Methods for limiting input

[edvard]

What's the best way to protect a SS input stage (non-inverting op-amp set for about 5x gain, in my case) from overdriving by overwound or active pickups, or a boost pedal? 
Things I've thought of:
- Make the integral gain adjustable via the (-)input leg to ground as a "drive" or "trim" control, and attach a clipping detector circuit with an LED indicator.  I figured out pretty quickly that idea is probably a bit too complicated. 
- Run the op-amp at a higher voltage for maximum headroom.  ±15v isn't that much higher headroom, and if I ever experiment with active pickups or overdrive pedals, eek! (I went with ±15v because rated max voltage for most common op-amps is ±18v, but IMO, that's pushing it kinda hard)
- Replace the op-amp with a MOSFET or JFET buffer/booster, so when it clips, it's not harsh.  However, simulations in LTSpice show that contrary to popular belief, MOSFETs and JFETs do indeed clip hard.
- Wire up a bare-bones limiter circuit so the signal never goes over a certain level.
- Instead of an op-amp chip at the front end, build a discrete unit, so I can run it at even higher voltage, because eventually I'll be putting a power amp on the back end, and it'll be running on ±24 or 35 volts.

Or do you simply design it for maximum headroom and let it ride?