The JHS Ross Distortion is a JHS Pedals distortion pedal, currently around $129.86. Close alternatives include the Wampler Paisley Drive and the Suhr Riot Mini Black Edition. It pairs well with the Dumble Steel String Singer and the Fender Prosonic.
JHS Ross Distortion
JHS Pedals · pedal
The JHS Ross Distortion is a faithful recreation of the vintage Ross Distortion, a 1970s distortion pedal that used a circuit topology closely related to the ProCo RAT and the MXR Distortion+ family. The Ross Distortion was known for its aggressive, cutting distortion character with a specific op-amp voicing that produced a bright, punchy saturation suited to hard rock and early metal of the period. JHS recreates the Ross circuit with modern components while preserving the original circuit topology and tonal character.
- distortion
- modern
- cutting
- bright
- punch
- vintage
- hard rock
- metal
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the JHS Ross Distortion is commonly used in
- Metal
- Alternative Rock
- Hard Rock
- Heavy Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Punk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the JHS Ross Distortion
Dumble Steel String Singer
Dumble
29% matchWhere this leans bright, Dumble Steel String Singer answers back smooth
Fender Prosonic
amplifier
26% matchFender Prosonic leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Gibson GA-50
Gibson
tonal matchRun Gibson GA-50 after it and the bright edge settles into something more warm
Orange BT1000H Terror Bass 1000-Watt Bass Amp
Orange
tonal matchRun Orange BT1000H Terror Bass 1000-Watt Bass Amp after it and the bright edge settles into something more warm
Orange Terror Bass
Orange
tonal matchOrange Terror Bass's warm balances out the bright tone
Orange Little Bass Thing
Orange
tonal matchOrange Little Bass Thing leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Fuchs ODS II Custom 25/50 Combo
Fuchs
tonal matchFuchs ODS II Custom 25/50 Combo leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Blackstar Artisan 15H Handwired 15W Tube
Blackstar
tonal matchRun Blackstar Artisan 15H Handwired 15W Tube after it and the bright edge settles into something more warm
Pedals that stack with the JHS Ross Distortion
Catalinbread SFT
Catalinbread
20% matchCatalinbread SFT leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Behringer Chorus Symphony
Behringer
20% matchBehringer Chorus Symphony's smooth voice goes after JHS Ross Distortion in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with JHS Ross Distortion's own bright character
Rocktron Big Crush Compressor
Rocktron
18% matchRocktron Big Crush Compressor leans toward smooth, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
One Control Lingonberry Overdrive
One Control
17% matchOne Control Lingonberry Overdrive's warm balances out the bright tone
Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler
pedal
12% matchPut Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler after JHS Ross Distortion in the signal chain, clear of JHS Ross Distortion's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte
Caroline Guitar Company
12% matchKeep JHS Ross Distortion's bright voice out front: Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte goes after JHS Ross Distortion in the signal chain so its pristine voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Orange - Vintage Distortion
Orange
tonal matchOrange - Vintage Distortion's warm balances out the bright tone
SolidGoldFX Commodore Breaker Overdrive
Solidgoldfx
tonal matchRun SolidGoldFX Commodore Breaker Overdrive after it and the bright edge settles into something more smooth
Cheaper alternatives
ProCo RAT 2
Proco
70% similarity“that used a circuit topology closely related to the ProCo RAT and the MXR Distortion+ family.”
Boss DS-1 Distortion
Boss
68% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, bright, subtle
Catalinbread CB-Distortion
Catalinbread
94% similaritysimilar tone character
MXR Prime Distortion
MXR
94% similaritysimilar tone character
JHS 3 Series Distortion
JHS Pedals
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Walrus Audio Fundamental Drive
Walrus Audio
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
MXR Distortion+
MXR
70% similarity“that used a circuit topology closely related to the ProCo RAT and the MXR Distortion+ family.”
Menatone None More Black
Menatone
69% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, hard_rock, distortion
Boss BD-2W Blues Driver Waza Craft
Boss
68% similarityShared character: bright, subtle, distortion
Maxon DS Distortion Reissue
Maxon
64% similarityShared character: distortion, vintage_charm
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Wampler Paisley Drive
Wampler
70% similarityShared character: punch, punchy, bright
Suhr Riot Mini Black Edition
Suhr
69% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, hard_rock, distortion
JAM Pedals Rattler V2
Jam Pedals
68% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, hard_rock, bright
MXR Jail
MXR
62% similarityShared character: distortion
NuX Lacerate
Nux
93% similaritysimilar tone character
JHS The Overdrive Preamp
JHS Pedals
93% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the JHS Ross Distortion (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the JHS Ross Distortion?+
The closest matches in character are the Wampler Paisley Drive, the Suhr Riot Mini Black Edition, the JAM Pedals Rattler V2. Budget picks: ProCo RAT 2, Boss DS-1 Distortion, Catalinbread CB-Distortion. Boutique upgrades: MXR Distortion+, Menatone None More Black, Boss BD-2W Blues Driver Waza Craft.
What pairs well with the JHS Ross Distortion?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Dumble Steel String Singer, Fender Prosonic, Gibson GA-50 — Where this leans bright, Dumble Steel String Singer answers back smooth.
How much does the JHS Ross Distortion cost?+
Around $129.86 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).