The Electro-Harmonix Howitzer is an Electro-Harmonix overdrive pedal, currently around $136.89. Close alternatives include the Vox Valvenergy Mystic Edge and the Ibanez Tube King TK999OD Overdrive. It pairs well with the Hiwatt Custom DR20H and the PRS HX 100 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.
- tube
- preamp
- blues
- saturation
- warm
- classic rock
- dynamic
- compressed
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Electro-Harmonix Howitzer is commonly used in
Amps that pair well with the Electro-Harmonix Howitzer
Hiwatt Custom DR20H
Hiwatt
29% matchHiwatt Custom DR20H pushes a saturated tone toward tight
PRS HX 100 Head
PRS
26% matchRun PRS HX 100 Head after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Soldano SLO-30 2-Channel 30W 1x12 Combo
Soldano
tonal matchRun Soldano SLO-30 2-Channel 30W 1x12 Combo after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Friedman Plex Head with 4x12 Cabinet
Friedman
tonal matchFriedman Plex Head with 4x12 Cabinet's bright balances out the warm tone
Peavey MiniMAX II Bass Head
Peavey
tonal matchStack Peavey MiniMAX II Bass Head on top and a saturated tone tightens toward tight
Mesa Boogie Stiletto Deuce 50/100W Tube Head
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchWhere this leans warm, Mesa Boogie Stiletto Deuce 50/100W Tube Head answers back bright
Hiwatt Leeds AC60
Hiwatt
tonal matchRun Hiwatt Leeds AC60 after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Boss Waza-Air
Boss
tonal matchWhere this leans warm, Boss Waza-Air answers back bright
Pedals that stack with the Electro-Harmonix Howitzer
Paul Cochrane Timmy
Paul Cochrane
16% matchWhere this leans warm, Paul Cochrane Timmy answers back bright
Browne Amplification Carbon
Browne Amplification
16% matchBrowne Amplification Carbon's bright balances out the warm tone
Walrus Audio Lillian
Walrus Audio
11% matchKeep Walrus Audio Lillian after Electro-Harmonix Howitzer in the signal chain, clear of Electro-Harmonix Howitzer's own gain stage
Roland Corp US LMB-3
Roland
10% matchRoland Corp US LMB-3's own bright character is the real reason this is worth trying
Strymon El Capistan
Strymon
7% matchStrymon El Capistan's transparent voice goes after Electro-Harmonix Howitzer in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Electro-Harmonix Howitzer's own saturated character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Alexander Pedals History Lesson Vol. 2
Alexander Pedals
7% matchKeep Alexander Pedals History Lesson Vol. 2 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)
Boss GEB-7 Bass Graphic EQ
Roland
tonal matchWhere this leans warm, Boss GEB-7 Bass Graphic EQ answers back bright
TC Electronic Spark Booster
TC Electronic
tonal matchTC Electronic Spark Booster takes that saturated character and pushes it toward clean boost
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Friedman IR-J Jake E. Lee Preamp
Friedman
67% similarityShared character: touch, preamp
Hermida Zendrive
Hermida
67% similarityShared character: touch, preamp, live
Benson Amps Portable Distortion 424 MKII
Benson Amps
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Friedman IR-D
Friedman
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Crazy Tube Circuits Orama
Crazy Tube Circuits
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Lovepedal ProValve 2
Lovepedal
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Vox Valvenergy Mystic Edge
Vox
70% similarityShared character: solid_state, touch, classic_rock
Ibanez Tube King TK999OD Overdrive
Ibanez
69% similarityShared character: solid_state, classic_rock, warm
Univox UD-50 Uni-Drive
pedal
68% similarityShared character: classic_rock, warm, live
MXR CSP039 Duke of Tone Overdrive
MXR
67% similarityShared character: touch, classic_rock, warm
Colorsound Power Boost
Colorsound
67% similarityShared character: touch, warm, preamp
ISP Technologies Theta Preamp Distortion
Isp Technologies
64% similarityShared character: live_use, practice, preamp
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 Vox Valvenergy Mystic Edge, the Ibanez Tube King TK999OD Overdrive, the Univox UD-50 Uni-Drive. Budget picks: 67Audio Harry Balz, Fender Breakup Drive, Black Country Customs Monolith. Boutique upgrades: Friedman IR-J Jake E. Lee Preamp, Hermida Zendrive, Benson Amps Portable Distortion 424 MKII.
What pairs well with the Electro-Harmonix Howitzer?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Hiwatt Custom DR20H, PRS HX 100 Head, Soldano SLO-30 2-Channel 30W 1x12 Combo — Hiwatt Custom DR20H pushes a saturated tone toward tight.
How much does the Electro-Harmonix Howitzer cost?+
Around $136.89 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
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