Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $289
High-end/Boutique
$50
$176+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Strymon Riverside Multistage Drive". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Discover the versatility and dynamic range of the Strymon Riverside Multistage Drive Pedal, a powerful musical instrument that can help you craft your unique sound. With the ability to transition smoothly from a crystal-clear clean boost to a thick, modern high gain, this pedal offers unparalleled sound quality across the spectrum.
The Riverside's unique blend of analog and digital circuitry ensures that your tone is always in the sweet spot, regardless of how much gain you add. This overdrive pedal is designed to work harmoniously with any amplifier and guitar combination, making it a versatile addition to your music gear.
What sets the Riverside apart is its Class A JFET input gain stage, which mimics the response and feel of a great tube amp. It incorporates four separate gain stages that blend analog and DSP, leveraging Strymon's variable circuit tuning to ensure every point along the gain control is a sweet spot.
Key Features:
- Wide range of tones and control, from silky clean overdrive to extreme distortion
- Class A JFET input stage ensures uncompromising dynamics and response
- 3-band EQ placed after the gain stages for maximum impact
- Favorite switch recalls your preset
- Gain and Push switches determine the overdrive's main character
- Up to 6dB of boost available with optional footswitch
- Noise reduction available with variable threshold
- Expression pedal input can control any parameter or overall volume
- True-bypass switching
- Durable and lightweight gold anodized aluminum housing
- Made in USA
Owner's manual
Strymon Riverside Multistage Drive User ManualProduct specs
| Available since | November 2016 |
| Overdrive | Yes |
| Distortion | Yes |
| Fuzz | No |
| Metal | No |
FAQs
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What type of power supply does the Strymon Riverside Multistage Drive require?
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The Strymon Riverside Multistage Drive requires a standard 9V DC power supply with a center-negative polarity, consuming approximately 300mA of current.
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Can the Strymon Riverside be used with both electric guitars and bass guitars?
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Yes, the Strymon Riverside is designed to work well with both electric guitars and bass guitars, offering versatile overdrive and distortion tones suitable for various musical styles.
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How does the Strymon Riverside differ from other overdrive pedals?
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The Strymon Riverside features a multistage drive architecture with digital control, offering a wide range of overdrive and distortion tones. It includes a variable circuit topology, allowing for more precise tone shaping compared to traditional overdrive pedals.
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Does the Strymon Riverside Multistage Drive have a built-in noise gate?
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Yes, the Strymon Riverside includes a built-in noise gate to help eliminate unwanted noise and hum, ensuring a cleaner signal during performance or recording.
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Is the Strymon Riverside suitable for live performances?
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The Strymon Riverside is well-suited for live performances due to its robust construction, versatile tone options, and features like a built-in noise gate and favorite preset switch for quick access to preferred settings.
Videos
strymon
Strymon Riverside - Multistage Drive - In-Depth Demo
Reviews
PROS
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Authentic, non-electronic tone with wide adjustment range
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Stacks well with other drive pedals for versatile setups
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Provides transparent dirt and superb tube screamer emulation
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Quiet switching with memory function for favorite settings
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Comprehensive tone control from mild to full-blown overdrive
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Compatible with multi-switch for multiple gain tones and boost
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Features a very usable gate for dynamic control
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Emulates amplifier gain stages, feeling like an amp extension
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Ultra-variable, covering a broad spectrum of tones
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Can replace multiple pedals, reducing the need for a large pedalboard
CONS
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Initial cost is high, though it holds its value well
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Some users may find it lacks a unique character or "mojo" compared to other pedals
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Strymon Riverside Multistage Drive.
Features and functionality
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The Riverside's volume-controlled gain offers a seamless transition from light to heavy distortion.
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The Riverside's favorite footswitch allows users to toggle between two distinct pedal settings instantly.
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The Riverside can save up to 300 presets via MIDI, providing extensive flexibility for users with complex setups.
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Comparisons
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The Riverside is likened to a Marshall with a bass-heavy character, while the Sunset is noted for its versatility and iconic overdrive emulation.
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Users find the Riverside's digital components outperform many full analog pedals in clarity and tone quality when integrated with digital rigs like the HX Stomp.
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User experience
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Some users find the Riverside's volume/level knob to be extremely sensitive, making precise volume adjustments challenging without additional gear.
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The pedal's active EQ is complex yet rewarding, allowing users to tailor their tone to suit various styles, though it requires some learning curve.
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Owners appreciate the suggested settings in the manual for their effectiveness, making initial setup and tone dialing more straightforward.
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Use cases and applications
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In lower gain settings, the Riverside functions effectively as a preamp, taking boosts and overdrives well for a natural tone.
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The Riverside excels in low gain mode, effectively integrating with additional overdrives, though some find high-gain performance less natural at louder volumes.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 18 Ratings
168
Artist usage
Add artist
In this post jason can be seen using a strymon riverside. he states that this is the main sorce of his distortion tone in this video
Picture of Pedalboard from show 2017 Instagram post by Otisserie (guitar tech for J Mascis and others).
When it comes to pedals, James tries to use as few as possible. “I need something that breaks the sound up a little bit, a distortion maybe,” he says. “I really like the Z.Vex Box Of Rock. Then for something that makes it maybe one louder than that, I’ve got the Strymon Riverside. What I like about Strymons is that you can program it all in there, and every night it’s the same sound. Other than that, I use just a subtle bit of delay on some stuff.”
In the Premier Guitar "Rig Rundown" video for Dr. Dog, Scott McMicken discusses his use of the Strymon Riverside Multistage Drive Pedal, which he custom-painted silver, at the 28:50 mark.
In this pedalboard photo posted by On on his Instagram account, one of the pedals on the board is the Strymon Riverside.
Album Usage
The Strymon Riverside Multistage Drive 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 Strymon Riverside Multistage Drive, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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