Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $253
High-end/Boutique
$80
$181+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 2 merchants for "KMA Machines Guardian of the Wurm". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 23, 2026.
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Description
Unleash the beast within your sound with the KMA Machines Guardian of the Wurm. This formidable distortion pedal is not just for shredders—it's an essential tool for any guitarist or bassist seeking to delve into the depths of sonic intensity. The Guardian of the Wurm combines the iconic WURM distortion with an additional noise gate, giving you razor-sharp control over your tone without any unwanted noise interference.
Equipped with a graphic 4-band equalizer, this pedal allows you to sculpt your sound with precision. It offers variable center frequencies along with three different high-mids settings, enabling you to tailor your sound to perfection. Whether you're grinding out metal riffs or crafting unique soundscapes, the Guardian of the Wurm provides the flexibility you need. With three different clipping styles and a TRS effect loop, the possibilities are endless. Plus, the external trigger input for the noise gate ensures you maintain clarity in your powerful performance.
Designed for seamless integration into your setup, it features comprehensive controls including Gain, Low, L-Mid, H-Mid, High, and more. The intuitive design includes LED indicators and foot switches for both distortion and noise gate, making it a pedalboard-friendly powerhouse. Handmade in Germany, the Guardian of the Wurm reflects superior craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Key Features:
- KMA's WURM distortion with additional noise gate
- Graphic 4-band equalizer with variable center frequencies
- Three different high-mids settings
- Three different clipping styles
- TRS effect loop and external trigger input for noise gate
- Comprehensive controls: Gain, Low, L-Mid, H-Mid, High, and more
- LED indicators for distortion and noise gate
- True bypass
- Power supply: 9 V DC mains adapter (not included)
- Handmade in Germany
Product specs
| Available since | August 2021 |
| Overdrive | No |
| Distortion | Yes |
| Fuzz | No |
| Metal | Yes |
FAQs
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What type of music is the KMA Machines Guardian of the Wurm best suited for?
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The KMA Machines Guardian of the Wurm is designed for high-gain distortion, making it ideal for metal and other heavy music genres that require aggressive and powerful tones.
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Does the KMA Machines Guardian of the Wurm work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?
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Yes, the Guardian of the Wurm is versatile and works well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups, offering a wide range of distortion tones suitable for various playing styles.
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Can the KMA Machines Guardian of the Wurm be used in combination with other pedals?
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Absolutely, this pedal is designed to integrate seamlessly with other effects pedals, allowing you to create complex signal chains and enhance your overall sound.
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Does the KMA Machines Guardian of the Wurm require a specific power supply?
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The Guardian of the Wurm requires a standard 9V DC power supply, which is common for most guitar pedals, ensuring easy integration into existing pedalboards.
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How does the KMA Machines Guardian of the Wurm differ from other distortion pedals?
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The Guardian of the Wurm offers a unique high-gain distortion tailored specifically for metal, with a focus on clarity and punch, setting it apart from standard distortion pedals that may not achieve the same level of intensity.
Videos
SpectreSoundStudios
The HM2 Killer? Guardian of the Wurm !
Reviews
PROS
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Delivers powerful, death metal sound even on basic setups
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Highly responsive EQ allows for precise tone shaping
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Versatile, capable of producing a range of rock genres
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Features like the blend option and clipping modes increase sound customization
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Independent noise gate function efficiently cuts noise without tone loss
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Can be combined effectively with other pedals for enhanced effects
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Distinctive, boutique appearance with user-friendly hardware design
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Provides a broad spectrum of tones, from chainsaw to clean and everything in between
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The external EQ settings facilitate rapid sound changes
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Allows for the clean signal to be blended, enhancing dynamic range
CONS
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Volume discrepancies noticed when switching between voices
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Slightly lower gain compared to some counterparts, affecting high-gain preferences
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Requires time and experimentation to dial in the desired sound
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The gate may overly mute the guitar signal at higher settings
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Absence of a built-in boost function limits gain enhancement directly from the pedal
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Can be considered pricey for some budgets
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about KMA Machines Guardian of the Wurm.
Comparisons
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The KMA Guardian of the Wurm is primarily compared to HM-2 style pedals, noted for its "chainsaw" sound, and less suited for tight/djenty tones.
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The gate in the Guardian of the Wurm is reportedly based on the Lichtlaerm Audio Key & Gate, considered by some as the best gate available, enhancing its appeal.
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The pedal is often matched with an Acapulco Gold for a unique sound experience, suggesting powerful synergy between these effects.
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Use cases and applications
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Users report the pedal excels at old metal sounds but falls short for modern metal, djent, or tones requiring tight low-end.
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Features and functionality
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The Wurm's blend knob is highlighted, suggesting it often needs an amp's FX/distortion to achieve varied tones beyond the HM-2 style.
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The Guardian of the Wurm includes external access to 4 adjustable trim pots and 3 clipping styles, eliminating the need to open the pedal for adjustments.
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User experience
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Some owners find the Wurm more effective as an EQ or gate pedal rather than a primary distortion source.
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Owners describe the EQ as "nutty," offering significant versatility in sound before reaching the classic "chainsaw" effect at max settings.
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Some users initially find the reverse order of EQ pots confusing, but once accustomed, they achieve optimal tones.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating
Sounds like a chaaaaaainsaw
Sounds great if all 4 EQ channels are maxed out, or at least close to the max. I love the chainsaw death metal tone of this pedal. The gate comes in handy as a leash for the "wurm". Gate is enabled separately from the distortion so can also be used to tame your amp without engaging the pedal distortion. I like the sound of the distortion but I think it falls a bit short. Perhaps I did not experiment enough but I can't really find a kick-ass tone with the pedal alone. I use it in front of my Powerball II lead channel which works great for the previously mentioned chainsaw tone however, on the clean or crunch channels of my amp, I'm not fully satisfied. I do like the blend control to allow a mix of the pedal and the input signal. Distortion and gate need to be engaged by pressing the switches every time I power on the pedal. It would be great if the pedal could remember the last state as I use a effect switching system to remove it from the loop when not needed. It's not a real issue but I do forget to push the buttons sometimes.
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use KMA Machines Guardian of the Wurm, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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