Big Joe Stomp Box Co. B-309 Texas Screamer Overdrive

Sometimes, you want an overdrive pedal to capture ONE sound, and ONE sound only. While the different controls allow for some slight variation on this theme, certain drives just have “that sound” you’re after, and that’s all they’re really gonna sound like. The folks over at Big Joe Stomp Box Company had just that in mind when they worked in collaboration with the great Johnny Winter to create the Texas Screamer Overdrive.

Gain, Tone and Level make up the controls here, as they do on a lot of overdrives. The Gain range is really nice on the Texas Screamer, from a low, rumbling boost to a great bluesy crunch when cranked up. Not too heavy or powerful, this pedal will push your amp into blues heaven with ease. The Tone knob also boasts a great range curve, and while the lows aren’t too muddy, the high end is where this pedal really adds some sparkle and shine to your tone. Plenty of output in the Level control, too, so you’ll never have to worry about getting drowned out by an overzealous drummer or low-end bombing bassist.

Apparently, Johnny wanted to get back the “punch and crunch” sound that had made him famous, and wanted it provided to him (and all of us) in pedal form. After listening to over 30 different prototypes, his tone was back and he was ready to rock! The graphics on this pedal are from one of his tattoos, so you know that this really is a true signature model pedal. Sadly, Johnny passed away last summer, before the pedal’s release, but I’m pretty sure he would have been super proud of the work the gang at Big Joe Stomp Box Company have done. This is a great homage to a great guitar player, and is a fitting tribute to his style and sound. Make sure to check out Big Joe’s other pedals as well, they’ve got a ton of great gear waiting to be heard!