Fender MTG Tube Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal, (Used)

The Fender MTG Tube Distortion is a premium analogue guitar effects pedal designed to deliver authentic valve-driven distortion, rich harmonic character and the responsive playing feel associated with a traditional valve amplifier. Unlike conventional distortion pedals that use solid-state circuitry to imitate valve saturation, the MTG features a genuine NOS 6205 preamp valve at the heart of its design, providing real tube-driven overdrive and distortion in a compact pedalboard-friendly format.

Combining its genuine valve circuit with a comprehensive three-band EQ, dedicated Tight control and independent footswitchable boost, the Fender MTG offers an impressive range of tones. From warm, dynamic blues-rock overdrive to saturated classic rock distortion and powerful lead sounds, it provides the flexibility to shape your sound around different guitars, amplifiers and musical styles.

Developed as part of Fender's modern effects pedal range, the MTG also incorporates a robust anodised aluminium enclosure, illuminated controls, Fender amplifier-style jewel LED and separate footswitches for the distortion and boost functions.

This particular Fender MTG Tube Distortion is presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition and is supplied without a power supply. The pedal requires a regulated 9V DC centre-negative adapter capable of delivering at least 290mA.

For players looking for a second-hand Fender valve distortion pedal that combines genuine tube circuitry with extensive tone-shaping capabilities, the MTG offers a distinctive alternative to conventional overdrive and distortion effects.

At A Glance

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Very Good Condition

This Fender MTG Tube Distortion is presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition, indicating some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership. Its robust anodised aluminium enclosure and distinctive Rose Gold finish give the pedal a professional appearance, complemented by Fender's illuminated control knobs and traditional amplifier-style jewel LED. Please study the product photographs for a closer look at the individual cosmetic condition of this pedal.

Power Supply Not Included

No power supply is included with this pedal. The Fender MTG Tube Distortion requires a regulated 9V DC centre-negative adapter capable of supplying at least 290mA. Due to its genuine valve circuitry and relatively high current requirements, customers should ensure that their existing pedalboard power supply offers a suitable output. A dedicated 9V DC output rated at 300mA or higher is recommended.

What's Included

- Fender MTG Tube Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal

Not Included: Power supply.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Fair Deal Music's pre-owned effects pedal assessment covers the essential areas of general operation and functionality, including input and output connections, control response, footswitch operation, effect engagement and overall signal performance. For a valve-driven distortion pedal such as the MTG, particular areas of interest include the distortion circuit, three-band EQ, Tight control, independent boost function and general output response. Individual test results for this specific pedal have not been supplied.

Key Features

• Genuine Valve-Driven Distortion: Authentic tube saturation using a real vacuum valve rather than a digital simulation.

• NOS 6205 Preamp Valve: A genuine New Old Stock American-made valve at the heart of the distortion circuit.

• Three-Band EQ: Independent Bass, Middle and Treble controls for detailed tonal adjustment.

• Tight Control: Shapes low-frequency response for everything from full, rounded distortion to focused rhythm tones.

• Independent Boost Circuit: Dedicated footswitchable boost with separate Boost and Level controls.

• Dynamic Gain Control: Adjusts the amount of distortion from lighter breakup to heavier saturation.

• True Bypass: Preserves the direct signal path when the effect is disengaged.

• LED-Illuminated Knobs: Improved visibility for dark stages and pedalboards.

• Fender Jewel LED: Classic amplifier-inspired styling.

• Anodised Aluminium Enclosure: Durable, lightweight construction designed for regular use.

• Standard Pedalboard Connections: Mono ¼-inch input and output with 9V DC centre-negative power.

• Very Good Pre-Owned Condition: A cost-effective opportunity to own a genuine valve distortion pedal.

Why You'll Love It

The Fender MTG Tube Distortion is particularly appealing because it uses a genuine vacuum valve to create its distortion character. Rather than simply attempting to recreate valve saturation electronically, the MTG incorporates real valve circuitry into a practical stompbox format.

This gives guitarists access to a responsive, harmonically rich distortion sound with the convenience of a conventional pedalboard effect. The extensive EQ section and Tight control also make it easier to adapt the sound to different guitars, amplifiers and musical styles.

The independent boost is especially useful for live performance, providing an additional gain stage and dedicated output control without needing to add a separate boost pedal.

For players who enjoy the sound and feel of valve amplification but want greater flexibility from their effects setup, the Fender MTG provides a versatile and distinctive option.

Detailed Features & Benefits

Genuine Valve-Driven Distortion

The Fender MTG Tube Distortion uses a real vacuum valve to generate its distinctive overdrive and distortion character, making it fundamentally different from pedals that rely entirely on conventional solid-state clipping. This approach provides the harmonic richness, compression and responsive saturation that guitarists commonly associate with valve amplification. The Gain control allows players to adjust the intensity of the distortion, moving from comparatively restrained breakup through to more saturated rock sounds while retaining the expressive character of the circuit.

NOS 6205 Preamp Valve

At the heart of the MTG is an American-made NOS 6205 preamp valve, selected to provide genuine valve operation within a compact effects pedal. NOS stands for New Old Stock, referring to valves manufactured in an earlier period but retained as unused stock before being incorporated into the pedal's original design. The 6205 contributes to the MTG's characteristic response and harmonic structure, helping deliver a playing experience that feels closer to valve-driven amplification than a conventional distortion circuit. The valve model is part of Fender's original factory specification; the particular valve fitted to this used unit has not been independently inspected.

Three-Band EQ for Precise Tone Shaping

The MTG features independent Bass, Middle and Treble controls, providing a useful level of tonal flexibility for a valve distortion pedal. The Bass control determines the weight and fullness of the low frequencies, the Middle control helps shape the guitar's presence within a mix, and the Treble control adjusts brightness and attack. Together, these controls make it possible to adapt the pedal to different pickups and amplifier characteristics, whether you prefer warm vintage-style distortion, pronounced midrange for lead playing or a more aggressive, articulate rhythm sound.

Dedicated Tight Control

The Tight control is one of the MTG's most useful features, allowing players to refine the low-frequency response of the distortion circuit independently of the main Bass EQ. Reducing excessive low-end saturation can help palm-muted riffs sound more focused, while a fuller setting can create a thicker, more rounded response for blues and classic rock. This makes the pedal particularly versatile when switching between different guitars, as the Tight control can help balance the response of warm humbuckers and brighter single-coil pickups without requiring major changes to the rest of the EQ.

Independent Footswitchable Boost

The Fender MTG includes a separate boost circuit activated using its own dedicated footswitch, providing additional flexibility during live performance. Unlike a simple fixed-volume boost, the MTG features independent Boost and Level controls, allowing players to increase gain and adjust the resulting output level when the boost is engaged. This makes it possible to create a balanced rhythm distortion sound and then switch to a more saturated or prominent lead tone without changing the main pedal settings, reducing the need for a separate boost pedal on the board.

Gain & Level Controls

The main Gain and Level controls allow players to balance the intensity of the valve-driven distortion against the pedal's output volume. Increasing Gain introduces greater saturation and sustain, while the Level control determines how strongly the processed signal feeds the amplifier. This separation makes it easier to achieve the desired distortion character without unnecessary volume changes, particularly when switching between clean and distorted sounds. It also allows the MTG to work effectively with amplifiers that have different amounts of available headroom.

Responsive Dynamics & Playing Feel

One of the principal attractions of genuine valve-driven distortion is its response to variations in picking strength and guitar volume. The MTG is designed to offer expressive saturation that reacts to how the guitar is played, allowing musicians to move between more restrained passages and stronger, sustained lead notes without relying entirely on switching effects. This makes it particularly appealing to blues, classic rock and hard-rock guitarists who prefer distortion that remains connected to their playing dynamics rather than producing a completely uniform level of saturation.

True-Bypass Switching

The MTG features true-bypass switching, allowing the guitar signal to pass through the pedal without travelling through the distortion circuit when the main effect is disengaged. This is useful for musicians who regularly switch between clean amplifier tones and valve-driven distortion, helping maintain a straightforward signal path when the pedal is not active. The separate boost footswitch provides an additional performance option while keeping the main effect operation simple and easy to manage during rehearsals and live shows.

LED-Illuminated Controls & Fender Styling

The MTG's LED-backlit control knobs make it easier to identify settings in low-light environments, while the Fender amplifier-style jewel light gives the pedal a recognisable visual connection to the company's amplifier heritage. Its Rose Gold anodised aluminium enclosure provides a distinctive appearance without sacrificing durability, and the clearly arranged controls make it practical to adjust settings during soundchecks or between songs. The control illumination can also be switched off using the dedicated LED kill switch.

Compact Valve Circuit & Pedalboard Integration

Although the MTG contains a genuine vacuum valve, Fender designed its circuitry to fit within a conventional pedal enclosure suitable for modern pedalboards. An internal voltage-conversion circuit raises the incoming 9V DC supply to the higher voltage required for proper valve operation, allowing the pedal to deliver authentic tube-driven distortion without requiring an external high-voltage power unit. This makes the MTG a practical option for musicians who want a genuine valve effect but prefer the convenience of a portable pedalboard setup.

Who Is It For?

Blues Guitarists: A strong choice for players who appreciate expressive overdrive, harmonic richness and the responsive feel of valve-driven saturation.

Classic Rock Players: The genuine valve circuit and adjustable EQ make it particularly effective for thick rhythm sounds, crunchy chords and sustained lead guitar.

Hard Rock Guitarists: The combination of adjustable gain, Tight control and independent boost provides the flexibility needed for heavier rhythm playing and more aggressive solos.

Intermediate Guitarists: An excellent upgrade from basic overdrive or distortion pedals for musicians wanting to explore more detailed tone shaping and genuine valve circuitry.

Professional Musicians: The independent boost, comprehensive EQ and stage-friendly illuminated controls make it practical for rehearsals and live performances.

Recording Guitarists: Its responsive valve distortion and extensive tone controls provide useful options when shaping guitar sounds for different arrangements and recording environments.

Valve Amplifier Enthusiasts: Particularly appealing to players who already enjoy valve amplifier characteristics and want to incorporate similar tonal qualities into their pedalboard.

Playing Styles & Applications

The Fender MTG Tube Distortion is especially well suited to blues rock, classic rock, hard rock, alternative rock, grunge, progressive rock and expressive lead guitar.

Its adjustable Gain control makes it possible to move between moderate distortion and more heavily saturated sounds, while the dedicated Tight control helps maintain definition during rhythm playing.

The independent boost is useful for guitar solos, allowing players to add gain and adjust output levels without changing their core distortion settings.

For home recording, the MTG provides a range of useful valve-driven tones when paired with a suitable guitar amplifier, speaker simulation or recording setup.

How It Compares

Fender MTG Tube Distortion vs Fender Full Moon Distortion

Both pedals offer comprehensive tone-shaping options and independent boost functions, but their underlying designs are significantly different. The Full Moon uses a high-gain analogue distortion circuit with selectable clipping characteristics, making it particularly suitable for aggressive modern rock and metal. The MTG uses a genuine NOS 6205 preamp valve, placing greater emphasis on authentic tube-driven saturation, expressive dynamics and amplifier-like distortion. Players seeking modern high-gain versatility may prefer the Full Moon, while those prioritising genuine valve character may find the MTG more appealing.

Fender MTG Tube Distortion vs Ibanez Tube Screamer

The Ibanez Tube Screamer is a classic solid-state overdrive known for its midrange emphasis and ability to push an amplifier's existing gain stages. The Fender MTG provides a different approach by incorporating a genuine valve circuit and offering a broader range of distortion and EQ controls. The Tube Screamer may suit guitarists who primarily want to boost an already overdriven amplifier, while the MTG is particularly attractive to players seeking a more self-contained source of valve-driven distortion.

Fender MTG Tube Distortion vs Boss BD-2 Blues Driver

The Boss BD-2 Blues Driver is known for its straightforward controls and expressive low-to-medium-gain overdrive sounds. The Fender MTG offers additional flexibility through its genuine valve circuit, three-band EQ, Tight control and dedicated boost function. Players wanting a simple, compact overdrive may prefer the BD-2, while those looking for greater tonal adjustment and a more involved distortion platform may favour the MTG.

Fender Valve Amplification Heritage

Fender has played a defining role in the development of electric guitar amplification, with its valve amplifiers forming an important part of blues, country, rock and popular music history.

Models such as the Fender Deluxe Reverb, Twin Reverb and Bassman helped establish the clean headroom, dynamic response and overdriven characteristics that continue to influence guitarists and amplifier designers.

The MTG Tube Distortion brings this long-standing association with valve tone into Fender's modern effects pedal range.

Rather than simply reproducing the sound of one particular Fender amplifier, the MTG uses genuine valve technology to create its own distortion character in a compact, flexible format.

For guitarists who appreciate traditional valve amplifier sound and feel, the MTG provides an interesting combination of established technology and contemporary pedalboard convenience.

Technical Specifications

Power Requirements

The Fender MTG Tube Distortion requires a regulated 9V DC centre-negative power supply, with a minimum current capacity of 290mA.

The pedal uses a standard 5.5 x 2.1mm barrel connector, making it compatible with many dedicated guitar pedal power supplies, provided that the voltage, polarity and current capacity are suitable.

A regulated 9V output rated at 300mA or higher is recommended, with a 500mA isolated output offering additional headroom for reliable operation.

Although the MTG operates from a standard 9V DC supply, its internal circuitry converts this voltage to approximately 150V for the genuine 6205 preamp valve. This higher internal operating voltage allows the valve to function as intended while retaining the convenience of conventional pedalboard power.

Due to the power requirements of its genuine valve circuit, the MTG is designed for external DC power rather than battery operation.

Please Note: No power supply is included with this pre-owned pedal.

Fair Deal Music Expert Verdict

★★★★★

The Fender MTG Tube Distortion is a distinctive and versatile effects pedal that offers guitarists the opportunity to experience genuine valve-driven distortion in a convenient pedalboard format.

Its NOS 6205 preamp valve provides the foundation for rich, expressive overdrive and distortion, while the three-band EQ and dedicated Tight control offer the flexibility needed to adapt the pedal to different guitars, amplifiers and musical styles.

The independent boost circuit is particularly useful for working musicians, providing a practical way to move from rhythm sounds into more saturated lead tones without relying on additional effects.

For players who appreciate the responsive character of traditional valve amplifiers but want the convenience of a compact stompbox, the MTG is an appealing alternative to conventional solid-state distortion pedals.

This example is presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition and represents an attractive opportunity to own one of Fender's more distinctive modern distortion pedals.

Best Suited For: Blues, classic rock, hard rock and lead guitarists seeking genuine valve-driven distortion with flexible tonal control.

Customers Usually Upgrade From: Basic overdrive pedals, conventional solid-state distortion pedals and entry-level effects units.

Most Commonly Paired With: Clean or lightly driven guitar amplifiers, noise gates, delay and reverb pedals, and isolated pedalboard power supplies.

Our Tip: Start with the Tight control at a moderate setting and the three-band EQ near its midpoint. Adjust the Gain for your preferred level of saturation, then fine-tune the Tight control to balance low-end warmth against clarity and definition.

Showroom Advice: If you are considering the MTG for an existing pedalboard, check that your power supply has a dedicated regulated 9V output capable of delivering at least 290mA, as lower-current outputs may not operate the pedal correctly.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying a pre-owned Fender MTG Tube Distortion from Fair Deal Music provides an opportunity to enjoy genuine valve-driven distortion at an attractive alternative to purchasing new.

Our experienced team understands the importance of clear condition descriptions, accurate product information and practical guidance when choosing effects pedals.

This particular Fender MTG Tube Distortion is presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition, with the absence of a power supply clearly identified.

For players exploring premium effects or expanding an existing pedalboard, purchasing pre-owned equipment can provide excellent value while extending the useful life of quality musical gear.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

As Birmingham's largest independent music store, we have spent nearly four decades helping musicians find the right instruments, amplifiers, effects pedals and accessories.

Our experienced team of musicians offers knowledgeable, friendly advice both online and through our Birmingham showroom, helping customers make informed decisions about their equipment.

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you benefit from:

• Independent family-run retailer established in 1987

• Birmingham's largest independent music store

• Over 6,000 Trustpilot reviews

• Knowledgeable, musician-led advice

• Extensive experience with new and pre-owned effects pedals

• Competitive pricing

• Secure online ordering

• Fast UK delivery options

• Large Birmingham showroom

• Friendly customer support before and after purchase

Part Exchange – Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Looking to upgrade your current distortion pedal or pedalboard?

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges a wide range of musical instruments and equipment, including electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects pedals and keyboards.

Your existing equipment could help towards the cost of this Fender MTG Tube Distortion.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and discover how much your current gear could be worth in part exchange.

Frequently Asked Questions

What condition is this Fender MTG Tube Distortion in?

This pedal is presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition, indicating some cosmetic signs of careful previous ownership.

Does the pedal come with a power supply?

No. A power supply is not included with this particular pedal.

What power supply does the Fender MTG require?

It requires a regulated 9V DC centre-negative power supply with a standard 5.5 x 2.1mm barrel connector.

How much current does the Fender MTG draw?

The pedal requires 290mA at 9V DC.

Can I use a 500mA power supply?

Yes. A regulated 9V DC centre-negative supply rated at 500mA is suitable, provided the connector is compatible.

Can the Fender MTG operate on batteries?

No. The MTG is designed to operate using an external regulated 9V DC adapter.

Does the Fender MTG contain a real valve?

Yes. The MTG uses a genuine NOS 6205 preamp valve.

What does NOS mean?

NOS stands for New Old Stock, referring to older-manufactured components retained as unused stock before being incorporated into a product.

Is the MTG analogue or digital?

The MTG uses analogue valve-driven distortion circuitry rather than digital amplifier modelling.

Does the MTG have a three-band EQ?

Yes. It features independent Bass, Middle and Treble controls.

What does the Tight control do?

The Tight control shapes the low-frequency response, allowing players to adjust the fullness and definition of the distortion.

Does the MTG have a built-in boost?

Yes. It features an independent boost function operated using a dedicated footswitch.

Can the boost be adjusted?

Yes. The MTG provides separate Boost and Level controls, allowing adjustment of gain and output when the boost is engaged.

Can the pedal produce classic rock tones?

Yes. The genuine valve circuit and adjustable gain make it well suited to classic rock, blues rock and expressive lead guitar.

Is the Fender MTG suitable for heavy rock?

Yes. Its adjustable distortion, comprehensive EQ and Tight control make it suitable for a range of heavier rock styles.

Does the pedal have true bypass?

Yes. The Fender MTG features true-bypass switching.

Can it be used with single-coil guitars?

Yes. The MTG can be used with guitars equipped with single-coil pickups, including Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters.

Does it work with humbuckers?

Yes. The pedal's EQ and Tight controls are particularly useful for adjusting its response with higher-output humbuckers.

Can it be used for home recording?

Yes. The MTG can be used with a suitable amplifier, speaker simulation or recording setup to produce genuine valve-driven distorted guitar sounds.

Does the pedal have illuminated controls?

Yes. The MTG features LED-backlit control knobs and a Fender amplifier-style jewel indicator.

Can I part-exchange another effects pedal towards this Fender?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers effects pedals and other musical equipment for part exchange. Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.