Marshall BluesBreaker Pedal

^# 87

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$501.98 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (26)

3 Critic Reviews

8 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Newer option

Marshall BluesBreaker Vintage Reissue

$127.18 - $199.99

Find out who is using Marshall Bluesbreaker

10 community setups

Featured in

Marshall BluesBreaker: The Transparent Overdrive Legend

25 wishlisted

93 saved

Page last updated Jul 03, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 3, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (19)

$501.98 1 available New

$244.05 43 available Used

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Average Price: $315

High-end/Boutique

$50

$176+

Price Tier

In the Overdrive Effects Pedals category, Marshall BluesBreaker Pedal is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Delve into the rich history of rock and blues with the Marshall Bluesbreaker Guitar Pedal, a truly distinctive piece that has graced the pedalboards of iconic musicians. Known for its remarkable tone-shaping capabilities, this pedal offers an authentic, vintage feel that is both versatile and unique. The Bluesbreaker is widely acknowledged for its role in the '90s music scene, particularly its link to the legendary John Mayer. Imbued with a rich heritage, this pedal promises to deliver tonal excellence and a memorable musical experience.

Key Features:

Vintage-inspired design, reminiscent of the '90s era
Highly sought after for its distinctive tone and versatility
Notable for its association with iconic musician, John Mayer
Produced from 1991 - 1999, adding to its unique appeal
Suitable for various music genres, particularly rock and blues

Product specs

Brand	Marshall
Model	BluesBreaker
Finish	Black
Year	1990s
Made In	United Kingdom
Categories	Distortion Pedals, Overdrive and Boost Pedals

FAQs

What type of overdrive does the Marshall Bluesbreaker pedal provide?: The Marshall Bluesbreaker pedal delivers a light to medium gain overdrive, known for its soft clipping and amp-like circuit. It is a transparent overdrive with more low-end than a Tube Screamer and less mid-range emphasis than a Klon.
Is the Marshall Bluesbreaker pedal suitable for blues music?: Yes, the Marshall Bluesbreaker pedal is particularly well-suited for blues music due to its smooth, mid-focused overdrive that enhances dynamics while maintaining the guitar's natural tone.
Can the Marshall Bluesbreaker pedal be used with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?: The Marshall Bluesbreaker pedal works well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups, offering a versatile overdrive that complements various guitar types and pickup configurations.
How does the Marshall Bluesbreaker pedal affect an amplifier's tone?: The Marshall Bluesbreaker pedal provides a subtle, transparent overdrive that enhances an amplifier's natural tone without drastically altering it, making it ideal for players who want to add warmth and sustain.
Does the Marshall Bluesbreaker pedal work well with other pedals?: Yes, the Marshall Bluesbreaker pedal integrates smoothly with other pedals, making it a versatile addition to any pedalboard setup. It can be used to stack with other overdrives or distortions for more complex tones.

Videos

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Sweetwater

Marshall BluesBreaker Pedal Demo

Sweetwater

Marshall BluesBreaker Overdrive Pedal Reissue | Demo & Features

Guitar Center

Marshall BluesBreaker NEW REISSUE VS Original!! (SHOOTOUT)

Pedal Pawn

Marshall BluesBreaker Reissue Overdrive Pedal Review

Jack Fossett

Marshall Guv'nor & Marshall Bluesbreaker Reissue | Review | Guitar Interactive

Guitar Interactive Magazine

New Marshall Bluesbreaker re-issue... and how to use it!

The Pedal Picassos

Marshall Reissue: Blues Breaker Guitar Pedal | Gear4music Guitars

Gear4music Guitars

Pedal Talk - Marshall Blues Breaker Pedal

Guitar Village

Reviews

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PROS

Warm, punchy drive tone mimics smoothly overdriven tube amps
Offers substantial value retention over time
Versatile; enhances both clean boosts and throaty 70s/80s tones
Compatible with various amps, guitars, and effects for a stable sound
Can be used as a booster, adding value to pedalboards
Aesthetically customizable with knob replacements
Works well in combination with other overdrives for extended sustain
Ideal for genres like indie rock and blues

CONS

Original version praised for better mids, but newer versions seen as more versatile
Some components, like pots and knobs, can be low quality and noisy
Can be replicated by many other overdrive pedals on the market

Critic Reviews

Marshall BluesBreaker: can it pick up right where it left off?

guitar.com

The Marshall BluesBreaker is a nostalgic nod to the past, offering a warm, low-gain overdrive that's more about soul than raunch. While it won't transform a clean sound with aggressive crunch, it excels at adding a touch of sweet grit or pushing your amp slightly further. The reissue remains true to the original, with authenticity being its standout feature. However, it lacks versatility and can be frustratingly quiet, requiring the volume to be turned up significantly for unity gain. Despite these quirks, it's a smooth, amp-like drive that leaves you questioning why it wasn't reissued sooner.

positive

Full Review

Marshall Bluesbreaker, Shredmaster, Drivemaster and Guv'nor review | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

The Marshall Bluesbreaker and its reissue siblings are a nostalgic return to form, capturing the classic Marshall amp sound in pedal form. The reissues stick closely to the original designs, offering authentic tones with robust build quality. However, the larger pedal size and plastic battery covers are drawbacks in today’s compact pedalboard setups. Despite these minor flaws, the pedals are praised for their rich sound and faithful recreation of the originals, providing a genuine Marshall experience for enthusiasts. If you can overlook the size and design quirks, these pedals deliver the iconic sound many players are nostalgic for.

positive

Full Review

MARSHALL GUVNOR AND BLUESBREAKER | REVIEW - Guitar Interactive Magazine

guitarinteractivemagazine.com

Marshall's Bluesbreaker pedal reissue is a triumphant return to form, capturing the essence of its iconic 90s predecessor. With its robust build and authentic tone, it delivers an impressive mid-range crunch that echoes the legendary Bluesbreaker amp. The pedal's simplicity is a highlight, featuring basic controls for gain, tone, and volume, making it accessible for bluesy solos or driving a crunchy amp further. However, the gain only truly kicks in past the 2 o'clock setting, which might not suit those seeking immediate drive. Priced at £169, it's a worthy investment for those seeking the classic Marshall sound without breaking the bank on an original.

positive

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 8 Reviews and 26 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

ralphkj

344

6 months ago

Mk-1 Version 2 is the one

Ive owned three bluesbreakers now. They almost never sound bad. If you’re looking for a tasteful amount of overdrive then look no further

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Volume-gain match clean. Tone-1 o’clock. Gain-3O’clock

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Pop Jazz

metal_messiah

656

about 7 years ago

I love having a Marshall BluesBreaker...THE TONES!!!

I got this bad boy off of Reverb and love the tones I can get from it with a Boss 7-Band EQ. I just keep the bands flat and raise the level. Works great as a booster as do a lot of other things on my board. I switched the OG knobs for some blue MXR knobs, looks badass!!! \m/ (-_-) \m/

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Composer

Genres:

Metal old school thrash slayer

cannibalgymnastics

almost 8 years ago

Probably my favourite pedal.

This is my go to for pretty much all overdrive, but I tend to use it for leads now. It has just the right amount of bite and tone for me, plus I love the look.

country_monkey_luke

145

over 7 years ago

Prefer this to the new one :)

I really like this pedal, I use it kinda like a mini overdrive pedal, and it does the job! :)

alexandria_jovovich_...

227

over 9 years ago

Bluesbreaker Guitar Pedal

The very best pedal that I used for making indie rock and some blues pieces of U2 songs just the end part of "Angel of Harlem" , "when love comes to town" and "heartland"..