Pricing and availability
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Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $305
High-end/Boutique
$80
$181+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Empress Heavy". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Discover the raw power and unparalleled versatility of the Empress Heavy, an overdrive effects pedal that’s like a double-barreled shotgun in the realm of distortion. Designed for musicians who dare to tread the heavier side of music, this pedal offers an expansive range of tones, from earth-shattering lows to screaming highs. With its dual-channel design and shared two-band EQ, the Empress Heavy allows for meticulous sculpting of your sound. Whether you're anchoring the rhythm section of a metal powerhouse or exploring new territories in sound design, this pedal is your ticket to a world of sonic exploration.
Key Features:
- Dual-channel design for layered distortion tones
- Shared two-band EQ for precise tone shaping
- Optional two-mode gated feature for tighter sound control
- Mid-frequency adjustment for pinpoint tonal sculpting
- Versatile for various music genres, especially suited for metal and heavy rock
Owner's manual
Empress Heavy User ManualProduct specs
| Available since | April 2014 |
| Overdrive | No |
| Distortion | Yes |
| Fuzz | No |
| Metal | Yes |
FAQs
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What kind of tones can I expect from the Empress Heavy for metal music?
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The Empress Heavy is designed specifically for high-gain distortion, delivering aggressive and tight tones suitable for modern metal genres. Its dual-channel setup allows you to switch between two distinct distortion voices, offering a versatile range from heavy crunch to searing lead tones.
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Does the Empress Heavy pedal work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?
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Yes, the Empress Heavy is designed to perform well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups, providing clear articulation and powerful distortion regardless of the pickup type. Its three-band EQ further allows you to fine-tune your tone to complement your guitar's natural sound.
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What power supply does the Empress Heavy require?
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The Empress Heavy requires a 9-12V DC power supply. It is important to use a power supply that provides at least 100mA of current to ensure optimal performance and avoid any potential noise issues.
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Is the Empress Heavy pedal suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Empress Heavy is well-suited for live performances, offering robust build quality and intuitive controls. Its dual-channel design allows quick switching between different distortion settings, making it ideal for dynamic stage use.
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Can the Empress Heavy pedal be used in a pedalboard setup?
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Absolutely, the Empress Heavy is designed to integrate seamlessly into any pedalboard setup. Its compact size and true bypass switching ensure it won't compromise your signal chain, while the buffered bypass option can help maintain signal clarity over long cable runs.
Videos
Ola Englund
WILL IT CHUG? - Empress Heavy
Reviews
PROS
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Smooth drive, from mild to high gain, suitable for various genres
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Compact design, doesn't take much space on pedalboard
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Built-in noise gate with adjustable settings
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Versatile tones, easy to customize sound
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Dual-channel operation for quick tone switching
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High-quality components for durability
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Can function without stacking other pedals
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Effective with different types of guitars (P90s, humbuckers)
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Provides amp-like distortion quality
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Global EQ settings facilitate use with multiple amps
CONS
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No power adapter included
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Does not clean up well at low gain settings, less flexible
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Noise gate toggle switch can be fragile/damaged upon delivery
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Input/output and power jacks on the sides, which may affect pedalboard placement
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Empress Heavy.
Features and functionality
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The Empress Heavy Menace has a built-in noise gate, praised for effectively eliminating unwanted noise during high-gain distortion use.
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Criticism is noted regarding the Empress Heavy Menace's switch layout, suggesting a preference for a footswitch for voicings rather than the noise gate.
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The pedal offers three distinct channels, "Lite(ish)," "Heavy," and "Heavier," each providing unique tonal characteristics similar to H-H pickup selector positions.
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Users find the noise gate highly responsive and effective for staccato riffs, clamping down quickly to maintain clarity even at high gain levels.
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Comparisons
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The Boss MT-2W is suggested as a budget alternative, noted for its custom voice suited for metal tones.
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The Lichtlaerm Audio Medusa is highlighted for its chug and crunch, with an emphasis on its presence control for managing trebly guitar outputs.
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When paired with an SD-1, the pedal transitions from modern metal tones to doom/sludge, indicating its versatility beyond metal genres.
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Use cases and applications
User experience
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Several users express satisfaction with the pedal's versatility, noting it functions well for both metal and non-high-gain applications.
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Owners describe the pedal's tone as modern and tight, avoiding overly polished sounds, and note a defined core character that permeates all settings.
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Mods and upgrades
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Owners recommend stacking the Empress Heavy Menace with fuzz pedals, particularly a Fuzz Face, for achieving a gnarly sludge sound.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings
Amazing!!!!
An excellent distortion, very versatile, that offers you a very interesting range of sound, as you can have the features of an overdrive with a good load, up to a full gain, heavy, forceful, with a lot of body. I invite you to get to know it and let yourself be captivated by this excellent pedal.
This review has been translated automatically into English. See originalArtist usage
Add artistGenre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Empress Heavy, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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