The Peg Leg Overdrive and Compressor is a two-in-one pedal from Pirate Guitar Effects, introduced in December 2018. It puts a wide ranging overdrive and a versatile compressor in a single, user-friendly unit, and it is built for both guitar and bass1.
The maker says the overdrive side aims to capture the iconic amp tones of the 1960s and '70s, which the company calls its "take on the classic tube tones of Sixties and Seventies"21. The compressor is described as an added feature that makes the pedal suitable for guitar or bass1.
An overdrive and compressor in one pedal
The Peg Leg's main draw is that it combines two effects most players otherwise buy as separate pedals. Premier Guitar described it as offering "a wide ranging overdrive and versatile compressor in a single, user-friendly unit"1. Guitar World noted the pedal uses premium audiophile components with silent switching in a die cast enclosure2.
The pedal carries an LED indicator so you can see its status on a dark stage1. Pirate Guitar Effects describes the enclosure as a "Sturdy Die Cast Enclosure for a lifetime of use," and the pedal comes with a 1 year warranty1.
At launch the Peg Leg was available at select retailers, direct from PirateGuitarFX.com, and in Japan through Nine Volt, with a street price of $1791.
Parallel and Series modes
The Peg Leg's most distinctive feature is a mode control that changes how the two circuits are arranged in the signal chain1:
| Mode | Signal routing |
|---|---|
| Parallel | The signal passes through both the overdrive and compressor circuits together1 |
| Series | The signal is routed through the compressor first and then the overdrive1 |
Guitar World described the two modes as "aimed at providing a wide range of compressed and overdriven sounds"2. For a player, the choice matters: running the compressor before the overdrive in Series mode evens out the signal feeding the drive circuit, while Parallel mode blends the two effects without one feeding the other.
The controls
The control set is small and shared between the two circuits1:
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Drive | Sets the amount of overdrive1 |
| Drive Vol | Sets the output level of the overdrive side1 |
| Comp | Sets the amount of compression1 |
| Tone | Shapes the overall tone1 |
| Parallel/Series | Selects the signal placement of the two circuits1 |
Power and reliability
The Peg Leg runs on a 9V battery or a standard negative center 9V power supply1. The negative center polarity is the same convention used by most pedal power supplies, so it fits a typical pedalboard setup without an adapter.
The pedal's battery option means it can run without a power supply, but on a larger board the 9V power supply input is the practical choice.
Questions
Does the Peg Leg run on a battery or a power supply?
Both. The Peg Leg is powered by a 9V battery or a standard negative center 9V power supply, so it works on a pedalboard power brick as well as on its own. The negative center polarity is the same convention most pedal power supplies use.
What is the difference between Parallel and Series mode on the Peg Leg?
In Parallel mode the signal passes through the overdrive and compressor circuits together. In Series mode the signal is routed through the compressor first and then the overdrive. The two modes are aimed at providing a wide range of compressed and overdriven sounds.
Where is the Pirate Guitar Effects Peg Leg made?
The Peg Leg is made in the USA. It was announced by Pirate Guitar Effects in December 2018 and is available at select retailers, at PirateGuitarFX.com, or in Japan at Nine Volt.
How much does the Peg Leg cost?
The Peg Leg has a street price of $179, as reported at its December 2018 launch by both Premier Guitar and Guitar World. It was available at select retailers, direct from PirateGuitarFX.com, and in Japan through Nine Volt.
Does the Peg Leg come with a warranty?
Yes. The Peg Leg carries a 1 year warranty from Pirate Guitar Effects, and it is built in a sturdy die cast enclosure the maker describes as being for a lifetime of use.
What era of amp tones is the Peg Leg voiced for?
Pirate Guitar Effects says the Peg Leg aims to capture the iconic amp tones of the 1960s and '70s, which the company calls its take on the classic tube tones of the Sixties and Seventies. The compressor is described as making it suitable for guitar or bass.
Sources (2)
- Pirate Guitar Launches Peg Leg Overdrive & Compressor, Premier Guitar, 2018-12-05
- Pirate Guitar Effects Unveils New Peg Leg Overdrive and Compressor, Guitar World, 2018-12-06