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Average Price: $180

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$80

$181+

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Description

Unleash the raw power and versatility of the '80s with the JHS All American Distortion pedal, a modern homage to one of the most legendary effects of the era. With its intuitive four-knob layout, this pedal transitions smoothly from a subtle clean grit to a full-on fuzzy assault, allowing you to sculpt your sound with precision. The addition of a three-position clipping switch offers a range of distortion characters, from tight and punchy to thick and saturated, making it a versatile tool for any guitarist's arsenal. Whether you're looking to inject your music with that nostalgic '80s vibe or simply seeking a high-quality distortion pedal that covers a broad sonic palette, the JHS All American Distortion stands ready to deliver.

Key Features:

  • Four-knob layout for detailed sound sculpting
  • Three-position clipping switch offering versatile distortion tones
  • Designed to capture the legendary '80s distortion sound
  • Smooth transition from clean grit to saturated fuzz
  • High-quality components for improved sound fidelity

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile: handles distortion, fuzz, and overdrive

  • Razor sharp sound, perfect for hard rock and heavy metal

  • Unique Rat type circuit with a fourth knob for added grit

  • Three-way switch with red LEDs offers distinct clipping stages

  • Excellent main dirt pedal for a guitar effects collection

CONS

  • Overdrive may not be as smooth as some prefer

  • Discontinued, potentially making it harder to find or service

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about JHS All American.

Build quality

  • Some users found the diode holes on the PCB too narrow for diode legs, and solder pads for I/O leads are very close to the PCB edge, causing potential short circuits.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The JHS All American's Sweep knob provides more tonal control than a typical Rat pedal, offering a broader range of distortion sounds.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Unlike the traditional Rat pedal that uses an LM308N IC, the JHS All American employs a 5534 500nA, with users noting minimal impact on sound quality.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite some build challenges, the JHS All American is described as delivering a huge sound, appealing to fans of the Rat-style distortion with added tonal versatility.

    Source

Critic Reviews

JHS All American review on pedal-of-the-day.com

pedal-of-the-day.com

The JHS All American Overdrive impresses by taking the iconic RAT blueprint and enhancing it with unique features. It offers a versatile tone range, from subtle dirt to full-on fuzz, with a standout Sweep knob for precise gain control. The 3-way toggle switch for LED, Silicon, and Open clipping modes further expands its tonal possibilities. Despite being discontinued and hard to find, it's a sought-after pedal for its adaptability and robust performance. A must-have for those lucky enough to snag one, hoping JHS revives it in the future.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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alex_li

Great Distortion!

I was looking for a main dirt pedal, This one can do distortion, Fuzz and overdrive(not a very smooth overdrive), it is a killer pedal. Shame that is discontinued.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Chetes uses JHS All American

Chetes

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video "Pedalboards: Chetes (2016)" by Guitar Gear on YouTube, Chetes is shown using the JHS All American distortion pedal, highlighting its capabilities for clean overdrive, distortion, and fuzz effects.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use JHS All American, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

3 alternative and related items for JHS All American, curated by the Equipboard community.

JHS Packrat

$199.20 - $249.00

similar sound cheaper alternative
JHS 3 Series Distortion

$79.20 - $102.00

newer similar sound cheaper alternative

The JHS 3 Series Distortion is based on a simplified version of the All American, making it a much easier to find and more affordable alternative.

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Community setups

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    alex_li
    alex_li

    Gear IQ 249