Third Man & 1981 Inventions Unveil Limited "Mod DRV" Pedal
Third Man Hardware and 1981 Inventions unveil the ultra-limited Mod DRV pedal—just 65 units worldwide, debuting at EarthQuaker Day 2026.
Boutique pedal enthusiasts and Jack White fans have a massive new reason to gear up. Third Man Hardware and 1981 Inventions have officially joined forces to unveil the Third Man Mod DRV, an ultra-limited modified variant of 1981’s legendary dirt pedal.
Dubbed "The Black Squirrel," this exclusive run is capped at just 65 total units worldwide and makes its debut today, August 1, 2026, exclusively in person at EarthQuaker Day 2026 in Akron, Ohio.
It follows the Third Man Hardware & Beetronics Drop Limited-Edition Fuzz that sold out in minutes earlier this week.
A Thicker, More Aggressive DRV Circuit
The original 1981 Inventions DRV—originally designed alongside John Ashley of Bondi Effects and launched by Relient K guitarist Matthew Hoopes—has long earned a place on premier pedalboards worldwide. However, this Third Man Hardware collaboration takes the iconic circuit into uncharted territory.
Featuring hand-selected, road-tested components tuned directly by Third Man Hardware, the Third Man Mod DRV is billed as the most immediate, aggressive, and thickest version of the DRV to date.
Designed to seamlessly transition between Jack White's signature guitar crunch and heavy bass rigs, the pedal boasts a massively expanded low-end response.
"Our goal was to tune the pedal to be as useful on Jack’s guitar pedalboard as it would be on Dominic’s bass pedalboard while out on tour... And we succeeded," the official manual reads. "Because this circuit has an extended frequency range, it is not only great for guitars and bass, but also for keyboards, synths, drum machines, or any full-range instrument... So deep you can feel the vibrations in Jamaica."
Third Man Mod DRV ("The Black Squirrel") Specifications
| Specification | Details |
| Price | $279 |
| Availability | Limited Run (65 Units Worldwide) |
| Finish & Enclosure | Powder-coated "Third Man Yellow" Bent Aluminum |
| Artwork | Karen Schierhorn & Grant Wilson (BIG EAR pedals) |
| Dimensions | 3.54" × 4.41" × 1.42" (90mm × 112mm × 36mm) |
| Weight | 9.6 oz |
| Power Supply | 9VDC (Center Negative, 2.1mm barrel connector) |
| Current Draw | 58mA |
| Compatible Instruments | Electric Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Synths, & Drum Machines |
Local Akron Homage Meets Iconic Aesthetic
Visually, the pedal demands attention. Powder-coated in vibrant Third Man Yellow, the bent aluminum enclosure features custom artwork paying tribute to Northeast Ohio’s famous black squirrel population—a fitting mascot for an event rooted in Akron.
Designed by Karen Schierhorn and Grant Wilson of BIG EAR pedals, the enclosure artwork depicts a black squirrel perched atop a pile of Third Man logos. Each unit comes with a matching 5”x7” art print card that doubles as the pedal's instruction manual.
How to Buy the Third Man Mod DRV
Priced at $279, the 65-unit run of the Third Man Mod DRV will be available first-come, first-served in person at the Third Man Hardware booth during EarthQuaker Day 2026 in Akron, OH.
- In-Person Launch: EarthQuaker Day '26 (Akron, OH) — August 1, 2026
- Online Availability: Should any of the 65 units remain after the event concludes, Third Man Hardware plans to release the remaining stock online via the official Third Man Hardware store.
Given the legendary demand for both 1981 Inventions drops and Third Man Hardware collaborations, guitarists, bassists, and synth collectors will want to act fast before this 65-piece batch vanishes into gear history.
- +Thicker, more aggressive DRV circuit
- +Extended low-end frequency response
- +Hand-selected, road-tested components
- +Works with multiple instrument types
- +Ultra-limited collectible (65 units)
- +Custom artwork featuring local Akron black squirrel design
- −Extremely limited availability
- −Premium pricing at $279
What is the Third Man Mod DRV pedal?
The Third Man Mod DRV is a modified version of 1981 Inventions' DRV distortion pedal, a collaboration between Third Man Hardware and 1981 Inventions. It features hand-selected components tuned for a thicker, more aggressive sound with expanded low-end response suitable for guitar, bass, keyboards, and synths.
How many units of the Third Man Mod DRV are being made?
The Third Man Mod DRV is limited to just 65 units worldwide. It's labeled 'The Black Squirrel' and will be released first-come, first-served in person at EarthQuaker Day 2026 in Akron, Ohio on August 1, 2026.
How much does the Third Man Mod DRV cost?
The Third Man Mod DRV is priced at $279. It features a powder-coated yellow bent aluminum enclosure, custom black squirrel artwork by BIG EAR pedals, and comes with a matching instruction manual art print card.
