The Revv G3 V2 is a high gain distortion pedal from Revv Amplification, the Canadian amp builder. Revv describes it as an organic "amp-in-a-box" pedal based on the Purple channel of the company's G120 amplifier, voiced for aggressive, tight midrange, high gain tones with what the maker calls amazing clarity1. It is the updated version of the Revv G3, the pedal Revv says revolutionized high gain pedals in 2018 with its tube-like response and tight, clear high gain tones1.
The original G3 put the Purple channel, previously something you needed a Revv amp to get, into a compact stompbox. Delicious Audio noted at the time that the tone suddenly became available to anyone in a less-expensive pedal format, and Revv says the pedal has since been used by metal artists and producers worldwide12. Guitar.com's reviewer, Michael Watts, described the circuit as directly inspired by the Purple channel on the Revv Amplification 120 and 100 amps, only in transistor form3.
A G120 Purple channel in a pedal
Revv's Generator-series pedals each map to a channel of the G120 amp: the G3 V2 is the Purple channel, the G4 V2 is the Red channel, and the G2 Crunchy Drive is the Green channel1. In Revv's lineup the Purple channel sits at the high gain end. Guitar World's demo of the G3 and G4 noted that the G3 leans towards more mid-pushed tones6, and Guitar Player's buying guide described the G3 Distortion as putting "the power of a Revv amplifier onto your pedalboard"7.
The controls
The G3 V2 carries the same control set press reviews documented on the G3: Volume, Gain, a three-band EQ of Bass, Middle and Treble, and the three-position Aggression toggle58.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of distortion |
| Volume | Sets output level; Pedal of the Day noted "plenty of output on tap"9 |
| Bass, Middle, Treble | Three-band EQ; Delicious Audio called the G3's EQ section very responsive2 |
| Aggression toggle | Three-position voicing switch, Blue / Off / Red5 |
What the Aggression switch does
The Aggression toggle is the pedal's signature feature. Revv says it physically alters the pedal's internal compression, saturation and low-end response, giving three distinct amplifier channels in a single enclosure4. On the G3 the positions are labeled Blue I, Off and Red II5, with Blue giving more saturation and Red the most10. Pedal of the Day found the gain low and smooth with the switch in the Off position9. In his demo video, Pete Thorn used the Off position for the rhythm guitar parts on his intro track11.
Power and connections
The G3 V2 runs on 9V DC, center negative, external supply only, drawing 14mA minimum4. There is no battery option.
The 14mA draw is low enough that the pedal shares easily with other 9V center negative pedals on a multi-output supply, but it cannot run on a battery.
Revv says the pedal is built for any workflow: direct-to-console work and power amp integration, not just the front of an amp. The maker specifically lists using it into an FX loop return, into an IR loader such as a Two notes Torpedo, or into the front of an amp set flat and clean4. For I/O, one Revv product page lists 1 x 1/4" input while another lists 2x 1/4" audio I/O; the maker's pages disagree on the exact count14.
G3 and G3 V2
"for the updated versions the G3 sounds significantly more impressive - has more volume and punch to it."
Size and build
Videos
Michael Nielsen - Big Hairy Guitars
Brett Kingman
Alberto Barrero
Questions
Does the Revv G3 V2 take a battery?
No. Revv specifies a 9V DC center negative external supply only, drawing 14mA minimum. There is no battery compartment, so it needs a pedalboard power supply or a standalone 9V adapter to run.
Is the Revv G3 V2 true bypass?
Yes. Revv lists the pedal as analog with true bypass switching, so with the pedal disengaged the signal passes through without active buffering.
What does the Aggression switch do on the Revv G3 V2?
It is a three-position toggle, labeled Blue, Off and Red on the G3, that physically alters the pedal's internal compression, saturation and low-end response. Revv describes it as giving three distinct amplifier channels in one enclosure, with Off the lowest and smoothest gain setting.
Can the Revv G3 V2 go into an effects loop or an IR loader?
Yes. Revv says the pedal is built for any workflow: into an FX loop return, into an IR loader such as a Two notes Torpedo for direct recording, or into the front of an amp set flat and clean.
Where is the Revv G3 V2 made?
Canada. Revv states the G3 V2 is manufactured in Canada, and press coverage of the original G3 described it as built by hand in Canada.
How big is the Revv G3 V2?
Revv's product pages give two sets of figures that disagree: one lists height 1.25 inches, width 2.75 inches and depth 4.7 inches at 0.8 lbs, while another lists 5 x 2.875 x 2 inches at 0.7 lbs. Either way it is a compact single-pedal enclosure.
Sources (12)
- Revv G3 V2, Revv Amplification
- Updated Pedal: REVV G3 Distortion V2, Delicious Audio, 2025-05-28
- Revv Amplification G3 Distortion Pedal Review, Guitar.com, 2018-12-21
- G3 V2 | Clear & Precise Distortion Tones - Revv Amplification, Revv Amplification
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-09-19
- Get a taste of Revv's G3 and G4, two high-gain distortion pedals par excellence, in Cooking with Sound, Guitar World, 2020-02-25
- Best distortion pedals: dirty up your tone, GuitarPlayer (www.guitarplayer.com), 2022-08-26
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-06-19
- Revv Amplification G3 Overdrive Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2021-09-29
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-12-05
- REVV G3 DISTORTION demo by Pete Thorn, Pete Thorn (YouTube channel), 2018-09-06
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-11-27
