The Flattley Reaper is an overdrive and distortion pedal with a boost mode, built around an op-amp core. It offers three modes selected by a three-way toggle switch: Hard Clipping, Boost, and Soft Clipping, each giving the pedal a different character1. Flattley Pedals, the UK company behind it, revisited its first ever production pedal, the original Reaper created ten years ago, to build the special 10th Anniversary Edition celebratory pedal1.
The op-amp core is a nod to what Premier Guitar describes as "rodent related pedals" the company had never explored before, with both hard and soft clipping around a similar core but voiced to be more aggressive than the original1.
The three modes: Hard Clipping, Boost and Soft Clipping
A three-way toggle switch on the pedal selects between the three modes, and each one changes how the signal is shaped1.
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Hard Clipping (HC) | Employs vintage glass envelope germanium diodes for an aggressive, biting crunch2 |
| Boost (BST) | Bypasses all clipping stages entirely, serving up a high-headroom clean boost capable of pushing a tube amp preamp into natural saturation2 |
| Soft Clipping (SC) | Uses asymmetric clipping paired with an LED and a conventional silicon diode for a smoother, touch-sensitive response2 |
The Boost mode is the odd one out: it removes both methods of clipping to give a mode that can push the amplifier preamp into saturation, and Premier Guitar notes it can get very loud1. For players who want a dedicated level-raising pedal, this makes the Reaper double as a boost pedal alongside its distortion duties.
The diode choices are what separate the two clipping modes. Hard Clipping uses vintage glass envelope germanium diodes, while Soft Clipping uses asymmetric clipping with an LED and a conventional silicon diode, which Premier Guitar reports gives a wider range of tones1.
The controls
The Reaper keeps its control set simple, with two knobs alongside the mode toggle.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Controls the overall output level1 |
| Gain | Controls the amount of gain/overdrive; chosen to force the clean boost to clip when approaching maximum1 |
| Toggle switch | Selects Hard Clipping (HC), Boost (BST) or Soft Clipping (SC)1 |
The knobs themselves are 20mm black anodised aluminum custom etched control knobs1, and the 10th Anniversary Edition features custom-etched 20 mm black anodized aluminum knobs of the same style2.
The Reaper and its 10th Anniversary Edition
The 10th Anniversary Edition, the Reaper 10 AE, was released on 21 September 2026 to mark a decade since Flattley's very first release2. It takes the op-amp core of the original 2016 Reaper and is built as part of the company's handcrafted Platinum Range, with a matching purple-etched foot topper among its finishing touches2.
All Flattley Platinum Range pedals are hand processed in Flattley's paint shop, with what Premier Guitar calls a strikingly unique finish1.
Delicious Audio's reviewer summed up the anniversary pedal:
"It's a thoughtful, beautifully finished nod to the company's roots, packed with enough versatility to carve out space on any modern board"
Power and price
The Reaper runs on 9-volt external power operation with no internal battery option, so a power supply is required rather than a battery1.
In the US, the Flattley Reaper carries a street price of $319, with £259 in the UK and €319 in the EU1.
Because there is no internal battery option, the Reaper needs an external power supply or a powered pedalboard to run.
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Questions
Does the Flattley Reaper take a battery?
No. The Reaper has no internal battery option and runs on 9-volt external power only, so you will need a power supply or a powered pedalboard to use it.
Where is the Flattley Reaper made?
All Flattley pedals, including the Reaper, are handmade and hand wired in the UK using what the company describes as the highest quality components. The Platinum Range pedals are also hand processed in Flattley's own paint shop.
What diodes does the Reaper use for clipping?
Hard Clipping mode uses vintage glass envelope germanium diodes for an aggressive, biting crunch. Soft Clipping mode uses asymmetric clipping with an LED paired with a conventional silicon diode for a smoother, touch-sensitive tone.
How much does the Flattley Reaper cost in the US?
The Flattley Reaper carries a street price of $319 in the US, with prices of £259 in the UK and €319 in the EU, as reported by Premier Guitar in September 2026.
Sources (2)
- Flattley Pedals Introduces Revolution 10 AE Overdrive, Premier Guitar, 2026-09-23
- Flatley Reaper Distortion 10th Year Anniversary Edition, Delicious Audio, 2026-09-21
