The Blammo Payola is a handmade overdrive pedal from Blammo Electronics, built in Portland, Oregon. Blammo describes it as "a natural sounding, harmonically complex overdrive that does the transparent thing well but can also play dirty"1. Reviewers picked up on the same dual character: Guitar Pedal X called it "part low-gain transparent Timmy style overdrive, and part more heavyset full textured Screamer"2, and Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio wrote that it "redefines the coveted concept of versatile overdrive"3.
What it does
The Payola covers a wide gain range from one set of knobs. Blammo says the Drive knob's "wide-gain sweep... ensures ample headroom, crank it for overdrive or dial it back for sparkle"3. At the low end of that sweep the pedal can work as a boost: Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson noted "it can boost with that mid-frequency spank most folks love"2. His overall verdict was that "this is a very simple but actually properly versatile overdrive - which gives you shades of Timmy and Lightyear alongside a bolder full-fat Screamer style flavour"2.
The controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Output volume2 |
| Tone | Passive treble filter; Blammo says it "works like you would expect / want it to"1 |
| Drive | Gain control with a wide sweep, from near-clean sparkle to overdrive13 |
| Gain Structure | Less/More toggle that switches between two circuits2 |
The Tone control gets a good word from Delicious Audio as well: "the responsive TONE control delivers predictable and musical filtering"3. There are no separate bass and treble knobs; the low and high filtering is fixed inside the circuit, in the manner of the Timmy-style designs the Payola draws on1.
The Gain Structure toggle is the pedal's main split personality. Delicious Audio describes it plainly: "The LESS/MORE toggle instantly shifts between two circuits delivering subtle breakup and full-bodied drive"3. Guitar Pedal X adds a practical note about the gain side: "The GAIN knob has a fairly large sweep so if you have it cranked, the volume control might need to be dialed back some"2.
The footswitch is a no-click type that works two ways: tap for regular latching switching, or hold and release for momentary function1. Blammo also lists Teflon coated wiring among the build details1.
The Tube Screamer and Timmy lineage
Blammo's own explanation of where the circuit comes from: "Since our circuit is a distant cousin of the beloved Tube Screamer (Timmy'ish but with a fixed Bass and Treble control)"1. That puts the Payola in the family of overdrives descended from the Tube Screamer approach, a circuit with a long pedigree. Tone Island's buying guide notes the original Tube Screamer "has been used by the likes of Slash, John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kirk Hammett, Billie Joe Armstrong, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson, Mark Tremonti"4. The Payola takes that lineage toward the more transparent, lower-gain end of the family, with the Less/More toggle letting a player choose between the two characters rather than owning two pedals.
Price and availability
When Guitar Pedal X covered the Payola in April 2025, it was listed at $139 with "shipping due to commence on the 1st of May supposedly!"2. Blammo's current product page lists it at $154.99 as of October 20261, so the list price has gone up since launch. Blammo also builds other boost-adjacent pedals, including the Utility Boost, the Zap Master treble booster and the TNYDUMBLE overdrive.
Videos
Harsh Tones, Inc.
Questions
What is the Blammo Payola based on?
Blammo describes the circuit as a distant cousin of the Tube Screamer, Timmy'ish but with a fixed Bass and Treble control. Guitar Pedal X heard shades of Timmy and Lightyear alongside a bolder, full-fat Screamer style flavour, which is why the pedal is often described as dual-natured: part low-gain transparent overdrive, part heavier textured drive.
What does the Gain Structure switch do on the Blammo Payola?
The Gain Structure switch offers Less and More options. According to Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio, the LESS/MORE toggle instantly shifts between two circuits, one delivering subtle breakup and the other full-bodied drive. Guitar Pedal X notes the Gain knob has a fairly large sweep, so at high settings the pedal's Level may need to be dialed back.
Can the Blammo Payola be used as a boost?
Yes. Guitar Pedal X's review describes the Payola as an overdrive that can also boost, with what the reviewer called mid-frequency spank. Running the Drive knob low keeps plenty of headroom, which suits boost duty.
How much does the Blammo Payola cost?
Blammo's own product page lists the Payola Drive at $154.99 as of October 2026. When Guitar Pedal X covered the pedal in April 2025 it was priced at $139, so the list price has risen since launch.
Does the Blammo Payola have separate bass and treble controls?
No. The Payola has Level, Tone and Drive controls plus the Gain Structure toggle. Blammo describes the circuit as Timmy'ish but with a fixed Bass and Treble control, meaning the low and high filtering is set inside the circuit rather than adjusted from the outside.
Sources (4)
- Payola Drive, BLAMMO! Electronics
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-04-08
- New Pedal: Blammo! Electronics Payola Drive, Delicious Audio, 2025-04-01
- 11 Best Overdrive Pedals For 2026 (Includes Budget Options), Tone Island, 2026
