The T-Rex Crunchy Frog is an overdrive pedal with two things many overdrives leave out: an independent boost function and a blend knob that mixes the overdriven signal with the clean signal from your amp. T-Rex describes it as delivering "a rich, warm, tubey overdrive sound you just won't find this side of expensive multi-stage tube boutique amp"1. Pedal of the Day's reviewer, writing in March 2014, heard it the same way, calling it "spitting out warm, tubey overdrive"2.
Controls
The pedal carries seven controls: an on/off switch, a boost switch, and volume, gain, blend, tone and boost knobs1. The blend knob is the feature T-Rex makes the most of: "a convenient BLEND knob, that lets you mix your overdrive with the clean signal from your amp"1. Pedal of the Day described the same feature: "the Crunchy Frog features a BLEND knob that lets you mix your overdrive with the clean signal from your amp"1. The tone control, in T-Rex's words, "lets you fine-tune your overdrive tone to your exact tastes"1, and the boost is fully adjustable, made to add pop and cut through the mix2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the pedal's output level |
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive |
| Blend | Mixes the overdrive with the clean signal from your amp1 |
| Tone | Fine-tunes the overdrive tone1 |
| Boost | Independent, fully adjustable boost for extra cut12 |
| Boost switch | Turns the boost on and off1 |
| On/off | Bypasses or engages the pedal1 |
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's Ben reviewed the Crunchy Frog in March 2014 and came away emphatic. He found it "adds the perfect amount of crunch for all your classic rock/blues songs" and closed with a plain verdict: "The best overdrive pedal I have owned."2
T-Rex itself makes a bold claim on the product page: "We don't like to boast at T-Rex, but we truly believe that Crunchy Frog is the world's best-sounding overdrive."1 As with any maker's description, that is the maker speaking, not an independent measurement.
Power and battery
The Crunchy Frog runs on a 9V DC supply, with T-Rex naming its own FuelTank as the supply1. Current draw is 50 mA at 9V DC1, which is modest by pedal standards but worth knowing when planning a daisy chain with other pedals. The pedal also takes a 9V battery, type 6F22, with a listed battery life of 6 to 9 hours1.
T-Rex lists a minimum power supply voltage of 8V DC1. The specified supply is 9V DC, drawing 50 mA.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input impedance @ 1 kHz | Higher than 1M Ohm1 |
| Output impedance @ 1 kHz | Lower than 1K Ohm1 |
| Maximum input signal | 3V p-p1 |
| External connectors | Input jack, output jack, 9V DC jack1 |
Availability
T-Rex states on the product page that the Crunchy Frog is "Only available at Guitar Center & Musician's Friend" in the United States1.
Where it sits in the T-Rex range
The Crunchy Frog is one of several overdrives T-Rex has made. The T-Rex Alberta and its two-channel successor, the T-Rex Alberta II Dual Overdrive, cover similar low-to-mid-gain territory, while the T-Rex Møller 2 and T-Rex Yellow Drive fill other slots in the maker's drive lineup. For a wider look at the category, see the site's Overdrive Pedals page21.
Videos
T-Rex Effects
John Huldt
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Questions
Can the T-Rex Crunchy Frog run on a battery?
Yes. T-Rex specifies a 9V battery, type 6F22, and lists a battery life of 6 to 9 hours. The pedal can also run from a 9V DC power supply such as the T-Rex FuelTank, drawing 50 mA at 9V DC.
Where can I buy a T-Rex Crunchy Frog?
T-Rex states on its product page that the Crunchy Frog is only available at Guitar Center and Musician's Friend in the United States.
How long does a battery last in the T-Rex Crunchy Frog?
T-Rex lists battery life at 6 to 9 hours with a 9V 6F22 battery.
Sources (2)
- → T-REX EFFECTS ← Pedals for guitar and bass players!, T-Rex Effects
- T-Rex Crunchy Frog Overdrive, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2014-03-16
