The JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion is a JHS Pedals distortion pedal. Close alternatives include the Vox Joe Satriani Satchurator and the Carl Martin Greg Howe Lick Box. It pairs well with the Peavey VTM-120 and the Hiwatt DR103H.
JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion
JHS Pedals · pedal
The JHS PG-14 is a signature distortion pedal created in collaboration with Paul Gilbert, the virtuoso rock guitarist known for his high-speed technique and complex riff-based playing with Mr. Big and Racer X. The PG-14 delivers the saturated, harmonically rich distortion character associated with Gilbert's tonal approach, providing enough gain and sustain for his demanding technical playing while retaining note definition and articulation at high speeds. Suited to hard rock and metal lead playing where technique and clarity are primary concerns.
What stands out
“The PG-14 delivers high-gain distortion with the note articulation and tracking speed required for Paul Gilbert's technical playing style”
— from the reviews
“the virtuoso rock guitarist known for his high-speed technique and complex riff-based playing with mr”
— from the listing
“suited to hard rock and metal lead playing where technique and clarity are primary concerns”
— from the listing
“A signature distortion built around Paul Gilbert's specific tonal requirements: high gain with retained note articulation and harmonic clarity at elevated pick attack speeds”
— from the community notes
“Works well with both humbuckers and single coils at high gain settings”
— from the reviews
- distortion
- rock
- lead
- high gain
- harmonic
- note articulation
- clarity
- gain
Genres the JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion is commonly used in
- Hard Rock
- Metal
- Rock
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Progressive Rock
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 JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion
Peavey VTM-120
Peavey
21% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (high gain → tight)
Stack Peavey VTM-120 on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight
Comes later in the signal chain
Hiwatt DR103H
Hiwatt
21% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (high gain → tight)
Stack Hiwatt DR103H on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight
Comes later in the signal chain
EBS Magni 502 2x10 bass combo
Ebs
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Stack EBS Magni 502 2x10 bass combo on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight
Aguilar SL110 Fawn Limited
Aguilar
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Aguilar SL110 Fawn Limited pushes a high gain tone toward tight
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 410
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Stack Gallien-Krueger Legacy 410 on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 210 Bass Combo
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 210 Bass Combo pushes a high gain tone toward tight
Gallien-Krueger MB210-II
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Gallien-Krueger MB210-II takes that high gain character and pushes it toward tight
Gallien-Krueger GK Legacy 2x10 Combo Bass Amp
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Feed a high gain signal into Gallien-Krueger GK Legacy 2x10 Combo Bass Amp and it comes out closer to tight
Pedals that stack with the JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion
Beetronics Buzzter Boost Preamp
Beetronics
17% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (high gain → clean boost)
Feed a high gain signal into Beetronics Buzzter Boost Preamp and it comes out closer to clean boost
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Soldano SLO
Soldano
17% matchpushes an already-dirty tonePushes an already-dirty tone harder and tightens it up. (high gain → tight)
Soldano SLO pushes a high gain tone toward tight
Comes later in the signal chain
MXR M83
MXR
15% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
MXR M83's modulated voice goes after JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion's own high gain character
Comes later in the signal chain
Crazy Tube Circuits Golden Ratio
Crazy Tube Circuits
14% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
Crazy Tube Circuits Golden Ratio's own tight character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
TC Electronic Triple Flashback Delay
TC Electronic
13% 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 Triple Flashback Delay after JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion in the signal chain, clear of JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Hungry Robot Moby Dick V2
Hungry Robot
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. (high gain → lush)
Run Hungry Robot Moby Dick V2 after JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion in the signal chain, clear of JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
EarthQuaker Devices Swiss Things
EarthQuaker Devices
EarthQuaker Devices Utility Series Buffer Preamp
EarthQuaker Devices
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Feed a high gain signal into EarthQuaker Devices Utility Series Buffer Preamp and it comes out closer to clean boost
Alternativessee all similar tone character →
Vox Joe Satriani Satchurator
Vox
69% similarityShared character: high gain settings, clarity, distortion
Carl Martin Greg Howe Lick Box
Carl Martin
68% similarityShared character: high gain settings, definition, articulation
Diezel Herbert Overdrive/Distortion/Preamp
Diezel
66% similarityShared character: clarity, gain, distortion
Suhr Riot Mini Black Edition
Suhr
65% similarityShared character: high gain settings, hard rock, distortion
Fender Pugilist
Fender
63% similarityShared character: high gain settings, articulation, pick attack
Vertex Dynamic Distortion
Vertex
62% similarityShared character: clarity, distortion
Airis Effects -Nemesis Preamp
Airis Effects
60% similarityShared character: high gain settings, hard rock, clarity
Keeley Filaments
Keeley
58% similarityShared character: reliable performance, high gain settings, clarity
MXR YJM308 Yngwie Malmsteen Overdrive
Dunlop
58% similarityShared character: high gain settings, definition, pick attack
Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion
pedal
57% similarityShared character: clarity, distortion
Mad Professor Stone Grey Distortion
Mad Professor
56% similarityShared character: high gain settings, hard rock, clarity
Airis Effects 51-Filthy
Airis Effects
56% similarityShared character: high gain settings, hard rock, distortion
See all alternatives to the JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion?+
The closest matches in character are the Vox Joe Satriani Satchurator, the Carl Martin Greg Howe Lick Box, the Diezel Herbert Overdrive/Distortion/Preamp.
What pairs well with the JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Peavey VTM-120, Hiwatt DR103H, EBS Magni 502 2x10 bass combo — Stack Peavey VTM-120 on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight.