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Average Price: $687

High-end/Boutique

$50

$176+

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Description

The Pete Cornish SS-2 is a revered overdrive pedal that has become a staple for guitarists seeking crisp, articulate tones with a touch of warmth. Known for its hand-built craftsmanship, the SS-2 delivers a smooth overdrive that is both dynamic and responsive to your playing style. This pedal is favored by musicians who appreciate a natural-sounding overdrive that enhances their instrument's inherent character without overwhelming it.

The SS-2 stands out with its low-noise operation, ensuring clarity and precision even at higher gain settings. Its versatility allows it to function equally well as a subtle boost or a primary overdrive, making it a valuable addition to any pedalboard. The pedal's robust build quality is designed to withstand the rigors of both studio and stage, ensuring reliability wherever your music takes you.

Designed with the professional guitarist in mind, the SS-2 features a buffered bypass to maintain signal integrity across long cable runs. This pedal is perfect for those looking to add a touch of vintage warmth to their sound while retaining the clarity and bite that modern tones demand. Whether you're playing solos or rhythm, the Pete Cornish SS-2 offers the tonal flexibility needed to suit a wide range of musical styles.

Key Features:

  • Hand-built craftsmanship for superior quality
  • Provides smooth, articulate overdrive tones
  • Low-noise operation for clarity at high gain
  • Versatile use as both a boost and primary overdrive
  • Buffered bypass for maintaining signal integrity
  • Robust build quality designed for studio and stage use

Product specs

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

FAQs

What type of overdrive tone can I expect from the Pete Cornish SS-2?

The Pete Cornish SS-2 delivers a smooth, transparent overdrive with a warm, natural tone that enhances the sound of your guitar without overpowering it. It is particularly well-suited for blues and classic rock genres.

Does the Pete Cornish SS-2 work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?

Yes, the Pete Cornish SS-2 is designed to complement both single-coil and humbucker pickups, providing a versatile overdrive that maintains clarity and definition across different pickup types.

Is the Pete Cornish SS-2 suitable for live performances?

Absolutely, the Pete Cornish SS-2 is built for reliability and durability, making it an excellent choice for live performances. Its robust construction and consistent tone ensure it performs well on stage.

Does the Pete Cornish SS-2 require a specific power supply?

The Pete Cornish SS-2 is a battery-free overdrive pedal and requires a standard 9V DC power supply to operate, which is not included with the pedal.

How does the Pete Cornish SS-2 compare to other overdrive pedals in terms of transparency?

The Pete Cornish SS-2 is renowned for its exceptional transparency, allowing the natural tone of your guitar to shine through. It provides a subtle yet effective overdrive that enhances your sound without altering it drastically.

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Pete Cornish SS-2

Video thumbnail for Pete Cornish SS-2 by Vintage Stompboxes

Pete Cornish SS-2

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Vintage Stompboxes

Video thumbnail for Pete Cornish SS- 2 DEMO by Guitar Pedal Demos

Pete Cornish SS- 2 DEMO

Guitar Pedal Demos

Guitar Pedal Demos

Reviews

Owner Insights

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

Build quality

  • The pedals are hand-built in small numbers, ensuring exceptionally solid construction and very low noise levels.

    Source
  • RF shielding is exceptional, specifically designed to handle the rigors of global touring without failure.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The SS-2 offers a low to mid-gain overdrive with a slightly fuzzy character, distinct from typical MXR Distortion+ clones.

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  • Early innovator of the self-contained powered pedal board concept in the late 60s, setting a standard in pedalboard design.

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Use cases and applications

  • The G-2 pedal can achieve tones similar to David Gilmour, making it a desirable choice for fans aiming for that sound.

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Value and pricing

  • Despite their high cost, Pete Cornish pedals are considered valuable for the legacy and prestige associated with owning a piece of gear used by iconic musicians.

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  • Current prices range from 600€ to 800€, reflecting both the build quality and the historical significance of the brand.

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Comparisons

  • The delay pedal is essentially a rehoused DD-2 with a tone knob for repeats, highlighting minimal modifications to existing models.

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User experience

  • Buffers in these pedals were perfected before they became a standard feature, offering superior signal integrity.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

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

Paul McCartney

Singer, Bassist

The Beatles

...
Verified via Petecornish

Paul McCartney uses a customized Pete Cornish SS-2 overdrive pedal in his rack setup, as listed on the Pete Cornish Client List.

See how Noel Gallagher uses Pete Cornish SS-2

Noel Gallagher

Singer, Guitarist

Oasis

...
Verified via Twitter

We can see a Pete Cornish SS-2 in this Tweet of Noel Gallagher's pedalboard. The photo was posted March 2015, and it's the pedalboard from the Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds Tour. This particular pedal is on the right side of the mic stand, in the middle.

See how Stephen McElroy uses Pete Cornish SS-2

Stephen McElroy

Guitarist

The Australian Pink Floyd Show

...
Verified via Petecornish

Stephen McElroy is listed on the Pete Cornish website as a user of the Pete Cornish SS-2 overdrive effects pedal.

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 SS-2, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

1 alternative for Pete Cornish SS-2, curated by the Equipboard community.

Pete Cornish SS-3

 

newer similar sound mod

A newer version of the SS-2, the SS-3 adds a bass control to reduce any excessive low end.

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