The Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm is a Catalinbread overdrive pedal, currently around $103.99. Close alternatives include the Mooer 001 and the Mooer 007. It pairs well with the Milkman Sound Pint 10W and the Milkman Sound Half Pint 5W 1x12 Combo.
Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm
Catalinbread · pedal
The Catalinbread Starcrash Sidearm is a compact utility pedal from the Portland boutique effects builder, designed as a smaller sidearm format of the Starcrash circuit. The Starcrash is part of Catalinbread's range of gain and boost tools built with their amp-voicing philosophy of capturing specific amplifier character and tonal behavior. The Sidearm designation indicates a companion or alternate-footprint version of the main circuit. Best suited for players seeking a compact boutique gain or boost tool from the Catalinbread lineup with the builder's characteristic amp-aware tonal design.
What stands out
“which is consistent with catalinbread naming conventions for compact secondary editions”
— from the community notes
“The Starcrash is part of Catalinbread's range of gain and boost tools built with their amp-voicing philosophy of capturing specific amplifier character and tonal behavior”
— from the listing
“Valued as a compact alternative to the full Starcrash design for players who want the Catalinbread tonal approach in a smaller enclosure”
— from the community notes
“The Sidearm format is appreciated by players building compact live rigs”
— from the community notes
“Catalinbread design philosophy of amp-aware circuit voicing applies throughout the Starcrash line”
— from the community notes
- consistent
- specific amplifier character
- full
- catalinbread tonal approach
- tonal behavior
- compact alternative
- compact live rigs
- amp aware circuit voicing
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm is commonly used in
Amps that pair well with the Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm
Milkman Sound Pint 10W
Milkman Sound
11% matchMilkman Sound Pint 10W leans toward high headroom, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Milkman Sound Half Pint 5W 1x12 Combo
Milkman Sound
11% matchMilkman Sound Half Pint 5W 1x12 Combo's own edge of breakup character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Pedals that stack with the Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm
Benson Amps Stonk BOX
Benson Amps
8% matchWhat Benson Amps Stonk BOX brings here leans toward germanium — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
Colorsound Power Boost
Colorsound
8% matchColorsound Power Boost leans toward bright, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress
Electro-Harmonix
7% matchKeep Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress after Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm in the signal chain, clear of Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
Ashdown Macchiato Compressor Guy Pratt Signature
Ashdown
6% matchAshdown Macchiato Compressor Guy Pratt Signature leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Boss DD-7 Digital Delay
Boss
5% matchBoss DD-7 Digital Delay's pristine voice goes after Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm's own full character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Boss DM-2 Delay
Boss
5% matchRun Boss DM-2 Delay after Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm in the signal chain, clear of Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
One Control Fluorescent Orange
One Control
61% similaritySimilar role and voicing
Friedman Golden Pearl Overdrive
Friedman
57% similaritySimilar voicing: full
Catalinbread Formula No.55
Catalinbread
55% similaritySimilar voicing: full
GFI System Jonassus Overdrive
Gfi System
53% similaritySimilar voicing: full
JAM Pedals Rattler mk.2 Distortion
Jam Pedals
49% similarityShared character: alternative
Catalinbread Airstrip CB-Range Overdrive Preamp
Catalinbread
48% similarityShared character: full
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Mooer 001
Mooer
60% similaritySimilar role and voicing
Mooer 007
Mooer
58% similaritySimilar role and voicing
Beetronics Overhive Custom Skulls
Beetronics
57% similaritySimilar voicing: full
Diezel Herbert Overdrive/Distortion/Preamp
Diezel
56% similarityShared character: full
Ibanez SM Mini Super Metal Distortion
Ibanez
56% similaritySimilar voicing: full
Fairfield Circuitry The Barbershop OD3
Fairfield Circuitry
52% similaritySimilar voicing: full
See all alternatives to the Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm?+
The closest matches in character are the Mooer 001, the Mooer 007, the Beetronics Overhive Custom Skulls. Budget picks: Mooer 020 Blueno Micro Preamp. Boutique upgrades: One Control Fluorescent Orange, Friedman Golden Pearl Overdrive, Catalinbread Formula No.55.
What pairs well with the Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Milkman Sound Pint 10W, Milkman Sound Half Pint 5W 1x12 Combo, Benson Amps Stonk BOX — Milkman Sound Pint 10W leans toward high headroom, and that's a real, usable character to pair with.
How much does the Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm cost?+
Around $103.99 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).