Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .

Reverb
5.0 (31)
$230.47 New
$133.00 Used
Thomann
4.8 (106)
$227.00

Average Price: $208

High-end/Boutique

$80

$181+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Suhr Riot". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Experience the power and versatility of the Suhr Riot, a distortion effects pedal that brings the roar of a 100-watt tube amplifier right to your pedalboard. Designed by renowned luthier and amp-builder John Suhr, this pedal delivers a rich array of sonic possibilities, making it an essential addition for any guitarist seeking a high-gain, dynamic sound. The Riot's three distinct voicings - from touch-sensitive to high-gain and Marshall-esque - provide a diverse tonal palette, allowing for seamless adaptability whether you're shredding on stage or crafting in the studio.

The Suhr Riot features intuitive controls for Distortion, Level, and Tone, letting you fine-tune your sound with precision. Its compact design is packed with functionality, including a voicing switch and true bypass to ensure your signal remains pristine when the pedal isn't in use. Whether you're connecting via the 6.3mm input jack or utilizing the mono/stereo output options, this pedal is built to integrate smoothly into any setup. Power it with a 9V battery or DC power supply, and unleash the full potential of your guitar's voice.

Key Features:

  • Versatile high-gain distortion with the sonic characteristics of a 100-watt tube amplifier
  • Three voicing options: touch-sensitive, high-gain, and Marshall-esque
  • Controls: Distortion, Level, Tone
  • Voicing switch for tonal variety
  • True Bypass circuitry
  • Input: 6.3mm jack; Mono/Stereo output: 6.3mm jack
  • Power: 9V battery or DC power supply (not included)
  • Compact design made in the USA

Product specs

Pedal Type Distortion
Analog/Digital Analog
Inputs 1 x 1/4"
Outputs 1 x 1/4"
Other I/O 1 x 1/8" (FX Link)
Bypass Switching Relay-based True Bypass
EQ Tone Control
Controls Voice Switch
Power Source 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
Power Usage 8mA
Height 1.25"
Width 2.5"
Depth 4.5"
Weight 0.6 lbs.

FAQs

What type of distortion tones can I expect from the Suhr Riot pedal?

The Suhr Riot provides high-gain distortion tones reminiscent of a high-quality 100-watt tube amplifier, making it suitable for rock and metal genres. It offers a dynamic response and touch sensitivity, allowing for expressive playing.

Does the Suhr Riot work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?

Yes, the Suhr Riot is designed to work effectively with both single-coil and humbucker pickups, delivering clear and powerful distortion tones without losing clarity or definition.

What power supply does the Suhr Riot require?

The Suhr Riot requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately. It has a power usage of 8mA, making it compatible with most standard pedalboard power supplies.

How does the voice switch on the Suhr Riot affect its sound?

The voice switch on the Suhr Riot allows users to select between three different distortion voicings, offering versatility in shaping the pedal's tonal character to suit various musical styles and preferences.

Is the Suhr Riot suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Suhr Riot is well-suited for live performances, thanks to its robust construction, reliable relay-based true bypass switching, and ability to deliver consistent high-gain tones that cut through the mix.

haggertysmusic

haggertysmusic

Suhr Riot Distortion Pedal IN DEPTH DEMO

Video thumbnail for Suhr Riot Distortion Pedal IN DEPTH DEMO by haggertysmusic

Suhr Riot Distortion Pedal IN DEPTH DEMO

haggertysmusic

haggertysmusic

Video thumbnail for SUHR RIOT DISTORTION™ - CLEAN AMP by Suhr Custom

SUHR RIOT DISTORTION™ - CLEAN AMP

Suhr Custom

Suhr Custom

Video thumbnail for Suhr Riot Distortion by Prymaxe

Suhr Riot Distortion

Prymaxe

Prymaxe

Video thumbnail for SUHR RIOT DISTORTION™ - OVERDRIVEN AMP by Suhr Custom

SUHR RIOT DISTORTION™ - OVERDRIVEN AMP

Suhr Custom

Suhr Custom

Video thumbnail for The Suhr RIOT Distortion pedal with Ben Eller by Suhr Custom

The Suhr RIOT Distortion pedal with Ben Eller

Suhr Custom

Suhr Custom

Video thumbnail for SUHR RIOT DISTORTION™ - LOUD AND CLEAR by Suhr Custom

SUHR RIOT DISTORTION™ - LOUD AND CLEAR

Suhr Custom

Suhr Custom

Video thumbnail for Suhr Riot Distortion! Amp-like distortion as it should be! by Sasha Ivantic

Suhr Riot Distortion! Amp-like distortion as it should be!

Sasha Ivantic

Sasha Ivantic

Video thumbnail for Suhr Riot Distortion Pedal Review by Cosmo Music - The Musical Instrument Superstore!

Suhr Riot Distortion Pedal Review

Cosmo Music - The Musical Instrument Superstore!

Cosmo Music - The Musical Instrument Superstore!

Video thumbnail for REVIEW SUHR RIOT DISTORTION PEDAL - MUSIX BOX DEMO by Musix Box

REVIEW SUHR RIOT DISTORTION PEDAL - MUSIX BOX DEMO

Musix Box

Musix Box

Reviews

PROS

  • Wide range of distorted sounds, from fat distortion to crunchy rhythm

  • Three types of voicing enhance sound variety

  • Durable, reliable performance at gigs

  • Easy to use, straightforward controls

  • Switch voice feature offers diverse output grain

  • Warm, clear, and powerful distortion quality

  • Versatile, capable of blues to metal tones

  • Boosts clean amps to overdriven Marshall sound levels

  • High output without getting muddy

  • Works well with many amps, especially Marshall

CONS

  • Some users report excessive noise with max drive

  • May not pair well with certain Fender-style amps

  • Tone adjustment limited by single knob, lacks bass and treble controls

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Suhr Riot.

Comparisons

  • The Suhr Riot is compared to the MI Audio Crunch Box for its tight low end and "stack of amps" tone, both rooted in Marshall-like circuits.

    Source
  • The Donner Morpher, a budget clone of the Suhr Riot, is mentioned for its similar sound but lower build quality compared to the original.

    Source
  • Donner Morpher, a Riot clone, is favored for its affordability and quiet operation compared to the Mooer Solo, which some report as noisy.

    Source
  • Riot offers a more "amplike" sound while the G3 can feel like "distortion over top of the signal," especially with single notes.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Suhr Riot Mini includes a toggle switch for a modern, tighter sound, aligning with metal tones.

    Source
  • The Riot can effectively highlight the character of individual pickups, providing a more natural amp-like distortion.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • It's noted that for the price of a Suhr Riot, affordable alternatives like the Joyo R Series (Uzi, Dark Flame, Chopper-z) offer quality metal tones.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users find the Suhr Riot sounds dark with low mids, requiring tone adjustments to avoid sounding subdued.

    Source
  • Owners note the Riot provides substantial gain, making it ideal for users who can handle high gain in addition to their current setup.

    Source
  • Users opting for the Riot over the G3 note its cost-effectiveness and versatility, especially when used with a clean amp setup.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Suhr Riot excels at transforming a clean amp, like a Fender, into a cranked Marshall sound, suitable for heavy tones.

    Source
  • Suhr Riot can be stacked with pedals like the Boss Digital Metalizer (MZ2) for a hair metal sound when paired with a Fender Hot Rod.

    Source
  • The Riot is preferred for melodic metal tones, offering significant sustain for lead parts, a quality praised by Guthrie Govan users.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 34 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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paulo_henrique_bergamini

Top

pedal Suhr Riot [distorção] porque faz qualquer amplificador soar ótimo

nelsonhoyer

100 Watts High Gain Amp Distortion Like

This pedal is very useful for high gain rock tones it works very nice in most of the amps so if you are traveling and you cannot take your 100 watts tube amp this is a very nice solution to get your hairy rock tones is very nice for lead solos very rich sounding tone

acheuqueman

Suhr Riot Distortion Pedal

Pedal used in solos, great distortion in my pedalboard.

john_tebbitt

Riot Roar

Yep, you gotta get one of these. It rocks

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Guthrie Govan uses Suhr Riot

Guthrie Govan

Guitarist, Composer

Asia

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video by The Music Zoo titled "Guthrie Govan On The Suhr Riot Distortion Pedal," Guthrie Govan demonstrates his use of the Suhr Riot distortion pedal.

See how Geordie Greep uses Suhr Riot

Geordie Greep

Singer, Guitarist

Black Midi

...
Verified via Flickr

Can be seen in the photo of Geordie's pedalboard

See how Pete Thorn uses Suhr Riot

Pete Thorn

Guitarist

SatchVai Band: Joe Satriani & Steve Vai

...
Verified via YouTube

In his YouTube demo titled "Suhr Riot Distortion," Pete Thorn showcases his use of the Suhr Riot distortion pedal.

See how Brad Whitford uses Suhr Riot

Brad Whitford

Guitarist

Hollywood Vampires

...
Verified via guitarworld

https://www.guitarworld.com/features/reb-beach-whitesnake-pedalboard Reb Beach Said magazine Guitar World: “If I had to choose one pedal to bring on a desert island, it would be a Suhr Riot [distortion] pedal because it makes any amp sound great, and I imagine the amp on a desert island would suck. A friend of mine did a show with [Aerosmith’s] Brad Whitford, and all they had was a crappy amp. My friend handed him a Riot pedal, and the sound went from crappy to amazing. Brad freaked out at the difference and bought one right away.”

See how Reb Beach uses Suhr Riot

Reb Beach

Guitarist

Whitesnake

...
Verified via guitarworld

https://www.guitarworld.com/features/reb-beach-whitesnake-pedalboard Guitar World : “If I had to choose one pedal to bring on a desert island, it would be a Suhr Riot [distortion] pedal because it makes any amp sound great, and I imagine the amp on a desert island would suck. A friend of mine did a show with [Aerosmith’s] Brad Whitford, and all they had was a crappy amp. My friend handed him a Riot pedal, and the sound went from crappy to amazing. Brad freaked out at the difference and bought one right away.”

See how Leo Moracchioli uses Suhr Riot

Leo Moracchioli

Singer, Guitarist

Frog Leap

...
Verified via YouTube

leo shows this pedal in 13:05.

See how Dave Kilminster uses Suhr Riot

Dave Kilminster

Guitarist

Bryan Adams & Roger Waters

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video Dave Kilminster plays through his rig used with Steven Wilson. The rig includes this item too.

See how Brian Ray uses Suhr Riot

Brian Ray

Singer, Guitarist

Paul McCartney (Live Band)

...
Verified via Photo

In a user-uploaded photo on Flickr, Brian Ray is shown using the Suhr Riot distortion pedal.

See how Yoshiaki Manabe uses Suhr Riot

Yoshiaki Manabe

Guitarist

The Pillows

...
Verified via Twitter

Seen on his Rebroadcast Tour pedalboard in early 2019.

See how John Shanks uses Suhr Riot

John Shanks

Guitarist, Composer

Bon Jovi

...
Verified via Photo

In this batch of pedals, one of the pedals visible is the Suhr Riot.

See how Phillip McKnight uses Suhr Riot

Phillip McKnight

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In his YouTube video titled "Suhr Riot VS MXR 5150 Pedal," Phillip McKnight demonstrates the use of the Suhr Riot distortion pedal.

See how Nathan Weaver uses Suhr Riot

Nathan Weaver

Singer, Guitarist

Wolves in the Throne Room

...
Verified via guitarworld

"All the lead tones on this album were recorded with an Orange Rockerverb combined with a RAT pedal, or with a Suhr Riot pedal". https://www.guitarworld.com/features/wolves-in-the-throne-room-primordial-arcana

Album Usage

The Suhr Riot 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 Suhr Riot, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

Show yours
simone_caffe

simone_caffe

Gear IQ 88

M

mark_harding

Gear IQ 59

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Suhr Riot vs Rat proco https://youtu.be/5wx-zvL2_9o?si=2DKwx3Q9ZpG0Z2L4

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Neste https://youtu.be/-QD3lOeB67k?si=ZbGIkD_ozrnYwqU6 Phillip Knight use suhr Riot vs mxr 5150 OverDrive

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