Play The Guitar Pedal Game & Giveaway

Sweetwater welcomes you to design a pedalboard by playing the Guitar Pedal Game! In a world of nearly limitless pedal options, we created a board game of 24 stellar pedals to choose from. To keep it simple, we condensed their real-world retail prices into single-digit dollar amounts. Pedals that are under $100 in real life will set you back $1. If you desire a pedal that costs between $100 and $200, then you’ll pay $2, while $200-to-$300 pedals will take $3 out of your budget. If you are a high-end pedal enthusiast and fancy a stompbox that retails for more than $300, then you’ll be dropping $4 to get it on your board. Be wary, big spenders, as you’re working with a total budget of $11 for this board build.

We’ve split the pedals into six categories:

Dirt

Screaming solos, crunchy rhythm tones, and sludgy, fearsome fuzz — it all comes from dirt pedals. Broad by definition yet essential to every player, dirt pedals mangle guitar signals in ways that define the electric guitar and music as we know it!

Compressor

Compressors deliver heroic doses of sustain that exceed natural limits, but they can also provide smoothing dynamics for a more consistent and professional sound. A must-have for many, compressors let players sound like superstars with minimal effort.

Modulation

Similar to dirt pedals, modulation pedals provide subtle, extreme, or in-between tone coloration. Josh Scott says that modulation is signal movement, and he’s right, but let’s up the ante: modulation is drama. Seasick vibrato, choppy tremolo, and swirling phasers are three modulation types that complicate your tone with drama and movement.

Pitch/Synth

Pitch and synth pedals push electric guitar tones beyond natural limits. Pitch effects often supplement played notes with harmonies or by adding octaves either above or below; octave pedals like the Electro-Harmonix POG3 offer dense, organ-like octave sounds but can also simulate lower pitches like bass guitars. Synth pedals have much in common with octave effects but also add features such as waveform shaping that more convincingly emulate classic synth sounds.

Delay/Reverb

Delay and reverb are closely intertwined effects that manipulate time and space. Simpler devices like the Electro-Harmonix Slap-Back Echo help emphasize the mood or emotion behind your playing and have a thickening effect that often resembles overdrive. More elaborate pedals like the Strymon BigSky MX can supersize your tone with celestial ambience or supernatural repeats.

Wild Card

This category features a few extra fun pedals that either didn’t fit another category or just couldn’t be left out! (How can you not include the EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker?!)

So, what will it be? Will you embark on a journey to experimental and unique sounds with the new Electro-Harmonix POG3, the new Source Audio Artifakt Lo-fi Elements, or the pretty pink EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine V2? Are you slamming some distorted ’90s tones with the JHS Hard Drive or crafting Andy Timmons’s [LF1] coveted delay with his Keeley Halo Dual Echo? With what has to be over 100,000 different combinations [SR2] [LF3] to choose from, we know that making a decision is no small task. (We wish we had an exact number of combinations, but that algorithm is intimidating, and we just wanted to play more guitar!)

You can watch the videos above to see some of your favorite artists, content creators, and pedal manufacturers play the game. We’ve also got a video below where our in-house product guru, guitarist, and on-camera legend Mitch Gallagher demos and talks about all the pedal options and the game itself. Make sure you click this link to enter our Guitar Pedal Game Giveaway for your chance to win a Sweetwater Gift Card big enough to purchase any $11 combination of pedals you can think of! Happy strumming!

Official Rules

Link to Previous Winners 

Sweetwater invites you to play the inaugural version of our Guitar Pedal Game! The premise is simple, just pick the guitar pedals you’d want on your pedal board with a game budget of $11. Create a gig-worthy versatile pedal board or make a wild combination that would take you on an audio adventure (or anywhere in between).  One random winner will be getting a Sweetwater gift card that can make their guitar pedal choices a reality! 

Official Rules – Sweetwater Sound Guitar Pedal Game Giveaway 

No purchase or payment is necessary to enter or win and will not increase the odds of winning. Void where prohibited by law.  

SPONSOR: 

This Sweetwater Promotion (the “Promotion”) is sponsored by Sweetwater Sound, LLC (“Sponsor”).  It is not sponsored by: Strymon, JHS, Earthquaker Devices, Electro-Harmonix, J. Rockett Audio Designs, Universal Audio, Walrus Audio, Boss, MXR, Wampler, Revv, Source Audio 

OFFICIAL RULES: 

These are the official rules (“Official Rules”) for the Promotion. Participation in this Promotion is expressly subject to and governed by these Official Rules. By entering or otherwise participating in this Promotion, you agree to be bound fully and unconditionally by these Official Rules and to Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Promotion, and to comply with all applicable rules and regulations.   

Sponsor has the right to reject and disqualify you for any reason, in its sole and absolute discretion, including, for example, if the Sponsor determines that your entry fails to satisfy the requirements set forth in these Official Rules, or is inconsistent with the image, reputation or policies of the Sponsor. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.  

ELIGIBILITY 

This Promotion is only open to any person who: 

(a) has reached the age of majority or older at the time of any entry; and 

(b) is a legal resident of the 50 United States and District of Columbia (excluding Florida, New York, Rhode Island, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands). 

Current or former, officers, and directors of Sponsor or any affiliate of Sponsor, AP Sound, LLC, Sweetwater Instrument Rental, LLC, Sweetwater Sound, LLC, Gear Nuts, LLC, Sweetwater Gift Co., LLC, Sweetwater Gear Exchange, LLC, Gator Cases, LLC as well as their immediate families (parent, child, sibling & spouse and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) and persons living in the same households as such individuals (whether related or not) are not eligible to participate in the Promotion. Void in any state where prohibited by law, rule or regulation. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. 

HOW TO ENTER 

There are two methods of entry:  

1. Go to [link to giveaway page] during the Promotion Period, play the game by selecting different pedals to equal a total of $11 and click “submit”;  

2. Send an email to giveaways@sweetwater.com, attention: Guitar Pedal Game (Marketing Department) with your (a) name, (b) valid email address, (c) the name of the giveaway promotion (“Monthly Giveaway”), and (d) an indication of consent be bound by these Official Rules. 

1. No mechanically reproduced or photocopied entries accepted.  Entries become the property of Sponsors and will not be returned.  

2. Each valid entry card received via email will result in one (1) Entry.  Limit of up to one (1) Entry per person throughout the Promotion Period, regardless of the method of entry. 

Submission of the form outlined in (1) or email outlined in (2) will result in one Promotion entry (“Entry”).  Limit one (1) Entry per person throughout the Promotion Period, regardless of the method of entry. The Sponsor reserves the right to, and at its sole discretion may, reject any entry for failure to comply with these entry requirements. Entries that do not include all required information or do not adhere to these Official Rules as determined by Sponsor, in its sole discretion, will be considered void.  

Data rates may apply if an Entry is submitted with a mobile phone or other Web-enabled device using your wireless service provider’s network. Check with your wireless service provider for details on these and any other applicable charges. Entrants are solely responsible for any such wireless charges.    

All Entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Sponsor is not liable for entries that are lost, late, misdirected, incomplete, garbled, incompletely received, mutilated, or illegible, for any reason.   

PROMOTION PERIOD AND DRAWING OF WINNERS 

The Promotion starts at 12:00 am EDT on 09/20/2024, and ends at 11:59 pm EDT on 10/21/2024 (“Promotion Period”). The Promotion contains a game of chance, and the computer clock of the Sponsor will be the official time-keeping device in the Promotion. At the end of the Promotion Period, one (1) prize will be awarded to an eligible Entrant selected at random by Sponsor from all qualified Entrants (“Prize Winners”). Odds of winning depend on the number of Entries received. 

PRIZES 

Grand Prize 

There will be one (1) Grand Prize winner that will receive a Prize package (collectively, “Grand Prize”) consisting of the following items:  

(1x) virtual Sweetwater Gift Card. 

The total value of the Grand Prize is approximately $1,750.00 

No substitution of Prize (or any portion thereof), including cash substitutions, will be permitted, except that Sponsor has the right in its sole discretion to substitute a prize (or a portion thereof) with a prize of greater or equal value if the stated Prize (or any portion thereof) is not available. Prizes are not transferable or assignable. Limit of one (1) Prize per person. 

The winner will be selected in a random drawing (“Drawing”). The Drawing will take place within fourteen (14) days following the close of the Promotion Period. Odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible Entries received. 

Within approximately ten (10) days after the Sponsor verifies the Winner, Sponsor will ship the Prize to the Winner using the address provided by the Winner during the Winner’s verification process, using such delivery method and carrier as selected by the Sponsors.   

The Prize Winner will be solely responsible for all federal, state, and/or local taxes, or for other fees or costs associated with the Prize or the Entrant’s receipt or enjoyment of the Prize. The Prize Winner may be required to provide Sponsor with a valid social security number or submit a W-9 before the prize is awarded for tax reporting purposes.  

WINNERS VERIFICATION  

The Sponsor will notify the potential Winner via the email provided in the Entry form within two (2) business days of the Drawing or as soon as reasonably practicable (“Prize Notification”). Potential Winner will have three (3) days to respond to the Prize Notification. Failure to respond will result in forfeiture of the Prize.  Potential Winner only becomes a “Winner” after verification of eligibility by Sponsor. In no event is Sponsor required to attempt to contact the Winner more than once. The Prize will be forfeited if the potential Winner cannot be reached; the potential Winner cannot accept or receive the prize for any reason; the potential Winner fails to timely respond to the Prize Notification; or the Winner has violated these Official Rules. If a potential Winner is deemed ineligible, an alternative Winner will be selected from all remaining Entries. 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES:   

By participating in the Promotion, you represent and warrant as follows: 

1. All information provided by you in connection with this Promotion is truthful, current and accurate; 

2. You meet the eligibility requirements set forth in these Official Rules; 

3. All materials submitted by you as part of your submission are compliant with the content guidelines set forth these Official Rules;  

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION:  

By entering this Promotion, you acknowledge and agree that your participation in this Promotion is expressly subject to the following additional terms and conditions:   

1. In consideration of the opportunity to participate in this Promotion, you irrevocably and unconditionally grant to the Sponsor a non-exclusive, gratis, royalty-free, freely assignable and transferable, freely sublicensable, worldwide and perpetual right and license to use, reproduce, publicly display, publicly perform, exhibit, transmit, stream, broadcast, publish, distribute, edit, modify, adapt, create derivative works based upon, and otherwise exploit (whether commercially or non-commercially) your Entry (including any text, photographs, or other content provided in the Entry such as Entrant’s name, address, and general and biographical information) in this Promotion, in whole or in part, across all media now known or hereafter devised (including, without limitation, the Internet, mobile, digital, electronic, print, and broadcast media), for advertising, promotional, publicity, and any and all other business purposes of the Sponsor. You further waive and release any and all “moral rights” you may have in your Entry.  

2. By submitting an Entry, Entrant grants Sponsor the right to contact the Entrant via telephone or electronically about this Promotion.  

3. You further acknowledge and agree that use of your Entry will be at the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor and that the Sponsor will have no obligation to use your Entry, in whole or in part, in any manner or for any purpose. 

4. You shall have no right of approval of any use of the materials in your Entry, no claim or right to any payment, royalty or other monetary compensation for use of any materials in your submission, and no claim (including, without limitation, claims based upon copyright infringement, invasion of privacy, defamation, or right of publicity) arising out of any use, blurring, alteration, distortion, illusionary effect, faulty reproduction, fictionalization, or use in any composite form of the materials in your submission. 

5. By entering this Promotion, you agree to indemnify and hold the Sponsor harmless from and against any and all third-party claims arising out of: (1) your breach or violation of any of the provisions of these Official Rules or any applicable law; and/or (2) your breach of any of the representations and warranties set forth in these Official Rules. 

6. By entering this Promotion, you forever release, discharge, indemnify, and hold harmless Sponsor, its affiliates, and each of its respective licensees, brands, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors, successors, and assigns from and against any and all actual and potential, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected claims, demands, causes of action, liabilities, losses and damages (collectively “Claims”) arising out of or relating to this Promotion or any prize, including i) the entrant’s participation in the Promotion; ii) any acceptance, possession, misuse, or use of the Prize; iii) any alleged violation of the rights of publicity or privacy, claims of defamation or portrayal in a false light; iv) any error or limitation, whether intentional or unintentional, that causes the entrant to be unable to fully participate in the Promotion; and v) any typographical, technical, electronic, human, or other error in the printing, offering, selection, operation, transcription of registration or entries, or announcement of any Promotion related activity and/or Prize, whether intentional or unintentional, and whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty or otherwise.  

7. If the Sponsor, at its sole discretion, determines that an Entrant has or intends to take any action or inaction that is designed to or has the effect of allowing the entrant to cheat, obtain an unfair advantage, to circumvent the Rules, or otherwise interfere in the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Promotion (“Cheating”), the Sponsor may disqualify the Entrant from the Promotion as well as other existing or future Promotion that may be offered by Sponsor in the future.  Any Winners or potential Winners determined by Sponsor, at its sole discretion, to have been engaged in or attempted Cheating will be immediately disqualified and will forfeit any right to a prize or be obligated to refund the prize to Sponsor if already awarded.  

8. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any Entrant who Sponsor determines is inconsistent with the values of Sponsor and its brand including but not limited to individuals who through speech, social media posting, or actions condone, engage in or promote discrimination, violence, obscenity, hate speech, defamation or libel, degrading or demeaning any group or persons based on race, religion, disability, ethnic background, sexual orientation, or sex.  

PRIVACY AND PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION 

Entrants understand and agree that Sponsor will obtain and store certain personal information, including but not limited to their full legal name, address, email address, phone number and if required to be provided to Sponsor by a potential prize Winner, a social security number, along with general information about any prize Winner for the purpose of administering and/or managing this Promotion as well as complying with applicable laws, regulations, and rules. This use is in addition to any other uses as specified in any applicable agreement, terms of use, or privacy policy of Sponsor. Entrants understand that such personal information may be transferred for processing or storage to a jurisdiction outside of the state in which it was collected. Entrants have the right to request their personal information not be used for the purpose of administering and/or managing the Promotion and understand that such a request will cause them to be automatically disqualified from this Promotion, as well as potentially other existing or future promotions offered by Sponsor. To engage in this privacy request, or any other similar request, entrants should contact the Sponsor as specified by Sponsor’s Privacy Policy.      

GOVERNING LAW AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY 

All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules or the rights and obligations of entrants or Sponsor in connection with this Promotion are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of Indiana or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of any other state’s laws. 

ENTRANT AGREES THAT TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW: 1) ANY AND ALL DISPUTES, CLAIMS, AND CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH THE PROMOTION, OR ANY PRIZE AWARDED, WILL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION OR AWARD; 2) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, JUDGMENTS, SETTLEMENTS, AND AWARDS WILL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL THIRD-PARTY, OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS INCURRED (IF ANY) NOT TO EXCEED THE APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE OF THE PRIZE, BUT IN NO EVENT WILL ATTORNEYS’ FEES BE AWARDED OR RECOVERABLE; 3) UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ANY ENTRANT BE PERMITTED TO OBTAIN ANY AWARD FOR, AND ENTRANT HEREBY KNOWINGLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO SEEK, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS AND/OR ANY OTHER DAMAGE, OTHER THAN ACTUAL OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES, IF ANY, OR ANY RIGHT TO HAVE ANY DAMAGES MULTIPLIED OR OTHERWISE INCREASED; AND 4) ENTRANT’S REMEDIES WILL BE LIMITED SOLELY TO A CLAIM FOR MONEY DAMAGES, IF ANY, AND ENTRANT IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO SEEK INJUNCTIVE OR EQUITABLE RELIEF.  WHERE SUCH EXCLUSIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED BY LAW, THEY DO NOT APPLY. 

Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, unreadable, incomplete, damaged, stolen or misdirected entries; lost, interrupted, or unavailable network, server or other connections; miscommunications, computer or software malfunctions; transmission problems; technical failures; garbled transmissions; damage to user’s software or transmission devices; or other errors or malfunctions of any kind, whether human, mechanical, electronic or otherwise. Proof of submission will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by Sponsor. Once submitted, no Entry can be returned or confirmed. All entries once submitted become the property of Sponsor.  

WINNERS LIST 

The Winners’ names will be available beginning thirty (30) days after the Promotion has ended. To obtain the Winners’ names, please email giveaway@sweetwater.com. 

OR 

A list of Prize Winners can be found at www.sweetwater.com/giveaway/previous-Winners.php. 

APPLE AND APP STORE NOT A SPONSOR 

Apple, Inc. is not a sponsor of this Promotion. Apple, Inc. is not involved in any matter in this Promotion.