The Tech 21 SansAmp Street Driver 48 is a bass preamp, DI and drive pedal developed as a signature unit with Anthrax bassist Frank Bello and the Tech 21 team. It carries a standard input and output plus a balanced XLR output with an earthing switch, runs on 9V DC, and is made in the USA. Guitar World's reviewer Joel McIver described it as offering a "Huge range of clean and driven tones, from friendly to fiendish," and called the pedal "such a triumph" in his overall verdict1.
Controls
The pedal's front panel combines two push buttons with four knobs. The Dirt and Filth buttons add different kinds of distortion: Guitar World described Filth as "the rather more sane Filth option, which is more toppy and less evil"1. Around them, Drive and Level control the gain/overdrive and output, while an active two-band EQ cuts and boosts Low and High frequencies1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Dirt button | Adds one kind of distortion1 |
| Filth button | Adds another kind of distortion, described as more toppy and less evil1 |
| Drive | Controls the gain/overdrive1 |
| Level | Controls the output1 |
| Low | Active EQ cut and boost of low frequencies1 |
| High | Active EQ cut and boost of high frequencies1 |
Outputs and the XLR ground switch
Alongside the standard input and output, the Street Driver 48 has a balanced XLR output with an earthing switch, which the review notes comes with a "ground connect switch if required"1. For a bass player, that means the pedal can feed an amp and a mixing desk or audio interface at the same time, and the earth switch is there to deal with ground loop hum if it appears.
Design and build
The Street Driver is built to last, with a metal housing, knobs and switches1. It measures 51 (w) x 121 (d) x 95mm (h) and weighs 11 oz / 412g1.
The name comes from the music stores on New York's 48th Street where Frank Bello hung out as a teenager1.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's Joel McIver reviewed the pedal in 2026 and came away positive, writing that it "has turned out to be such a triumph" and giving a full recommendation in his overall verdict1. On price, he noted that "At only $249, it should be accessible for anybody who can afford a [bass guitar]"1.
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Questions
Who designed the Tech 21 SansAmp Street Driver 48?
The Street Driver 48 is a signature SansAmp pedal developed with Anthrax bassist Frank Bello and the Tech 21 team. It is named after the music stores on New York's 48th Street where Bello hung out as a teenager, and it is made in the USA.
Why is it called Street Driver 48?
The name refers to the music stores on New York's 48th Street where Frank Bello hung out as a teenager. The pedal is his signature SansAmp, developed with the Tech 21 team.
Does the Street Driver 48 have an XLR output?
Yes. Alongside a standard input and standard output, the pedal has a balanced XLR output with an earthing switch, so you can run a balanced line to a mixing desk or audio interface and lift the ground if you need to.
What do the Dirt and Filth buttons do?
Dirt and Filth are two push buttons that add different kinds of distortion. Guitar World's reviewer described Filth as the rather more sane option, which is more toppy and less evil, while Drive and Level pots control the gain and output.
Where is the Street Driver 48 made?
The Street Driver 48 is made in the USA, according to Guitar World's review.
What power does the Street Driver 48 use?
The pedal runs on 9V DC power, according to Guitar World's review.
Sources (1)
- Tech 21 SansAmp Street Driver 48 review, Guitar World, 2023-12-30
