The Daredevil Deep Dish-tortion is a distortion pedal from Daredevil Pedals, hand wired in Chicago. It is built around multiple stages of op amp gain with NOS germanium clipping added, which the maker says gives it "a unique, crusty lower mid breakup"1. Daredevil describes the sound as big in the bottom end, with hard-cutting gain and plenty of sustain1.
The pedal was born from the brain of Riot Fest artist Dan Wade and designed by Johnny at Daredevil, and it was made as a collaboration with Riot Fest for the festival's Chicago event12.
Controls and modes
The Deep Dish-tortion keeps its control layout simple: knobs for output and gain control1. A mode switch selects between the two voices:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Output | Sets the pedal's output level |
| Gain | Sets the amount of distortion |
| Mode switch | Selects Tavern (mid gain) or Deep Dish (high gain) output1 |
Tavern is the mid gain mode and Deep Dish is the high gain mode, so one pedal covers both a pushed, mid-gain voice and a fuller high-gain one1. For a player, that means the same circuit can go from a crunchy rhythm setting to a lead voice without changing pedals.
Circuit and germanium clipping
Daredevil describes the circuit as all original, with no borrowed topology behind it1. It runs multiple stages of op amp gain, and the clipping comes from NOS germanium, meaning new-old-stock germanium components1. The maker credits that germanium clipping with the pedal's crusty lower mid breakup, the character that sets it apart from standard silicon-clipped distortions12.
The Riot Fest edition and what is included
The Deep Dish-tortion is a collaboration with Riot Fest for the festival's Chicago event, which RockBoard's PedalPedia calls "home of the world's greatest pizza"2. Alongside the pedal itself, the purchase includes a custom limited edition pick tin loaded with Dunlop Tortex picks1.
Price and availability
Daredevil lists the Deep Dish-tortion at $149 as of 26 October 2026, and the pedal is available for purchase1.
The pedal runs on a DC 9V supply1. As with any modern pedal, use a regulated 9V DC center-negative pedal power output rather than an AC adapter.
Videos
Daredevil Pedals
Daredevil Pedals
Superdanger Studios
Questions
What is the difference between Tavern and Deep Dish modes?
The pedal has two modes. Tavern is the mid gain output and Deep Dish is the high gain output, so you can switch between a lower-gain voice and a fuller, higher-gain one on the same pedal. Both modes run through the same op amp gain stages and the NOS germanium clipping that Daredevil says gives the pedal its crusty lower mid breakup.
Where is the Daredevil Deep Dish-tortion made?
It is hand wired in Chicago, where Daredevil Pedals is based. The maker describes the circuit as all original and hand wired, and the pedal was created as a collaboration with Riot Fest for that festival's Chicago event.
Does the Deep Dish-tortion use germanium diodes?
Yes. Daredevil says the pedal uses NOS germanium clipping, meaning new-old-stock germanium components, which the maker credits with the pedal's unique, crusty lower mid breakup. The rest of the circuit is multiple stages of op amp gain.
What power supply does the Deep Dish-tortion need?
It runs on a DC 9V supply, according to the maker's product page. Use a standard 9V DC pedal power output rather than an AC supply.
What is the Riot Fest edition of the Deep Dish-tortion?
The Deep Dish-tortion is itself a collaboration with Riot Fest for the festival's Chicago event, which Daredevil calls home of the world's greatest pizza. The pedal also includes a custom limited edition pick tin loaded with Dunlop Tortex picks.
Who designed the Deep Dish-tortion?
The concept came from Riot Fest artist Dan Wade, and the pedal was designed by Johnny at Daredevil. The circuit is described by the maker as all original and hand wired in Chicago.
Sources (2)
- Deep Dish-tortion, Daredevil Pedals
- Deep Dish-tortion by Daredevil Pedals, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
