The Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm is a Catalinbread overdrive pedal, currently around $111.99. Close alternatives include the Tech 21 Boost DLA and the JHS Kirkland Custom Boost. It pairs well with the PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head and the Bad Cat Cub.
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.
- boost
- boutique
- consistent
- specific tonal character
- specific amplifier character
- live
- catalinbread tonal approach
- compact live rigs
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm is commonly used in
Amps that pair well with the Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm
PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head
PRS
12% matchWhat PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head brings here leans toward dynamic — that's worth building a pairing around
Bad Cat Cub
Bad Cat
12% matchBad Cat Cub's own harmonically rich character is the real reason this is worth trying
Peavey Invective 120
Peavey
tonal matchPeavey Invective 120 pushes a higher-gain pedal harder
Gallien-Krueger Fusion 210
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchGallien-Krueger Fusion 210 tightens a saturated voice
Ceriatone HRM 50
Ceriatone
tonal matchCeriatone HRM 50 tightens and focuses this high-gain tone with a mid-forward boost
Magnatone Super Fifteen 15W Head
Magnatone
tonal matchMagnatone Super Fifteen 15W Head tightens a saturated voice
Ceriatone Overtone Special HRM Bluesmaster 50
Ceriatone
tonal matchCeriatone Overtone Special HRM Bluesmaster 50 tightens and focuses this high-gain tone with a mid-forward boost
Gallien-Krueger Fusion 212
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchGallien-Krueger Fusion 212 warms up and rounds off a bright tone
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
Catalinbread Formula 5F6
Catalinbread
8% matchCatalinbread Formula 5F6's own harmonically rich character is the real reason this is worth trying
Walrus Audio Julia
Walrus Audio
6% matchPut Walrus Audio Julia after Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm in the signal chain, clear of Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm's own gain stage
Pigtronix Philosophers Tone Optical Compressor
Pigtronix
6% matchPigtronix Philosophers Tone Optical Compressor leans toward transparent, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Alexander Pedals Radical Delay
Alexander Pedals
5% matchAlexander Pedals Radical 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)
Caroline Guitar Company Meteore
Caroline Guitar Company
5% matchRun Caroline Guitar Company Meteore 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)
Spaceman Effects Atlas IV
Spaceman
tonal matchSpaceman Effects Atlas IV drives a saturated tone harder
Wampler Cory Wong
Wampler
tonal matchWampler Cory Wong drives a saturated tone harder
Boutique & premium upgrades
Walrus Audio Waleon
Walrus Audio
64% similarityShared character: s_build_quality, boutique_stuff
GFI System Jonassus Overdrive
Gfi System
61% similarityShared character: boost, boutique_stuff
Catalinbread Formula No.55
Catalinbread
89% similaritysimilar tone character
Catalinbread Epoch Bias
Catalinbread
88% similaritysimilar tone character
Jackson Audio The Optimist Warped
Jackson Audio
87% similaritysimilar tone character
Subdecay Vector
Subdecay
86% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Tech 21 Boost DLA
Tech 21
64% similarityShared character: boost
JHS Kirkland Custom Boost
pedal
62% similarityShared character: s_build_quality, boost
Hornby Skewes Treble Booster
pedal
61% similarityShared character: boost
Wampler Pedals Tweed '57
Wampler
60% similaritySimilar role and voicing
Cornerstone Antique V3
Cornerstone
89% similaritysimilar tone character
Keeley KE-Suprod
Keeley
88% similaritysimilar tone character
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 Tech 21 Boost DLA, the JHS Kirkland Custom Boost, the Hornby Skewes Treble Booster. Boutique upgrades: Walrus Audio Waleon, GFI System Jonassus Overdrive, Catalinbread Formula No.55.
What pairs well with the Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head, Bad Cat Cub, Peavey Invective 120 — What PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head brings here leans toward dynamic — that's worth building a pairing around.
How much does the Catalinbread StarCrash SideArm cost?+
Around $111.99 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).