The Mesa Boogie Cleo is a Mesa Boogie distortion pedal, currently around $129. Close alternatives include the RHC Audio Ydrat and the One Control Lingonberry Overdrive. It pairs well with the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head (Multi-watt) and the Mesa Boogie Rectoverb 25 MkII 1x12 Combo.
Mesa Boogie Cleo
Mesa Boogie · pedal
The Mesa Boogie Cleo is a premium boutique overdrive pedal from Mesa Boogie, the legendary California amplifier company. The Cleo applies Mesa Boogie's deep amp circuit knowledge to produce a premium overdrive experience with the harmonic complexity and natural response associated with Mesa Boogie's finest amplifier designs. Used by professional musicians who want Mesa Boogie circuit character in a compact pedal format.
What stands out
“The Mesa Boogie Cleo is a premium boutique overdrive pedal from Mesa Boogie, the legendary California amplifier company”
— from the listing
“Mesa Boogie's pedal line brings the brand's amplifier circuit expertise to pedal format”
— from the community notes
“Build quality is consistent with the brand's professional manufacturing standard”
— from the community notes
“Used by professional musicians who want Mesa Boogie circuit character in a compact pedal format”
— from the listing
“Mesa Boogie pedals deliver the brand's amplifier circuit characteristics in compact format with consistent professional-grade build quality”
— from the reviews
- mesa boogie circuit character
- harmonic
- road worthy
- response
- mesa boogie
- brand
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Amps that pair well with the Mesa Boogie Cleo
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head (Multi-watt)
Mesa Boogie
34% matchMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head (Multi-watt) leans toward transparent, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Mesa Boogie Rectoverb 25 MkII 1x12 Combo
Mesa Boogie
34% matchMesa Boogie Rectoverb 25 MkII 1x12 Combo's own full character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Pedals that stack with the Mesa Boogie Cleo
Walrus Audio Eras
Walrus Audio
8% matchWhat Walrus Audio Eras brings here leans toward lush — that's worth building a pairing around
Benson Amps Stonk BOX
Benson Amps
8% matchWhat Benson Amps Stonk BOX brings here leans toward germanium — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress
Electro-Harmonix
7% matchKeep Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress after Mesa Boogie Cleo in the signal chain, clear of Mesa Boogie Cleo's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
Ashdown Studio Compressor
Ashdown
6% matchAshdown Studio Compressor leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Dunlop - MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe Analog Delay
Dunlop
5% matchKeep Dunlop - MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe Analog Delay after Mesa Boogie Cleo in the signal chain, clear of Mesa Boogie Cleo's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Empress Echosystem
Empress
5% matchEmpress Echosystem's pristine voice goes after Mesa Boogie Cleo in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Mesa Boogie Cleo's own harmonically rich character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Catalinbread Formula No.55
Catalinbread
46% similarityShared character: response
Jackson Audio Silvertone 1484 Twin Twelve
Jackson Audio
43% similaritySimilar role and voicing
Electronic Audio Experiments Surveyor Instrument Voicing Preamp
Electronic Audio Experiments
40% similaritySimilar role and voicing
Crazy Tube Circuits Unobtanium Raw
Crazy Tube Circuits
40% similaritySimilar voicing: harmonically rich
Similar character
RHC Audio Ydrat
Rhc Audio
57% similaritySimilar role and voicing
One Control Lingonberry Overdrive
One Control
50% similarityShared character: response
JHS Kirkland Custom Boost
pedal
46% similaritySimilar role and voicing
Mad Professor 1 Overdrive
Mad Professor
44% similarityShared character: response
JHS Pedals JHS AC+
JHS Pedals
44% similaritySimilar role and voicing
Mesa Boogie Flux-Five
Mesa Boogie
44% similarityShared character: response
See all alternatives to the Mesa Boogie Cleo (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Mesa Boogie Cleo?+
The closest matches in character are the RHC Audio Ydrat, the One Control Lingonberry Overdrive, the JHS Kirkland Custom Boost. Budget picks: Mooer 020 Blueno Micro Preamp, Ibanez SM Mini Super Metal Distortion, Source Audio Soundblox Multiwave Distortion. Boutique upgrades: Catalinbread Formula No.55, Jackson Audio Silvertone 1484 Twin Twelve, Electronic Audio Experiments Surveyor Instrument Voicing Preamp.
What pairs well with the Mesa Boogie Cleo?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head (Multi-watt), Mesa Boogie Rectoverb 25 MkII 1x12 Combo, Walrus Audio Eras — Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head (Multi-watt) leans toward transparent, and that's a real, usable character to pair with.
How much does the Mesa Boogie Cleo cost?+
Around $129 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).