The Marshall Drivemaster is a medium-gain overdrive pedal, first released in the early 1990s and reissued by Marshall in 2023 as part of its Vintage Reissue range. The reissue is a one-to-one copy of the original, built to the original specifications and assembled in Marshall's UK factory1. Marshall describes the pedal as based on the original Guv'nor but taking things a stage further with a new tone and drive network2.
The original DriveMaster was a Plexi-style pedal voiced after a JCM800 amp1, and its hard-clipping diode distortion emulates the classic British sound that has made Marshall tube amps successful3. Players named as favorites of the original include Jeff Buckley and Dan Hawkins of UK rockers the Darkness3.
Where the Drivemaster came from
The original DriveMaster belongs to Marshall's second generation of pedals. Guitar.com's reviewer Richard Purvis identifies it as one of the three "second gen" units launched in 1991, and notes that it was gone by the end of 1992, suggesting the original run was short-lived4. MusicRadar tells the story slightly differently: the Master series followed in 1992, with the DriveMaster replacing the Guv'nor5. Delicious Audio places the original simply in the early '90s1.
Within Marshall's own lineup, Gearnews positioned the 2023 reissue range as three levels of gain: the low-gain Blues Breaker, a mid-gain (almost a Guv'nor) Drivemaster, and the heavier-gain Shredmaster6. MusicRadar notes the Drivemaster appeared a little later alongside the Bluesbreaker and Shredmaster7.
The 2023 reissue was released to celebrate Marshall's 60th anniversary1. Marshall's own product page states the pedal is designed and engineered in the UK and made in the UK2, and MusicRadar reports the Vintage Reissue pedals are all still made in Marshall's UK Milton Keynes factory5.
The original Drivemaster was discontinued by the end of 19924. The current pedal is the Vintage Reissue, a one-to-one copy of the original with its large black case1.
The controls: gain, level and a three-band tonestack
The Drivemaster carries five knobs: Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble and Volume2. The three-band tone network is the pedal's defining feature. Premier Guitar's demo notes that the three-band tone network acts as if adding an extra amp to your setup, with real Marshall tone and overdrive8. GuitarPlayer reports that the Drivemaster sports amp-like Bass, Middle and Treble controls, as per the Guv'nor, enabling a broad range of tones to be dialed in3.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive |
| Bass | Low-end shaping, part of the amp-like three-band tonestack3 |
| Middle | Midrange shaping, part of the amp-like three-band tonestack3 |
| Treble | High-end shaping, part of the amp-like three-band tonestack3 |
| Volume | Sets the output level |
Guitar.com's reviewer found the flexibility of the three-band tonestack to be excellent, describing the pedal's core sound as medium-gain crunch with plenty of bite but a broadly neutral EQ response4.
How it differs from the Guv'nor
The Drivemaster is not simply a renamed Guv'nor. Marshall says the Vintage Reissue is based on the original Guv'nor but takes things a stage further with a new tone and drive network2. Premier Guitar's demo repeats this framing: the Drivemaster is based on the original Guv'nor but takes things a stage further with a new tone and drive network8. Guitar.com's reviewer called it essentially a revamp of the Guv'nor4.
In the 2023 reissue range, the Drivemaster sits between the low-gain Bluesbreaker and the heavier-gain Shredmaster, holding the mid-gain slot6. Players comparing Marshall's current amp-in-a-box pedals, such as the JCM800 Overdrive and 1959 Overdrive, will find the Drivemaster is a different animal: a circuit reissue from the early '90s rather than a new pedal modeled on a specific amplifier.
Build and battery
The reissue keeps the original's large black case1. Guitar.com's reviewer describes a raised section across the middle that shields the knobs from accidental kickings, while allowing the control panel to be flat so the knobs face straight upwards4.
Power comes from a 9V battery or a 9V DC power adaptor, which is not included2. The battery cover unclips with a push of the thumb rather than requiring a screwdriver4, so a battery swap on the fly is straightforward.
What reviewers said
Guitar.com's Richard Purvis reviewed the reissue in August 2023 and rated it 8 overall, calling it an intriguing alternative to the Guv'nor that offers a subtly smoother and brighter response4. He also called the new DriveMaster the least interesting pedal of Marshall's 2023 range, and the underdog of the Vintage Reissue group, while asking whether this medium-gain overdrive deserves more recognition than the original version ever received4.
"An intriguing alternative to the Guv'nor that offers a subtly smoother and brighter response."
Videos
Sweetwater
Peach Guitars
Jon is just TOO LouD!!
Questions
Is the Marshall Drivemaster the same as the Guv'nor?
No, but they are closely related. Marshall says the Drivemaster Vintage Reissue is based on the original Guv'nor but takes things a stage further with a new tone and drive network. Guitar.com's reviewer called it essentially a revamp of the Guv'nor, and rated it an intriguing alternative with a subtly smoother and brighter response.
Where is the Drivemaster reissue made?
In the UK. Marshall's product page states the pedal is designed, engineered and made in the UK, and MusicRadar reports that the Vintage Reissue pedals are made in Marshall's UK Milton Keynes factory. Delicious Audio reported the reissues are hand built to the original specifications and assembled in Marshall's UK factory.
Does the Drivemaster take a battery?
Yes. The pedal runs on a 9V battery or a 9V DC power adaptor, which is not included. The battery cover unclips with a push of the thumb, so no screwdriver is needed to swap the battery.
When did the original Drivemaster come out?
Guitar.com dates the original to 1991, one of three second-generation Marshall units, and says it was gone by the end of 1992. MusicRadar says the Master series followed in 1992 with the DriveMaster replacing the Guv'nor, while Delicious Audio places the original in the early '90s.
How do you change the battery on the Drivemaster?
Push the battery cover with your thumb and it unclips, so no screwdriver is needed. The pedal accepts a 9V battery, or you can power it with a 9V DC power adaptor, which is not included with the pedal.
Sources (8)
- New Pedal: Marshall DriveMaster Reissue, Delicious Audio, 2023-03-02
- The Drivemaster pedal unleashes your guitar's true potential, www.marshall.com
- “We Copied Them Exactly”: Marshall's Steve Smith Introduces the New Guv'nor, Bluesbreaker, Drivemaster and Shredmaster Reissues, GuitarPlayer, 2023-02-24
- Marshall DriveMaster: this underdog has no shortage of pep, Guitar.com, 2023-08-18
- Which is the ultimate Marshall reissue overdrive and distortion pedal to buy?, MusicRadar (www.musicradar.com), 2023-02-27
- Marshall reissues Guv’nor, Blues Breaker, Drivemaster and Shredmaster pedals, gearnews.com, 2023-02-24
- The Guv'Nor, Drivemaster, Bluesbreaker and Shredmaster return as Marshall officially reissues its famous vintage stompbox range, MusicRadar, 2023-02-24
- Marshall Pedal Review: BluesBreaker & More 2023, Premier Guitar, 2023-05-05
