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Xotic Effects SL Driveplay button

Xotic Effects SL Drive

Xotic

collapse expand iconDescription

Famous for its woody, organic and beautiful sounds of saturation, these legendary British amplifiers, the Super Lead & Super Bass, have been delivering one of the all-time classic sounds for almost 50 years. Players like Jimmy Page, Paul Kossoff and countless other relied on this type of tone for their signature sound.

Xotic have recreated this vintage masterpiece in a rugged small enclosure. The SL Drive offers very amp-like response and cleans up nicely with a roll of your guitar's volume knob. The internal dip switches allow you to choose the sound characteristics of both 1959 models. The Super Lead setting offers a brighter tone with more gain, while the Super Bass setting has more low end with less high end. Its compact design conforms nicely to the smallest space on any pedal board.

The SL Drive is equipped with true bypass switching and eliminates any signal interference when switched off. Power requirements are either 9V battery or AC adapter (optional).
Xotic SL Drive Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal
Xotic SL Drive Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal
Xotic SL Drive Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Faithfully delivers the legendary sounds of the Super Lead and Super Bass British amplifiers
  • Two settings provide a ton of versatile tones
  • Amp-like response that interacts nicely with your guitar's volume control
  • Tone, Drive and Volume controls
  • Compact enclosure
  • True-bypass switching

collapse expand iconSpecs

  • 3.5"W x 1.5"D x 1.5"H
  • .57 lbs.
  • Power consumption: 9VDC/5mA
  • Optional AC adapter: 9VDC-18VDC, Negative tips (regulated)
  • Input impedance: 1M ohm
  • Output impedance: 1K ohm

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.73

11 Reviews

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Xotic Effects SL Drive Distortion

This is a great match up with Xotic's SP Compressor and EP Booster, as a trio they make a pretty decent pedal board by themselves. It works very well by itself too. This was just what I was looking for in a distortion pedal with it's smooth/creamy attack and great crunch. Does it sound just like a Marshall? Only a Marshall really does that but this is a pretty freaking good approximation of it. Switching between pickups yields the different tones of your guitar, backing off the volume cleans it up nicely. 18volts gives a bit better headroom and interaction with the guitar volume control. The interior dip switches let you tailor it to your taste and the outer controls finish it off with precision. This pedal really works well with other distortions/drives in front of it too. What's NOT to like? I don't know because I really DO like it. I would definitely replace if lost, it doesn't seem likely to break as it's built like a tank.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

Decent overdrive for the price

I tried this pedal for an overdriven sound with a few of my amps (Marshall JCM800 2203, Vox AC15hw, Marshall 1987, Fender Princeton, Supro 1970) and to my ears, it's more of a distortion pedal than an overdrive. I don't think it's as nice sounding as the Bogner La Grange, or the Carl Martin Plexi Drive, but it's very compact and inexpensive. It's a little too saturated and compressed sounding for my taste, so it sent it back. As far as price and formfactor, it's a great little pedal, but when you have others that you like more, it's difficult to justify.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Performances5
  2. Amateur Recording4
  3. Professional Recording4
  4. Home Studio3
  5. Outdoor Events / Games3
Describe Yourself
  1. Professional Musician3
  2. Experienced2
  3. Novice1
Pros
  1. Compact6
  2. Excellent Sound Quality5
  3. Responsive5
  4. Versatile2
  5. Good Selection Of Effects1

Reviewed by 11 customers

  • You lookin for a plexi, here it is!!

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byWilliam,K

    fromMorrisdale

    Wow! Just Wow!! Who knew you one could shrink a JCM 45 down into a mini pedal!?!?! This is a top notch amp in a box pedal! Only caveat is that the dip switch's are inside the pedal. Default setting is great thou.

  • Decent overdrive for the price

    3

    submitted5 years ago

    bySwerve City Guitarist

    fromAustin, TX

    I tried this pedal for an overdriven sound with a few of my amps (Marshall JCM800 2203, Vox AC15hw, Marshall 1987, Fender Princeton, Supro 1970) and to my ears, it's more of a distortion pedal than an overdrive. I don't think it's as nice sounding as the Bogner La Grange, or the Carl Martin Plexi Drive, but it's very compact and inexpensive. It's a little too saturated and compressed sounding for my taste, so it sent it back. As far as price and formfactor, it's a great little pedal, but when you have others that you like more, it's difficult to justify.

  • Good things come in small packages

    5

    submitted6 years ago

    byDaniel

    fromOrrville, OH

    Since my pedalboard has limited room, I decided to replace a larger overdrive/distortion pedal with this Xotic pedal. This Xotic device produces better sound, and opening it to get to the DIP switches is easy.

  • Great sound

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted7 years ago

    bySteve

    fromundisclosed

    Perfect Pedal for me. I play Classic Rock and need a British sound plus the the sixties sound. Very versatile, great pedal

  • Welcome to REAL DRIVE!!!!

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted8 years ago

    byjohn

    fromundisclosed

    After 30 years as a Professional Guitarist....This is the BEST Drive Unit I Have EVER Owned...

  • Impressive Little Pocket Rocket

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted8 years ago

    byDAVID

    fromundisclosed

    I use this little puppy primarily as a lower-gain setting dirty boost. Adjustability & tone capabilities were icing on the cake.

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