Xotic SL Drive Stomp Box Effects Pedal w (2) 6" Patch Cables

I received my Xotic SL Drive this past Friday, and was able to spend most of my Saturday getting up close and personal with this nifty little box. Here is my humble review after spending a day with this touted "Plexi-in-a-Box".First of all, some info on my gear setup. I use an EMG-equipped Strat and a stock Epi Les Paul PRO. I put the SL Drive behind my fuzz pedals but in front of my mods/delays/reverbs. Everything runs into the front end of my Bugera V55 head and Music Man 2x12" cab.Within minutes, I had completely NAILED Jimmy Page's live sound, which - I'll be honest - was pretty much the only reason I bought this pedal. However, once I started tweaking the internal DIP switches, I came to realize just how close this pedal can come to approximating not only the sound, but the FEEL of a vintage Super Lead or Super Bass. Even with the gain knob turned all the way down, it added a deepness to my sound that I've never been able to achieve.Speaking of the gain knob, it almost seems almost pointless to turn it above the 12 o' clock position as it doesn't really get any more overdriven. It just takes on a fizziness in the top end that I actually found desirable for certain riffs. That being said, the tone knob on this box is much more useful than on most drive boxes. This is not a high-gain pedal by any means, but if you own a simple boost pedal (like Xotic's own fantastic EP Booster), putting it in front of this box should push you into shred heaven! My only real gripe (as with most other reviews I've read) is that the DIP switches are not easily accessible. If you see this being an issue, then the Catalinbread DLS and Wampler Plexi-Drive are good (but much more expensive) alternatives.Minor issues aside, my personal favorite setting was the Super Lead with the High/Mid Cut engaged (switches 1, 3, and 4 in the On position). It seemed to favor both my humbuckers and my single coils about equally, with no real harshness in the high end or flabbiness in the low end.All in all, this pedal captures better than most the essence of a real, screaming Super Lead or a warm and thumpy Super Bass, no matter what kind of guitar/amp combo you are running. All of those sweet Marshall tones from the 60's and 70's are now available in a rugged little stompbox that can literally fit in your back pocket. In my opinion, the price tag seems a bit high for a drive box, but considering what you'd pay to own an actual vintage Marshall, this home run from Xotic is worth every shiny penny!

Excellent vendor. Fast shipping, good packaging.This is my second Xotic pedal. Really taken by the quality of these mini pedals. To my average, home-noodler ears, this pedal gives my Blues Junior NOS a distinctly Marshalesque tone.Hotter than the Wampler at low volumesOkay for chimey Hendrix stuff, but not as good for that as the Wampler Plexi-Drive in that department. For serious drive and old school gain, this pedal is much hotter than the Wampler -- and it's easy to play high-gain at low volume bedroom practice. Doesn't clean up as much as the Wampler, nor does it have the same degree of sparkle/chime, but they emulate two different amps.The Wampler is more sparkly, with amazing bass (thanks to the bass toggle). Superior cleans.The Xotic SL is a different animal. I find they work together nicely, by the way. It's a fantastic pedal.I didn't expect so much gain from this pedal so I'll be selling my Mooer Ultra Drive MKII, which is a great distortion pedal--but not good for low volume gain. Did not think this SuperLead would serve up more growl and crunch than a DS-1 Keely clone.Love the small form factor and attractive design. It's eye candy. Like my Xotic SP, it's also a small brick -- very solid. And unlike many micro pedals, the Xotics have a battery bay. Haven't fiddled with the internal dip switches; I like the stock tones. Seems to play nice with my other pedals.Right now this is my go-to overdrive pedal. Thought I'd use my Klon Centaur clone more, but the SL is becoming the always-on pedal.Tested with MIA Strat and Blues Junior NOS.

Very nice drive pedal! I wanted an always-on drive for my mini pedal board and was a little worried this would be a medium to high-gain only pedal. I am happy to report this pedal can do low gain crunch and edge-of-breakup sounds very nicely and cleans up very well with soft pick attack and guitar volume roll-off. Sounds good with small amps, too - I tried it with an inexpensive Champion 600 in SB mode and it makes the amp sound much bigger.

This is a great pedal, its only 1.5 inches long and about 3 inches long but wow this pedal just sings! i use my tele through a fender deluxe reverb and it gives it an amazing low breakup to classic marshall roar. its very touch sensitive and a perfect pair with other overdrives. if you remove the bottom there are different switches to adjust some eq settings, this is a really great feature and I've been able to adjust the tiny switches to just how i like it. Overall, small space,built like a tank and killer sound, highly recommended!

Excellent effects pedal, amazing sound!It delivers great distor with a blues jr and stratocaster professional.Arrived in perfect condition, delivery was fast with very professional follow up, I order it international to Mexico.

One of the best plexi style pedalsI bought all of them and if i have to chooseThis comes in second favorite

Excellent pedal with very nice control over distortion. Like the reduced unit size. Works well as an extra boost with amp already set to distorted level.

Very happy with this tiny beast! All that punch and crunch in one tiny box! Thumbs Up great work XOTIC!!!