The Electro-Harmonix Howitzer is an Electro-Harmonix overdrive pedal, currently around $131.64. Close alternatives include the Ibanez Tube King TK999OD Overdrive and the Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus. It pairs well with the PRS HX 50 Head and the Revv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head.
Electro-Harmonix Howitzer
Electro-Harmonix · pedal
The Electro-Harmonix 15W Howitzer is a compact guitar amplifier head delivering 15 watts of output power, designed for portability without sacrificing tonal quality. It features a clean channel and gain channel with independent EQ controls and an effects loop, making it suitable as a practice amp, recording head, and portable stage head. The Howitzer pairs with standard guitar speaker cabinets and produces a warm, touch-sensitive tone that responds naturally to playing dynamics. It fits blues, rock, and country applications where a compact and flexible head is practical.
What stands out
“Compact tube amplifier head used by guitarists who want genuine tube preamp saturation”
— from the community notes
“and portable stage head”
— from the listing
“The 12AX7 tube preamp stage produces the natural compression and harmonic complexity associated with vintage tube amplifier designs”
— from the reviews
“The format and format requirements limit its direct pedalboard application compared to dedicated tube preamp pedals”
— from the reviews
“Using it as a complete standalone amplifier system requires a speaker cabinet and power amplifier, adding setup complexity for players who want to use it as a pedal-style preamp”
— from the reviews
- tube
- stage
- saturation
- natural compression
- warm
- tube warmth
- classic rock
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the Electro-Harmonix Howitzer is commonly used in
Amps that pair well with the Electro-Harmonix Howitzer
PRS HX 50 Head
PRS
21% matchPRS HX 50 Head leans this transparent tone toward medium gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Comes later in the signal chain
Revv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head
Revv
21% matchInto a transparent tone, Revv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head brings a pull toward high gain that's missing
Comes later in the signal chain
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a transparent tone, Synergy SL2 Module brings a pull toward high gain that's missing
Blackstar HT Club 50 MKII
Blackstar
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Blackstar HT Club 50 MKII leans this transparent tone toward mid-forward, which it doesn't make on its own
Marshall 2203KK Kerry King JCM800
Marshall
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Marshall 2203KK Kerry King JCM800 leans this transparent tone toward mid-forward, which it doesn't make on its own
Bogner Snorkler 50
Bogner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Bogner Snorkler 50 leans this transparent tone toward medium gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass
Vox
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Vox Mini SuperBeetle Bass leans this transparent tone toward fuzzy, which it doesn't make on its own
PRS MT 15 V2 Mark Tremonti Signature 2-Channel 15W Head
PRS
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
PRS MT 15 V2 Mark Tremonti Signature 2-Channel 15W Head leans this transparent tone toward medium gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Pedals that stack with the Electro-Harmonix Howitzer
Browne Amplification Carbon
Browne Amplification
20% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Browne Amplification Carbon's bright balances out the warm tone
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
18% matchInto a transparent tone, Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature brings a pull toward low gain that's missing
Comes later in the signal chain
TC Electronic Stereo Chorus Flanger
TC Electronic
12% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run TC Electronic Stereo Chorus Flanger after Electro-Harmonix Howitzer in the signal chain, clear of Electro-Harmonix Howitzer's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
EarthQuaker Devices The Warden
EarthQuaker Devices
12% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
EarthQuaker Devices The Warden's own smooth character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay
MXR
7% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep Electro-Harmonix Howitzer's saturated voice out front: MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay goes after Electro-Harmonix Howitzer in the signal chain so its analog warmth voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Boss RV-6 Reverb
Boss
7% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put Boss RV-6 Reverb after Electro-Harmonix Howitzer in the signal chain, clear of Electro-Harmonix Howitzer's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
JHS Pedals Hard Drive Distortion
JHS Pedals
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
JHS Pedals Hard Drive Distortion goes after Electro-Harmonix Howitzer in the chain
Donner Big Mouth Distortion
Donner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a transparent tone, Donner Big Mouth Distortion brings a pull toward high gain that's missing
Cheaper alternatives
Behringer VT999 Vintage Tube Monster
Behringer
55% similarityShared character: solid state, warm, alternative
DigiTech SC-2 Valve Distortion
Digitech
53% similarityShared character: warm, classic rock, stage
Blackstar HT-Boost
Blackstar
48% similarityShared character: solid state, warm, alternative
Boutique & premium upgrades
Fender MTG LA Tube Distortion
Fender
61% similarityShared character: solid state, warm, alternative
J. Rockett Mark Sampson Max
J Rockett
56% similarityShared character: warm, classic rock
Friedman IR-D
Friedman
52% similarityShared character: studio
Lovepedal ProValve 2
Lovepedal
52% similarityShared character: warm
Mission Engineering NuAudio Nutube Velocity Overdrive/Distortion
Mission Engineering
49% similarityShared character: solid state, warm
Friedman IR-X Dual Tube Preamp
Friedman
44% similarityShared character: solid state, stage
Similar character
Ibanez Tube King TK999OD Overdrive
Ibanez
66% similarityShared character: solid state, warm, alternative
Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus
Dunlop
52% similarityShared character: warm, alternative, classic rock
Carl Martin TOD High-Gain Overdrive
Carl Martin
48% similarityShared character: warm, stage
Crazy Tube Circuits Heatseeker Pre-Amp
Crazy Tube Circuits
47% similarityShared character: warm, stage
K Pedals Vintage Preamp
K Pedals
47% similarityShared character: warm, studio, stage
MXR EP3 Echoplex Preamp
MXR
41% similarityShared character: warm, stage
See all alternatives to the Electro-Harmonix Howitzer (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Electro-Harmonix Howitzer?+
The closest matches in character are the Ibanez Tube King TK999OD Overdrive, the Dunlop MXR Distortion Plus, the Carl Martin TOD High-Gain Overdrive. Budget picks: Behringer VT999 Vintage Tube Monster, DigiTech SC-2 Valve Distortion, Blackstar HT-Boost. Boutique upgrades: Fender MTG LA Tube Distortion, J. Rockett Mark Sampson Max, Friedman IR-D.
What pairs well with the Electro-Harmonix Howitzer?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: PRS HX 50 Head, Revv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head, Synergy SL2 Module — PRS HX 50 Head leans this transparent tone toward medium gain, which it doesn't make on its own.
How much does the Electro-Harmonix Howitzer cost?+
Around $131.64 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).