Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (46)
$169.00
Guitar Center
4.5 (11)
$169.00
Amazon
4.6 (126)
$169.00 New
$143.60 Used (Like New)
Reverb
5.0 (87)
$127.51 New
$74.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (16)
$169.00
zZounds
5.0 (2)
$169.00
Thomann
4.6 (103)
$156.00 $155.00 $1.00 · All time low

Average Price: $150

Standard/Professional

$50

$176+

Price Tier

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Xotic Effects SL Drive". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Introducing the Xotic Effects SL Drive, a compact yet powerful tribute to the iconic British amplifiers, the Super Lead & Super Bass. With its woody, organic, and beautifully saturated sounds, it recreates the tones that defined the signature sound of legendary guitarists like Jimmy Page and Paul Kossoff.

Housed in a rugged small enclosure, the SL Drive offers an amp-like response that cleans up nicely with a simple roll of your guitar's volume knob. It comes equipped with internal dip switches, allowing you to choose between the bright, high-gain sound characteristics of the Super Lead or the rich low end of the Super Bass.

This pedal is an indispensable tool for working musicians, offering a versatile range of tones while taking up minimal space on your pedal board. The true bypass switching ensures a pure, interference-free signal when the pedal is switched off.

Key Features:

  • Modeled after iconic British amplifiers, Super Lead & Super Bass
  • Rugged small enclosure, perfect for compact pedal boards
  • Internal dip switches to switch between Super Lead and Super Bass sound characteristics
  • True bypass switching for a clean signal path when not in use
  • Power requirements are either a 9V battery or AC adapter (optional)
  • Extremely responsive to changes in guitar volume
  • Controls for volume, gain, and tone for precise sound shaping

Product specs

Available since August 2013
Overdrive Yes
Distortion No
Fuzz No
Metal No

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Xotic SL Drive?

The Xotic SL Drive emulates the classic Marshall Model 1959 sound, offering a "Super Lead" setting for a brighter tone with more gain and a "Super Bass" setting for a fuller low-end with reduced highs.

How does the Xotic SL Drive integrate with my pedalboard?

The Xotic SL Drive is compact and designed to fit easily on most pedalboards. It operates on a standard 9V battery or an optional AC adapter, making it convenient for various setups.

Can the Xotic SL Drive be used with both electric guitars and bass guitars?

While primarily designed for electric guitars, the Xotic SL Drive's tonal flexibility allows it to be used with bass guitars, especially when utilizing the "Super Bass" setting for enhanced low-end response.

How do the internal DIP switches on the Xotic SL Drive affect its performance?

The internal DIP switches allow you to customize the pedal's EQ settings, providing additional control over your tone by adjusting frequencies to suit your musical style.

Is the Xotic SL Drive suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Xotic SL Drive is well-suited for live performances, offering robust construction and versatile tones that can enhance your sound on stage.

Prymaxe

Prymaxe

Xotic Effects SL Drive Overdrive

Video thumbnail for Xotic Effects SL Drive Overdrive by Prymaxe

Xotic Effects SL Drive Overdrive

Prymaxe

Prymaxe

Video thumbnail for Xotic SL Drive effects pedal demo including internal DIP switches by Guitarist

Xotic SL Drive effects pedal demo including internal DIP switches

Guitarist

Guitarist

Video thumbnail for Xotic Effects SL Drive by The Official Xotic Guitars and Effects Channel

Xotic Effects SL Drive

The Official Xotic Guitars and Effects Channel

The Official Xotic Guitars and Effects Channel

Video thumbnail for SL Drive by Xotic USA In-Depth Pedal Demo - MasterThatGear! by mastertheguitar

SL Drive by Xotic USA In-Depth Pedal Demo - MasterThatGear!

mastertheguitar

mastertheguitar

Video thumbnail for Xotic SL Drive Distortion Pedal | CME Gear Demo | Joel Bauman by Chicago Music Exchange

Xotic SL Drive Distortion Pedal | CME Gear Demo | Joel Bauman

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Video thumbnail for Xotic Effects SL Drive Distortion | Reverb Demo Video by Reverb

Xotic Effects SL Drive Distortion | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Xotic SL Drive Distortion Pedal by N Stuff Music

Xotic SL Drive Distortion Pedal

N Stuff Music

N Stuff Music

Video thumbnail for Will a Fender Blues jr. do Plexi sounds by introducing the Xotic SL drive? by GUITARS & GIZMOS

Will a Fender Blues jr. do Plexi sounds by introducing the Xotic SL drive?

GUITARS & GIZMOS

GUITARS & GIZMOS

Video thumbnail for Great Marshall tones: Xotic Effects SL Drive by The Tone Lounge

Great Marshall tones: Xotic Effects SL Drive

The Tone Lounge

The Tone Lounge

Video thumbnail for Gary Hoey Demos Xotic Effects EP, SL Drive pedals by Gary Hoey

Gary Hoey Demos Xotic Effects EP, SL Drive pedals

Gary Hoey

Gary Hoey

Reviews

PROS

  • Emulates vintage Marshall tones accurately

  • Offers multiple voicing options with internal dip switches

  • Provides thick, powerful chords and singing solos

  • Compact size with massive sound output

  • Works well with different guitars (single coil and humbucker)

  • Built solid and durable

  • Enhances clarity and tone of the guitar

  • Easy to use with a simple setup

  • High gain available without getting muddy

  • Compliments other pedals well

CONS

  • Identified more as a distortion pedal than overdrive by some users

  • May not clean up as well with guitar volume roll-off

  • Internal dip switch adjustments can be inconvenient

  • Volume knob considered too small by some

  • Can produce a slight buzz, requiring volume adjustment

  • Not ideal for those seeking a crunchy sound at lower gain settings

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Xotic Effects SL Drive.

Features and functionality

  • Owners recommend running the SL Drive at 18 volts for a more open sound, with Xotic's voltage doubler as an option for conversion.

    Source
  • The pedal is praised for its versatility and ease of stacking, especially when paired with pedals like the Tumnus (klone) for minimal space usage.

    Source
  • The SL Drive's dip switches provide additional tonal options, though some users find the default settings sufficient for their setups.

    Source
  • The SL Drive is appreciated for its compact size, making it easy to fit onto crowded pedalboards while still delivering powerful tones.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Popular for achieving cranked Marshall amp tones, the SL Drive is favored for classic punk sounds, often paired with clean tube amps like Fender Deluxe Reverb.

    Source
  • It's noted for excelling both when going direct into a converter for a crunchy sound and in the effects loop as a preamp, showcasing its flexibility.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the pedal for its thick, chewy sound with harmonics, particularly when the dip switches are set to Super Bass and used at the end of a pedal chain.

    Source
  • Works well when paired with a Kingsley Squire for added clean tube warmth, enhancing its tonal characteristics.

    Source
  • Pairing the Tumnus into the SL Drive offers a unique tonal combination, ideal for users looking to achieve a versatile sound with minimal pedalboard space.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The SL Drive is preferred over other drive pedals like the Blues Driver and Rat for its ability to emulate a cranked Marshall sound, especially in punk music contexts.

    Source
  • Compared to the Wampler Pantheon Deluxe, the SL Drive is noted for its superior mid-range tuning, while the Pantheon excels in Bluesbreaker tones.

    Source
  • The SL Drive, along with KoT, is praised for its ability to deliver an instant mix-ready tone, requiring minimal knob tweaking, in contrast to the more tweakable BE-OD.

    Source
  • SL Drive is favored for those seeking "When I Come Around" tones when stacked with other pedals like the Wampler Phenom Distortion, highlighting its adaptability in achieving iconic sounds.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Some users note successful 18v operation by ensuring compatible polarity with existing power supplies, highlighting versatility in power options.

    Source

Build quality

  • The SL Drive is described as "built like a tank," indicating its robust construction and durability.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners experimenting with their pedal signal chain, like swapping positions of the EP Booster and Spark, find that the SL Drive's low end is more pronounced when placed after other overdrives.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Xotic Effects SL Drive Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Xotic Effects SL Drive is a diminutive powerhouse that delivers the classic tones of Marshall's Super Lead and Super Bass amps in a pedalboard-friendly package. Despite its small size, the SL Drive offers a surprising range of tonal versatility thanks to internal DIP switches, enabling users to tailor the pedal to their specific rig and style. The sound clarity and definition are perfect for classic rock enthusiasts, while the +6dB boost option adds a noticeable presence to any setup. However, the inconvenience of accessing the DIP switches during live performances could be a deterrent for some. Overall, the SL Drive is an impressive addition to any guitarist's arsenal, especially for those seeking authentic Marshall tones without the bulk.

positive

Xotic SL Drive review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Xotic Effects SL Drive delivers a punchy, compact homage to classic Marshall amps, making it a great choice for fans of late-60s/early-70s tones. With its flexible range of sounds, thanks to internal DIP switches, it mimics Marshall's Super Lead and Super Bass amps effectively. However, the small volume knob might be a hindrance for some users. Despite this minor drawback, the SL Drive's ability to pack a powerful Marshall-like sound into a mini pedal format makes it a standout in its category.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 9 Reviews and 54 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
luiskleiser

The best overdrive pedal...almost!

Well, this thing can make your amp sound like a great plexi. You have all those legendary tones here. The internal switches allow you to choose between super lead, super bass mode or a mid cut. When I tried it alone first I loved the way the super bass mode sounded, but when playing with the band it did not cut so well though the mix using humbuckers, mini humbuckers and P90s. I switched into the super lead mode and voila! there was my tone!! The pedal has tones of gain, I would not recommend it to get crunchy sounds. It does not clean up so well rolling your guitar volume down; at least with my settings (gain and volume around 11 o'clock). This is why I do not give the pedal a 5 star. It's built like a rock; no noise, super compact and really transparent (respects your amo EQ really well). I use it with a 1960's fender bandmaster clone and with this pedal I can get the best of both worlds. It may not be the best but it definitely does the job for me and I do not think I will ever sell it or remove it form my pedalboard. Great Marshall classic tones for around 150 bucks?? I'm in!!

derrick_j_lugo

It's all that and a bag of potato chips!

Best Marshall Style Overdrive I've ever played! Has a similar bite to a Super Lead channel of the DSL Amp and the closest I've ever gotten to sounding like the Lead channel of a Marshall in pedal form. It's build like a tank, unusually heavy, super flexible with the dip switches inside the pedal, take a 9v battery and can be run in 18v. It's stupid how awesome this damn thing is and wondering why I don't see it more often on peoples boards.

_paulpalmer_

Plexi tone in your pocket

If you are looking for that fat and classic distortion of these marshall amps this is your option. I really do not have major problems with this pedal since inside the materials are of good quality. the only problem I have is its volume knob that is too small and the grating cannot be distinguished to see the level in a large way.

From Gear Setup
lobberuno

Marshall - O - Matic!

The first time that I used this pedal was borrowed from a friend of mine, he has a Fender Champion 600, a very nice sounding amp, and he put the SL Drive just ahead the amp, then a nice solo and bluesy sound went from his stratocaster. Now, I just got an Vox AC15, and tried to repeat the formula but I had to make some tweaks to get the proper mid-push. For my taste, the SL Drive with the AC15 sounds with much high gain but I'll check in deep the pedal. You can pair a Boss Blues Driver > Xotic SL Drive > TB AC15 channel to get a Fuzzy crazy sound, very handy if you don't have a real fuzz pedal.

lobberuno

Recently, I've been using the SL Drive in Super Bass mode with the AC15 and I got a rootsy, fat and aggressive overdrive tone, very inspiring for roadhouse blues.

lobberuno

In long pedalboard chains (or electric current loss due to long cables), the Vox AC15 in normal channel with a SL Drive in Super Bass Mode sounds really great and the gain control is more flexible. Paired with the BD-2, the SL Drive receives a push with the desirable gain stack, also you can notice how the both sounds blend. So, probably the SL Drive was designed to sound good in long-chain pedalboards.

lobberuno

When the Vox Ac15 has jumped channels (normal x top boost), the SL Drive with a middle quantity of gain can bring a fuzzy-woman tone with neck humbuckers, very cool sound.

lobberuno

Right now I'm using the route Dcomp>BD-2>TS Mini>SL Drive when before I had the SL Drive before the TS Mini, perhaps I like the fuzzy sound when the setup is in this way but then I tried the opposite and the sound has a little more sustain. Anyway, the fuzzy sound can be done by stacking the BD-2, the TS Mini and the SL Drive.

lobberuno

I sold this pedal to my friend, it had to much gain to my taste, probably what I need is a Plexi pedal or a real Plexi Amp :P

jimmarchi1

a real plexi will peel the paint off the walls, I sued to tour with superleads at 8 to 10, small venues I needed to attenuate with a hot plate, I could only use it as intended at 500+ seat theaters with sympathetic soundmen! I stuck with it a long time but gauged down at the end of that band. Even a 50 watt or JTM45 is a beast. The clean sounds on these amps as well as comparable models from orange and hiwatt will liquefy small animals. If you want a solid marhsall drive sound at band levels but with the ability to do the saturated poweramp thing on a big stage just pickup a 50 watt JCM800. I like the single2204 channel, but the split channel 2205 is a highly underrated amp too. Has a abssman kidna clean channel and the 'boost' channel splits the difference between a stock 800 and a silver jubilee. A plexi is too much amp for the modern world unless you're playing theaters and auditoriums, no small clubs will tolerate that kidna firepower these days. Event the sweet spot for a bone clean sound is too loud for most city noise ordinances. They're glorious amps in their own way, but You don't realize how much air you have to move to get those live jimmy page type of tones, you just don't.

lobberuno

That's great, Jim! So I better have to expect a JCM800 or a Plexi-in-a-pedal, right? For the sake of many things (my ears, for example, lol)

ayman_ibrahim

Smooth and fat

A smooth, fat overdrive, with simple setup, and a lot of options. My favourite is the standard SL setup, i have another one set for Super Bass mode, which i use for lower gain rhythm n leads.

I use this through emulation or with my Super Reverb, and really takes my drive tone to another level.

jimmarchi1

I saw a guy in a abr who had one of these on his board and his load tone sounded surprisingly like my old plexis. Only WAY quieter.

ayman_ibrahim

With the Super Rev, it sounds like a Plexi, with an indescribable harmonic distinction, and when I clean up with the volume knob, the fender-y character takes over, but still with a mean character, with a bit of Compression, delay and never, it's outwardly, I am having some issues with my recording interface, or i would have put up a nice clip. soon hoepfully.

tucker_hemphill

AMAZING

Simply put, I can get every sound from a light boost to a marshall plexi with a les paul plugged in all with my strat! AMAZING

jimmarchi1

I have heard this pedal ina ction and it sounds pretty okay as the ampinabox pedals go. Very box-of-rockfish. Can it really do a plexi? Do you own a plexi?

thoroliversen

Amazing littlie box

This drive is really versatile. From transparent crunchy overdrive to a great sustain'ish drive.

simeon_boyadjiev

An Old Classic Tone

A useful Drive reminiscent of Free's Paul Kossoff tone of the late-60's.

king_vice

Tiny. Simple. Killer.

Just added this to the arsenal and loving it. Very simple and very Rock!

jimmarchi1

I saw a guy using this live with a really mediocre sounding blues jr and I was shocked at how much 4 hole marshall flavor it brought to the party even through that generic little fender.... I just glanced at your suer pic, do you have a silver LP special??

king_vice

Pretty close! That WAS a black LP Special Double-Cut. After years on the road I decided it needed a makeover. So a close friend with a motorcycle painting business wanted to get his hands on it for practice. It's now white with silver "ghost flames" on the body.

jimmarchi1

silver car detailing? awesome

Artist usage

Add artist
See how J Mascis uses Xotic Effects SL Drive

J Mascis

Singer, Guitarist

Dinosaur Jr

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

In this Rig rundown J speaks about this pedal. We can see it on his pedalboard, shown in the video.

See how Guthrie Govan uses Xotic Effects SL Drive

Guthrie Govan

Guitarist, Composer

Asia

...
Verified via YouTube

Guthrie Govan shows his Xotic SL Drive at 4:20 in this video.

See how Andy Timmons uses Xotic Effects SL Drive

Andy Timmons

Guitarist

Danger Danger

...
Verified via YouTube

At 13:34, one can see an Xotic Effects SL Drive right next to the MXR Script Phase 90 on Andy Timmons' pedalboard.

See how Nile Rodgers uses Xotic Effects SL Drive

Nile Rodgers

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in this August 2019 photo from Rodger's official JAM Pedals artist page.

See how Peter Hayes uses Xotic Effects SL Drive

Peter Hayes

Guitarist

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

...
Verified via MusicRadar

Mentioned in [2018 Music Radar rig rundown].

“I was looking for things that were small, with the least amount of buttons, knobs and little twisty things, which is how I ended up using this. There’s another one at the back of the rack, which I use as a clear boost, this one gives me that extra little bit of distortion. It’s completely random, I use whatever’s in front of me whenever I remember to get around to them. There are a couple of songs with wahs written into them, but most of it is completely random and that’s totally the fun part.”

See how Peter Honoré uses Xotic Effects SL Drive

Peter Honoré

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in this Instragram post by Honoré.

See how Jake Luppen uses Xotic Effects SL Drive

Jake Luppen

Singer, Guitarist

Hippo Campus

...
Verified via YouTube

In the shot at 1:27 you can clearly see the Xotic SL Drive on Luppen's board

See how Paul Jackson Jr. uses Xotic Effects SL Drive

Paul Jackson Jr.

Guitarist

Michael Jackson (band)

...
Verified via Premierguitar

This article on Premier Guitar shows Pauls effects board/live set up

See how Simon McBride uses Xotic Effects SL Drive

Simon McBride

Singer, Guitarist

Deep Purple

...
Verified via Simonmcbride

"My pedal board tends to change over time. Right now I’m using:

Xotic SL Drive - this is as close as it gets to the real thing. A life saver when doing fly-in shows using rented (not always good!) amps."

See how Fredrik Kihlberg uses Xotic Effects SL Drive

Fredrik Kihlberg

Singer, Guitarist

Cult of Luna

...
Verified via Imgur

Seen on pedalboard.

J

Jamie West-Oram

Guitarist

The Fixx

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

As you might expect, that means he depends on pedals to muck up his tones. Live, he’s recently been using an Xotic SL Drive for dirt—although for the Five Seconds sessions he used an Ibanez Tube Screamer. “Otherwise, I used pretty much the same gear that I use live. I’ve got the Suhr Koji Comp compressor, which is on probably 50 percent of the time. Back in the olden days, I’d have everything on all the time—it never occurred to me to bypass them! [Laughs.] Now, I bypass them so they sound more exciting when they do come in.” A Boss DD-500 delay is another go-to. “It can do a whole whack-crazy amount of things, though my presets are mainly based on tempo and varying the modulation of the delay. So, you can have a straightforward delay, or you can have a slightly seasick delay or change the actual tone of the delay signal. I’ve also got an old Electro-Harmonix Memory Man, which sounds really sick, but it’s too big to fit on my pedalboard. I use that for recording at home.”

See how Erja Lyytinen uses Xotic Effects SL Drive

Erja Lyytinen

Guitarist

...
Verified via Guitarguitar

One of the rootsy-est songs on the album. Also, on live shows, I would use the (Mad Professor) Little Green Wonder, combined with the SL Drive by Xotic. It’s a very cool combination.

Album Usage

The Xotic Effects SL Drive has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Xotic Effects SL Drive, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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2
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2
Durham Electronics Sex Drive
Durham Electronics Sex Drive Boost Effects Pedals
2

Community setups

Show yours
deroda_eid

deroda_eid

Gear IQ 194

_paulpalmer_

_paulpalmer_

Gear IQ 351

miles_cookman

miles_cookman

Gear IQ 185

miles_cookman

miles_cookman

Gear IQ 185

ridgemusic

ridgemusic

Gear IQ 167

bojketic

bojketic

Gear IQ 128

B

bagofmiracles

Gear IQ 81

deso

deso

Gear IQ 109

dominicrossetti

dominicrossetti

Gear IQ 162

kaleb_kennison

kaleb_kennison

Gear IQ 67

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