The Amptweaker TightDrive Pro is an overdrive pedal from AmpTweaker, built as an expanded version of the company's original TightDrive. Premier Guitar's reviewer described it as "an exponentially more capable and flexible TightDrive that delivers everything from light OD to heavy distortion," housed in what the review called a bombproof enclosure with a magnetic door covering the internal connectors and switches1.
The pedal also carries a boost circuit, and its street price at the time of the review was $3001.
What it does
The TightDrive Pro spans the ground between light overdrive and heavy distortion. Premier Guitar's reviewer found that with a Stratocaster and the gain set to zero, the pedal worked as a very transparent boost, and that single-coils made its light overdrive sounds shine with transparency1.
Its feature set goes beyond a basic three-knob overdrive:
- Onboard noise gate, adjustable with an internal pot1
- High-gain mode1
- A "plexi"-inspired voicing switch1
- High-end cut control1
- Two fat switches1
The plexi switch shifts the pedal's voicing toward a classic British amp character, while the fat switches and high-end cut let you shape the low and top end without reaching for your amp's EQ1.
Power and batteries
The Pro can be powered at either 9 or 18V, and accepts batteries or a barrel adaptor. Two 9V connectors under the magnetic door mean you can run the pedal at 18V on batteries, which Premier Guitar noted gives more headroom1.
Running the pedal at 18V requires both battery connectors in use, or an 18V-capable power supply, not a standard 9V supply alone.
Videos
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Questions
Can the TightDrive Pro run on batteries at 18V?
Yes. The pedal runs at 9 or 18V and accepts batteries or a barrel adaptor. Two 9V battery connectors sit under the magnetic door on the side of the enclosure, so you can run the pedal at 18V on batteries for more headroom.
Does the TightDrive Pro have a noise gate?
Yes. Alongside its three-knob EQ, the TightDrive Pro includes an onboard noise gate that is adjustable with an internal pot, so you can set how aggressively it clamps down on noise without touching the external controls.
What does the plexi switch on the TightDrive Pro do?
It is a voicing switch inspired by plexi-style amps. Premier Guitar's review lists it among the pedal's tone-shaping options, alongside a high-end cut control and two fat switches, letting you push the pedal toward a classic British amp character.
Sources (1)
- Amptweaker TightDrive Pro Review, Premier Guitar, 2014-11-25
