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?

[J M Fahey]

In principle, lower first stage gain, there is only so much swing you can get out of a piss poor 9V supply.

For high gain humbuckers or active pickups, often no more than 2X, go figure.

A regular Op Amp, say TL072, can only swing within 2V of 9V or ground so 5Vpp tops.

Rail to Rail Op Amps such as LM833 can swing the full 9V pp

IF you increase supply to 18V or higher, up to +30V single supply, headroom improves dramatically.