Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $190
High-end/Boutique
$50
$176+
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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
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What kind of tones can I expect from the JHS Crayon Overdrive pedal?
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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.
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Is the JHS Crayon suitable for both guitar and bass?
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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.
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What power supply does the JHS Crayon require?
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The JHS Crayon requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately. It has a power usage of 100mA.
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Does the JHS Crayon Overdrive pedal work well in a pedalboard setup?
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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.
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How does the JHS Crayon compare to other overdrive pedals?
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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.
Videos
JHS Pedals
I Always Wanted This Sound: The JHS Crayon Preamp, Boost, Overdrive, Fuzz (Neve 1073 in a box!)
Reviews
PROS
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Versatile with a wide range of tones from clean to fuzz
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Pre-Vol knob offers significant tonal control
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Useful across various genres including jazz and fusion
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Complements other pedals, especially the Morning Glory
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Offers unique, one-of-a-kind sounds, including Beatles-esque grit
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Minimal volume loss at lower gain settings
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High-quality, solid build
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Comes with useful extras like rubber feet for pedalboard mounting
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Excels in both live and studio settings
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Works well with single coils, providing rich tones
CONS
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Packaging perceived as underwhelming for the price point
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Some volume loss at lower gain/high-pass settings
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Lacks headroom for subtler overdrive tones in live contexts
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Side jack inputs may not be preferable for all setups
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Can be dark sounding without adjustment
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Requires additional boost/volume pedal for live unity volume
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 11 Ratings
439
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
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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.
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.
According to this website he currently uses the JHS Crayon Overdrive Pedal on the Getaway tour.
Thurston Moore is seen discussing his "Geetar Pedz!!!!" on Instagram, suggesting his use of the JHS Crayon overdrive pedal.
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.
In an Instagram post, Drew Shirley showcases his rehearsal setup, featuring the JHS Crayon overdrive pedal, highlighting its impressive tones.
In this image from Buck's instagram story, we can see the numerous new pedals he's using in the studio.
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."
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.
Community setups
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