The Marshall Bluesbreaker Vintage Reissue Pedal (model PEDL-00100) is an authentic reissue of the low-gain overdrive pedal Marshall first released in 1992. Like the original, it is a classic low-gain drive pedal, and Marshall describes its sound as smooth, warm and full of character, suited to bluesy lead playing with clarity and sparkle. The circuit takes its name and inspiration from the 1962 "Bluesbreaker" amplifier, whose sound Marshall says became a legend1.
The reissue is not a mass-produced import: Marshall builds and hand-assembles it at its Bletchley factory in the UK, in a robust mild steel chassis the company says is built for years of playing1.
Controls and connections
The pedal keeps the original's simple three-knob layout, which is part of what made the design a player's favorite for pushing an amp into a mild, touch-sensitive break-up rather than heavy distortion21.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive |
| Tone | Shapes the treble character of the drive |
| Volume | Sets the pedal's output level |
All three controls are adjustable, and the pedal carries a single 1/4" jack input and a single 1/4" jack output1.
Power
The Bluesbreaker reissue runs from a 9V battery or a 9V DC power adaptor, and the adaptor is not included in the box1. The stated weight of 0.7kg (1.5lbs) is measured without a battery fitted1.
Marshall's US page listed the pedal as Sold Out as of 25 October 2026. The original 1992 version is long out of production, and Marshall describes it as having become a coveted collector's item, highly sought after by enthusiasts12.
History and versions
The Bluesbreaker pedal dates to 1992, and Marshall notes it has been used on countless stages since then. The circuit was voiced after the 1962 "Bluesbreaker" amplifier, the combo associated with the era's blues lead tones1. The original pedal's low-gain overdrive approach placed it apart from the higher-gain compact pedals Marshall was producing in the same era, such as the Marshall Guv'Nor and the Marshall Drivemaster, and it later spawned the Marshall Bluesbreaker II.
The Vintage Reissue brings that original design back, built and hand-assembled at Bletchley in a steel chassis, in the pedal's black and blue livery1. Players comparing it with other Marshall-branded drives may also look at the company's newer amp-in-a-box line, including the Marshall 1959 Overdrive, Marshall DSL Overdrive, Marshall JCM800 Overdrive, Marshall JCM900 Overdrive and Marshall JVM Overdrive, which model specific amplifiers rather than reissuing an earlier pedal circuit. For a wider view of the category, see the site's guide to Overdrive Pedals.
Price and availability
Marshall's US product page listed the Bluesbreaker Vintage Reissue at $199.99 as of 25 October 2026, with free delivery to the US in 2 business days1. Marshall's page for another region listed the pedal at $189.99 with the same 2 business day delivery time2, so the listed price differs between regional pages. With the US page showing the pedal as Sold Out, availability is the practical question for anyone looking for one now1.
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Questions
Does the Marshall Bluesbreaker reissue take a 9V battery?
Yes. Marshall lists the pedal as running from a 9V battery or a 9V DC power adaptor, and the adaptor is not included with the pedal. The stated weight of 0.7kg (1.5lbs) is given without a battery fitted, so expect the loaded weight to be slightly higher once a battery is installed.
Where is the Bluesbreaker reissue pedal made?
Marshall builds the reissue at its Bletchley factory in the UK, where it is built and hand-assembled. The company also states that the pedal was designed and engineered in the UK and made in the UK.
How does the reissue compare to the original Bluesbreaker pedal?
Marshall presents the reissue as an authentic vintage reissue of the pedal first released in 1992, with the same low-gain overdrive character and the same Gain, Tone and Volume control layout. The original has since become, in Marshall's words, a coveted collector's item that is highly sought after by enthusiasts, which is the market the reissue addresses.
Sources (2)
- The Bluesbreaker pedal offers smooth tones and full character, Marshall (www.marshall.com)
- The Bluesbreaker pedal offers smooth tones and full character, Marshall (www.marshall.com)
