Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (10)
$199.00
Guitar Center
4.0 (3)
$199.00
Amazon
4.4 (29)
$199.00 New
$178.00 Used (Like New)
Reverb
5.0 (43)
$199.00 New
$125.00 Used
zZounds
5.0 (1)
$199.00
Thomann
4.9 (12)
$210.00 $199.00 $11.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£183.00

Average Price: $190

High-end/Boutique

$50

$176+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "JHS Crayon". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

LITTLE BROTHER TO THE COLOUR BOX

The JHS Pedals Colour Box began with a simple idea: create a pedal that sounds like plugging directly into a vintage preamp and cranking it. No amp, no speaker, just DI goodness. Well, the Colour Box became much more as we got into designing it. Thus we decided it was time to pare it down and give guitar players and bass players a simplified version that gives you the distinct compressed overdrive and fuzz sounds you’ve heard on so many classic recordings. The Crayon is just that, a powerful little box that has all the color and characteristics of a vintage studio preamp when cranked.

CONTROLS

The Crayon has controls for Master, Pre-Vol, Tilt, and a Hi-Pass toggle. The Master volume controls the overall volume of the unit, while the Pre-Vol acts as a gain control to go from a gritty preamp drive to over-the-top gated fuzz. These controls work together to create a ton of colorful tones that are extremely useful. The Tilt control is an active EQ where when set at 12 o’clock you have a flat EQ, while turning clockwise boosts highs and cuts bass, and turning counterclockwise boosts bass and cuts highs. This gives the Crayon the ability to be tailored to any rig for bass or guitar. The Hi-Pass toggle cuts your low end with a flick of the switch for the ability to cut through the mix or get lo-fi sounds. There is a dip switch on the right side of the pedal to choose either 200Hz or 750Hz cut for the Hi-Pass.

FEATURES

  • Preamp DI tones from low gain grit to gated fuzz.

  • Active EQ for the perfect tones on bass or guitar.

  • Hi-Pass for lo-fi AM radio sounds.

  • Paint with all the colors of the wind.

The JHS Pedals Crayon is without a doubt the brightest crayon in the box that will give your tone all the color you need!

THIS PEDAL REQUIRES STANDARD 9V DC NEGATIVE POWER, CONSUMES 15MA, AND MEASURES 2.6"X4.8"X1.6"

Product specs

Pedal Type Overdrive
Analog/Digital Analog
Inputs 1 x 1/4" (instrument)
Outputs 1 x 1/4"
Power Source 9V DC power supply required (sold separately)
Power Usage 100mA
Height 1.6"
Width 2.6"
Depth 4.8"
Weight 0.57 lbs.

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the JHS Crayon Overdrive pedal?

The JHS Crayon Overdrive pedal delivers a wide range of tones from subtle overdrive to rich, creamy distortion. It's known for its versatility, making it suitable for blues, rock, and even heavier genres.

Is the JHS Crayon suitable for both guitar and bass?

Yes, the JHS Crayon is designed to work well with both guitar and bass, providing a dynamic response that enhances the natural tone of the instrument.

What power supply does the JHS Crayon require?

The JHS Crayon requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately. It has a power usage of 100mA.

Does the JHS Crayon Overdrive pedal work well in a pedalboard setup?

Absolutely, the JHS Crayon's compact design and standard 1/4" input/output make it easy to integrate into any pedalboard setup without taking up much space.

How does the JHS Crayon compare to other overdrive pedals?

The JHS Crayon stands out with its ability to blend overdrive, distortion, and fuzz tones, offering a unique sound palette that many traditional overdrive pedals do not provide.

JHS Pedals

JHS Pedals

I Always Wanted This Sound: The JHS Crayon Preamp, Boost, Overdrive, Fuzz (Neve 1073 in a box!)

Video thumbnail for I Always Wanted This Sound: The JHS Crayon Preamp, Boost, Overdrive, Fuzz (Neve 1073 in a box!) by JHS Pedals

I Always Wanted This Sound: The JHS Crayon Preamp, Boost, Overdrive, Fuzz (Neve 1073 in a box!)

JHS Pedals

JHS Pedals

Video thumbnail for JHS Pedals Crayon Guitar Pedal | CME Gear Demo | Joel Bauman by Chicago Music Exchange

JHS Pedals Crayon Guitar Pedal | CME Gear Demo | Joel Bauman

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange

Video thumbnail for JHS Pedals Crayon by ProGuitarShopDemos

JHS Pedals Crayon

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Video thumbnail for JHS Crayon Overdrive | Reverb Video Demo by Reverb

JHS Crayon Overdrive | Reverb Video Demo

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Demo: JHS Crayon by JayLeonardJ

Demo: JHS Crayon

JayLeonardJ

JayLeonardJ

Video thumbnail for JHS Pedals Crayon (demo) by Living Room GD

JHS Pedals Crayon (demo)

Living Room GD

Living Room GD

Video thumbnail for The Crayon by JHS Pedals by JHS Pedals

The Crayon by JHS Pedals

JHS Pedals

JHS Pedals

Video thumbnail for JHS Pedals Crayon | British voiced preamp fuzz, distortion, overdrive by JJ of the T

JHS Pedals Crayon | British voiced preamp fuzz, distortion, overdrive

JJ of the T

JJ of the T

Video thumbnail for JHS Crayon Demo by Tri Pedal Reviews

JHS Crayon Demo

Tri Pedal Reviews

Tri Pedal Reviews

Video thumbnail for Nasty DI-Like Tones | JHS Crayon Long Term Review by Zachariah Connor

Nasty DI-Like Tones | JHS Crayon Long Term Review

Zachariah Connor

Zachariah Connor

Video thumbnail for JHS Pedals Crayon and AWOL Pedals Nano Boost Demo by 15 Second Gear Demo

JHS Pedals Crayon and AWOL Pedals Nano Boost Demo

15 Second Gear Demo

15 Second Gear Demo

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile with a wide range of tones from clean to fuzz

  • Pre-Vol knob offers significant tonal control

  • Useful across various genres including jazz and fusion

  • Complements other pedals, especially the Morning Glory

  • Offers unique, one-of-a-kind sounds, including Beatles-esque grit

  • Minimal volume loss at lower gain settings

  • High-quality, solid build

  • Comes with useful extras like rubber feet for pedalboard mounting

  • Excels in both live and studio settings

  • Works well with single coils, providing rich tones

CONS

  • Packaging perceived as underwhelming for the price point

  • Some volume loss at lower gain/high-pass settings

  • Lacks headroom for subtler overdrive tones in live contexts

  • Side jack inputs may not be preferable for all setups

  • Can be dark sounding without adjustment

  • Requires additional boost/volume pedal for live unity volume

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 11 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
hound_of_durango

underrated

underrated pedal. It's ultimately a nice warm drive that can get REALLY sputtery and wild if you push it. I struggled with it initially because I loved how it sounded solo, but i couldn't combine it with my drives like I thought i could. After much trial and error I settled on using it as a 'simple' overdrive, with a cranked Rat before the Crayon. I always go low to high gain, but this pedal really sounds good with a pushed Rat into it for really heavy tones with a bit of sputter. Check out some videos. It's not for everyone, but if you like what you hear, I urge you to pick one up, there's nothing quite like it.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

After a Rat is killer!

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Matthew Bellamy uses JHS Crayon

Matthew Bellamy

Singer, Guitarist

Muse

...
Verified via Photo

Matthew Bellamy is associated with the JHS Crayon overdrive pedal, as noted in a post by JHS Pedals on Instagram. The post highlights that Matt used the JHS Colour Box extensively on the latest Muse album, suggesting that the Crayon would be a fitting addition to his gear lineup.

See how The Edge uses JHS Crayon

The Edge

Guitarist

U2

...
Verified via Photo

In this Rig Rundown feature for Premier Guitar magazine, longtime U2 guitar tech Dallas Schoo shows off Edge's 2018 touring rig, which includes a Crayon overdrive.

See how Josh Klinghoffer uses JHS Crayon

Josh Klinghoffer

Singer, Guitarist

Pearl Jam

...
Verified via Eye Opener

According to this website he currently uses the JHS Crayon Overdrive Pedal on the Getaway tour.

See how Thurston Moore uses JHS Crayon

Thurston Moore

Singer, Guitarist

Sonic Youth

...
Verified via Photo

Thurston Moore is seen discussing his "Geetar Pedz!!!!" on Instagram, suggesting his use of the JHS Crayon overdrive pedal.

See how Jeff Tweedy uses JHS Crayon

Jeff Tweedy

Singer, Guitarist

Wilco

...
Verified via YouTube

At 14:15 Josh Scott states that he sent a crayon to Wilco (the crayon was made with the solo in “Hell is Chrome” in mind) Josh also states that it’s now on Jeff’s board.

See how Bryce Dessner uses JHS Crayon

Bryce Dessner

Guitarist

The National

...
Verified via Facebook

Can be seen on the floor during a recording session dated april 27 2016

See how Drew Shirley uses JHS Crayon

Drew Shirley

Guitarist

Switchfoot

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post, Drew Shirley showcases his rehearsal setup, featuring the JHS Crayon overdrive pedal, highlighting its impressive tones.

See how Glass Animals uses JHS Crayon

Glass Animals

Singer, Guitarist

Glass Animals

...
Verified via Red Bull

(Guitar rig) Visible in Live Rig pedalboard at 01:27

See how Buck Meek uses JHS Crayon

Buck Meek

Guitarist

Big Thief

...
Verified via Photo

In this image from Buck's instagram story, we can see the numerous new pedals he's using in the studio.

See how Taylor Goldsmith uses JHS Crayon

Taylor Goldsmith

Singer, Guitarist

Dawes

...
Verified via YouTube

In a Rig Rundown video on Premier Guitar's YouTube channel, Taylor Goldsmith discusses his use of the JHS Crayon. He describes it as "effectively half of the JHS Colour Box," and explains that it emulates the sound of plugging a guitar directly into the channel strip of a Neve console, similar to the distortion heard on John Lennon's guitars in "Revolution."

See how Jacob Tilley uses JHS Crayon

Jacob Tilley

Guitarist

Young the Giant

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post by Jacob Tilley, a JHS Crayon overdrive pedal is visible, indicating its use in his setup.

See how Dave Depper uses JHS Crayon

Dave Depper

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Death Cab for Cutie

...
Verified via Photo

According to his Instagram photo, Depper got this pedal as a gift from JHS pedals.

Album Usage

The JHS Crayon has been featured on the following albums:

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 Crayon, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

Show yours
danham

danham

Gear IQ 919

shugaykin

shugaykin

Gear IQ 119

2 alternative and related items for JHS Crayon, curated by the Equipboard community.

JHS Colour Box

$399.00 - $449.00

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