Strymon Riverside

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Effect Pedal for Electric Guitar

Overdrive / Distortion
Cascading amplification stages produce natural and harmonious sounds from silky, clean overdrive to extreme distortion
The analogue JFET input stage ensures uncompromising dynamics and response
Via Strymon Midi-Exp cable (Art.448709 - not included) you can store and load presets
Controls: Drive, Level, Bass, Middle and Treble
Switch: Gain, Push and Presence
True Bypass
Boost input for foot switch (Art.313984, not included)
Power consumption: 250 mA
Dimensions (W x H x D): 102 x 44 x 114 mm
Robust and light gold anodized aluminium housing
Includes 9 V power supply
Made in USA

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

3-Year Thomann Warranty

Available since November 2016

Item number 401206

Sales Unit 1 piece(s)

Overdrive Yes

Distortion Yes

Fuzz No

Metal No

£277

All prices incl. VAT

Delivery free of charge expected between Wednesday, 27.11. and Thursday, 28.11.

Sales Rank

in Distortion Pedals

Bundles & offers

Strymon Riverside Bundle PS J RB

£290

Hit the sweet spot every time

The Strymon Riverside combines a traditional JFET sound that is inspired by the tonal characteristics of tubes with modern signal-processing technology, so it can be combined with virtually any amplifier to produce a lively and versatile tube tone. The Riverside's integrated DSP allows the signal to be quickly and easily adjusted in each gain stage using the three-band EQ, and a user-defined preset can be stored and recalled later on using the practical "Favorite" switch. Other features include an onboard noise reduction circuit, a three-position presence switch, and the option of selecting between true and analogue buffered bypass. All of this combined makes the Strymon Riverside multi-stage drive the perfect gain pedal for any pedalboard.

Multifaceted gain stages

With its gain switch set to "low", the Strymon Riverside provides both bluesy clean sounds and overdriven Rock sounds that exude vintage flair. Setting the gain switch to "high" delivers a signal that is distorted but will remain clear and well-defined with the gain knob dialled back. Turning up the gain will unleash the finest distorted crunch sounds and even high-gain Metal tones. In both modes, the "Push" switch allows you to activate a mid-band EQ push in order to drive the subsequent gain stages harder and push the connected amplifier into even further breakup. The Riverside also features cascaded gain stages: The three-band EQ section's parameters are adjusted as the drive knob is turned, thus ensuring an authentic tube sound at any setting.

A wealth of functions

Pressing and holding the Riverside's "On" switch activates the onboard noise gate, which is highly sensitive and effectively suppresses unwanted noise at higher gain settings, and the drive control can be used here to set the gate's threshold. Connecting an expression pedal to the Riverside allows user-defined parameters such as volume and gain to be controlled, thereby ensuring smooth transitions between clean and distorted sounds. The majority of Strymon's other pedals can also be combined with the Riverside, which means that further effect presets can additionally be activated using the "Favorite" switch. And what is more, the presence control located on the rear of the pedal allows the Riverside's output signal to be easily adjusted to suit the amplifier to which it is connected.

About Strymon

The Californian effects pedal manufacturer Strymon was founded in 2004 under the name Damage Control and initially produced tube-driven pedals. In 2009, the name was changed to Strymon and the company began developing DSP effects, some of which have already achieved cult status. Classics such as the "Big Sky" reverb and the "Timeline" and "El Capistan" delays can be found not only on many a guitarist’s pedalboard, but also thrive in recording studios. The quality of Strymon products has become a byword and today they are also being used by keyboard players and DJs alike. Strymon has firmly established a reputation for uncompromising sound and excellent workmanship.

Instant tube tone - to go

The Riverside's JFET-based analogue front end has the same dynamic response as a real tube amplifier, while its integrated DSP gives added emphasis to the character of the sounds. The result is that it can quickly and easily bring out a top-quality, dynamic tube sound from virtually any amplifier it is connected to, and the Riverside is also perfect both for touring and for achieving an authentic tube tone at more moderate volume levels while playing at home.

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56 Customer ratings

5 47 Customers 4 6 Customers 3 2 Customers 2 1 Customer 1 0 Customers

4.8 / 5

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31 Reviews

Ideal for Kemper

mefistofel 30.04.2021

I owned/tested many distortion pedals, but this one is TOP quality product I can say simply nothing wrong about. For me (I prefer amps and cabs modelers) working best in FX send-return loop with Kemper profiler. So if U`re searching something ULTRA variable, from crunchy rock-pop tones to the ultra heavy rhythm or lead tones, this golden box will cover everything one wouldn't even expect :o)

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The one overdrive/distortion pedal I should have gotten from the beginning

Str S 20.08.2023

I play a relatively low output HSS fender strat via a UA dream 65 set on clean with the purpose of getting everything only from my pedals.
I wanted 3-4 distinct sounds out of my board wrt drive/distortion, from light overdrive to 80s style distortion, without having to own several guitars or a dirtier amp.
I tried so many indiividual pedals, at one point I had 4 overdrive/distortion pedals on the board.
While I was ok with my overdrive sounds, even though I had to have 2 separate pedals for that, I could never achieve good distortion at all in my setup.
As I still own all those previous pedals, I compared them all with the Riverside to see if it can replace all of them at once. It totally could, plus it gave me the great distortion sounds and even more of it than I needed.
So I managed to downsize my board massively as well, which was nice!
I am extremely happy with it and once again completely amazed by strymon.
What will definitely come handy though is the switch to recall presets, in order to switch between those sounds quickly.

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really good drive!!

bagamba 18.08.2017

first in my pedalboard
i use it all the time
1 i play with
1 i have in preset
and the boost (if u use the pedal in buffer mode) can be active when the pedal is off
and it just add the strymon mojo to your sound

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I wish I liked it more

StaStas 09.04.2023

It's great, in theory it has everything I need and more, but there's something missing, I can't fall in love with it. I'm keeping it, it's super handy, but, in my opinion, this is not like Protein or Lightspeed, there's no mojo here. But it really is a great workhorse.

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Strymon Riverside

Effect Pedal for Electric Guitar