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Snake Oil The Very Thing

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Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

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Description

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Unleash the sonic potential of your guitar with Snake Oil The Very Thing, an overdrive effects pedal that captures the essence of vintage tube amplifiers while offering modern versatility. This pedal is crafted for guitarists who crave that warm, dynamic overdrive synonymous with classic rock and blues. The Very Thing stands out with its unique asymmetrical clipping circuit, delivering a distinct tonal character and touch sensitivity that responds beautifully to your playing dynamics.

Designed with a straightforward yet effective control layout, The Very Thing allows guitarists to dial in their perfect sound effortlessly. The intuitive interface includes Gain, Tone, and Level knobs, providing a wide range of tones from subtle grit to full-on crunch. The pedal's robust construction ensures it can withstand the rigors of the road, making it a reliable companion for both stage and studio. Additionally, its true bypass circuitry maintains your guitar's natural tone when the pedal is disengaged.

Whether you're boosting your solos or adding texture to your rhythm playing, Snake Oil The Very Thing is a versatile tool that adapts to a variety of musical styles. Its compact design fits comfortably on any pedalboard, making it an ideal choice for musicians looking to enhance their setup without sacrificing space.

Key Features:

Unique asymmetrical clipping circuit for dynamic response
Gain, Tone, and Level controls for versatile sound shaping
True bypass circuitry to preserve signal integrity
Rugged construction for durability
Compact design suitable for pedalboard integration

Product specs

Power	9V
Bypass	true bypass
Analog/Digital	analog

Videos

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Rob Chapman

Introducing Snake Oil Fine Instruments - The Very Thing & Marvellous Engine

Rob Chapman

The Very Thing By Snake Oil Fine Instruments - Tone Tasting

Peter Honoré

Snake Oil Pedals - The Very thing & The Marvellous Engine

Dave Simpson

Snake Oil Fine Instruments The Very Thing Overdrive | Quick Play NAMM 2019

Perfecto De Castro

Snake Oil Pedals - The Very Thing | SOUND BITES with Rob Chapman

GUITARGUITAR

Demo of "The Very Thing" from Snake Oil Fine Instruments

Chris Benton

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Snake Oil The Very Thing.

Features and functionality

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The tone knob subtly rolls off bass until it suddenly acts as a high-pass filter near maximum, ideal for a twangy, tin-can sound with Strat bridge pickups.
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Incorporates a symmetrical clipping 4558 dual op-amp circuit, providing gritty boost/overdrive with notable harmonic richness.
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Comparisons

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Compared to standard Tubescreamers, this pedal is described as grittier with more growl, yet not entering fuzz territory, making it preferable for some users.
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Use cases and applications

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Owners suggest using it with a slide on a Telecaster for an old-school Delta blues vibe, enhancing "post-Americana" sounds.
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Build quality

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The pedal's top is detailed as being etched or engraved metal, not a sticker, adding to its aesthetic appeal.
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Value and pricing

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Owners believe the pedal is overpriced at $175 but see value at $130, considering it a modified alternative to an $80 Tubescreamer.
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Critic Reviews

Review: Snake Oil Fine Instruments Marvellous Engine and The Very Thing

guitar.com

While the Snake Oil Fine Instruments' The Very Thing and Marvellous Engine pedals boast clever designs and solid build quality, they ultimately deliver familiar tones without groundbreaking innovation. Both pedals excel at delivering powerful sounds—ideal for rock enthusiasts—yet they fall short of achieving a truly unique character. The Marvellous Engine impresses with its versatility and tweakable distortion, while The Very Thing serves well for solo boosts, particularly in conjunction with the former. However, minor annoyances, such as spelling errors in the branding and a lack of subtlety, detract from the overall experience. Ultimately, these pedals are competent tools for rock players, but they may not excite those seeking something truly fresh.

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Artist usage

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Rob Scallon

Singer, Guitarist

First Of October

Verified via YouTube

Visible throughout this November 9, 2019 video.

Lee Anderton

Guitarist

Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video by Andertons Music Co titled "The Captain's Guitar Collection - History, Specs & of Course... The Tones!", Lee Anderton demonstrates his guitar setup. During the video, he uses the Snake Oil The Very Thing overdrive pedal on his pedalboard, primarily as a boost to enhance the gain of his amp or another distortion pedal.