, enclosure, or soldering.
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Considered a great fit for a nano board, though it may not integrate well with larger pedalboards.
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Value and pricing

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At $50, it's considered a cost-effective alternative to the JHS Charlie Brown ($200) and Sweet Tea ($315), which mimic similar circuits.
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Use cases and applications

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It's noted to perform one specific effect well, suitable for those seeking a unique distortion/reverb combination.
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The pedal excels in producing Gojira and Van Halen tones, offering flexibility from screaming distortion to near clean with volume knob adjustments.
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User experience

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Extremely sensitive to pick attack, allowing for dynamic expression based on playing style.
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Critic Reviews

Mad Professor 1 Overdrive Pedal Review | Performer Mag

performermag.com

The Mad Professor 1 Brown Sound Overdrive Pedal is a compact powerhouse that nails the iconic 'brown sound' of late-‘70s rock at an affordable price. Its simple controls, including a unique reverb feature, offer a tight, punchy British drive with clarity and sustain. While its distortion range is limited, it’s perfect for those seeking the Van Halen-esque tone. Ideal for tribute bands or fans of the era's rock sound, this pedal provides an authentic experience, albeit at the cost of versatility.

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Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

5 star

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1 star

geovoc

1199

about 7 years ago

sweet!

My favorite pedal for solos and 80s influenced stuff

Artist usage

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yuuho kitazawa

Singer, Guitarist

the peggies

Verified via Photo

She posted this picture of her pedalboard on instagram.

Piotr G

Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "The Downfall Of Us All - A Day To Remember Guitar Cover (Piotr G7 Studio)," Piotr G uses the Mad Professor 1 overdrive effects pedal.