The Amptweaker TightDrive Jr is a compact overdrive pedal from AmpTweaker, listed at $1601. Vintage Guitar described it as "a multipurpose overdrive that takes up minimal real estate on the pedalboard"1. Inside, it uses a multistage single-ended design similar to a tube preamp1, with knobs for Volume, Tone, and Gain1.
What it does and how it is built
The TightDrive Jr is an overdrive, not a high-gain distortion, and Vintage Guitar found it "has a smooth, warm personality" with "nothing harsh about it," calling it "a great low-maintenance overdrive in a small package"1. Inside, it uses a multistage single-ended design similar to a tube preamp1.
Controls are simple: knobs for Volume, Tone, and Gain, plus a Noise Gate1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the output level |
| Tone | Shapes the frequency balance |
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive |
| Noise Gate | Adjusts the gate that trims noise on the distorted tone |
The noise gate
The Noise Gate is the feature that sets the Jr series apart from many compact overdrives. It can be cranked to stop notes hard and fast, and it only affects the distorted tone: the gate automatically goes away when the pedal is bypassed, so your clean signal is never gated23.
Power: 9 or 18 volts
The pedal runs on 9 or 18 volts, and the choice matters. Vintage Guitar found that "powering it with 9 or 18 volts produces dramatic differences in tone, similar to switching from a 50- to a 100-watt amp," with 18 volts allowing more open and dynamic sounds1. The bass version of the series operates from 9 to 18VDC with varying dynamics as well2.
If you want the more open, dynamic feel the reviewers describe, you need an 18-volt power supply or a doubler rather than a standard supply alone.
True bypass
The TightDrive Jr is true bypass, so it leaves your clean signal alone when switched off1. The bass Jr pedals use true bypass switching as well2.
The Jr series and the bass versions
The TightDrive Jr belongs to AmpTweaker's Jr series of compact pedals, alongside the TightRock Jr and TightMetal Jr, with bass versions including the Bass TightDrive Jr, Bass TightRock Jr, and Bass TightMetal Jr. The TightDrive Jr itself is an overdrive pedal listed at $1601, with a multistage single-ended circuit similar to a tube preamp and knobs for Volume, Tone, and Gain1.
Videos
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Questions
Is the Amptweaker TightDrive Jr true bypass?
Yes. Vintage Guitar's review confirms the pedal is true bypass, so it passes your clean signal through untouched when switched off. The bass version of the Jr series, the Bass TightDrive Jr, also uses true bypass switching.
Does the TightDrive Jr have a noise gate?
Yes. The pedal has a Noise Gate control that can be cranked to stop notes hard and fast. The gate only affects the distorted tone and automatically goes away when the pedal is bypassed, so your clean signal is untouched.
What is the difference between the TightDrive Jr and the TightDrive?
The TightDrive Jr is a smaller version of the TightDrive, part of the Jr Distortion Series AmpTweaker announced in February 2016. It fits in the palm of your hand and takes up minimal pedalboard space while keeping the core overdrive sound, including the noise gate.
Sources (3)
- Amptweaker’s TightDrive Jr, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2018-01-08
- Amptweaker Launches New Bass Jr. Pedal Series, Premier Guitar, 2016-07-01
- Amptweaker Introduces the Bass TightDrive Jr., Bass TightRoc, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2016-07-08
