The JHS Pedals JHS AC+ is a JHS Pedals distortion pedal. Close alternatives include the Catalinbread Galileo and the Wampler Pedals Tweed '57. It pairs well with the Blackstar HT-5R Series HT-5R 5W 1x12 and the Orange Amplifiers AD30HTC 30W Tube Guitar Amp Head.
JHS Pedals JHS AC+
JHS Pedals · pedal
The JHS AC+ is a boutique overdrive pedal from JHS Pedals inspired by the chimey, top-boost character of the Vox AC30 amplifier. It produces a warm, slightly compressed overdrive with a distinctive treble presence and chime that replicates the character of AC30-style gain. The mid-forward, harmonically rich overdrive texture of the AC+ suits Britpop, classic rock, new wave, and jangle-pop styles where Vox-derived tonal character is central to the sound. It works best with single-coil or P90 guitars that complement the chimey, bright-midrange character of the circuit. JHS designed the AC+ for players who want Vox amplifier character in pedal form without requiring a Vox amplifier, making it useful in setups where an AC30 is not practical. The pedal responds to guitar volume rolloff with a characteristic reduction in the top-boost chime.
- boost
- chimey
- bright
- overdrive
- chime
- vox amplifier character
- vox derived tonal character
- classic rock
Genres the JHS Pedals JHS AC+ is commonly used in
- Classic Rock
- Indie
- Indie Rock
- New Wave
Amps that pair well with the JHS Pedals JHS AC+
Blackstar HT-5R Series HT-5R 5W 1x12
Blackstar
31% matchWhere this leans bright, Blackstar HT-5R Series HT-5R 5W 1x12 answers back warm
Orange Amplifiers AD30HTC 30W Tube Guitar Amp Head
amplifier
tonal matchJHS Pedals JHS AC+ leans into Vox-style amps, precisely the platform Orange Amplifiers AD30HTC 30W Tube Guitar Amp Head wants
Vox MV50 AC SET
Vox
tonal matchVox MV50 AC SET is voiced for Vox-style amps — JHS Pedals JHS AC+ gives it exactly that
Bad Cat Era 30 Head
Bad Cat
tonal matchJHS Pedals JHS AC+ leans into Vox-style amps, precisely the platform Bad Cat Era 30 Head wants
Bad Cat Lynx 50
Bad Cat
tonal matchBad Cat Lynx 50's own voicing points at Vox-style amps, and JHS Pedals JHS AC+ delivers it
Dr. Z Amplification Z-Wreck Head
amplifier
tonal matchInto JHS Pedals JHS AC+, Dr. Z Amplification Z-Wreck Head is right at home: it's built around Vox-style amps
Vox AC30S1 OneTwelve 30W 1x12 Combo
Vox
tonal matchInto JHS Pedals JHS AC+, Vox AC30S1 OneTwelve 30W 1x12 Combo is right at home: it's built around Vox-style amps
Vox AC-50
amplifier
tonal matchJHS Pedals JHS AC+ leans into Vox-style amps, precisely the platform Vox AC-50 wants
Pedals that stack with the JHS Pedals JHS AC+
Catalinbread SFT
Catalinbread
14% matchCatalinbread SFT's warm balances out the bright tone
Electro-Harmonix Green Russian Big Muff
Electro-Harmonix
13% matchElectro-Harmonix Green Russian Big Muff leans smooth right where the bright tone needs it
Ashdown Velvet Compressor
Ashdown
12% matchAshdown Velvet Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Electro-Harmonix Small Stone
Electro-Harmonix
11% matchRun Electro-Harmonix Small Stone after JHS Pedals JHS AC+ in the signal chain, clear of JHS Pedals JHS AC+'s own gain stage
Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte
Caroline Guitar Company
9% matchCaroline Guitar Company Kilobyte's pristine voice goes after JHS Pedals JHS AC+ in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with JHS Pedals JHS AC+'s own glassy character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Suhr Discovery
Suhr
8% matchKeep JHS Pedals JHS AC+'s glassy voice out front: Suhr Discovery goes after JHS Pedals JHS AC+ in the signal chain so its transparent voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Audiocade 1974 Colorsound Tremolo Clone
Audiocade
tonal matchInto JHS Pedals JHS AC+, Audiocade 1974 Colorsound Tremolo Clone is right at home: it's built around Vox-style amps
Origin Effects RevivalDRIVE Dual Overdrive
Origin Effects
tonal matchOrigin Effects RevivalDRIVE Dual Overdrive's own voicing points at Vox-style amps, and JHS Pedals JHS AC+ delivers it
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
Catalinbread Galileo
Catalinbread
70% similarityShared character: ac30, presence, treble
Wampler Pedals Tweed '57
Wampler
70% similarityShared character: pedal_format, pedal, treble
Xotic BB Preamp V1.5
Xotic
69% similarityShared character: circuit, treble, classic_rock
Audiocade Royal British Velvet AC30 Overdrive/Preamp Clone
Audiocade
69% similarityShared character: ac30, pedal, circuit
MXR Timmy Overdrive
MXR
68% similarityShared character: presence, treble, gain
Vox CT-03BT
Vox
68% similarityShared character: pedal_format, pedal, treble
Lovepedal DOV Death Of Vox Handwired
Lovepedal
68% similarityShared character: bright, circuit, treble
EarthQuaker Devices White Light
EarthQuaker Devices
67% similarityShared character: single_coils, bright, classic_rock
Carl Martin AC-Tone
Carl Martin
92% similaritysimilar tone character
TC Electronic Ampworx Vintage Series DC30
TC Electronic
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Free The Tone Crunchy Chime OD Natural Booster
Free The Tone
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Bogner Ecstasy Blue Mini Overdrive
Bogner
90% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the JHS Pedals JHS AC+ (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the JHS Pedals JHS AC+?+
The closest matches in character are the Catalinbread Galileo, the Wampler Pedals Tweed '57, the Xotic BB Preamp V1.5.
What pairs well with the JHS Pedals JHS AC+?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Blackstar HT-5R Series HT-5R 5W 1x12, Orange Amplifiers AD30HTC 30W Tube Guitar Amp Head, Vox MV50 AC SET — Where this leans bright, Blackstar HT-5R Series HT-5R 5W 1x12 answers back warm.
Compare
- vs Carl Martin AC-Tone
- vs TC Electronic Ampworx Vintage Series DC30
- vs Free The Tone Crunchy Chime OD Natural Booster