The DRV, the company's first pedal, launched with a first run released late one night in 2018 that had completely sold out by morning5. Its development became the catalyst for starting the company itself1. The LVL followed in 2023 as the second ever 1981 Inventions pedal6.
What 1981 Inventions is known for: the DRV and LVL
The DRV is an overdrive/distortion pedal, and its development became the catalyst to starting 1981 Inventions8. Hoopes launched the first run of DRV overdrive pedals late one night in 2018, and by morning they had all sold5. Pedal of the Day noted in 2025 that, since its release seven years earlier, the DRV had been "at the top of many 'best of'" lists11.
"he launched the first run of 1981 Inventions DRV overdrive pedals late one night in 2018. By morning they had all sold."
The LVL is the second pedal from 1981 Inventions, an overdrive unit the maker describes as an "OVERDRIVE PREAMP BOOSTER"73. The company is known for the LVL Full-Range Overdriver12.
The founder: Matt Hoopes
1981 Inventions is owned by Matt Hoopes, a pedal-builder from Nashville who is best known as the lead guitarist in Relient K1133. He was taught to play guitar by his mother11. The DRV itself was a collaboration between Hoopes and Jon Ashley of Bondi Effects1.
Hoopes has explained that the company's pre-order model is deliberate:
"My pre-order model has allowed me to keep things small, and to grow slowly."
Recent batches of DRV variants are hand assembled in Nashville, TN by Hoopes and a small team that includes Jack and AWOL21415.
DRV versions and limited editions
The DRV has been produced in many limited editions, typically differing in finish and color, with each batch hand assembled in Nashville21415. Documented versions include:
| Version | Notes |
|---|---|
| DRV (original) | First official release; first run sold out overnight in 20185 |
| DRV - Greyscale | Overdrive distortion pedal9 |
| DRV - Silver | Effects pedal edition16 |
| DRV - Gold/Cream | Edition of the first official release17 |
| DRV - Pink | Edition of the overdrive8511 |
| DRV - Stranger Things | Overdrive edition18 |
| DRV SKY BLUE SKY | Light blue design4 |
| DRV FRACTURED | Crackly magenta finish4 |
| DRV ALT UNIVERSE | Limited edition with a colorful retro design4 |
| DRV2 No3 | Distortion pedal, hand assembled in Nashville15 |
| DRV BASS MOD V2 | Bass version, hand assembled in Nashville14 |
| DRV MOD 2 HYPERFADE | Hand assembled in Nashville2 |
The first batch of the DRV sold out quickly, and a second batch with a slightly different case color followed1. The DRV ALT UNIVERSE was sold in limited supply by pre-order, shipping in three to four weeks4.
The LVL and its editions
The LVL is an overdrive preamp booster10. Pedal of the Day described it as "a bit calmer, but still brings beautiful tone to any rig" compared with the DRV19. Special editions include the FANS'D LVL Deluxe, whose artwork is taken from album art that is actually a painting by Linden Frederick20, and the Forget and Not Slow Down edition LVL21. The Forget edition's pedal design is by Karen Schierhorn of Big Ear Pedals21.
The range (10)
News
Sources (21)
- 1981 Inventions DRV Drive/Distortion, Delicious Audio, 2022-07-14
- DRV MOD 2 HYPERFADE, 1981 Inventions
- Interview: Matthew Hoopes of 1981 Inventions, guitar.com, 2019-03-06
- 1981 Inventions unveils new DRV variant with uber-retro design, Guitar.com, 2022-08-22
- Review: 1981 Inventions DRV, Guitar.com, 2019-12-19
- 1981 Inventions highly-anticipated LVL pedal is officially here, Guitar.com, 2023-06-07
- 1981 Inventions debuts eagerly awaited second pedal, the LVL, Guitar World, 2023-04-20
- Gear Of The Year: Best guitar effects pedal of 2020, Guitar.com, 2020-12-03
- DRV - Greyscale by 1981 Inventions | RockBoard | PedalPedia, RockBoard (rockboard.de PedalPedia), 2026
- DRV - Pink by 1981 Inventions | RockBoard | PedalPedia, RockBoard (www.rockboard.de), 2026
- 1981 Inventions Professional DRV w/ DeLorean, Pedal of the Day, 2025-04-24
- Nivel Overdrive, PedalPCB.com
- 1981 Inventions LVL review, Guitar.com, 2023-08-21
- DRV BASS + GTR MOD LED, 1981 Inventions
- DRV2 No3, 1981 Inventions
- DRV - Silver by 1981 Inventions | RockBoard | PedalPedia, RockBoard (rockboard.de PedalPedia), 2026
- DRV - Gold/Cream by 1981 Inventions | RockBoard | PedalPedia, RockBoard (www.rockboard.de), 2026
- DRV - Stranger Things by 1981 Inventions | RockBoard | PedalPedia, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- 1981 Inventions LVL Full-Range Overdrive Preamp Boost, Pedal of the Day, 2023-11-09
- FANSD LVL DELUXE BOX SET LTD, 1981 Inventions
- Forget and Not Slow Down LVL, 1981 Inventions