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Average Price: $665

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$181+

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Description

The PETE CORNISH G-2™ has been hailed as the most original sounding distortion unit available to guitarists in the Rock Arena. It features a four stage overdriven discrete transistor Class A circuit with additional Germanium components that generate much warmer sounding harmonics than anything else on the market. Within the huge tone generated by this unit, the original guitar sound and dynamics are present creating a much more musical effect than any other distortion pedal.

The G-2™ gives a higher level of overdrive for that classic cranked up Marshall sound found on most British rock records of the 70s (Led Zeppelin, Free, Bad Company etc.). The G-2™ with its warm Germanium qualities and higher gain starts at around the rhythmic crunch stage of the SS-3™ and continues through in controllable degrees to a rounded but dynamic lead.

The input to this unique device is our universally acclaimed High Impedance, Unity Gain, Class A, Buffer Preamp with it's superior RFI rejecting capability (to eliminate Radio Station interference) and Low Impedance output, allowing the use of extended cable runs from the G-2™ in bypass mode. The fixed High Impedance load presented to the Guitar allows the pickups to operate at their optimum, even when several effects units are connected after the G-2™. The Unity Gain Buffer also prevents "Ghost Distortion" being audible in Bypass Mode. This effect unit gets the most benefit from being fed into a clean, full frequency response amplifier and I recommend that when you receive your pedal you connect it up without anything else in line, just Guitar/Pedal/Amp, and discover the way the controls interact, both with themselves and the guitar/amp controls. Then adding the rest of your effects, you may find that you need to make slight adjustments to these as they are now being fed with a constant signal when the G-2™ is in Bypass Mode.

Product specs

Brand Pete Cornish
Model G-2 Battery-Free Distortion
Finish Black/White
Year 2010s
Categories Distortion Pedals

FAQs

What type of distortion sound does the Pete Cornish G-2 pedal provide?

The Pete Cornish G-2 offers a rich, creamy distortion with a smooth sustain and dynamic response, ideal for classic rock and blues styles.

Is the Pete Cornish G-2 suitable for use with both electric guitar and bass?

Yes, the Pete Cornish G-2 is designed to work well with both electric guitar and bass, providing a versatile distortion tone for various musical applications.

Does the Pete Cornish G-2 pedal require a battery for operation?

No, the Pete Cornish G-2 is a battery-free distortion pedal, which means it operates solely on external power supplies.

How does the Pete Cornish G-2 differ from other fuzz pedals?

Unlike typical fuzz pedals, the Pete Cornish G-2 provides a more controlled and refined distortion, with a focus on clarity and sustain, making it ideal for players seeking a balanced, high-quality tone.

Can the Pete Cornish G-2 pedal be used in a live performance setting?

Yes, the Pete Cornish G-2 is built for reliability and durability, making it an excellent choice for live performances where consistent, high-quality distortion is needed.

Simon Gotthelf Gear Demos (Simon Gotthelf Music)

Simon Gotthelf Gear Demos (Simon Gotthelf Music)

Pete Cornish G-2 - Demo by Simon Gotthelf

Video thumbnail for Pete Cornish G-2 - Demo by Simon Gotthelf by Simon Gotthelf Gear Demos (Simon Gotthelf Music)

Pete Cornish G-2 - Demo by Simon Gotthelf

Simon Gotthelf Gear Demos (Simon Gotthelf Music)

Simon Gotthelf Gear Demos (Simon Gotthelf Music)

Video thumbnail for Guitar pedal sound test: Pete Cornish G2 (David Gilmour) by Simone Gianlorenzi

Guitar pedal sound test: Pete Cornish G2 (David Gilmour)

Simone Gianlorenzi

Simone Gianlorenzi

Video thumbnail for Pete Cornish G-2 by musictoyznetwork

Pete Cornish G-2

musictoyznetwork

musictoyznetwork

Video thumbnail for Pete Cornish G2 by shnobel

Pete Cornish G2

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for Pete Cornish G2 - Review - David Gilmour Tone - Coming Back To Life - Pink Floyd by VJN Sound

Pete Cornish G2 - Review - David Gilmour Tone - Coming Back To Life - Pink Floyd

VJN Sound

VJN Sound

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Pete Cornish G-2.

Build quality

  • Hand-built in small numbers, these pedals are extremely solid with notably low noise, attributed to Pete Cornish's craftsmanship.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The G-2 is compared to a Marshally distortion but noted as too smooth for some setups, highlighting the subjectivity of tone preference.

    Source
  • The G-2 is described as a smoother version of a Ram's Head Muff, offering less sludge compared to Muffs and less fizz than a Rat.

    Source
  • The Skreddy P19 is highlighted as a potential alternative for those seeking a G-2-like sound.

    Source

User experience

  • An owner of multiple Pete Cornish pedals describes the G-2 as one of the best distortion pedals ever, achieving tones similar to David Gilmour.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The G-2's ability to achieve specific artist tones, like David Gilmour's, is a standout feature for fans of his sound.

    Source
  • The body knob allows users to adjust mids, enhancing clarity with humbuckers or helping to cut through mixes.

    Source
  • Mode switch toggles between standard Ram's Head and a G-2-inspired setup, providing smoother, more refined tones suitable for singing leads.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Bones Owens' use of Pete Cornish pedals demonstrates their capability to produce impressive live sound quality.

    Source
  • The pedal stacks effectively with boost or drive pedals, enabling versatility and the ability to achieve Pink Floyd-like sounds.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • While Pete Cornish pedals are expensive, some owners justify the cost for their personal tone preferences and the legendary status of the builder.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Top Tone produces a G2 clone, and Past FX offers a version based on the Buffalo FX Evolution, a tweaked G-2 circuit.

    Source
  • Treble bleed mod using a capacitor between lug 2 and 3 of the sustain pot enhances clarity at low gain with values ranging from 1nF to 4.7nF.

    Source
  • Gate switch alteration involves adjusting the resistor between the base of Q3 and ground, affecting gated fuzz response and background noise.

    Source

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Paul McCartney uses Pete Cornish G-2

Paul McCartney

Singer, Bassist

The Beatles

...
Verified via YouTube

A version of a G-2 can be seen on his board.

See how Lou Reed uses Pete Cornish G-2

Lou Reed

Guitarist, Singer

The Velvet Underground

...
Verified via Petecornish

Used in his Metal Machine Trio tour, clearly seen on the floorboard (Custon Batt Frees, according to Cornish's website, year 2010: http://www.petecornish.co.uk/client.html). Picture © Pete Cornish: http://www.petecornish.co.uk/GreySeries.html.

See how Stephen O'Malley uses Pete Cornish G-2

Stephen O'Malley

Guitarist

Sunn O)))

...
Verified via Guitar.com | All Things Guitar

On the record with Steve, I brought a bunch of Hotones and stuff like that. Like live guitar players, I’ve got crates of pedals that have been used, but probably for a month, week, or a couple of years. But where I’m at right now, I’ve got that RAT, a Pete Cornish G-2, a Klon Centaur, and some splitters.

See how Ken uses Pete Cornish G-2

Ken

Guitarist, Keyboardist

L'Arc-en-Ciel

...
Verified via Photo

Shown within an 'ambient sound' pedalboard used on-stage, separate to the multiple rack setup off-stage. Both designed by FREE THE TONE for 2020's MMXX Arena Tour as per photos published on FREE THE TONE's blog (2020).

See how Grant Nicholas uses Pete Cornish G-2

Grant Nicholas

Singer, Guitarist

Feeder

...
Verified via Photo

Grant Nicholas features the Pete Cornish G-2 fuzz effects pedal in his Instagram post tagged with #recording and #thetreehousestudio, suggesting its use in his recording sessions.

See how Crispian Mills uses Pete Cornish G-2

Crispian Mills

Guitarist

Kula Shaker

...
Verified via Petecornish

In this list of clients Crispian Mills is located at 1999

See how Gary Kemp uses Pete Cornish G-2

Gary Kemp

Guitarist

Spandau Ballet

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in this Instagram post by Kemp.

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 Pete Cornish G-2, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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2 alternative and related items for Pete Cornish G-2, curated by the Equipboard community.

Vick Audio V-2
Vintage or Discontinued similar sound cheaper alternative

A more affordable take on the Cornish G-2, featuring silicon diodes as opposed to germanium.

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