The Third Man Hardware x Donner Triple Threat is a multi-effects pedal that puts three effects in one small box: distortion, phaser and echo. It is a collaboration between Donner and Third Man Hardware, the gear company of Jack White, and Guitar World describes it as the first collaboration between the former White Stripes man and Donner1. Premier Guitar reviewed it as a $99 distortion, phaser, and delay combo2.
The Third Man Hardware x Donner Triple Threat pairs a mono input and output with a power socket1. Its aluminum alloy casing and metal footswitches are built, in Donner's words, to be "very rigorous whilst retaining a small and portable construction"1.
The three effects
Each of the three sections draws on Donner's own pedal history. Guitar World notes that the Triple Threat offers an Echo, Phaser, and Distortion, each based on Donner's own effects pedals1.
| Effect | Lineage | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Echo | Donner's first ever pedal, the 2013-released Yellow Fall Delay4 | Analog voiced4 |
| Phaser | Upgraded from Donner's Pearl Tremor pedal4 | Classic phaser segment4 |
| Distortion | Third Man's own brief3 | "wide-range, high-gain"3 |
On the distortion side, Third Man promises that the Triple Threat will deliver a "wide-range, high-gain" distortion3.
The signal path is fixed. MusicRadar's reviewer found there is no option to change the order of the effects, running distortion into phaser into echo3. Players who like to rearrange their chain will not find that here; the pedal is built as a set sequence of three.
Footswitches, jacks and build
The Triple Threat hosts three main footswitches, one for each effect: Echo, Phaser and Distortion4. MusicRadar describes the unit as reassuringly heavy, with soft-touch footswitches for each effect and a green LED to let you know when they're active3.
For connections, Guitar World lists mono input and output sockets plus a power socket, making this a mono pedal rather than a stereo one1. The build is compact: Guitar World describes the aluminum alloy casing and metal footswitches as very rigorous while retaining a small and portable construction1.
The enclosure itself has a family resemblance. MusicRadar identifies it as Donner's Alpha Cruncher aluminum enclosure, resprayed in taxi cab yellow, or black for the similarly priced Standard edition3. Premier Guitar makes the same connection, noting the Triple Threat looks a lot like Donner's Alpha Crunch and Alpha Force, three-in-one units in identically sized enclosures2.
The yellow finish is the limited-edition variant, sold exclusively through Third Man's Reverb store; the black Standard edition is the widely available version4.
The two versions
| Version | Finish | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limited edition | Taxi cab yellow42 | Exclusively at Third Man's Reverb store4 | $992 |
| Standard | Black3 | Widely available4 | Same price as the yellow3 |
What reviewers said
The pedal has drawn a generally warm response from the press, with reviewers singling out its size, convenience and price2.
Premier Guitar's verdict was blunt about the value: "the Triple Threat's combination of tiny size, convenience, ease of use, and range of tones make it a steal"2.
MusicRadar scored the pedal four and a half stars for usability and four stars for sounds3. Reviewer Jonathan Horsley also addressed a common first impression, noting reassurance because the pictures make it look massive, when it is anything but, adding that anyone who has used Donner's Alpha Cruncher will know what to expect3.
MusicRadar also flagged a practical plus for beginners: "It even comes with its own wall wart for powering-up immediately"3.
Videos
Guitar World
Premier Guitar
Reverb
Questions
What effects are in the Third Man Hardware x Donner Triple Threat?
The Triple Threat combines three effects in one enclosure: distortion, phaser and echo. Guitar World describes it as a multi-effects offering an Echo, Phaser, and Distortion, each based on Donner's own effects pedals. The echo section is analogue voiced and originates from Donner's first ever pedal, the 2013-released Yellow Fall Delay, while the phaser is upgraded from Donner's Pearl Tremor pedal.
Does the Triple Threat come with a power supply?
Yes. The pedal runs on a 9V power supply, and MusicRadar's reviewer noted that it comes with its own wall wart, so it can be powered up straight out of the box without buying a separate supply.
Does the Triple Threat come in black?
Yes. The Triple Threat arrived in two variants: a limited-edition yellow finish, exclusively available at Third Man's Reverb store, and a standard black edition at a similar price. MusicRadar notes the black version is available at the same price as the yellow.
Who designed the Triple Threat?
It is a collaboration between Donner and Third Man Hardware, the gear arm of Jack White. Third Man Hardware designed the external appearance of the pedal, and Guitar.com reports that its upgraded circuit design and tone were crafted to White's specifications. Guitar World calls it the first collaboration between the former White Stripes man and Donner.
Is the Triple Threat a mono or stereo pedal?
The Triple Threat is a mono pedal. Guitar World lists its sockets as mono input, mono output and power, so it takes and returns a single mono signal rather than working in stereo.
Sources (4)
- Best budget multi-effects pedals: a world of effects, Guitar World, 2022-09-27
- Donner X Third Man Triple Threat Guitar Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2024-07-23
- “It's built in Jack White's spirit, with abundant potential for dialling in sounds that range from the practical and useable to wild and anarchic”: Donner x Third Man Hardware Triple Threat review, MusicRadar, 2025-06-02
- Donner teams up with Third Man Hardware for budget-friendly multi-effects unit, Guitar.com, 2024-01-25
