JHS Pedals The Kilt V2 Overdrive Effect Pedal, Stu G Signature

There always seems to be some intriguing collaboration being cooked up with JHS – this time, with Stu G of the UK band Delirious for the JHS Kilt V2 Overdrive. This powerful box of rock was designed to accommodate Stu's extensive studio and touring schedules as an overdrive that does it all from amp-like breakup to full-on distorted destruction.

For its design, the JHS Kilt V2 centers itself as a heavily tweaked Expandora-style dirt pedal that offers up a host of versatile tone options. The Kilt V2 utilizes a specially-chosen op-amplifier that heavily cuts down on noise and offers an improved slew rate for a smoother structure. It doesn't stop there, however. Three powerful tone toggles enhance the adjustability even further. For one, the cut/flat toggle offers the option to cut the low end frequencies to better sit in the mix. When placed in the flat position, the bass response bulks up beefier than the original Expandora circuit for heavy guitar or bass grit.

The Kilt's G1 and G2 toggles allow for swapping between various forms of distortion through select resistance values that switch in and out in the clipping section of the circuit. Differing from typical diode clipping selectors in your usual drive pedals, this gives you multiple configurations for tonal profiles. Roll through transparent drives to wall-of-fuzz distortions and everything in between to get really into the weeds with your distortion.

Flip up the G1 toggle to add a touch of more drive for reliable grit, flip the G2 toggle for creeping up on the edge of distortion with more sustain and saturation. Swap both the G1 and G2 toggles upward for an almost uncontrollable gated, fuzz distortion that cuts through anything. With these toggles, you can bring everything back down to Earth by flipping both toggles down to get that sweet, chiming, amp-like breakup.

As a Swiss Army Knife of an overdrive, the Kilt V2 clocks in overtime for doing every job at once – drive, distortion, fuzz – for players who need it all.