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Average Price: $221
High-end/Boutique
$80
$181+
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Description
Unleash the dark side of your guitar tones with the KHDK Dark Blood Distortion pedal, a sonic marvel crafted for those who crave the raw power of heavy distortion. Created in collaboration with Kirk Hammett, this signature series pedal is designed to deliver the crushing, aggressive sounds that define metal music. With its cutting-edge MOS-FET technology, the Dark Blood offers a rich, tube-like warmth and dynamic response that makes every riff resonate with intensity.
Housed in a rugged, compact enclosure, this pedal is built to withstand the rigors of the road while maintaining exceptional sound quality. The user-friendly design features an On/Off switch and intuitive controls that allow you to sculpt your sound effortlessly. Whether you're pounding out power chords or shredding intricate solos, the Dark Blood Distortion elevates your sound with precision and depth.
For connectivity, the pedal includes standard 6.3 mm input and output jacks, ensuring seamless integration into any pedalboard setup. Power it up using a 9 V battery or an external 9 V power supply for extended play sessions. Made with pride in the USA, the KHDK Dark Blood Distortion is a testament to superior craftsmanship and a must-have for any guitarist looking to push their sonic boundaries.
Key Features:
- Kirk Hammett Signature Series
- MOS-FET technology for tube-like warmth
- On/Off switch
- Input and output: 6.3 mm jack
- Power supply via 9 V battery or 9 V power supply (not included)
- Made in USA
Product specs
| Brand | KHDK Electronics |
| Model | Dark Blood Kirk Hammett Signature Distortion Pedal |
| Finish | Red/Black |
| Year | 2010s |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Distortion Pedals |
FAQs
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What type of distortion tones can the KHDK Dark Blood pedal produce?
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The KHDK Dark Blood pedal offers a range of distortion tones from a pick-sensitive, dynamic sound with lower gain settings to a massively overdriven, saturated tone at higher settings. The Doom control allows for a tight bass or a liquid, solo-ready sustain.
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How does the HI/LO switch affect the sound of the KHDK Dark Blood?
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The HI/LO switch on the KHDK Dark Blood directly influences the gain. The LO setting provides a chunky overdrive suitable for rhythm playing, while the HI setting adds saturation, sustain, low end, and compression, making it ideal for soloing.
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Is the KHDK Dark Blood suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the KHDK Dark Blood is well-suited for live performances. Its footswitch allows for easy engagement and true bypass mode, ensuring your signal remains clear when the pedal is off. The pedal's controls offer versatile tone shaping for different performance needs.
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How does the Gate control work on the KHDK Dark Blood pedal?
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The Gate control on the KHDK Dark Blood reduces background noise by allowing the stronger gain signal to pass while blocking weaker humming or hissing. It is recommended to adjust the Gate with higher gain settings to avoid negatively impacting the decay of your tone.
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Can the KHDK Dark Blood pedal be used with different amplifiers?
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Yes, the KHDK Dark Blood can be used with various amplifiers. The Treble control allows you to adjust the pedal's high-end frequencies, enabling you to achieve either a bright or dark tone depending on your amp's characteristics.
Equipboard's Expert Review
Equipboard tested this
Brutal Beast Unleashed
The KHDK Dark Blood, while not widely known, comes from a brand that's quickly gaining respect among metal enthusiasts. Upon unboxing, we were immediately struck by its robust build and professional appearance. The control layout is intuitive, featuring standard EQ knobs alongside a unique 'Doom' control and a built-in noise gate. In our tests, we found the noise gate to be a crucial feature, effectively taming the beast within.
Sound-wise, the Dark Blood delivers in spades. We were blown away by its thick, juicy high-gain tones that scream authenticity. Power chords sound massive and chunky, while lead lines cut through the mix with ease. The pre-gain EQ allows for precise tone shaping, and we appreciated the wide range of sounds achievable - from classic rock crunch to modern metal mayhem.
However, it's not without its quirks. We noticed the gain structure can be a bit extreme, sometimes jumping from clean to face-melting with little in between. The 'Doom' knob, while intriguing, can muddy things up if not used judiciously.
For us, the Dark Blood shines brightest in high-gain territory. It's a pedal that will likely appeal to metalheads and hard rock enthusiasts seeking thick, natural-sounding distortion. However, those looking for more subtle overdrive or budget-conscious players might want to explore other options. While it's not the most versatile or affordable pedal out there, for the right player, the Dark Blood's unique voice and powerful tone-shaping abilities make it a worthy investment.
Videos
Ola Englund
KHDK Dark Blood - Metal
Reviews
PROS
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Versatile, sounds natural, like distortion "should be"
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Built-in noise gate enhances sound clarity
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Provides excellent, chunky distortion for power chords
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Easy to dial in desired sound, great for heavy distortion needs
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Pre-gain EQ and traditional tone knob offer wide sound spectrum
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Sufficient gain for integration into various rigs
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Mid-heavy with significant low end, enriching sound quality
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Works well stacked with drives, preamps, ODs, and fuzzes
CONS
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May require noise gate usage on some amps due to noise levels
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Darker voice may not suit all tastes or expectations
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about KHDK Dark Blood Distortion.
Setup and maintenance
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Switching from a 9V battery to a non-pedal-specific power supply can introduce screeching noise, highlighting the need for a properly regulated supply for quiet operation.
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Features and functionality
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The pedal is known for high gain, but it’s noted that batteries offer lower noise compared to some power supplies.
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Owners highlight the built-in noise gate of the KHDK Dark Blood as particularly effective, especially for single coil pickups, allowing for high gain without unwanted noise.
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Value and pricing
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In Norway, the Truetone CS-7 is significantly pricier (1650 NOK) than its US/EU counterparts, affecting its value proposition.
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User experience
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Frequent battery replacements are a common concern for users who extensively use the pedal, prompting a consideration for dedicated pedal power supplies.
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The Dark Blood is praised for its massive bottom end, making it a preferred choice for Strat players seeking heft without sacrificing precision in the distortion sound.
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Users report that the Dark Blood's tonal character is distinct from other high-gain pedals, providing a unique sound profile that stands out for heavy rock and metal styles.
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Comparisons
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The Boss PSA230 is suggested as a more suitable power supply compared to generic 3-12V options, especially for single pedal setups.
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The KHDK Dark Blood is often compared to the Filaments for its ability to maintain note clarity and avoid cluttering the signal, especially when paired with single coil pickups.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
On the KHDK website, Kirk says:
"I plug it in when I want an over-the-top sound that dominates everything. It's a tornado."
"This is the ultimate pedal for gain freaks."
In this article with Guitar World he adds:
“I plugged it in and the name Dark Blood came to me right away. At that moment, I knew this pedal was going on the new album (Hardwired... to Self Destruct)."
Zoltán Farkas, guitarist of Ektomorf, is shown using the KHDK Dark Blood Distortion pedal in a post by KHDK Electronics on Instagram.
Album Usage
The KHDK Dark Blood Distortion 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 KHDK Dark Blood Distortion, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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