Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 9 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (18)
$329.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (5)
$329.00
Amazon
3.7 (73)
Reverb
5.0 (29)
$327.76 New
$210.00 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (4)
$329.00
Thomann
4.8 (47)
$325.00

Average Price: $329

High-end/Boutique

$50

$176+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 8 merchants for "Empress Effects Heavy". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Discover the Empress Effects Heavy, a powerhouse that redefines what an overdrive pedal can do. Designed for the discerning musician who craves a formidable and versatile sound palette, this pedal is your ticket to a universe of crushing tones and unique sonic textures. With its dual-channel design and shared two-band EQ, the Heavy offers immense customization, letting you shape your sound with precision and ease.

Whether you're laying down thick, resonant riffs or need a searing lead tone that cuts through the mix, the Empress Heavy delivers. Its optional two-mode gated feature provides additional control, allowing you to toggle between natural and aggressive gate modes for a tailored attack that suits any genre. The mid-frequency focus is perfect for dialing in those big, bold attacks that metalheads and rock enthusiasts covet. This pedal doesn’t just make noise; it crafts an auditory experience that is both rich and dynamic, perfect for expanding your musical horizons.

Crafted with the modern guitarist in mind, the Empress Heavy isn’t just about raw power. It’s about giving you the tools to explore, experiment, and ultimately, express your unique sound. Whether you're a gigging musician or a studio aficionado, you'll find this pedal to be an indispensable part of your rig.

Key Features:

  • Dual-channel design for versatile sound options
  • Shared two-band EQ for tailored tone shaping
  • Optional two-mode gated feature: natural and aggressive
  • Mid-frequency focus for enhanced tonal precision
  • Robust construction for reliable performance

Product specs

Brand Empress
Model Heavy
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Made In Canada
Categories Distortion Pedals, Overdrive and Boost Pedals

FAQs

What kind of power supply does the Empress Effects Heavy require?

The Empress Effects Heavy requires a 9-12V DC power supply with a current draw of 250mA.

How does the dual channel design of the Empress Heavy work?

The Empress Heavy features a dual channel design with "Heavy" and "Heavier" settings, allowing users to configure one channel for rhythm and the other for solos, or to create distinct tonal variations.

Can the Empress Effects Heavy handle high-gain distortion?

Yes, the Empress Effects Heavy is designed for super high gain, making it ideal for achieving heavy distortion tones.

What is the purpose of the "Weight" control on the Empress Heavy pedal?

The "Weight" control on the Empress Heavy adjusts the character of the low end, allowing for precise sculpting of bass frequencies in your tone.

Does the Empress Effects Heavy include any noise gate features?

Yes, the Empress Heavy includes a noise gate with natural and aggressive settings to help manage unwanted noise in your signal chain.

Is the Empress Effects Heavy pedal true bypass?

Yes, the Empress Heavy pedal features true bypass, ensuring that it does not affect your signal when disengaged.

Ola Englund

Ola Englund

WILL IT CHUG? - Empress Heavy

Video thumbnail for WILL IT CHUG? - Empress Heavy by Ola Englund

WILL IT CHUG? - Empress Heavy

Ola Englund

Ola Englund

Video thumbnail for Empress Effects Heavy by Empress Effects

Empress Effects Heavy

Empress Effects

Empress Effects

Video thumbnail for Empress Effects Heavy by ProGuitarShopDemos

Empress Effects Heavy

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Video thumbnail for THE HEAVIEST DISTORTION BOX EVER? EMPRESS HEAVY by Pete Thorn

THE HEAVIEST DISTORTION BOX EVER? EMPRESS HEAVY

Pete Thorn

Pete Thorn

Video thumbnail for Empress Effects Heavy Review - BestGuitarEffects.com by Best Guitar Effects

Empress Effects Heavy Review - BestGuitarEffects.com

Best Guitar Effects

Best Guitar Effects

Video thumbnail for Empress Effects - Heavy by Dennis Kayzer

Empress Effects - Heavy

Dennis Kayzer

Dennis Kayzer

Video thumbnail for 10 Heavy Grunge Riffs | Empress Effects "Heavy" Distortion (Pedal Demo) by Let's Play All

10 Heavy Grunge Riffs | Empress Effects "Heavy" Distortion (Pedal Demo)

Let's Play All

Let's Play All

Video thumbnail for BEST DISTORTION PEDAL?! | Empress Effects - HEAVY (subtitles available) by Juliana Wilson

BEST DISTORTION PEDAL?! | Empress Effects - HEAVY (subtitles available)

Juliana Wilson

Juliana Wilson

Reviews

PROS

  • Smooth, high gain without harshness

  • Compact design, saves pedalboard space

  • Versatile, customizable tones suitable for metal and rock

  • Integrated noise gate for clean sound

  • Two channels offer distinct tonal options

  • Excellent for high-gain metal sounds

  • Outstanding build quality with high-end components

  • Easy to integrate with other pedals

  • Mid-frequency tweaking allows for precise tone shaping

  • No need to stack with other pedals for heavy tones

CONS

  • Noise gate toggle switch may be prone to damage

  • Can be too powerful, requiring volume adjustment

  • Slight sagginess on the low end, not the tightest chugs

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Empress Effects Heavy.

Features and functionality

  • The noise gate on the Empress Heavy is highly praised for its effectiveness, making it suitable for controlling feedback in high-gain settings.

    Source
  • The "Lite(ish)" channel with gain maxed is heavier than "Heavy" or "Heavier" on low-gain, offering a neck pickup-like thickness that cleans up through the channels.

    Source
  • Users appreciate the built-in noise gate for effectively managing unwanted noise, enhancing the pedal's utility in high-gain scenarios.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The pedal excels in producing tones suitable for bands like Metallica, System of a Down, and Weezer's Maladroit-era, offering a broad range of heavy sounds.

    Source
  • While ideal for metal and djent genres, the Empress Heavy may not be the best fit for punk or post-punk styles due to its intense tonal leaning.

    Source
  • Dialing gain down and output up enables driving tube amps into breakup, providing a unique effect far from a clean boost.

    Source
  • The Empress Heavy Menace can achieve tones ranging from Metallica to Van Halen, making it versatile for various metal styles.

    Source

Comparisons

  • It has been compared to the Revv G4 pedal, noted as being more versatile for diverse heavy music styles.

    Source
  • When paired with an SD-1, the Empress Heavy shifts towards doom/sludge tones, differing from the usual modern metal tightening effect.

    Source
  • The Boss MT-2W is recommended for budget-friendly metal tones, with a custom voice that enhances its sound significantly, making it a viable alternative to the Empress Heavy.

    Source
  • The Vox Cutting Edge distortion is noted for delivering a high-gain tube sound that some find preferable over their amplifier's native tone.

    Source
  • The EAE Longsword paired with an SD-1 is favored by some over the Empress Heavy Menace for achieving desired metal tones.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Owners find it challenging to locate used units, indicating high satisfaction and retention among current users.

    Source

User experience

  • Users transitioning from gain stacking setups find the Empress Heavy provides comprehensive tonal options, reducing the need for multiple gain pedals.

    Source
  • Some users find the Empress Heavy Menace lacks flavor for lead guitar parts without an additional EQ or boost.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Empress Heavy review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Empress Effects Heavy is a robust distortion pedal crafted for metal enthusiasts and those craving aggressive tones. Praised for its dual-channel versatility, each channel offers distinct sound customization with gain, output, and mid controls. The selectable noise gate and tone-shaping options add to its appeal. However, its complex control layout may not suit everyone. Overall, it's a powerful tool for guitarists seeking precision and variety in their high-gain setups.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
fredludan

Best chug pedal i've ever had

I have tried many high gain pedals and this one right here did it for me. Of course, the tone that you prefer is subjected to your own. The main reason I bought this was that how you can actually tweak the mid frequency. Also, how organic and natural the gate can be is a plus.

The only downside to this pedal is its sagginess especially on the low end. Might not be the tightest chugs but the gnarliest for sure.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Tyler Larson uses Empress Effects Heavy

Tyler Larson

Guitarist, Podcasters & Streamers

...
Verified via YouTube

02:01 on the left with all his pedals

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 Empress Effects Heavy, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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jasonoldsu

jasonoldsu

Gear IQ 149

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