Three new flexible, combination gain machines offer a slate of overdrive, distortion, and fuzz sounds from rambunctious to raging.
EHX releases their take on the extreme '80s distortion.
The Electro-Harmonix Hell Melter takes distortion to its extremes in their take on the cult classic chainsaw distortion pedal with expanded controls and tonal capabilities. This distortion circuit originally designed as the ultimate in high-gain is now known for the death metal sounds of the likes of Sweden’s Entombed, and the shoegaze wash of My Bloody Valentine. Surprisingly, it’s even been at home in the rig of David Gilmour.
The EHX Hell Melter enhances on the original design with many modern updates and features. More overall output volume is available on tap than the original circuit. The active EQ expands the original single highs control, which controlled peaks in both the treble and upper-mids, into a HIGH control and parametric MIDS LVL control with adjustable MID FREQ ranging from the signature high-mids bark to a low-mids growl. The LOW control rounds out the powerful 3-band EQ. A mode toggle goes from NORM to the new BURN mode which opens up the sound of the pedal significantly by switching to more open clipping options and boosting the internal voltage for more headroom. Additional new features include a noise gate and DRY LVL control, which is useful when using a bass guitar or using an already dirty amplifier. A foot-switchable BOOST section increases the overall gain and volume of the pedal. DISTORTION and LEVEL knobs control the overall gain and output volume of the pedal respectively.
Electro-Harmonix Hell Melter Distortion Pedal
Electro-Harmonix Hell Melter Distortion Pedal
The Hell Melter comes equipped with an EHX 9V power supply and buffered bypass. It features a USA street price of $176.66.
For more information, please visit ehx.com.
Electro-Harmonix Hell Melter Distortion Pedal
England’s foremost volume dealers resurrect four U.K.-made stomps that inspired players from Johnny Greenwood to John Mayer.
Bluesbreaker
The sound of the 1962 ‘Bluesbreaker’ amplifier became a legend, with the smooth tone, rich warmth and full character that gave guitarists more expression than ever before. The original Bluesbreaker pedal took this and put it in a stompbox. Today, this reissue accurately delivers the timeless tones and style once again. It captures the magic of those classic vintage amps with added sweetness, crispness and extra edge to carry solos and squeeze out those vital harmonics.
Street: $249
DriveMaster
The Drivemaster is based on the original Guv’nor but takes things a stage further with a new tone and drive network. It’s three band tone network acts as if adding an extra amp to your set up, with real Marshall tone and overdrive. The iconic look has also been accurately recreated, right down to the finish of the control knobs and unique shape. There’s plenty of reasons the first edition is so heavily sought after today. This reissue takes everything that made the original so special and replicates it for today’s player.
Street: $249
The Guv'nor
Released in 1988, the Guv'nor set the bar for future generations of distortion pedals. This reissue faithfully recreates the classic sound of The Guv’nor, providing a smooth overdriven sound with a touch of compression. The pedal is housed in a casing that is accurately modelled on the original, from the unique shape right down to the individually coloured control knobs. All that’s missing are the stories collected over 30+ years of use, but that’s where you come in.
Street: $249
ShredMaster
The original Shredmaster was our first ever high-gain pedal and has become synonymous with game-changing music throughout the 90s and beyond. The ultimate care has been taken to ensure that this reissue accurately recreates that iconic Shredmaster sound. The pedal casing is accurately modelled on the bespoke design of the original. The gold Shredmaster name, embossed Marshall logo and the heavy-duty casing are all right here, exactly as you’d expect.
Street: $249