The GizmoAudio Sawmill Overdrive is a handmade overdrive and distortion pedal built around one idea: gain that stays clean. GizmoAudio announced the Sawmill Overdrive/Distortion pedal in 2010 at a $200 introductory price, describing it as "an overdrive/distortion pedal with 'clean' distortion"1. It sits in the same family as other overdrive pedals and distortion pedals, but with the emphasis on clarity rather than compression or grit.
What it does to your sound
GizmoAudio has been touting the Sawmill as having a true "clean" overdrive and distortion, meaning the overall tone keeps its character as gain is added. The press release puts it plainly: "There is no muddiness in tone. You can play full chords and still have clarity. Has incredible touch sensitivity as it t..."1. In practice that means the pedal is voiced so that chords do not turn to mush at higher gain settings, and the transition from clean to overdrive follows your playing dynamics.
Premier Guitar's reviewer came away convinced on that point, writing that "the Sawmill is one of the clearest-sounding overdrive pedals that I've come across in years"2.
Overdrive and distortion modes
The Sawmill is not a single-gain pedal. It has two footswitchable functions:
- On/bypass: switches the pedal in and out of the signal path
- Overdrive/distortion: moves between the two gain voices1
That arrangement lets you set up an overdrive sound and a hotter distortion sound and change between them mid-song. Premier Guitar's reviewer found "the Sawmill is capable of some really raunchy tones with the distortion mode engaged," while the overdrive side "dials in the flavor of overdrive and distortion"2.
The distortion side also carries an adjustable bias control, which GizmoAudio describes as giving "variation in edginess on the distortion"1. There is also an internally switchable midrange frequency, set to either 500 or 700 Hz, which shapes where the pedal's midrange character sits1.
The midrange switch is internal, not on the top panel. It is a voicing choice you set once with a screwdriver, not a control you adjust while playing.
How it is built
GizmoAudio's announcement lists the construction details together: "True bypass, handmade, premium parts, custom steel case, powder coated, through hole circuit board"1. The through-hole circuit board is worth noting for anyone who might one day want the pedal serviced: through-hole boards use components with leads that pass through the board, a more traditional build than the surface-mount construction common in mass-produced pedals.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar reviewed the Sawmill in 2023, recording clips with a 2008 Fender American Stratocaster, a 2009 Fender American Stratocaster, and a 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom fitted with Tom Anderson humbuckers2. The reviewer's overall verdict leaned on the pedal's defining trait: clarity. Beyond calling it one of the clearest overdrives they had come across in years, the reviewer confirmed the distortion mode's range, from the flavor end of overdrive to what they described as really raunchy tones2.
Videos
Brett Kingman
David Fisher (tibbon)
Questions
Is the GizmoAudio Sawmill true bypass?
Yes. GizmoAudio's announcement describes the Sawmill as true bypass, alongside its handmade construction, premium parts, custom powder-coated steel case, and through-hole circuit board. True bypass means the pedal's circuit is removed from the signal path entirely when it is switched off, so your guitar's signal reaches the amp unaltered.
What does the midrange switch on the Sawmill do?
The Sawmill has an internally switchable midrange frequency, set to either 500 or 700 Hz. Because the switch is inside the pedal rather than on the top panel, it is a set-and-forget control: you choose the center of the midrange voicing that suits your amp and guitar, then use the pedal's other controls from the top.
Does the Sawmill have separate overdrive and distortion modes?
Yes. The pedal has two footswitchable functions: on/bypass and overdrive/distortion. That lets you set one gain level for overdrive and a hotter setting for distortion and move between them with your feet. Premier Guitar's reviewer found the Sawmill capable of some really raunchy tones with the distortion mode engaged.
How is the Sawmill built?
GizmoAudio describes the Sawmill as handmade, with premium parts, a custom powder-coated steel case, and a through-hole circuit board. Through-hole construction means the components' leads pass through the board and are soldered on the other side, a build style that is easier to service than surface-mount boards.
How much did the Sawmill cost at launch?
The Sawmill carried a $200 introductory price when GizmoAudio announced its release. That was the launch figure given in the announcement; current pricing is a different question and depends on the maker's present lineup.
Sources (2)
- Gizmoaudio Announces Sawmill Overdrive/Distortion, Premier Guitar, 2010-01-01
- GizmoAudio Sawmill Overdrive Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2010-10-29