Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (14)
$32.90
Guitar Center
4.5 (17)
$32.90
Amazon
4.2 (24)
Used
Reverb
5.0 (21)
$32.90 New
$31.00 Used
Musician's Friend
3.0 (15)
$32.90
Thomann
4.5 (164)
$33.00 $32.00 $1.00 · All time low

Average Price: $43

Budget/Beginner

$50

$176+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash your inner rockstar with the TC Electronic Cinders Analog Overdrive, a compact power-packed pedal that delivers the growl and grit of a vintage tube amp. With a wide gain range, it offers the tonal versatility musicians crave. Its robust steel chassis is home to an intuitive three-knob interface of Volume, Drive, and Tone controls, providing an all-analog signal path for authentic overdrive. As part of the company’s Smorgasbord of Tones series, the Cinders Overdrive promises scorching sounds without burning a hole in your pocket.

Key Features:

  • Analog overdrive for authentic grit
  • Three-knob interface: Volume, Drive, and Tone controls
  • Part of the TC Electronic’s Smorgasbord of Tones series
  • Compact and sturdy steel chassis
  • Provides a wide gain range for tonal versatility

Product specs

Pedal Type Overdrive
Analog/Digital Analog
Inputs 1 x 1/4" (instrument)
Outputs 1 x 1/4"
True Bypass Yes
EQ Tone Control
Power Source 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
Batteries 1 x 9V
Power Usage 20mA
Height 2.3"
Width 2.9"
Depth 5.2"
Weight 1.1 lbs.

FAQs

What type of overdrive circuit is the TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive based on?

The TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive is based on the Blues Driver circuit, offering a tube-like overdrive with a responsive and expressive feel.

Does the TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive work well with bass guitars?

While primarily designed for electric guitars, the TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive can be used with bass guitars, though it may affect the low-end response differently.

What power supply is required for the TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive?

The TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately, or it can be powered by a 9V battery.

Is the TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive true bypass?

Yes, the TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive features true bypass, ensuring your tone remains uncolored when the pedal is not in use.

How does the tone control on the TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive affect the sound?

The tone control on the TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive allows you to shape the high-frequency response, ranging from warm and smooth to bright and cutting tones.

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive Effects Pedal Demo

Video thumbnail for TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive Effects Pedal Demo by Guitar Center

TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive Effects Pedal Demo

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Video thumbnail for ULTIMATE Blues Driver?! TC Cinders Overdrive by Budget Pedal Chap

ULTIMATE Blues Driver?! TC Cinders Overdrive

Budget Pedal Chap

Budget Pedal Chap

Video thumbnail for TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal by Swee Lee

TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal

Swee Lee

Swee Lee

Video thumbnail for Boss Blues Driver BD- 2 Vs TC Electronic CINDERS Overdrive by The Tone Lounge

Boss Blues Driver BD- 2 Vs TC Electronic CINDERS Overdrive

The Tone Lounge

The Tone Lounge

Video thumbnail for TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive (Demo) by Jackson Brooksby

TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive (Demo)

Jackson Brooksby

Jackson Brooksby

Video thumbnail for TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive | Affordable, Durable, And Sounds AWESOME! by Robert Jackson

TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive | Affordable, Durable, And Sounds AWESOME!

Robert Jackson

Robert Jackson

Reviews

PROS

  • Delivers vintage sparkle and grit

  • Durable steel construction with well-sized, spaced knobs

  • Simple to use, quick to find desired tone

  • Responsive to pick attack, dynamics

  • Offers tube-like tones, from light overdrive to aggressive without breakup

  • Versatile for genres from blues to hard rock

  • Transparent overdrive with distinct, clean tones at high and low gain

  • Can produce endless sustain with high output humbuckers

  • Quiet operation, minimal noise

  • Affordable, great value for its performance

CONS

  • No compartment for 9V battery, requires a screwdriver to install

  • Not suitable for very high gain genres like black metal or stoner

  • Gain not very clean at low settings

  • Can sound a bit shrill at maximum gain

  • Bright sound, may not work well at lower gain settings for some preferences

  • Lacks a clear boost function

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive.

Features and functionality

  • The TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive is noted for its ability to dial in sounds from Klon, Blues Drive, Blues Breaker, to light fuzz, offering versatile tone-shaping options.

    Source
  • When used with a cleaner Fender amp, setting the volume slightly above unity, gain below noon, and tone low delivers a smooth, thick, and crunchy sound.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners often use the Cinders Overdrive as an always-on pedal to add a bluesy crunch to clean channels, effectively taming distortion and fuzz without volume jumps.

    Source
  • The pedal provides a "sizzle" and slight compression, making it suitable for heavier music styles when used after OD/Fuzz pedals like the Nightwolf.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Cinders is considered a robust alternative to the Boss BD-2, delivering a similar tonal quality at a budget-friendly price, making it a favorite among value-conscious musicians.

    Source
  • It's part of the Smorgasbord series, known for refined Behringer circuits in durable enclosures, making it a standout choice in budget overdrive pedals.

    Source
  • Described as having a "crispy" high end, similar to an OR15 amp with a boost, offering a distinct tonal character when gain is cranked.

    Source
  • Owners note that while based on the BD2, Cinders can sound harsher and grainier, suggesting possible quality control issues or differences in circuit design.

    Source

Build quality

  • The pedal is praised for its sturdy construction, with top jack sockets and a proper footswitch, ensuring durability and reliable performance on pedalboards.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • At a price point of $49, it's considered a great deal compared to other budget mini pedals like Donners and Mosky which are similarly priced.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners appreciate its ability to impart a "sizzle" and slightly compress the tone, enhancing heavier music styles effectively.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Issues with harshness might be due to a faulty part; checking with a multimeter or cleaning the board with isopropyl alcohol could help.

    Source

Critic Reviews

TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive, Blood Moon Phaser & Echobrain Delay

soundonsound.com

The TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive impresses with its wide range from clean boost to heavy rock saturation, offering organic, amp-like response ideal for blues and classic rock. While it may not suit metal enthusiasts, its ability to maintain the guitar's original tonality while delivering smooth and bright adjustments makes it a standout for its genre. The pedal's robust build, true bypass, and affordable price enhance its appeal for both studio and live settings, making it a compelling option for musicians seeking classic analogue tones.

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 16 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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2 star
1 star
zaza_3121

Great BD-2 clone

I wasn't satisfied with a tube screamer, so I tried Cinders and this is definitely the overdriven sound I had in my head. Versatile for almost any genre and I'd trust the box to last some heavy stomping as well - it's heavy and sturdy.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Tone - 13:00, volume - 13:00-14:00, gain - either 13:00 or full on

From Gear Setup
samuele_gamberoni

Pretty cool overdrive

Good sounding pedal, really nice to tidy up the lows. Sounds great when used as a dirty boost or combined with a fuzz pedal.

eli_caporale

Great distortion for the price.

It's not only a transparent overdrive, but also a distortion pedal when the gain knob is cranked to 3 o'clock or more. Really versatile, and modern sounding.

stran9ebrew

Great subtle drive

Love the classic tone and great overdrive and bulletproof construction

From Gear Setup
dterrero

Quite nice

My bandmate gave me this pedal as he no longer needed it. It's quite versatile. I haven't had a chance to really apply it in my rig since most of mainly rely on fuzz and amp distortion, but I have it for when a situation calls for it.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Leo Davidson uses TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive

Leo Davidson

Guitarist, Keyboardist

...
Verified via imgbb.com

You can see Leo using three pedals in this photo including the TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive

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 TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver Overdrive Effects Pedals
4
Boss DS-1 Distortion
Boss DS-1 Distortion Distortion Effects Pedals
3
TC Electronic Honey Pot Fuzz
TC Electronic Honey Pot Fuzz Fuzz Effects Pedals
3
Boss SD-1W Super OverDrive
Boss SD-1W Super OverDrive Overdrive Effects Pedals
3
Joyo JF-01 Vintage Overdrive
Joyo JF-01 Vintage Overdrive Overdrive Effects Pedals
2
Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz
Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz Fuzz Effects Pedals
2

Community setups

Show yours
aquariem

aquariem

Gear IQ 120

ugur_kozbey

ugur_kozbey

Gear IQ 227

zaza_3121

zaza_3121

Gear IQ 476

ugur_kozbey

ugur_kozbey

Gear IQ 227

zaza_3121

zaza_3121

Gear IQ 476

andrianchobanu

andrianchobanu

Gear IQ 236

andrianchobanu

andrianchobanu

Gear IQ 236

andrianchobanu

andrianchobanu

Gear IQ 236

ugur_kozbey

ugur_kozbey

Gear IQ 227

guitarmarco

guitarmarco

Gear IQ 200

zaza_3121

zaza_3121

Gear IQ 476

sukhendu_chakraborty

sukhendu_chakraborty

Gear IQ 205

stran9ebrew

stran9ebrew

Gear IQ 447

stran9ebrew

stran9ebrew

Gear IQ 447

stran9ebrew

stran9ebrew

Gear IQ 447

farhan_hakimi

farhan_hakimi

Gear IQ 77

sukhendu_chakraborty

sukhendu_chakraborty

Gear IQ 205

strangebrew68_77

strangebrew68_77

Gear IQ 420

3 alternative and related items for TC Electronic Cinders Overdrive, curated by the Equipboard community.

Behringer BO300 Blues Overdrive

$85.00

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound

Both are clones of the Boss BD-2 pedal.

Behringer BO100 Blues Overdrive

$22.00

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound

Both are clones of the Boss BD-2 pedal.

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Gear Guides

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    teej
    teej

    Gear IQ 194