The Angel of Blues is an analog overdrive pedal from Vein-Tap.com, described by the maker as a "modern take on a classic overdrive circuit". It descends from the first overdrive pedals of the early 70s, the Ibanez Tube Screamer 808 and the Boss OD-1, but Vein-Tap has added two switches that the originals never had: one to choose between a classic mid-range boost and a flat EQ, and one to select symmetric or asymmetric diode clipping. The maker also gave it more gain than the old circuits, so it reaches from clean boost through tight crunch to blues rock drive1.
What it does to your sound
Ben from Vein-Tap.com, writing in the maker's buying guides, says the pedal "can create a range of tones from clean boost, to tight crunch, all the way up to beauiful blues rock overdrive"2. The gain stage has been pushed beyond the early 70s designs: Vein-Tap explains that "the Angel of Blues has a little more gain than the old circuits"1.
The two switches are what set it apart from a stock 808-style pedal. The EQ switch chooses between the Tube Screamer-style mid-range hump and a flat response, and the clipping switch selects symmetric or asymmetric diode clipping. Vein-Tap describes how the settings pair up: "the flat boost seemed to marry well with the asymmetric clipping circuit for a loud, rude, transparent roar, and the mid" boost with symmetric clipping for the classic smooth, warm, 70s-style drive1. In the maker's words, the pedal "lets you choose between Tube Screamer-style mid boost, and a flat EQ for your boosted / overdrive tones"3.
| Switch position | Character, as described by Vein-Tap |
|---|---|
| Flat EQ + asymmetric clipping | Loud, rude, transparent roar1 |
| Mid boost + symmetric clipping | Classic, smooth, warm, 70s-style drive1 |
For readers weighing it against the pedals it descends from, the overdrive pedals page sets the Angel of Blues among the wider field. Vein-Tap's other drives include the Angel of Rock, the Holy Driver, the Dark Triad and the Saint Blues1.
Size, bypass and power on the board
The pedal measures 120 x 60 x 34 mm and weighs 0.5 kg, a standard compact footprint1. Vein-Tap states it uses true bypass switching, and points out that a lack of buffers is itself a departure from the traditional 808 circuit, which includes them1. Players who rely on the buffers in a Tube Screamer-style pedal, or who want them for driving long cable runs, should keep that difference in mind when placing it on a board.
Warranty
Vein-Tap covers the Angel of Blues with the Vein-Tap.com Lifetime Guarantee1.
Videos
Vein-Tap.com
Questions
Is the Vein-Tap Angel of Blues true bypass?
Yes. Vein-Tap states the Angel of Blues uses true bypass switching, so when the pedal is off your guitar's signal passes straight through without any circuitry in the way. That also means it adds no buffering to your chain, which Vein-Tap describes as a departure from the traditional 808 circuit, where input and output buffers are part of the design.
Does the Angel of Blues have a buffer like a Tube Screamer?
No. Vein-Tap says the Angel of Blues has a lack of buffers, which it calls another departure from the traditional 808 circuit. The original Tube Screamer design includes buffers at its input and output, so players who want that exact signal path behaviour will notice the difference. The true bypass switching means the pedal is fully out of the signal path when switched off.
How big is the Vein-Tap Angel of Blues?
Vein-Tap lists the Angel of Blues at 120 x 60 x 34 mm and a weight of 0.5 kg. That is a standard compact pedal footprint, so it sits on a pedalboard like most single-effect boxes and will not take up more room than a typical overdrive.
What warranty does Vein-Tap offer?
The Angel of Blues is covered by the Vein-Tap.com Lifetime Guarantee, according to the maker's product page. That is the warranty the maker applies to the pedal, so any questions about what it covers in practice would go to Vein-Tap directly.
Sources (3)
- Angel of Blues Overdrive Pedal, Vein-Tap.com, 2026-03-07
- Overdrive Pedal vs Amp Distortion: Which is Better?, Vein-Tap.com, 2015-05-19
- Using an Overdrive Pedal with a Distorted Amp, Vein-Tap.com, 2016-03-15
