The Fortin Amplification Grind is a Fortin Amplification overdrive pedal, currently around $270.72. Close alternatives include the Friedman IR-J Jake E Lee Boost and the JHS Haunting Mids. It pairs well with the Blackstar St. James 100 and the Friedman Dirty Shirley.
Fortin Amplification Grind
Fortin Amplification · pedal
The Fortin Amplification Grind is a boost and mid-range frequency enhancer from Canadian boutique metal gear maker Fortin Amplification, designed to push the midrange presence of a high-gain guitar signal for better definition and cut in dense metal rhythm and lead contexts. Unlike the transparent 33 boost, the Grind adds a mid-frequency emphasis that helps the guitar signal sit better in a metal band mix where heavy drums and bass dominate the low and low-mid frequencies. Metal players who need to cut through without additional high-frequency harshness use the Grind to add presence and cut without added edginess.
- boost
- mix
- transparent
- metal
- presence
- mid
- grind
- coloring
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Fortin Amplification Grind is commonly used in
- Metal
- Alternative Rock
- Rock
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. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Fortin Amplification Grind
Blackstar St. James 100
Blackstar
27% matchRun Blackstar St. James 100 into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Friedman Dirty Shirley
Friedman
26% matchFriedman Dirty Shirley's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Synergy SL2 Module gives it high gain to fill it with
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Friedman BE-Mini Head brings the high gain it's missing
Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchRun Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchHughes & Kettner Coreblade's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 gives it high gain to fill it with
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Ceriatone 2202H gives it high gain to fill it with
Pedals that stack with the Fortin Amplification Grind
EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas
EarthQuaker Devices
23% matchRun EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
22% matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz gives it fuzzy to fill it with
Walrus Audio Monument CS
Walrus Audio
20% matchKeep Walrus Audio Monument CS after Fortin Amplification Grind in the signal chain, clear of Fortin Amplification Grind's own gain stage
Vox Valvenergy Silk Drive
Vox
18% matchVox Valvenergy Silk Drive's own smooth character is the real reason this is worth trying
Eventide Modulated Delay
Eventide
12% matchEventide Modulated Delay's modulated voice goes after Fortin Amplification Grind in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Fortin Amplification Grind's own transparent character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Alexander Pedals Now We Are Ghosts Reverb
Alexander Pedals
11% matchAlexander Pedals Now We Are Ghosts Reverb's analog warmth voice goes after Fortin Amplification Grind in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Fortin Amplification Grind's own transparent character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Beetronics OV-LE-Uva
Beetronics
tonal matchBeetronics OV-LE-Uva's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Fortin Amplification Grind delivers it
Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes
Electro-Harmonix
tonal matchElectro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes is voiced for a clean amp's front end — Fortin Amplification Grind gives it exactly that
Cheaper alternatives
Browne Amplification The Atom Nashville Overdrive
Browne Amplification
71% similarityShared character: definition, presence, middle
Rarebird effects Hatchet Overdrive
Rarebird Effects
71% similarityShared character: presence, mix, transparent
Electro-Harmonix ERD
Electro-Harmonix
70% similarityShared character: presence, mix, middle
ToneConcepts Distillery 'The Luke'
Toneconcepts
70% similarityShared character: presence, clarity, transparent
Maxon OD808
Maxon
70% similarityShared character: guitar, middle, transparent
Electro-Harmonix Mainframe Bit Crusher
Electro-Harmonix
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Friedman IR-J Jake E Lee Boost
Friedman
70% similarityShared character: presence, transparent, metal
JHS Haunting Mids
JHS Pedals
70% similarityShared character: definition, presence, guitar
Ibanez Tube Screamer
Ibanez
70% similarityShared character: presence, mix, middle
Caroline Guitar Company Crom Hi-Gain Fuzzstortion
Caroline Guitar Company
94% similaritysimilar tone character
DOD YJM308 Preamp Overdrive
Dod
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Boss OD-1X Overdrive
Boss
93% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Fortin Amplification Grind (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Fortin Amplification Grind?+
The closest matches in character are the Friedman IR-J Jake E Lee Boost, the JHS Haunting Mids, the Ibanez Tube Screamer. Budget picks: Browne Amplification The Atom Nashville Overdrive, Rarebird effects Hatchet Overdrive, Electro-Harmonix ERD. Boutique upgrades: Univox Super-Fuzz, Analog Man King of Tone.
What pairs well with the Fortin Amplification Grind?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Blackstar St. James 100, Friedman Dirty Shirley, Synergy SL2 Module — Run Blackstar St. James 100 into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain.
How much does the Fortin Amplification Grind cost?+
Around $270.72 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
Compare
- vs Caroline Guitar Company Crom Hi-Gain Fuzzstortion
- vs Univox Super-Fuzz
- vs Electro-Harmonix Mainframe Bit Crusher