The Vertex Ultraphonix MKII is a Vertex overdrive pedal, currently around $199.99. Close alternatives include the MXR Custom Shop Timmy Overdrive and the Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive. It pairs well with the Mesa Boogie Mark I and the Synergy SL2 Module.
Vertex Ultraphonix MKII
Vertex · pedal
The Vertex Effects Ultra Phonix MKII is the enhanced second version of Vertex Effects' flagship boutique overdrive, delivering improved warm, natural overdrive with refined circuit quality in Vertex's premium build standard.
- natural
- overdrive
- boutique
- original
Price updated Aug 24, 2026
Genres the Vertex Ultraphonix MKII is commonly used in
- Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Country
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Vertex Ultraphonix MKII
Mesa Boogie Mark I
Mesa Boogie
23% matchThe Ultraphonix's refined, natural overdrive gives the Mark I's honky midrange preamp a smoother push than driving the amp's own gain any harder.
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Synergy SL2 Module brings the high gain it's missing
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Friedman BE-Mini Head gives it high gain to fill it with
Egnater Tweaker 88 Head
Egnater
tonal matchRun Egnater Tweaker 88 Head into that transparent platform and it finally gets some low gain
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Ceriatone 2202H brings the high gain it's missing
Friedman Jose LTD
Friedman
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Friedman Jose LTD gives it high gain to fill it with
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 brings the high gain it's missing
Bad Cat Lynx 50
Bad Cat
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Bad Cat Lynx 50 gives it high gain to fill it with
Pedals that stack with the Vertex Ultraphonix MKII
Beetronics Nectar
Beetronics
28% matchStack the Ultraphonix's natural overdrive ahead of the Nectar's garage-rock fuzz for a cleaner boost layered under the grit.
Beetronics Overhive
Beetronics
28% matchThe Ultraphonix's refined, premium-boutique overdrive gives the Overhive's medium-gain drive a natural push into breakup.
MXR Dyna Comp
MXR
22% matchThe Dyna Comp's funky sustain feeds the Ultraphonix's refined, boutique drive a consistent signal to build on.
Electro-Harmonix Bad
Electro-Harmonix
20% matchAhead of the Bad, the Ultraphonix's refined, premium-boutique overdrive drives the signal before the modulation ever colors it.
Meris Polymoon
Meris
11% matchThe Ultraphonix's natural, refined overdrive gives the Polymoon's modulated delay a clean, uncolored signal to work with. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Mr. Black Bloodmoon
Mr Black
11% matchKeep the Bloodmoon's dark reverb after the Ultraphonix so the drive's refined, boutique saturation carries the lead. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Tone City Dry Martini
Tone City
tonal matchTone City Dry Martini's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Vertex Ultraphonix MKII delivers it
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 gives it fuzzy to fill it with
Cheaper alternatives
Vertex Ultraphonix HRM
Vertex
70% similarity“distinct from the newer Ultraphonix MkII revision”
Vertex Ultra-Phonix
Vertex
68% similarityShared character: s_build_quality, natural, overdrive
Wampler Euphoria
Wampler
63% similarityShared character: s_build_quality, natural, overdrive
Mr. Black JDS-50 Drive
Mr Black
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Crazy Tube Circuits Ziggy Overdrive
Crazy Tube Circuits
89% similaritysimilar tone character
Lovepedal Purple Plexi
Lovepedal
88% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Vemuram Shanks II
Vemuram
80% similarityShared character: original, s_build_quality, natural
Vemuram Budi-G
Vemuram
70% similarityShared character: s_build_quality, natural, overdrive
Cornerstone Imperium
Cornerstone
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Mad Professor Supreme Overdrive
Mad Professor
89% similaritysimilar tone character
ThorpyFX The Dane
ThorpyFX
88% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
MXR Custom Shop Timmy Overdrive
MXR
73% similarityShared character: s_build_quality, natural, overdrive
Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive
Voodoo Lab
65% similarityShared character: s_build_quality, natural, overdrive
Subdecay Liquid Sunshine MKIII
Subdecay
64% similarityShared character: s_build_quality, natural, overdrive
ThorpyFX TY-Kudu
ThorpyFX
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Vemuram Shanks
Vemuram
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Subdecay Super-nova Drive
Subdecay
90% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Vertex Ultraphonix MKII (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Vertex Ultraphonix MKII?+
The closest matches in character are the MXR Custom Shop Timmy Overdrive, the Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive, the Subdecay Liquid Sunshine MKIII. Budget picks: Vertex Ultraphonix HRM, Vertex Ultra-Phonix, Wampler Euphoria. Boutique upgrades: Vemuram Shanks II, Vemuram Budi-G, Cornerstone Imperium.
What pairs well with the Vertex Ultraphonix MKII?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Mesa Boogie Mark I, Synergy SL2 Module, Friedman BE-Mini Head — The Ultraphonix's refined, natural overdrive gives the Mark I's honky midrange preamp a smoother push than driving the amp's own gain any harder..
How much does the Vertex Ultraphonix MKII cost?+
Around $199.99 (live listing price, updated Aug 24, 2026).