Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $124

Standard/Professional

$50

$176+

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High-end

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Description

The PettyJohn Electronics Iron is a standout in the world of overdrive effects pedals, offering musicians a rich and dynamic tonal palette. Designed with the discerning guitarist in mind, this pedal delivers a warm and harmonically complex overdrive that enhances your sound without compromising clarity. Its versatile circuitry allows you to dial in anything from subtle grit to full-on saturation, making it ideal for a wide range of musical styles.

At the heart of the Iron is its custom-engineered transformer, which provides a unique tonal character and responsiveness that sets it apart from traditional overdrive pedals. This feature ensures that your guitar's natural tone shines through, while adding a layer of harmonic richness that is both musical and inspiring. The pedal's intuitive controls make it easy to shape your sound, with a focus on providing musicians with the tools they need to express themselves fully.

Whether you're looking for a reliable pedal for live performances or a versatile addition to your studio setup, the PettyJohn Electronics Iron delivers exceptional performance and durability. Its robust construction ensures it can withstand the rigors of touring, while its nuanced sound makes it a favorite among tone purists.

Key Features:

  • Custom-engineered transformer for unique tonal character
  • Versatile overdrive range from subtle to saturated
  • Intuitive controls for easy sound shaping
  • Durable construction for reliable performance
  • Designed to enhance natural guitar tone without compromising clarity

Product specs

Brand Pettyjohn Electronics
Model Iron
Finish Iron
Year 2010s
Made In United States
Categories Overdrive and Boost Pedals
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

What type of overdrive tones can I expect from the PettyJohn Electronics Iron pedal?

The PettyJohn Iron delivers rich, harmonically complex overdrive tones reminiscent of classic tube amps. It's known for its clarity and dynamic response, making it suitable for a range of genres from blues to rock.

Does the PettyJohn Iron pedal work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?

Yes, the PettyJohn Iron is designed to complement both single-coil and humbucker pickups, providing a versatile overdrive that enhances the natural character of your guitar.

How does the PettyJohn Iron pedal differ from other overdrive pedals?

The PettyJohn Iron features a unique design with high-quality components and a focus on delivering transparent overdrive with a wide dynamic range, setting it apart from more compressed or colored overdrive pedals.

Can the PettyJohn Iron be used as a boost pedal?

Yes, the PettyJohn Iron can function as a boost pedal, offering clean headroom and subtle overdrive to push your amp's front end for solos or dynamic passages.

What power supply does the PettyJohn Iron pedal require?

The PettyJohn Iron requires a standard 9V DC power supply, typical for most guitar pedals, and it is center-negative.

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Pettyjohn Electronics Iron Overdrive

Video thumbnail for Pettyjohn Electronics Iron Overdrive by ProGuitarShopDemos

Pettyjohn Electronics Iron Overdrive

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Video thumbnail for Pettyjohn Electronics Iron Overdrive | Reverb Demo Video by Reverb

Pettyjohn Electronics Iron Overdrive | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Pettyjohn Electronics Iron - Overview by rogueguitarshop.com by Rogue Guitar Shop

Pettyjohn Electronics Iron - Overview by rogueguitarshop.com

Rogue Guitar Shop

Rogue Guitar Shop

Video thumbnail for Pettyjohn Electronics Iron by Sam Vilo

Pettyjohn Electronics Iron

Sam Vilo

Sam Vilo

Video thumbnail for Pettyjohn Electronics Iron by WideRange Tones

Pettyjohn Electronics Iron

WideRange Tones

WideRange Tones

Reviews

PROS

  • Replaces other overdrive pedals with its responsive and textured sound

  • Highly customizable EQ with just one tone knob through bass cut switches and mix control

  • Provides warm, articulate drive with many sweet spots

  • Exceptionally well-made and durable

  • Stacks well with most other pedals, enhancing overall pedalboard synergy

  • Offers a "beefy" tone with minimal bass cut and LED clipping

  • Smooth, open drive character, akin to amp-like responsiveness

  • Cleans up well with pick attack and volume knob adjustments

  • Effective BASS control for eliminating low-end flub

  • MIX control optimizes pedal as a second or third gain stage

CONS

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

  • The Iron MKII's clean blend function is highly appreciated, providing flexibility in maintaining clarity.

    Source
  • The Iron's low cut switch, when set to the bottom-most setting, retains all low frequencies, enhancing fullness with guitars like the Jaguar.

    Source
  • The pedal offers three distinct clipping options: MOSFET for boosts, LED for open edge-of-breakup, and Asymmetrical Silicon for heavy overdrive tones.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Owners suggest purchasing used, as the original $300 price point is considered steep for its performance.

    Source
  • Owners have found value purchasing the Iron during sales, with discounts lowering its price from $229 to $194.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some users compare the Iron MKII to $75 pedals, noting minimal tonal differences despite marketing claims.

    Source
  • The Pettyjohn Iron MKII is compared to the Pettyjohn Filter Deluxe, with some users finding similar performance in much cheaper alternatives like the Danelectro Fish & Chips.

    Source

User experience

  • It excels when stacked with other pedals or used through an amp's overdrive channel.

    Source
  • Users appreciate the tonal versatility of the Iron, particularly favoring the Asymmetrical Silicon setting for achieving a heavier lead tone.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Iron excels with different guitars, such as the Gretsch Electromatic G5122 and Fender Blues Deluxe RI, highlighting its versatility across various setups.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Ringing My Bell – Pettyjohn Electronics Chime, Gold & Iron – Pedal Post Blog

wordpress.com

The PettyJohn Iron pedal, while not as crunchy as some may desire, shines in pushing an overdriven amp to new heights. Its touch sensitivity and dynamic response make it a strong contender for those seeking iconic tones. Despite its high price, it delivers exceptional sound quality, making it a worthy investment for tone sculpting aficionados.

positive

STOMP BOX STEALS: OVERDRIVE- PETTYJOHN ELECTRONICS IRON PEDAL ...an aressive King of Tone?

stompboxsteals.blogspot.com

The PettyJohn Electronics Iron pedal is like a modern King of Tone with a fierce attitude, delivering tight, aggressive tones that many contemporary players will appreciate. It replicates the iconic tone well but adds its own edgy flair, providing a robust sound with plenty of power. At $230, it's a solid choice for musicians seeking something with a bit of extra punch and character.

positive

4.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Drew Shirley uses PettyJohn Electronics Iron

Drew Shirley

Guitarist

Switchfoot

...
Verified via YouTube

Right at 5:10 Drew shirley shows a quick shot of his current pedal board and then lists his new additions and returning pedals through onscreen text.

See how Ariel Posen uses PettyJohn Electronics Iron

Ariel Posen

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Ariel's Petty John Iron can be seen in this photo of his setup taken from his Facebook page.

See how Julián Saldarriaga uses PettyJohn Electronics Iron

Julián Saldarriaga

Guitarist

Love of Lesbian

...
Verified via Photo

Julián Saldarriaga uses the PettyJohn Electronics Iron overdrive pedal, as seen in his Instagram post featuring his pedalboard setup for the recording of "V.E.H.N."

Album Usage

The PettyJohn Electronics Iron 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 PettyJohn Electronics Iron, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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