Original price was: €340.00.€289.00Current price is: €289.00.
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In stock
We have a limited quantity of B-stock The Engine pedals available. These units are brand new, never used, and sonically identical to our standard model. Each pedal is fully functional and has passed the same rigorous testing as every other DryBell product. The only reason they are marked as B-stock is due to minor cosmetic imperfections like small flaws in the powder coating, light scratches, or slightly imperfect silkscreen.
But rest assured, you will still get a fantastic sound, the full DryBell warranty, and a 15% discount!
Unleash raw power and distinct voicing inspired by legendary late 60’s to early 80’s British non‑master volume amps and their sounds, without the ear‑splitting volume.
The Engine is your go‑to pedal for any stage, masterfully voiced to deliver a massive range of iconic rock overdriven tones on various rigs.
Key Features of two all-analog sections:
Proven on stages worldwide, this compact dual pedal delivers legendary British tones at reasonable volumes. Seamlessly integrates with any rig, from vintage tube amps to modern modeling setups. A great, transparent (if desired) pedal platform. Stack your drives/fuzzes with an overdriven foundation and expect great harmonic richness and musicality. Your fuzzes will sound like never before!
By stacking two channels – (A) Overdrive/Distortion and (B) its versatile EQ, Rangemaster‑style and Clean boost shared channel – it’s a highly flexible tool for crafting your unique arsenal of rhythm and cutting lead tones. From vintage amp breakup tones, hard rock/metal distortion, or a new, dirty foundation for your rig, The Engine is a must‑have for musicians aiming to achieve those celebrated British tones on a variety of amps.
The Engine takes you on a journey into the heart of classic British amp tones, all at manageable volumes.
Explore its versatile features with simple controls and discover the tonal possibilities of stacking, EQ-ing and (treble) boosting. Finally, find out for yourself why playing through it is a truly special experience – on stage, at home or in the studio.
Get The Engine directly from our DryBell webshop and enjoy an exclusive leather keychain pick holder – a handmade gift we’ve been giving our direct customers since we started.
With two stackable channels, The Engine unlocks endless tonal variations. For truly inspiring results, engage and combine both channels to unleash a massive array of incredibly rich diverse tones.
For optimal tone and response match the (A) overdrive channel's volume to your amp's volume when using it, whether independently or stacked with the B-side.
Dial in the perfect amount of saturation you want, from subtle crunch to roaring distortion with a simple twist of the knob. Responsive to your pick attack and guitar's volume like a real vintage non-master volume amp.
Adjust the brightness and presence of the overdrive. Roll it back for a warm, mellow sound, or turn it clockwise for a brighter cutting edge.
Shape the midrange character of your tone. From a smoother, more laid-back sound to a full-bodied present tone. The most powerful control for adjusting the voice of the overdrive or foundation tone with any amp.
Boost or reduce the output level of EQ/Boost channel B. Enjoy remarkably high headroom and a distortion-free clean boost (22dB), with unity gain at 10 o'clock.
Control specifically chosen mids with a Rangemaster-style boost for classic “treble-boosted“ amp tones. This control adds that unmistakable midrange magic that made the tone of legends like Brian May and Rory Gallagher famous. Perfect for adding clarity, definition and pushing your guitar through the mix.
Choose your stacking order to dial in the exact tone you're looking for: Get „more gain“ by placing the EQ/Boost before Overdrive (B > A), or „more volume“ by placing EQ/Boost after Overdrive (A > B).
“This is probably the best overdrive pedal I’ve tried in many many years! It really feels like I’m playing a real tube amp. One thing I often miss in Marshall modelled pedals is that they either lack the low end or that the mids are either too low or too high. The Engine is perfectly balanced, with that low end chug and the mids right where they should be…”
– Bjørn Riis
AirBag, Norwegian prog-rock band & Gilmourish.com
Detailed Description
As mentioned earlier, The Engine E‑1 draws inspiration from the iconic sounds of British amps from the late '60s to early '80s, a period that evolved rock 'n' roll from its roots to its heavier, more aggressive forms.
These early amp tones, heard on countless recordings we all love, were achieved by cranking up non-master volume amps. It was a time when everyone played LOUD and if you wanted your amp to distort, you simply turned it up.
While this produced incredible tones, it also meant high volumes, often impractical for musicians and sound engineers. Balancing volume and achieving rich overdriven tone, especially in live situations, was a challenge. The Engine enables you to get that tone at any chosen volume for your performance and rig configuration.
For the past 30 years we’ve been playing amps like these live, we know every nuance of their sound, feel, and response, especially through 4x12 cabinets. We've naturally taken all that sonic expertise and built it into The Engine to create a unique sonic tool for you.
The Engine delivers that cranked British tube-like analog distortion on any amp, at reasonable volumes. From intimate practice sessions to full-blown stadium gigs, experience the raw, responsive, and inspiring sonic power of The Engine - the iconic rock tones that have fueled generations of music.
In this era that defined rock music, guitarists often used boost units to push their amps into more distortion. Therefore The Engine includes a very special EQ/Boost section inspired by "treble boosted" amp tones, akin to legends like Eric Clapton, Brian May, Rory Gallagher, Tony Iommi, etc. The Engine goes beyond typical "British Amp in a Box" pedals; it delivers overdriven sounds those early amps couldn't have achieved without a treble booster. A great example is the Dallas Rangemaster.
With its versatile EQ/Boost (section B), The Engine captures the tonal essence of boosted amps, offering their coveted clarity and presence while maintaining manageable volume in every modern situation.
The Engine excels with a clean amp platform, but it's far from limited to just that. Explore its multiple possibilities – whether as your always-on tone foundation, a dynamic overdrive/distortion, or a versatile booster.
The Engine's tonal versatility lies in its ability to blend amp-like overdrive /distortion with expressive EQ and a high-volume boost, offering endless combinations to sculpt your unique foundation tone – that’s the main concept. This unique design philosophy is why The Engine bears the label 'Foundation Preamp'.
Experienced musicians know the power of versatile pedal platforms; you'll find endless inspiration stacking your other pedals with The Engine. This is where the real tonal magic happens and The Engine is a step forward with its integrated ‘treble’ booster. With The Engine, the possibilities for crafting your signature sound are limitless.
To use The Engine as a Foundation Preamp, start by setting your amp to a clean tone and placing the pedal in front of it. Consider leaving some headroom on your amp for the B-side’s EQ/Boost capabilities when needed. Set your amp to a flat EQ, where all frequencies are balanced.
Adjust your amp's volume to the desired level, engage the A-side and match its volume to your amp’s volume. Then, dial in a slightly dirty or more overdriven tone on The Engine's A-side, which becomes your British "always on" foundation tone, stackable with the B-side. Read more about setting up foundation tone in our blog below.
The settings above create a gritty, amp-like, and inspiring foundation – the perfect platform for stacking other effects or simply enjoying its standalone tone. The Engine will dramatically enrich the sound of your entire pedalboard. Such a setup harmonically enhances everything from drives and fuzzes to modulation.
For example, placing a Uni-Vibe style pedal in front of The Engine creates that famous 'Hendrix-like' harmonic richness, impossible to get with just a clean amp.
For more tips on setting up your amp and guitar for foundation tone, check out our blog below.
The Engine excels not only as a foundation preamp but also as a versatile standalone booster, overdrive, or distortion. Achieve transparent or colored tones by engaging either channel independently or combining them for a wider range of sounds. The key difference between foundation and standalone modes is footswitch usage.
In foundation mode, the pedal is always active, providing a consistent tonal base. In standalone mode, you can toggle each channel on or off individually, or combine them by pressing both footswitches simultaneously.
Experiment with the stacking order of both A and B sides with the Order switch. Achieve different tonal results by adding a clean boost, Rangemaster-style midrange push, or precise bass/treble EQ shaping, before or after overdrive. It's a very handy feature, just push the button.
With all these powerful features and flexible design, The Engine is ready to fuel your next sonic adventure.
Embark on a sonic journey into the heart of British rock tone with The Engine. This versatile pedal empowers you to explore, experiment and express your unique musical voice. Take the next step – order The Engine now!
In stock
The Engine ships with a gift directly from our workshop in Croatia.
Choose Standard or Express insured DHL delivery for international orders, typically arriving in 2-3 working days.
Receive a tracking number to follow The Engine's journey.
Orders typically ship within one working day for speedy delivery.
DryBell is not responsible for any import taxes, customs charges, or administration fees in countries outside of the EU
See our Shipping Policy & Return Policy.
In stock
9V/100mA standard power supply (not included).
Works also at 18V, then the A-side offers increased headroom. B-side doesn't change its tone at 18V.
No
Dual-channel design with a pushbutton Order switch for flexible signal routing.
Level A, Gain, Tone, Shape, Level B, Range, Low, High
900kΩ/1kHz
250 Ω/1kHz
53.0 dB/mid-range freq.
41.0 dB/mid-range freq.
Buffered, both channels share high-headroom, low-noise, and full bandwidth buffer.
120 x 95 x 35 mm /
4,72 x 3,74 x 1,38 inch
0,43 kg / 0,95 lb
Dark blue metallic matte / powder coated
Consult User Manual.
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The Engine™ is a trademark of DryBell Guitar Effects.
