Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $204

High-end/Boutique

$50

$176+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive pedal captures the classic essence of the legendary Dumble Overdrive Special amps, bringing that coveted tone to your pedalboard. Designed with the purist in mind, this handcrafted overdrive pedal delivers warm, tube-like saturation that enhances your sound without overshadowing it. Whether you're chasing the perfect bluesy sustain or a more aggressive rock tone, the Ultraphonix has you covered.

Constructed with premium components, the Ultraphonix ensures that your signal remains clear and articulate, even at higher gain settings. The pedal's responsive nature allows it to interact seamlessly with your existing gear, making it a versatile addition to any setup. It retains the dynamics of your playing, offering a touch-sensitive response that many guitarists seek.

One of the standout features of the Ultraphonix is its ability to maintain the integrity of your guitar's original tone while adding a rich, harmonic overdrive. This makes it an ideal choice for players who want to enhance their sound without compromising on clarity. The intuitive control layout includes Volume, Gain, and Tone knobs, giving you precise control over your sound and allowing for easy adjustments on the fly.

With its robust build and high-quality components, the Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive is built to withstand the rigors of the road while delivering consistently outstanding performance.

Key Features:

  • Handcrafted overdrive pedal inspired by Dumble Overdrive Special amps
  • Warm, tube-like saturation with clear, articulate signal retention
  • Intuitive control layout: Volume, Gain, and Tone knobs
  • Responsive and touch-sensitive for dynamic playing
  • Rich, harmonic overdrive that maintains guitar's original tone
  • Premium components for durability and consistent performance

Product specs

Brand Vertex
Model Ultraphonix Overdrive
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Made In United States

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive?

The Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive is designed to emulate the sound of a Dumble Overdrive Special amplifier, offering rich, expansive mid-range tones with smooth overdrive characteristics, ideal for classic rock and blues genres.

Is the Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive is well-suited for live performances, providing dynamic and responsive overdrive tones that cut through the mix, making it a great choice for gigging musicians.

How does the Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive interact with other pedals?

The Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive integrates well with other pedals, maintaining clarity and definition, whether placed before or after modulation and delay effects in your signal chain.

Can the Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive be used with both tube and solid-state amplifiers?

Yes, the Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive works effectively with both tube and solid-state amplifiers, enhancing their natural tones with its amp-like overdrive characteristics.

What power supply does the Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive require?

The Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive requires a standard 9V DC power supply, commonly used with most guitar pedals.

Shawn Tubbs

Shawn Tubbs

Vertex ULTRAPHONIX Overdrive demo video by Shawn Tubbs

Video thumbnail for Vertex ULTRAPHONIX Overdrive demo video by Shawn Tubbs by Shawn Tubbs

Vertex ULTRAPHONIX Overdrive demo video by Shawn Tubbs

Shawn Tubbs

Shawn Tubbs

Video thumbnail for VERTEX ULTRAPHONIX! BEST Dumble In A Box?! by Buddy Blues

VERTEX ULTRAPHONIX! BEST Dumble In A Box?!

Buddy Blues

Buddy Blues

Video thumbnail for VERTEX UltraPhonix overdrive // SHOOTOUT by Collin Littlejohn

VERTEX UltraPhonix overdrive // SHOOTOUT

Collin Littlejohn

Collin Littlejohn

Reviews

PROS

  • Delivers rich, fuller, and creamier tones

  • Enhances clarity and note bloom

  • Versatile, works well with common tube amps like Marshall DSL5CR

  • Provides a distinct, musical overdrive not found in other pedals

  • Smooth and dynamic overdrive with a mild mid bump

  • Responsive to guitar volume adjustments for tone control

  • Ideal for achieving specific artist tones like Larry Carlton or Santana

  • Stacks well with other pedals, such as the Steel String

CONS

  • Considered overrated by some users

  • May lose clarity when used with British gain amps

  • Price point perceived as high; better value if bought used

Owner Insights

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

Comparisons

  • The Ultra Phonix is often compared with the Synergy system and Kingsley pedals, which use high voltage valves for a more authentic Dumble tone.

    Source
  • J. Rockett Audio Designs’ The Dude is frequently recommended as a more affordable and respected alternative to the Ultraphonix.

    Source
  • The Vox Silk Drive is praised for its underrated low-gain tones and flexible three-band EQ, offering versatility with a unique gain range that transitions from low to high gain.

    Source
  • Shin’s Music Dumbloid is noted for its super mid-range focus, although it struggles with low gain, making it a niche choice among Dumble-style pedals.

    Source
  • The MojoHandFX Extra Special Drive excels in high-gain scenarios but lacks low-gain capabilities, while the DMBL suits low-gain needs, providing a complementary pair for varied drive tones.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Many videos highlight the Ultra Phonix as the most faithful Dumble amp pedal, praised by reputable sources in the guitar community.

    Source
  • The Cornerstone Gladio Dual offers distinct functionalities on its dual channels, with one side tailored for Robben Ford's sound and the other for Sonny Landreth, allowing unique tone stacking.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The pedal offers a $5,000 amp sound imitation for $200, though it doesn't fully replicate the interaction between preamp and power amp sections.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The unique Dumble tone of the Ultra Phonix may not suit all musical styles, potentially limiting its appeal on diverse pedalboards.

    Source
  • The Barber Burn Unit is commended for its flexibility and suitability across various musical styles, offering a wide range of quality sounds for diverse applications.

    Source

Other

  • Historical controversies surrounding Vertex, such as rebranding and circuit copying, may deter potential buyers despite the pedal's positive reviews.

    Source

Build quality

  • Some pedals sold as new reportedly arrive in poor condition, with issues like spatter and dropping paint noted as common defects.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners express dissatisfaction with Vertex, citing deceptive marketing practices and questioning authenticity of their "Dumble amp in a box" claims.

    Source
  • Concerns about Vertex's business ethics and quality control influence some buyers to avoid the brand entirely.

    Source
  • Owners of the Vertex Ultraphonix V1 highlight its compatibility with large clean Fender amps, producing a wide range of tones through the filter knob and delivering a David Lindley/Jackson Browne vibe.

    Source
  • The JHS 3 Series Overdrive is recognized as a budget-friendly Dumble derivative, appreciated for its versatility and impact on tone despite its affordability.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
M

The Overdrive is SMOOOOTH !

The Vertex Ultraphonix is amazing. I got it after I bought the Steel String and I love that pedal lots. It's my always-on pedal as it has that special sauce makes my clean tone sounds much better. The Ultraphonix on the other hand is my dirt channel and it covers the rest of the spectrum. The OD is very smooth and dynamic with a mild mid bump which is great for soloing. It response to your guitar volume knob really well too. You may nail the Larry Carton or Santana tone easily with it and it stacks well with the Steel String too. Certainly one of my fav OD out there.

From Gear Setup

Artist usage

Add artist
See how King Krule uses Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive

King Krule

Guitarist, Singer

...
Verified via Photo

The pedal can be seen in the bottom row of the pedalboard.

Additional link to the picture: https://www.instagram.com/p/B_CdtIIBDaf/?igshid=1bx14ycwxjgw8

See how Cory Wong uses Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive

Cory Wong

Guitarist, Composer

Vulfpeck

...
Verified via YouTube

He has been using this overdrive since Vertex's Mason Marangella started working on his pedalboard.

See how Joey Landreth uses Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive

Joey Landreth

Singer, Guitarist

The Bros. Landreth

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in this February 3, 2020 Instagram post.

See how Theo Katzman uses Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive

Theo Katzman

Singer, Guitarist

Vulfpeck

...
Verified via Photo

on pedalboard as made by Mason Marangella

See how Lindsay Ell uses Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive

Lindsay Ell

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

In the "Rig Rundown: Lindsay Ell [2023]" interview conducted by John Bohlinger for Premier Guitar, Lindsay Ell confirms her use of the Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive pedal.

See how Lee Anderton uses Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive

Lee Anderton

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

in the video its on his board

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 Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

Show yours
M

munkeat98

Gear IQ 287

raystephen

raystephen

Gear IQ 416

1 alternative for Vertex Ultraphonix Overdrive, curated by the Equipboard community.

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