The Suhr Shiba Drive Legacy Edition is a smooth sounding overdrive pedal that, in Suhr's words, "provides players with a wide variety of fat rhythm and warm lead tones"1. It carries the Drive, Tone and Level control set of the original Shiba Drive, plus a three-position Smooth switch that changes how the high end rolls off. It lists at $199.00 USD1.
The controls
The pedal keeps the Shiba layout simple: three knobs and one three-way switch1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Controls the amount of drive from the circuit, from a bluesy crunch to a sustained, compressed overdrive1 |
| Tone | Shapes the overall tonal response, from warm and smooth to bright and cutting1 |
| Level | Controls the output level; Suhr says there is enough level to push the front end of any tube amp into natural clipping, or add sustain to an already overdriven amp1 |
| Smooth switch | Three-position voicing switch, described below1 |
The Smooth switch sets how the top end behaves:
- Left: a mild high-end roll off, effective for warming up guitars with single-coil pickups1
- Middle: voiced to produce a natural, open sounding overdrive1
- Right: a more pronounced high-end roll off, which Suhr calls excellent for chunky rhythms and violin-like lead tones1
Suhr notes that the Smooth switch modes have less effect at lower gain and tone settings, so the three positions are most distinct with the Drive and Tone knobs turned up1.
Relay bypass and battery monitor
The Shiba Drive Legacy Edition is true bypass via a relay rather than a conventional footswitch. Suhr says this function allows for remote switching and the battery monitor feature, and that the relay produces less popping when switching the pedal on and off1.
The battery monitor watches the battery voltage: if it drops too low for the circuit to operate correctly, the pedal automatically switches itself to True Bypass1. The same relay arrangement appears on Suhr's other Legacy Edition drives, including the Riot Reloaded Legacy Edition, where Suhr describes the identical remote switching and battery monitor functions2.
Where it sits in the Shiba family
The Legacy Edition is one of several versions of the Shiba Drive that Suhr has offered. The original Shiba Drive, the Shiba Reloaded and the compact Shiba Drive Reloaded Mini remain in the lineup, and Suhr has also made a signature version, the Kiko Loureiro Signature Shiba Drive Reloaded. Among the Legacy Edition pedals, the Riot Reloaded Legacy Edition lists at the same $199.00 USD2, while the Koko Boost Legacy Edition, a boost, lists at $249.00 USD1. For a broader look at the type, see Overdrive Pedals.
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Questions
Does the Suhr Shiba Drive Legacy Edition take a battery?
Yes. The pedal runs on a battery, and Suhr includes a battery monitor feature. If the battery voltage drops too low for the circuit to operate correctly, the monitor automatically switches the pedal to True Bypass, so a dying battery does not degrade your tone or the pedal's performance.
Is the Shiba Drive Legacy Edition true bypass?
Yes. Suhr states that the Shiba is true bypass via a relay. The relay also allows remote switching, enables the battery monitor feature, and produces less popping when the pedal is switched on and off than a conventional mechanical switch.
How much does the Suhr Shiba Drive Legacy Edition cost?
Suhr lists the Shiba Drive Legacy Edition at $199.00 USD on its product page as of October 2026. It sits alongside other Suhr Legacy Edition drives at the same price, such as the Riot Reloaded Legacy Edition, while the Koko Boost Legacy Edition lists at $249.00 USD.
Can the Shiba Drive be switched remotely?
Yes. Suhr says the relay bypass is what allows for remote switching, along with the battery monitor feature. The relay also produces less popping when the pedal is turned on and off.
Does the Smooth switch work at low gain settings?
Less so. Suhr notes that the Smooth switch modes have less effect at lower gain and tone settings, so the differences between the three positions are most noticeable when the Drive and Tone controls are set higher.
Sources (2)
- Shiba Drive Legacy Edition, Suhr.com
- Riot Reloaded Legacy Edition, Suhr
