Fortin Amplification 33 vs Free The Tone IF-1D
The Fortin Amplification 33 and the Free The Tone IF-1D are both pedals. The Fortin Amplification 33 leans high gain and tight. The Free The Tone IF-1D leans fuzzy and crunchy. Current prices: $174.99 vs $159.
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Blended from circuit-archetype lineage, dynamic feel, tone-signal overlap and tone-vector distance — the tone vector itself is derived from editorial description text, not a measured acoustic signal, so this reflects how similarly the catalog copy describes the two, not a lab measurement. Shown only within a gear class, and only where there's enough evidence to be meaningful.35% — somewhat different
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Genres both listings are associated with.- Metal
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Citation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.$174.99via Reverb
$159via Reverb
The Fortin Amplification 33 is a gain boost and preamp pedal from Canadian boutique metal gear specialist Fortin Amplification, designed specifically to tighten, enhance, and drive high-gain amplifiers and distortion pedals for modern metal applications. The 33 adds gain and high-frequency definition to the guitar signal, producing a tighter, more articulate attack on distorted amplifiers and helping single-notes cut through the dense low-end of heavy metal. Jeff Loomis, Mark Holcomb, and other technical metal players have used the Fortin 33 to push their amplifier front ends for tighter, more defined high-gain tones.
The Free The Tone IF-1D Iron Forest is a high-gain distortion pedal from Tokyo builder Free The Tone, voiced toward modern hard rock and metal rather than vintage grit. Four controls -- Level, Gain, Bass and Treble -- set a tight, focused distortion with a bright top end and a sharp, percussive pick attack that keeps fast riffing articulate instead of smearing. Gain runs from thick rhythm crunch up to saturated, sustaining lead tones, and the two-band EQ lets players scoop or thicken the midrange to sit against a dense mix. The IF-1D uses Free The Tone's HTS (Holistic Tonal Solution) buffer circuit, which preserves high-frequency detail and low-end tightness through long cable runs and complex pedalboards. It suits players wanting an aggressive, articulate distortion with plenty of sustain and a defined, cutting character.
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Genres this gear is documented as being used in.- Alternative Rock
- Rock
- Hard Rock
- high gain
- tight
- fuzzy
- crunchy
- full
- mid-forward
- sustaining