Marshall The Guv´nor

That's it. Sturdy metal box with a Marshall inside. Hell it even has an effects loop.
A versatile and responsive distortion, with all the controls you need (Gain, 3-band EQ, level). With a Les Paul and a clean amp I was easily able to dial Gary Moore tone, or that saturated Slash Sweet Child O'Mine lead. Also sounds well on low gain or paired with an OD / boost as a sacrifice to the gods of drive.
The effects loop is useful especially if you use it as a lead channel to add a delay or whatever you want - it'll be always on when the Guv'nor is engaged.
This is 1:1 reissue of the original Guv'nor with the exception of jack sockets and knobs.

Quite expensive, but it's a good price for a UK made effect of this quality, and versatility . Couldn't recommend more.