The Cutback is a preamp-style overdrive and distortion pedal from Supercool Pedals, announced in October 2025 as the eleventh pedal in the company's lineup1. It is built on the DOD 250 overdrive/preamp circuit and is designed to cover a wide range of gain uses, from preamp, boost, overdrive, and distortion1. Pedal of the Day's reviewer found it "artfully designed to deliver a wide array of sounds," moving "from warm pre-amp tones and natural amp-like breakup, all the way to searing distortions"2.
What the Cutback does to your sound
The Cutback is aimed at players who want one pedal to handle several gain jobs. Premier Guitar describes it as "a versatile preamp-style overdrive pedal inspired by the legendary DOD 250 and the golden era of 1980s"1. At its lowest gain settings it works as a preamp and boost, with natural amp-like breakup in the middle, and at its highest settings it reaches what the maker's announcement calls searing distortions1.
Pedal of the Day's reviewer put the range this way:
"The wide range here moves from warm pre-amp tones and natural amp-like breakup, all the way to searing distortions"2
The pedal also evolves from Supercool's own fan-favorite "800" Preamp/Distortion, so players familiar with that earlier pedal will find the Cutback in the same family but with added tone shaping2.
Controls and gain modes
The Cutback keeps its control set compact: a dual gain selection and an active 3-band EQ21.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| GAIN (dual selection) | Two selectable gain modes: 0.01% and 8%1 |
| LOW | Active EQ band for low-frequency tone shaping1 |
| MID | Active EQ band for midrange tone shaping1 |
| HIGH | Active EQ band for high-frequency tone shaping1 |
The two gain modes are the heart of the pedal. Premier Guitar describes them as "0.01% for dynamic boosts and responsive overdrives, and 8% for more saturation and intense distortions"1. Pedal of the Day's reviewer adds that the low mode gives "boosts and overdrives that respond playfully to player's dynamics," while the high mode pushes into heavier territory2. Because the EQ is active rather than passive, it can cut and boost each band rather than only cutting, which gives the pedal its comprehensive tone shaping1.
The DOD 250 circuit behind it
The Cutback is based on the DOD 250 overdrive circuit, a design Pedal of the Day calls legendary and Premier Guitar calls iconic12. The DOD 250 is a simple two-knob overdrive/preamp that dates from the 1970s, and its circuit has been the basis for many later pedals.
For context on how closely the original circuit is studied: Analog Mike of aNaLoG.MaN, who builds DOD 250-based mods, says his shop worked from "the original DOD factory schematics from the 1970s and three (3) grey DOD pedals for reference," physically removing and substituting components to match the original specs of the gray pedals3. That level of documentation is why the 250 circuit remains a well-understood platform for new designs like the Cutback.
Where the original DOD 250 offered just gain and output level, the Cutback adds the active 3-band EQ and the two selectable gain modes on top of the same core circuit12.
Build, look, and where it is made
The Cutback is designed and assembled in Canada1. Its enclosure uses what both Premier Guitar and Pedal of the Day call a "captivating and nostalgic 1980's Surf Design," and it glows in the dark, which Premier Guitar announces "for maximum radness!"12
The Cutback runs on a standard 9V center negative power supply1. This is the common arrangement for modern pedals and works with most pedalboard power supplies.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day reviewed the Cutback in November 2025 and found it "artfully designed to deliver a wide array of sounds," praising the range from warm preamp tones to searing distortions2. The reviewer also noted it is "always a pleasure to play an effects pedal from Jamie and Supercool Pedals," referring to the company's builder2.
Videos
Supercool Pedals
Pedal of the Day and Supercool Pedals
B's Music Shop
Questions
What is the Supercool Pedals Cutback based on?
The Cutback is based on the DOD 250 overdrive/preamp circuit, a design both Premier Guitar and Pedal of the Day describe as legendary and iconic. It also evolves from Supercool's own fan-favourite 800 Preamp/Distortion, adding an active 3-band EQ and dual gain modes.
Is the Supercool Cutback true bypass?
Yes. Both Premier Guitar's announcement and Pedal of the Day's review list the Cutback with true bypass switching, paired with a standard 9V center negative power supply.
What power does the Supercool Cutback need?
The Cutback runs on a standard 9V center negative power supply, the same arrangement as most modern pedals, so it fits a typical pedalboard power brick.
What do the two gain modes on the Cutback do?
The Cutback has two selectable gain modes. The 0.01% setting is for dynamic boosts and responsive overdrives that react to your playing, while the 8% setting gives more saturation and intense distortions.
Where is the Supercool Cutback made?
The Cutback is designed and assembled in Canada, like the rest of the Supercool Pedals lineup. It is sold with worldwide shipping through SupercoolPedals.com and in select independent retailers.
Does the Cutback really glow in the dark?
Yes. Premier Guitar's announcement and Pedal of the Day's review both describe the Cutback's enclosure as glowing in the dark, part of its nostalgic 1980s surf design.
Sources (3)
- Supercool Pedals releases “The Cutback”, Premier Guitar, 2025-10-20
- Supercool Pedals The Cutback Preamp-Style Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2025-11-05
- DOD OD-250 and YJM-308 overdrive pedal mods, aNaLoG.MaN (analogman.com), 2021