The Master Effects Samurai Distortion is a hand-assembled distortion pedal from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The maker describes it as a classic "Marshall In a Box" type distortion pedal, meaning it aims to put the character of a cranked British stack on your board, and says it goes from sweet crunchy lower gain tones to blistering high gain tones1. On the maker's site it is called the flagship distortion pedal, and is described as "a highly versatile distortion pedal that works for all styles of guitar players"2.
The controls and three clipping modes
The Samurai carries five controls on its face: Volume, Gain, Presence, Tone, and a 3-way clipping diode switch1. The Gain control sets the amount of distortion, while Volume, Presence and Tone shape the level and the top-end character of the sound. The clipping switch is the pedal's defining feature: it swaps the diodes doing the distortion work, and each of the three positions has its own character12.
| Mode | What the maker says |
|---|---|
| LED | "a more modern type of sound. very open and uncompressed"1 |
| Silicon | "more compressed and saturated clipping"1 |
| MOSFET | "between silicon and LED. not as compressed as silicone, but still with nice, warm, saturation"1 |
In practice, the toggle switch gives you three clipping options, each with its own distinct character, from a compressed, saturated classic tube-like distortion to an open, modern sounding distortion2. A player who wants tighter, more saturated rhythm tones will reach for the silicon setting, while the LED setting leaves more of the amp's own dynamics and openness in the sound, with MOSFET as the middle ground1.
Warranty, price and shipping
The Samurai lists at $169US plus shipping1. Shipping within Canada and the US is $20US, and shipping to the UK, Western Europe, Australia, and Japan is approximately $60US1.
US customers will not have to pay any import duties or tariffs, according to Master Effects1. Customers outside North America are responsible for any customs, import or VAT charges that their country levies on the pedal1.
Each pedal comes with a 1 year warranty on parts and labor. The warranty does not cover damage due to improper power supply or misuse, so a wrong or unregulated supply is a real risk to the coverage as well as the pedal1.
Power and build
The pedal uses a standard boss-style 9-18V power supply1. The maker lists a powdercoated enclosure among the build details, the kind of finish experienced players look for on a pedal that lives on a board1.
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Questions
What do the LED, silicon and MOSFET clipping modes sound like?
Master Effects describes the LED mode as a more modern type of sound, very open and uncompressed. The silicon mode is the opposite character: more compressed and saturated clipping. The MOSFET mode sits between the two, not as compressed as silicon but still with what the maker calls nice, warm saturation. The toggle switch lets you move from a compressed, saturated classic tube-like distortion to an open, modern sounding distortion.
Is the Master Effects Samurai Distortion true bypass?
Yes. The Samurai uses a soft-touch relay true bypass switching system, which Master Effects says is for improved reliability. Relay bypass uses a small electronic switch rather than a mechanical footswitch contact, so the pedal switches cleanly between your clean signal and the effect.
Where is the Samurai Distortion made?
The Samurai Distortion is proudly assembled by hand in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Each pedal uses a professionally assembled PCB, Alpha 16mm potentiometers, a Lumberg power connector and a powdercoated enclosure.
Do US buyers pay import duties on the Samurai?
No. Master Effects states that for US customers, you will not have to pay any import duties or tariffs. Buyers outside North America are in a different position: the maker says those customers are responsible for any customs, import or VAT charges their country levies on the pedal.
Sources (2)
- Samurai Distortion, Master Effects
- Master Effects Pedals, Master Effects
