The Fortin Amplification 33 is a Fortin Amplification overdrive pedal, currently around $174.99. Close alternatives include the Wampler Dracarys and the MXR ZW-44 Berzerker Overdrive. It pairs well with the Vox MV50-CE Rock and the Peavey VTM-120.
Fortin Amplification 33
Fortin Amplification · pedal
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.
- metal
- boost
- definition
- boutique
- modern
- preamp
- frequency
- high gain
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Fortin Amplification 33 is commonly used in
- Metal
- Djent
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Hard Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Heavy Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Metalcore
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Fortin Amplification 33
Vox MV50-CE Rock
Vox
20% matchStack Vox MV50-CE Rock on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight
Peavey VTM-120
Peavey
20% matchFeed a high gain signal into Peavey VTM-120 and it comes out closer to tight
Traynor BB115
Traynor
tonal matchTraynor BB115 takes that high gain character and pushes it toward tight
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 212
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchGallien-Krueger Legacy 212 pushes a high gain tone toward mid-forward
Phil Jones X4C NanoBass 35W 1x4 Combo
Phil Jones
tonal matchStack Phil Jones X4C NanoBass 35W 1x4 Combo on top and a high gain tone tightens toward mid-forward
Egnater Renegade 65 4x10 Combo
Egnater
tonal matchEgnater Renegade 65 4x10 Combo pushes a high gain tone toward tight
Phil Jones BG-75 Double Four Bass Combo
Phil Jones
tonal matchPhil Jones BG-75 Double Four Bass Combo takes that high gain character and pushes it toward mid-forward
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 410
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchGallien-Krueger Legacy 410 pushes a high gain tone toward tight
Pedals that stack with the Fortin Amplification 33
Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress
Electro-Harmonix
20% matchPut Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress after Fortin Amplification 33 in the signal chain, clear of Fortin Amplification 33's own gain stage
Suhr Shiba Drive
Suhr
19% matchSuhr Shiba Drive takes that high gain character and pushes it toward mid-forward
Electro-Harmonix "Ram's Head" Big Muff Pi V2
pedal
18% matchElectro-Harmonix "Ram's Head" Big Muff Pi V2 takes that high gain character and pushes it toward mid-forward
Hungry Robot The Borderland
Hungry Robot
16% matchPut Hungry Robot The Borderland after Fortin Amplification 33 in the signal chain, clear of Fortin Amplification 33's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Hungry Robot Moby Dick V2
Hungry Robot
16% matchHungry Robot Moby Dick V2's ambient voice goes after Fortin Amplification 33 in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Fortin Amplification 33's own high gain character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Warm Audio Pedal 76 Compressor
Warm Audio
14% matchWarm Audio Pedal 76 Compressor's own tight character is the real reason this is worth trying
Wampler Cory Wong
Wampler
tonal matchFeed a high gain signal into Wampler Cory Wong and it comes out closer to clean boost
Spaceman Effects Atlas IV
Spaceman
tonal matchStack Spaceman Effects Atlas IV on top and a high gain tone tightens toward clean boost
Cheaper alternatives
Horizon Devices Apex Preamp
Horizon Devices
72% similarityShared character: attack, pedal, response
Horizon Devices Precision Drive
Horizon Devices
71% similarityShared character: definition, attack, pedal
Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive
Boss
69% similarityShared character: other_distortion_pedals, pedal, response
Boss OD-3 Overdrive
Boss
68% similarityShared character: attack, response, high_gain_settings
Mooer Spark Distortion Pedal
Mooer
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Wampler Dracarys
Wampler
69% similarityShared character: definition, response, high_gain_settings
MXR ZW-44 Berzerker Overdrive
MXR
69% similarityShared character: definition, pedal, high_gain_settings
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Ibanez
68% similarityShared character: pedal, response, high_gain_settings
Suhr Riot Mini Black Edition
Suhr
68% similarityShared character: countless_rock_and_metal_players, high_gain_settings, metal
Keeley Filaments
Keeley
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Caroline Guitar Company Crom Hi-Gain Fuzzstortion
Caroline Guitar Company
93% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Fortin Amplification 33 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Fortin Amplification 33?+
The closest matches in character are the Wampler Dracarys, the MXR ZW-44 Berzerker Overdrive, the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer. Budget picks: Horizon Devices Apex Preamp, Horizon Devices Precision Drive, Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive. Boutique upgrades: Diezel Zerrer 2-Channel Preamp.
What pairs well with the Fortin Amplification 33?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Vox MV50-CE Rock, Peavey VTM-120, Traynor BB115 — Stack Vox MV50-CE Rock on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight.
How much does the Fortin Amplification 33 cost?+
Around $174.99 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).