Solar Chug Distortion

$194.00 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (1)

2 Critic Reviews

1 Review

All time low price

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2 community setups

1 wishlisted

5 saved

Page last updated Jun 01, 2026

Pricing and availability

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

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Price

4.4 (38)

$195.00 $194.00 $1.00 · All time low

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Average Price: $179

Standard/Professional

$80

$181+

Price Tier

In the Distortion Effects Pedals category, Solar Chug Distortion is priced in the upper end of the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Solar Chug Distortion". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 7, 2026.

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Description

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Transform your sound with the Solar Chug, a distortion pedal crafted for the discerning metal guitarist. This powerhouse pre-amp is engineered to infuse your riffs with a robust and dynamic edge, providing unparalleled depth and clarity. Whether you're shredding through solos or laying down thunderous rhythms, the Solar Chug offers a versatile control panel to tailor your tone to perfection.

Designed with intuitive controls, you can easily shape your sound using the Bass/Depth, Middle, and Treble/Presence dials. The Gain and LF Gain/HF Gain knobs provide further customization, ensuring that you can achieve anything from a subtle growl to a full-on sonic assault. With its ergonomic layout, adjusting your sound mid-performance becomes second nature.

The pedal is built for reliability and ease of use, featuring a footswitch for effortless effect bypass and an LED indicator to show when your effect is activated. The standard 6.3 mm jack inputs and outputs make integration into your setup seamless, while the pedal's compact design ensures it won't clutter your pedalboard.

Whether you're looking to add a new dimension to your live performances or recording sessions, the Solar Chug is your ultimate partner in crafting distinctive metal tones.

Key Features:

Pre-Amp and distortion pedal tailored for metal
Controls: Bass/Depth, Middle, Treble/Presence, Gain, LF Gain/HF Gain
Footswitch for effect bypass with LED indicator
6.3 mm jack input and output
Power supply: 9 V DC mains adapter (not included)

Owner's manual

Solar Chug Distortion User Manual

Product specs

Available since	February 2023
Effect Types	Preamp
Distortion	1
Metal	1

FAQs

What type of music is the Solar Chug Distortion pedal best suited for?: The Solar Chug Distortion pedal is ideal for metal and heavy rock genres, providing aggressive distortion and high gain that suit these styles.
Does the Solar Chug Distortion work well with both solid-state and tube amplifiers?: Yes, the Solar Chug Distortion is designed to work effectively with both solid-state and tube amplifiers, offering consistent performance and tone.
Can the Solar Chug Distortion pedal be used as a preamp?: Yes, the Solar Chug Distortion pedal features a preamp effect type, allowing it to be used as a preamp for shaping your guitar's tone before amplification.
What power supply is required for the Solar Chug Distortion pedal?: The Solar Chug Distortion pedal typically requires a standard 9V DC power supply, common for many guitar pedals.
Is the Solar Chug Distortion pedal suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Solar Chug Distortion is well-suited for live performances, offering robust sound and durability for stage use.

Videos

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Ola Englund

THE CHUG HIGH GAIN PREAMP PEDAL

Ola Englund

The New CHUG Champion of Distortion Pedals?! | Ola Englund Solar CHUG Pedal

Kyle Bull

CHUG Pedal - Rip It, Or Skip It?

Taylor Danley

OLA IS KING! SOLAR CHUG PEDAL!

Xander Raymond Charles

Solar Guitars: 10 Facts About The CHUG PEDAL

Daniel Naaden

Solar CHUG Pedal - ChugshuggaH

Alen Alekke Babin

Reviews

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PROS

Instant gratification for metal tones
Flexible and adaptable with many tweakable knobs
Integrated noise gate saves space and wiring
High-quality, tight knobs prevent accidental adjustments
Offers heavy, saturated, aggressive tones
Can produce a fuzzy sound similar to a RAT pedal
5 EQ controls for shaping the distorted sound
Low/high gain filter for focused distortion sound

CONS

Knobs too close together, hard to adjust without moving others
Knobs and settings lack visibility, hard to see where they're set
No clean or low gain settings, only high gain
Noise gate ineffective from 0% to 50%
High/presence EQ sections can cause auto-oscillation and high-pitched squeal
Some desire even more saturation than it offers
Output regulator may move when adjusting the noise gate

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Solar Chug Distortion.

Features and functionality

0 0

The pedal includes a high/low gain adjustment, enhancing its versatility and usability for different metal tones.
Source
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Comes with a cabinet impulse response (IR) via email for direct DAW use.
Source

Build quality

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Despite being made in China, the pedal’s build quality is praised as fantastic.
Source

Comparisons

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Owners find its tone more authentic compared to high-gain pedals like Diezel, Bogner, and EVH.
Source
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Described as delivering a tone between a 5150’s upper range and a Mesa Mark’s tight bottom end, offering a unique sound.
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The Revv G4 is noted to be more suitable for achieving a chug tone compared to the Solar Chug, particularly for those seeking a 5150 or Rectifier-like saturation.
Source

Use cases and applications

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Works well when running through the power section of an amp like the JVM205, offering a bold, thick metal tone.
Source

User experience

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One owner found the pedal cumbersome due to dual volume controls when used as a preamp with the 5150 combo, leading to its sale after 2 months.
Source

Critic Reviews

Solar Guitars Chug Pedal review: It does the thing

guitar.com

The Solar Chug Pedal nails its purpose, delivering a high-gain chug that will satisfy any metalhead's cravings. Its robust construction and intuitive controls make it a breeze to dial in that sought-after heavy sound. However, it falls short on clean tones—good luck finding anything but a wall of distortion. Moreover, the lack of onboard cabinet simulation requires additional gear for optimal use, which may deter some. Still, for its price point and chug-centric design, it’s a worthy addition to any pedalboard—just don’t expect it to be a one-stop solution.

positive

Full Review

Solar Guitars puts the pedal to the metal with its stompbox debut, CHUG – a high-gain preamp with a noise gate | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Solar Chug pedal delivers a robust high-gain experience for metal enthusiasts, featuring an intuitive control layout that allows for extensive tonal customization. Its onboard noise gate effectively minimizes unwanted noise, making it a solid tool for tight, powerful riffs. However, the compact design may feel cramped for some users, and while it excels in metal contexts, it might not suit those seeking versatility across genres. Overall, the Chug is a strong contender for heavy players looking to enhance their pedalboard without sacrificing sound quality or functionality.

positive

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