The Fredric Effects Blue Monarch is an overdrive pedal from the UK maker Fredric Effects, based on the Blues Breaker overdrive of the 90s. Fredric Effects describes it as taking that circuit and adding the mods offered by the KoT version of it, the one with the long waiting list, along with a slightly increased maximum gain1. It sits in the same family as other overdrive pedals, but with more gain on tap than the circuit it comes from.
Controls and layout
The Blue Monarch has four external knobs plus a toggle switch:
- Gain sets the amount of drive2
- Volume sets the output level2
- Tone shapes the treble response2
- Treble boost adds a further treble lift2
- Clipping mode toggle chooses the clipping mode2
Guitar World noted the redesigned layout, with all four controls, gain, volume, tone and treble boost, presented as external knobs3. Fredric Effects states on its own page that it redesigned the layout so all four controls are external, and added a toggle switch to replace the DIP switch functions1.
The clipping toggle is the practical difference from related pedals. Gearnews's reviewer wrote21:
"I prefer this over the annoying 'set and forget' DIP switches inside the KOT pedals, as this meant I had to dig out a screwdriver2."
That reviewer preferred the clipping toggle over the internal DIP switches used for clipping mode selection on King of Tone style pedals2.
Gain and circuit
Fredric Effects states on its website that it has slightly increased the maximum gain available compared with the Blues Breaker circuit, which Gearnews noted should make the pedal more flexible for players who want to push into heavier territory2. The maker also points to the mods offered by the KoT version of the circuit as part of the design1. For players comparing drive pedals, it sits between a transparent low-gain overdrive and the hotter end of things covered in distortion pedals.
Price and availability
The Blue Monarch launched in August 2020 at £125, which GuitarPlayer reported as about $165, and was available at launch with no waiting list24. The Fredric Effects website currently lists it at £1401.
The price has changed since launch: £125 in August 202024, £140 on the maker's site as of October 20261.
What reviewers said
Gearnews's reviewer called the Blue Monarch Fredric Effects's take on the much sought after Blues Breaker, noted the reasonable £125 price for a hand-made pedal, and said the increased maximum gain should make it more versatile2. Guitar World framed it as a way to conjure 90s-era Blues Breaker drive tones3. The maker's page links to an overview video by Dipswitch Demos1.
Videos
Jackson Brooksby
Joe Boden
Joe Boden
Questions
What circuit is the Frederic Effects Blue Monarch based on?
The Blue Monarch is based on the Blues Breaker overdrive of the 90s, the much sought after circuit that Fredric Effects describes as the basis for the pedal. The company also states that it has slightly increased the maximum gain available compared with the Blues Breaker circuit, and that the design includes the mods offered by the KoT version of this circuit, which carries a long waiting list.
What does the clipping mode toggle do on the Blue Monarch?
The toggle switch chooses the clipping mode. Fredric Effects added it to replace the DIP switch functions found on related versions of the circuit. Gearnews's reviewer preferred it over the internal, set-and-forget DIP switches on King of Tone style pedals, which meant digging out a screwdriver to change modes.
Where is the Blue Monarch made?
The Blue Monarch is made by Fredric Effects, a UK pedal company. Gearnews described it as a hand-made pedal when it launched in August 2020.
How much does the Blue Monarch cost?
The Fredric Effects website lists the Blue Monarch at £140 as of October 2026. At launch in August 2020 it was priced at £125, which GuitarPlayer reported as about $165 at the time.
Does the Blue Monarch have a treble boost?
Yes. Alongside Gain, Volume and Tone controls, the Blue Monarch has a Treble boost control. All four controls are external knobs, a redesigned layout compared with the original circuit.
Sources (4)
- Blue Monarch Overdrive, fredric.co.uk
- Is the Frederic Effects Blue Monarch the best Blues Breaker pedal of the year?, gearnews.com, 2020-08-24
- Conjure '90s-era Blues Breaker drive tones with Fredric Effects' Blue Monarch, Guitar World, 2020-08-28
- Fredric Effects Debuts New Blue Monarch Overdrive Pedal, GuitarPlayer, 2020-08-31
