Information
1981 Inventions
The DRV is a distortion pedal, based on another pedal with a whiteface graphic. I have been working on this project for the better part of three years, as a collaboration and with engineering by Jon Ashley of Bondi Effects. I feel that the pedal is unique in design and sonically unlike anything I have ever heard, especially in the lower gain and boost settings. There is a subtlety that feels more like a vintage pedal than a modification of a classic. There are two circuits present in the pedal, one distortion and one preamp boost, running at 18v via an internal voltage regulator. I made this pedal with the idea to create a distinction for my own sound, and what I found is that it is an extremely useful tool for capturing a lot of different types of sounds. I am most proud of the lower gain side, as I feel it is the most unique section of the pedal, but I must also include that the gain section is extremely sweet sounding throughout, especially for heavy and complex chords. There is a midrange punch that I love and a warmth and thickness that reminds me a bit of a ribbon mic. When the development of this pedal turned into something new and unique, it became the catalyst to starting 1981 Inventions, so I decided to make this the first official release.
A uniquely designed steel enclosure made with quality components throughout. My goal was to spare no expense. I realize that sometimes in the world of guitar gear, there isn’t always one answer in choosing the best components and designs, so I just picked my favorites. This includes Switchcraft 11 open frame jacks and a super quiet soft touch switching system via an internal relay.
These pedals are entirely built by me, with some help on the circuit boards from my trusted pal Jeff Hime.
Runs on 9v standard (boss style) power. Battery clip or power supply is not included. An isolated power supply is recommended.
Video
(2018-07-09) 1981 Inventions DRV Pedal Demo w/ Humbuckers by Guitar Pedal Guru
(2018-08-01) 1981 Inventions DRV by Shnobel Tone
(2018-08-01) 1981 Inventions DRV vs 1985 ProCo RAT by Shnobel Tone
(2018-08-03) 1981 Inventions DRV by Curtis Kent Toneworks
(2018-08-03) 1981 Inventions DRV vs Analogman King of Tone by Shnobel Tone
(2018-08-06) 1981 Inventions DRV vs Foxpedal Wrath by Shnobel Tone
(2018-08-16) 1981 Inventions DRV vs 6 Degrees Fx R3 Distortion by Shnobel Tone
(2018-08-27) Secret Weapons | Tracing Circles #85 1981 Inventions DRV by Marc Johnston
(2018-08-28) Secret Weapons | Tracing Circles #86 1981 Inventions DRV by Marc Johnston
(2018-09-07) 1981 Inventions DRV vs JHS Pedals the AT Andy Timmons by Shnobel Tone
(2018-09-28) 1981 Inventions DRV Overdrive Distortion by PedalOfTheDay
(2018-12-24) 1981 Inventions DRV Blackout (demo) by Aaron Sternke
(2019-06-21) 1981 Inventions DRV No.3: The King of Dirt Pedals by Pedalboard of the Day
(2019-07-17) Does it Shoegaze? | 1981 INVENTIONS DRV PEDAL by Pedal Partners
(2019-08-26) 1981 Inventions DRV by Distortion LTD
(2019-08-28) Mattoverse DroneTone MKIII into the DRV from 1981 Inventions - Full Gain Clip by Mattoverse Electronics
(2019-09-06) #5 1981 Inventions - DRV by Ponderer Sounds
(2019-09-07) Mattoverse DroneTone MKIII into the DRV from 1981 Inventions by Mattoverse Electronics
(2019-09-20) Smooth, distorted tones from the 1981 Inventions DRV | Guitar.com by The Guitar Magazine
(2019-09-22) Sunday Morning DRV with the Mattoverse DroneTone MKIII into the DRV from 1981 Inventions by Mattoverse Electronics
(2019-09-28) 1981 Inventions DRV Demo (no talking) by Get Offset
(2019-10-13) One more Sunday Drive, now with Jellyfish - Drone Tone MKIII into the DRV from 1981 Inventions by Mattoverse Electronics
(2019-12-31) 1981 DRV x Quiet Theory Prelude by Edge Of Breakup
(2020-01-11) Strymon Iridium + 1981 Inventions DRV | No Talk, All Tone by Pedalboard of the Day
(2020-04-04) 1981 Inventions DRV | Harsh Tones & Baritones Demo by Harsh Tones, Inc.
(2020-05-07) 1981 Inventions DRV vs Browne Amplification Protein by Shnobel Tone
(2020-06-07) 1981 Inventions DRV || Demo by Noise Generator
(2020-08-25) HUMBUCKERS VS P90s. EPIC LES PAUL BATTLE!! Feat. 1981 Inventions DRV by Buddy Blues
(2020-08-31) 1981 Inventions DRV vs Klon KTR by Shnobel Tone
(2020-09-01) 1981 Inventions DRV vs Vemuram Jan Ray by Shnobel Tone
(2020-09-16) 1981 Inventions DRV vs PettyJohn ROUS by Shnobel Tone
(2020-10-06) 1981 Inventions DRV - What's The Hype? Is This The Best Distortion Pedal? by Buddy Blues
(2020-11-14) Using Chorus and Distortion - Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water & 1981 Inventions DRV by Edge Of Breakup
(2020-12-11) BACK TO THE FUTURE in... 1981 | 1981 Inventions DRV pedal Review by The Autistic Guitarist
(2021-02-01) 1981 Inventions DRV Demo by Megan L.
(2021-02-05) 1981 Inventions DRV vs Skrydstrup DST1 by Shnobel Tone
(2021-03-23) 1981 Inventions DRV vs BJPRESS Range 84 by Shnobel Tone
(2021-04-08) Sound Study // 1981 Inventions - DRV by collector//emitter
(2021-05-09) 1981 Inventions DRV by Mind The G.A.S.
(2021-10-27) The 1981 Drive Review | Working Class Music by Working Class Music
(2021-11-03) I CAN'T GUITAR - 11/3/21 - Post-metal jam w Serpens + Noodles + 1981Inventions DRV + Strymon BlueSky by Ground Control Audio
(2021-11-07) 1981 DRV vs. JHS Packrat WHT Face mode by Livingroom Demos
(2021-11-08) Big rock tonez with the 1981 Inventions DRV by Harsh Tones, Inc.
(2021-11-30) Shnobel Tone Ratatouille vs 1981 Inventions DRV by Shnobel Tone
(2022-01-21) 1981 Inventions DRV - Still The BEST Distortion Pedal In 2022? by B's Music Shop
(2022-03-23) 1981 Inventions DRV gets thrash adjacent ?? by Harsh Tones, Inc.
(2022-03-27) Walrus Audio Iron Horse V3 vs 1981 Inventions DRV by Shnobel Tone
(2022-03-30) JHS Pack Rat vs 1981 Inventions DRV by Shnobel Tone
(2022-07-14) My most used drive EVER - 1981 Inventions DRV | Secret Weapons Demo & Review by Marc Johnston
(2022-08-04) 1981 Inventions DRV: The 'boutique Rat' and why it isn't a boutique Rat by Dickie's 90-Second Pedal Demos
(2022-08-31) A brief moment with the 1981 Inventions DRV by Ambient Trash
(2023-04-26) Monk Sound Check 1981 Inventions DRV Hyperfade by Pedal Monk
(2024-05-11) 1981 DRV Still Hits Hard by Pedalboard of the Day
Reviews
myFXDB user reviews
1 review, average score of
| Date | User | Version | Score | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-05-07 | Medic05 | V.2 Blackout | 9/10 | Keeps that tight bottom end with sparkling highs on low-mid gain and beyond with Humbuckers. | ... |

