Fender Stompboxes Hit the Market

Let’s face it, Fender-made stompboxes have been few and far between for the past 40 years. Now, Fender is announcing their Competition series pedals, a new line of effects pedals designed — in PR speak — “to provide inspirational tones in a reliable package at an astounding value.”

The Fender Distortion pedal drives tube or solid-state amps into thick distortion and sustain, think ’70s and ’80s hard rock tone. It’s described as responsive enough that a guitar’s volume control can be adjusted to the exact amount of distortion desired, from crunch to full-on saturation. It can be used for a distorted tone or as a boost for higher-gain rhythm and solo tones. MSRP $89.99

The Fender Drive pedal is designed to provide a warm overdrive. More of a classic ’60s and ’70s rock and blues tones than a crunch machine. It can be used to push tube or solid-state amps into overdrive. It’s got an old-school design that exudes vintage warmth. According to Fender, it’s the Fender stompbox for the musician looking for rich, harmonic overdriven tone. MSRP $89.99

The Fender Chorus pedal gives you that lushly spatial effect that is instantly recognizable. Adds sparkle to clean open chords or thickens distorted power chords. Operates in mono or with stereo outputs and two amps for a bigger sound while creating wide, sweeping modulation effects or shimmering 12-string-like sounds. MSRP $99.99

The Fender Delay pedal produces resonating echo effects from short slap-back rockabilly sounds to longer repeating echo perfect for your Gilmoresque guitar solos (can be used with other electronic instruments too, such as keyboards). Dedicated delay time, feedback and level controls give you control of your sound’s spatial characteristics. Operates in mono or with stereo outputs for two-amplifier setups. MSRP $99.99.