What is it?
Personally, I find that one of the most inspiring guitar tones to play through is a tube amp just on the edge of breaking up. There’s something truly magical about a combo that hovers between clean and distorted, coaxing out some of my best playing - and that’s exactly the experience Fender’s latest stompbox aims to deliver.
Introducing the Breakup Drive, which is the newest member of Fender's ever-growing Hammertone series. This unassuming JFET-based overdrive pedal has been expertly crafted to replicate the dynamic response of cooking tubes right at the brink of saturation, giving you that coveted touch-sensitive feel that many of us guitarists crave.
With a simple trio of knobs for Volume, Tone, and Gain, this pedal is a pretty straightforward affair. That said, there is a little more going on than it may first appear. On the face of the pedal, you’ll discover a small switch for choosing between two distinct clipping modes, light breakup, and medium-gain overdrive. Plus, a switchable pre-gain mid boost ensures your tone slices through even the densest of band mixes with ease.
The Breakup Drive features a soft-touch relay true bypass switch that automatically engages bypass mode when no power is detected, and the in/out is served by a pair of top-mounted jacks. Encased in a rugged, road-ready aluminum enclosure, this pedal is designed to operate with power supplies ranging from 9V to 18V – plug in an 18V supply and you’ll unlock an additional 6dB of headroom.
Specs
- Launch price: $104.99 | £75.99 | €89
- Type: Overdrive
- Controls: Drive, Tone, Level, Type, Mids
- Features: Two selectable JFET-based dynamic clipping stages and switchable between flat response or pre-drive mid boost
- Connectivity: Input and Output
- Bypass: True bypass
- Power: 9-18V DC
- Dimensions: D 2.44" (62mm) X H4.4" (112mm) X L 4.4" (112mm)
- Weight: 0.5 lbs (0.23kg)
- Contact: Fender
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★☆
When it comes to build quality, the Fender Hammertone Breakup Drive certainly lives up to expectations set by its industrial-looking aesthetic. The pedal feels practically bomb-proof – and most certainly stomp-proof.
Like the other pedals in the Hammertone line, the switches and knobs operate smoothly, and the footswitch engages with a satisfying click.
The appearance of the pedal is quite utilitarian, and personally, I find it to be less attractive compared to other options on the market
That said, while the rugged design is undoubtedly practical, I do find the aesthetics a bit lacking. The hammered metal look that gives this Fender series its name is quite utilitarian, and personally, I find it to be less attractive compared to other options on the market. The grey enclosure, with the basic "Breakup Drive" font and plastic royal blue controls feel uninspired, and as I find out, the looks don't reflect the performance elsewhere.
Of course, functionality is always paramount when it comes to stompboxes, but a more visually appealing design could elevate the overall impression of this otherwise solidly built pedal.
Usability
Usability rating: ★★★★★
The user-friendly layout of the Hammertone is a breath of fresh air in a sea of over-engineered gear
The Fender Hammertone Breakup Drive is definitely trying to keep things simple – it's truly plug-and-play at its finest. This rugged pedal is designed with simplicity in mind, allowing me to dial in a convincing blues tone in mere seconds. With only three knobs and two switches to navigate, there are no hidden surprises or intricate settings to unravel; everything is clearly labeled, and exactly where it should be.
The user-friendly layout of the Hammertone is a breath of fresh air in a sea of over-engineered gear. Okay, I may have bemoaned the look of the knobs earlier, but from a practical standpoint, amp-style controls do actually feel great under my fingers and are also large and easily readable from a distance – even for someone as short-sighted as me! This means I can make adjustments mid-performance, even on the dimmest stages.
For me, the pedal's simplicity is its greatest strength. In a world brimming with pedals that offer endless tweakability and an overwhelming number of internal dip switches, it’s refreshing to plug into a straightforward drive that champions no-nonsense tone.
Sounds
Sounds rating: ★★★★½
Okay, so now to tone – arguably the most important part of any stompbox. Straight off the bat, I'll say the Fender Hammertone Breakup Drive impressively captures the essence of a lightly overdriven tube amp.
Out of the two modes, I leaned toward the more overdriven setting, which delivered a richer, more dynamic presence, in my opinion
Pairing the pedal with my favorite Telecaster – an AVRI '64 – and a Fender Blues Junior set as clean as possible, with a touch of reverb, I found both drive modes to be solid contenders for always-on applications. There is a warmth to this pedal that is genuinely satisfying to play through.
Out of the two modes, I leaned toward the more overdriven setting, which delivered a richer, more dynamic presence, in my opinion. Maybe it's the rocker in me, but I preferred having more saturation on tap, as I could always back off my volume to get the cleaner sound of the first mode, anyway.
Now, I did encounter a slight hiccup with this pedal. I found the mid boost feature to be a touch nasal, which detracted from the overall warmth and smoothness that I'd hoped for. Is it a bad tone? No, certainly not. It just wasn't really to my taste. Perhaps a Q control, which allows you to tweak the frequency of the boost, would have been a nice addition so you could better tailor the pedal to your amp.
That said, ultimately, the Breakup Drive holds its own, perfectly blending simplicity with solid performance, making it a worthwhile addition for those seeking that classic drive sound without a convoluted setup.
Verdict
The Fender Hammertone Breakup Drive is a solid and straightforward overdrive pedal that manages to effectively mimic the characteristics of a slightly overdriven tube amp, all for a very reasonable price.
The pedal's rugged build feels sturdy and well put together, although its utilitarian aesthetic may not appeal to everyone.
Sound-wise, it more than delivers on the promise, with a dynamic tone that is perfectly suited to blues. However, the mid boost can feel a bit pokey, which may not suit every player’s taste.
Guitar World verdict: Okay, so the Hammertone Breakup Drive might not win any beauty contests, but don’t let its modest appearance fool you; this pedal is all about delivering a killer tone. Rugged and competitively priced, it captures the essence of a cranked-up tube amp with surprising accuracy.
Test |
Results |
Score |
|---|---|---|
Build quality |
Solidly built, but the industrial look is a tad dull. |
★★★★☆ |
Usability |
Simple controls and an intuitive layout; pedals don’t get much easier to use than this. |
★★★★★ |
Sounds |
Impressive tube-like tones and a warm, satisfying drive. The mid-boost is a little nasal, but it certainly cuts through dense band mixes. |
★★★★½ |
Overall |
There’s a lot to like about this humble drive pedal. It’s easy to use, built to last, and delivers the exact tone it promises. Oh, and it’s affordable, too. |
★★★★½ |
