The Providence Stampede DT SDT-2 is a distortion pedal from the Japanese maker Providence, housed in a yellow case and built around the same up converter circuitry as the company's SOV-2 Stampede Overdrive. MusicRadar's 2012 review describes the distortion as "powerful and arresting going from a low roar at low gain to a snarling metal-biased tone at higher gains"1.
Where it came from
The Stampede DT sits in a family of Providence drive pedals. The SOV-2 Stampede OD, the overdrive it shares its converter circuitry with, is a three-dial design with level, drive and tone controls, and Providence describes it as designed to deliver natural overdrive without obscuring the inherent character of the instrument234. The Stampede DT takes that platform in a heavier direction as a dedicated distortion.
Controls and circuitry
Unlike the other pedals in the 2012 Providence review, which all use three dials for tone manipulation, the Stampede DT uses a two band EQ. MusicRadar's reviewer found that with it, "it's possible to go from 70s hard rock through to Metallica and beyond"1.
Two Providence circuits are built in:
- S.C.T circuit: provides true bypass switching1
- D.C.G. circuit: double contact grounding, which the reviewer paired with the S.C.T bypass as "dependable pro-level circ[uitry]"1
Providence notes for the related Stampede OD SOV-2 that in units with a serial number earlier than #2001, the battery will be drained rapidly, so the use of an AC adaptor is recommended3.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's 2012 review is the main published verdict on the pedal. The reviewer summed it up for players of faster, more technical styles1:
"tapping, legato and pinch harmonic fans will love this pedal!"
That verdict lines up with the pedal's stated range: a low roar at low gain, a snarling metal-biased tone at higher gains, and a two band EQ broad enough to cover hard rock through metal1.
Related Providence pedals
- Providence SOV-2 Stampede OD: the Providence overdrive in the same Stampede family45
- Providence Heat Blaster HBL-2: another Providence distortion pedal2
- Providence FDR-1 Flame Drive: a later Providence overdrive6
Videos
Brett Kingman
gearmanndude
musicradararchive
Questions
Is the Providence Stampede DT true bypass?
Yes. MusicRadar's 2012 review describes the Stampede DT as offering true bypass by way of Providence's S.C.T circuit, alongside double contact grounding through the company's D.C.G. circuit, which the reviewer described as dependable pro-level circuitry.
What does the battery warning LED on the Stampede DT do?
The Stampede DT carries a battery warning LED that dims when the battery drops below a certain amount, between 5 to 7 volts depending on the pedal. When the light dims, the battery is running low and should be replaced to keep the pedal working as intended.
What is the D.C.G. circuit in Providence pedals?
D.C.G. stands for double contact grounding, a circuit Providence uses in the Stampede DT alongside its S.C.T true bypass circuit. MusicRadar's reviewer described the combination as dependable pro-level circuitry.
Is the Stampede DT good for high gain playing?
MusicRadar's reviewer found the distortion powerful and arresting, going from a low roar at low gain to a snarling metal-biased tone at higher gains, and wrote that fans of tapping, legato and pinch harmonics will love the pedal.
Sources (6)
- 4 overdrive and distortion pedals from Providence, MusicRadar, 2012-06-21
- Providence Distortion and Compression effects utopia!, musicradar.com, 2010-05-21
- PROVIDENCE, Providence, 2026
- SOV-2 Stampede OD by Providence, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Zenkudo and Providence SOV-2 Overdrive pedals, MusicRadar, 2010-05-21
- Providence Flame Drive pedal review, musicradar.com, 2011-01-19
