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We all have our own personal favorite pedal companies.
But what is each state’s most popular guitar pedal brand?
By analyzing Google search data, Pedal Haven uncovered each state’s most popular guitar pedal company.
First, we compiled an extensive list of guitar pedal companies, both big and small. To formulate this list, we gathered pedal companies from our “Most Popular Pedals of 2021” and our “Most Popular Pedals of 2020” studies, Reverb.com’s best-selling pedals lists, and a number of suggestions from friends (shoutout to Ryan @GearFever and Matt @GuitarsForIdiots). Then we gathered state-level search volumes for each of the pedal companies. Finally, we were able to analyze the data to uncover each state’s overall most-searched pedal company and each state’s most uniquely popular* pedal brand.
*Uniquely Popular meaning the company is searched more, on average, in that specific state than it is in the rest of the U.S.
Each State’s Most Uniquely Popular Guitar Pedal Company
We all love searching for our next guitar pedal purchase. But guitar pedal enthusiasts in some states are searching for certain pedal brands at a higher rate than the rest of the U.S.
By comparing how much a pedal brand is searched for in a specific state against how much that brand is searched nationwide, we were able to find each state’s most uniquely popular pedal company.
Each State’s Most Searched Pedal Company, Overall
Now that we know the most uniquely famous pedal brand in each state, let’s dive into what pedal companies are flat-out the most searched for around the U.S. As it turns out, we all love the same three pedal companies.
You’ll immediately see the map below is dominated by Electro Harmonix. In fact, they are the most-searched-for pedal company in 28 states. Although they are followed closely by Strymon – the most-searched in 14 states – and TC Electronic in the remaining 9 states.
The Top 10 Most Searched For Guitar Pedal Companies in America
As the map above illustrates, EHX, Strymon, and TC Electronic are the favorites across the U.S. But by totaling the search volume for each company across all states we can see the top 10 most-searched-for pedal companies in the United States, overall.
Each State’s Most Uniquely Popular Guitar Pedal Company
Alabama – Walrus Audio
Alabama’s most uniquely popular pedal company is Walrus Audio – the makers of one of my all-time favorite reverb pedals, the Slö Multi Texture Reverb.
Alaska – 29 Pedals
Alaskans must be big fans of great tone, because 29 Pedals, the makers of the ever-so-loved Euna input driver, is the most uniquely popular company in the state.
Arizona – Xotic Effects
Guitar players in Arizona are big fans of the mini-pedal giants, Xotic Effects, who make some fantastic boost pedals and compressor pedals.
Arkansas – Bondi Effects
Arkansas must have good taste, because Bondi Effects, makers of the iconic Sick As overdrive pedal, is their #1 most uniquely popular pedal company.
California – Strymon
Not only is Strymon the 2nd most-searched pedal brand overall, but it is the #1 most uniquely popular pedal brand in the state. Californians must love delay pedals because the Strymon TimeLine is one of our top picks for the best delay pedals.
Colorado – Chase Bliss
Perhaps Colorado’s beautiful and expansive landscape plays into their love for Chase Bliss’s beautiful and expansive pedal designs. I’m not sure, but Chase Bliss took the #1 spot as the most uniquely popular pedal company in Colorado.
Connecticut – Fairfield Circuitry
Fairfield Circuitry makes some incredible pedals, like the Shallow Water K-Field Modulator and the ~900 Fuzz, and folks in Connecticut are big fans!
Delaware – GFI System
Delaware’s pedal nerds must be into great pedals because GFI System is the most uniquely popular brand in the state.
Florida – ZVEX
Floridians must love good fuzz pedals as much as they love sunshine because ZVEX Effects – makers of the iconic Fuzz Factory – is ranked #1 in the state.
Georgia – Caroline Guitar Company
Pedal enthusiasts in Georgia are big fans of Caroline Guitar Company. This makes sense because, with the CROM, Hawaiian Pizza, and the MÉTÉORE, Caroline Guitar Company has an absolutely stacked roster of pedals.
Hawaii – Universal Audio
Guitar players in Hawaii search for Universal Audio pedals more than they search for any other brand.
Idaho – Meris
It turns out that Meris is the most uniquely popular pedal brand in the state of Idaho! However, I’d guess 75% of those searches are coming from me as I’m constantly digitally window-shopping for Meris pedals.
Illinois – Empress Effects
Deep dish pizza and reverb pedals with “Beer” settings – is there a better match? Empress takes the win as Illinois’ most sought-after pedal company.
Seriously, check out the Empress Reverb, it has a “Beer” setting.
Indiana – Wampler Pedals
Indiana guitarists are keeping it local! Their favorite brand is the incredible, Indiana-based Wampler Pedals! If you didn’t know, Wampler Pedals make an overdrive pedal called the Tumnus and it’s a seriously awesome Klon clone that you should check out.
Iowa – Earthquaker Devices
Before conducting this study, one of the only things I knew about Iowa is that Slipknot is from there. But now I know they also have amazing taste in guitar pedals because Earthquaker Devices is their most uniquely popular pedal company!
Kansas – Browne Amplification
Browne Amplification’s Protein overdrive pedal has taken over the guitar pedal world, and it turns out that folks in Kansas are very interested in Browne Amplification’s pedals.
Kentucky – MXR
Guitarists in Kentucky are keeping it classic! Their favorite pedal company is MXR!
Louisiana – Gamechanger Audio
Louisiana-based pedal fanatics must love getting weird because Gamechanger Audio is their most uniquely sought-after pedal company.
But even if you aren’t in Louisiana, you should check out Gamechanger Audio – they make some of the coolest and weirdest pedals out there. To start, check out the Plasma distortion – which made our list of the coolest weird guitar pedals.
Maine – Electro Harmonix
Maine loves the classics! EHX is a staple in the pedal industry and the most uniquely popular pedal company in Maine!
Maryland – Fairfield Circuitry
Fairfield Circuitry is Maryland’s most sought-after guitar pedal company. In fact, Fairfield Circuitry is searched for 22% more in Maryland than it is across the rest of the United States.
Massachusetts – Electronic Audio Experiments
Massachusetts is the biggest fan of Massachusetts-based Electronic Audio Experiments.
Michigan – Mooer Audio
Michigan-based pedal nerds must love getting the most bang for their buck because Mooer Audio’s budget-friendly pedals are the most sought-out in the state!
Minnesota – Chase Bliss
Another local winner is Minnesota-based, Chase Bliss. Chase Bliss has made a name for itself around the world, but its pedals are the most searched-for in Minnesota!
Mississippi – Jackson Audio
Jackson Audio’s sleek pedal designs, like the Optimist, the Golden Boy, and the Prism, have struck a chord with pedal enthusiasts in Mississippi because Jackson Audio is the most uniquely popular brand in the state.
Missouri – JHS Pedals
Kansas City-based pedal legends, JHS Pedals, are the most searched in their home state! JHS Pedals make a number of awesome pedals, but their Packrat distortion made our list of the best ProCo RAT clones.
Montana – Gamechanger Audio
Montana-based pedal fans love the wacky, yet incredible pedal designs from Gamechanger Audio.
Nebraska – Smallsound/Bigsound
People in Nebraska are big fans of Smallsound/Bigsound’s pedals.
Nevada – Caroline Guitar Company
Caroline Guitar Company is the most uniquely popular pedal company in Nevada!
New Hampshire – Source Audio
Source Audio has an entire lineup of incredible guitar pedals, and people in New Hampshire really love them. In fact, on average, folks in New Hampshire search for Source Audio pedals 22.8% more than they do for any other pedal company.
New Jersey – Cornerstone Music Gear
Cornerstone Music Gear’s Gladio double preamp has made waves in the pedal world, and guitarists in New Jersey are among the biggest fans.
New Mexico – Smallsound/Bigsound
New Mexico Pedal nerds are always looking for Smallsound/Bigsound pedals. SS/BS is the most uniquely popular pedal company in the entirety of the state’s search history.
New York – Death By Audio
New York’s very own pedal company, Death By Audio, is the most uniquely popular pedal brand in the state!
North Carolina – Empress Effects
Empress Effects is the most uniquely sought-after pedal company in North Carolina’s gear community.
North Dakota – Hologram Electronics
North Dakota pedal fans have great taste, because the makers of the iconic Microcosm, Hologram Electronics, are the most uniquely popular company in the state.
Ohio – Electronic Audio Experiments
EAE is not just a favorite among Massachusetts pedal fans. Electronic Audio Experiments is also the most uniquely sought-out pedal company in the state of Ohio.
Oklahoma – Keeley Electronics
Oklahoma-based, Keeley Electronics, is the most uniquely popular pedal company in their home state! And when it comes to awesome compressor pedals, the Keeley Compressor+ is an amazing choice.
Oregon – Benson Amps
Oregon’s very own Benson Amps is the most uniquely popular company in the state! Benson Amps make a variety of awesome amplifiers, but they also have some amazing pedals, like their innovative fuzz pedal, the Germanium Fuzz.
Pennsylvania – Wampler Pedals
Wampler Pedals is a favorite among Pennsylvania’s pedal community! Wampler makes a ton of awesome amp-in-a-box pedals if you’re in need of some amp-like drive tones.
Rhode Island – GFI System
Rhode Island is a tiny state with a big appetite for awesome guitar pedals, and GFI System’s lineup of pedals takes the crown for Rhode Island’s most uniquely sought-after pedals.
South Carolina – MXR
South Carolina-based guitar players are big fans of MXR!
South Dakota – Browne Amplification
Browne Amplification is South Dakota’s most uniquely popular pedal company. Browne Amplification is searched, on average, 64% more in SD than in the rest of the U.S.
Tennessee – Cornerstone Music Gear
Tennessee is no stranger to good guitar tones, and Cornerstone Music Gear is among the most sought-out pedal companies in the state!
Texas – Bondi Effects
Texas gear nerds are among the biggest fans of Bondi Effects!
Utah – 29 Pedals
Utah guitar players are among 29 Pedals’ biggest fans. Maybe they’re all searching for that new FLWR drive pedal!
Vermont – Electro Harmonix
People in Vermont are fans of the classics! Guitar pedal pioneers, Electro Harmonix, are the most uniquely popular pedal company in the state’s search history.
Virginia – Jackson Audio
Jackson Audio is a favorite among Virginia’s pedal community!
Washington – Universal Audio
When it comes to guitar pedals, people in Washington are searching for Universal Audio more than any other state across the U.S.
Washington D.C. – Source Audio
Washington D.C. is among the biggest Source Audio fans across the nation.
West Virginia – Digitech Pedals
Digitech Pedals is West Virginia’s most uniquely popular company. Digitech is searched for 39% more, on average, in West Virginia than it is across the rest of the nation.
Wisconsin – Meris
Meris has an incredible roster of pedals, and they have become a hit among pedal enthusiasts in Wisconsin. Meris is the most uniquely popular pedal company in the state’s Google searches!
Wyoming – Hologram Electronics
Hologram Electronics is Wyoming’s most uniquely sought-after pedal company.
Here’s a breakdown of each state’s most uniquely popular pedal company and their most searched pedal brand overall.
| State | Most Searched (Overall) | Most Uniquely Popular |
| Alabama | TC Electronic | Walrus Audio |
| Alaska | Electro Harmonix | 29 Pedals |
| Arizona | TC Electronic | Xotic Effects |
| Arkansas | Electro Harmonix | Bondi Effects |
| California | Strymon | Strymon |
| Colorado | Strymon | Chase Bliss |
| Connecticut | Electro Harmonix | Fairfield Circuitry |
| Delaware | TC Electronic | GFI System |
| Florida | Strymon | ZVEX |
| Georgia | TC Electronic | Caroline Guitar Company |
| Hawaii | TC Electronic | Universal Audio |
| Idaho | Electro Harmonix | Meris |
| Illinois | Strymon | Empress Effects |
| Indiana | Electro Harmonix | Wampler Pedals |
| Iowa | Electro Harmonix | Earthquaker Devices |
| Kansas | Electro Harmonix | Browne Amplification |
| Kentucky | Electro Harmonix | MXR |
| Louisiana | Electro Harmonix | Gamechanger Audio |
| Maine | Electro Harmonix | Electro Harmonix |
| Maryland | TC Electronic | Fairfield Circuitry |
| Massachusetts | Strymon |
Electronic Audio Experiments
|
| Michigan | TC Electronic | Mooer Audio |
| Minnesota | Electro Harmonix | Chase Bliss |
| Mississippi | Electro Harmonix | Jackson Audio |
| Missouri | Electro Harmonix | JHS Pedals |
| Montana | Electro Harmonix | Gamechanger Audio |
| Nebraska | Electro Harmonix | SmallSound BigSound |
| Nevada | TC Electronic | Caroline Guitar Company |
| New Hampshire | Electro Harmonix | Source Audio |
| New Jersey | TC Electronic | Cornerstone Music Gear |
| New Mexico | Electro Harmonix | SmallSound BigSound |
| New York | Strymon | Death By Audio |
| North Carolina | Strymon | Empress Effects |
| North Dakota | Electro Harmonix | Hologram Electronics |
| Ohio | Strymon |
Electronic Audio Experiments
|
| Oklahoma | Electro Harmonix | Keeley Electronics |
| Oregon | Strymon | Benson Amps |
| Pennsylvania | Strymon | Wampler Pedals |
| Rhode Island | Electro Harmonix | GFI System |
| South Carolina | Electro Harmonix | MXR |
| South Dakota | Electro Harmonix | Browne Amplification |
| Tennessee | Strymon | Cornerstone Music Gear |
| Texas | Strymon | Bondi Effects |
| Utah | Electro Harmonix | 29 Pedals |
| Vermont | Electro Harmonix | Electro Harmonix |
| Virginia | Strymon | Jackson Audio |
| Washington | Strymon | Universal Audio |
| Washington D.C. | Electro Harmonix | Source Audio |
| West Virginia | Electro Harmonix | Digitech |
| Wisconsin | Electro Harmonix | Meris |
| Wyoming | Electro Harmonix | Hologram Electronics |
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