Krank Distortus Maximus

5.0 (1)

1 Critic Review

1 Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Krank Distortion

0 wishlisted

4 saved

Page last updated Feb 16, 2026

Pricing and availability

Store

Reviews

Price

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Unleash the raw power of your guitar with the Krank Distortion pedal, a game-changer for those seeking the signature high-gain crunch of legendary Krank amps in a compact format. Designed with precision and crafted for performance, this distortion pedal delivers an earth-shattering array of tones, from searing leads to aggressive rhythm textures, all while maintaining exceptional clarity.

With its 3-band EQ and intuitive gain and master controls, the Krank Distortion offers unparalleled versatility, allowing you to dial in everything from sharp, cutting highs to deep, resonant lows. Whether you're chasing the soaring harmonics of a Krank Revolution 1 or the crushing weight of a Krankenstein, this pedal adapts effortlessly to your unique playing style, ensuring that no riff is left unheard.

Built for the stage but perfect for the studio, the Krank Distortion is a must-have for any guitarist looking to push their sound to the limits. Its robust construction is ready to withstand the rigors of live performances, while its easy-to-use interface makes it an ideal choice for both seasoned pros and aspiring rockers. Don't just play—feel the power of Krank Distortion.

Key Features:

Compact pedal with high-gain distortion
3-band EQ for versatile tone shaping
Gain and master controls for dynamic sound customization
Captures the signature tone of Krank Revolution 1 and Krankenstein amps
Durable design suitable for live performance and studio use

Product specs

Power	9V
Analog/Digital	analog

FAQs

Does the Krank Distortion pedal have true bypass switching?: Yes, the Krank Distortion pedal features true bypass switching, which ensures that your signal remains unaffected when the pedal is turned off.
What kind of tone can I expect from the Krank Distortion pedal?: The Krank Distortion pedal delivers the signature Krank tone, known for its aggressive and high-gain sound, ideal for rock and metal genres.
Is the Krank Distortion pedal easy to operate?: Yes, the Krank Distortion pedal is designed for ease of use, allowing you to quickly dial in your desired distortion tone without complex controls.
Can the Krank Distortion pedal be used with a bass guitar?: While primarily designed for electric guitars, the Krank Distortion pedal can also be used with a bass guitar, though the tonal results may vary depending on the bass and amp setup.

Videos

Add video

gearmanndude

KRANK Amps DISTORTUS MAXIMUS guitar effects pedal demo

gearmanndude

Krank Distortus Maximus - DEMO + PLAYTHROUGH

Victor Hugo Targino

Krank Distortus Maximus vs Krank Rev 1 Krank channel. V.Vopilov

Dmitri Guitarworld

Official Distortus Maximus Demo

KrankAmplification

Demonstration - Krank Distortus Maximus

ahjteam

Brand New Krank Distortus Maximus Pedal!

ZIMM'S GUITARS

Krank Distortus Maximus - Earthquaker Devices Dispatch Master - Guitar Demo

MrExcane

Reviews

Add review

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Krank Distortus Maximus.

Comparisons

0 0

The Krank Distortus Maximus offers a more dynamic range and darker sound than the more compressed Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

When used as a preamp with a cab sim, it can effectively emulate the distinct tone of Krank amps, popularized by bands like Dethklok.
Source

Setup and maintenance

0 0

Modifying the collector resistor to 10-20K and tying the 430K resistor to the collector can enhance self-biasing and improve sound consistency.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

Altering the signal chain's resistor values can adjust gain and filtering for a customized sound.
Source

User experience

0 0

Some users experience signal cutouts, potentially due to issues with the 9V power plug grounding out.
Source
0 0

Breadboarding prior to final assembly is recommended for easy troubleshooting and experimenting with component values.
Source

Critic Reviews

Krank Distortus Maximus Distortion Pedal | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

Krank’s Distortus Maximus Distortion Pedal packs high-gain tones reminiscent of its pricier amp counterparts, all in a wallet-friendly package. With a user-friendly three-band EQ and solid clarity at high gain, it’s a metal guitarist’s dream. However, while its tonal flexibility is impressive, some may find it lacks the radical ranges of competitors. Overall, this pedal is a fantastic option for those seeking to emulate Krank's signature sound without breaking the bank.

positive

Full Review

Add review

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

thespann

121

about 5 years ago

Fantastic Overdrive for Metal

KRANK'S REVOLUTION and Krankenstein amps are at the top of many metal guitarists' most-wanted lists, but not every player can afford to drop a G and a half to have that million-dollar tone all to themselves. Ever conscious of musicians' needs, Krank recently introduced the Distortus Maximus pedal, which offers Krank's signature wicked high-gain tones in an affordable stomp box format.

FEATURES Like a lot of distortion pedals currently on the market, the Distortus Maximus pedal features three-band EQ (treble, midrange, bass), gain and volume controls. A true-bypass switch, red LED and requisite nine-volt adapter jack complete its list of features. But while many other pedals feature EQ sections with rather radical ranges, the tone controls on the Distortus Maximus are voiced like an amp's tone section. The bass knob provides an ample amount of low-end thump, and you can dial in treble that sizzles satisfyingly, like five pounds of bacon in a deep fryer. Midrange settings interact with the bass and treble settings in a subtle but musical way instead of stamping your sound with an indelible sonic imprint, as lesser pedals often do.

PERFORMANCE Even with the gain and volume knobs maxxed, the tone retains exceptional clarity and note-to-note definition. The sound is lively and responsive, with none of the overly compressed, flat tones common to distortion pedals. The Distortus Maximus sounds more like an additional amp channel than an effect, especially when paired with an amp that delivers stellar clean tones (like a vintage Fender Twin Reverb). No matter where you set the EQ controls, the Distortus Maximus delivers attractive, usable tones, and dialing in your ideal tone is as easy as getting your email address added to the list of a spammer pushing bogus Viagra.

Artist usage

Add artist

Steve Badiola

Singer, Guitarist

Typecast

Verified via YouTube

Steve Badiola is confirmed to use the Krank Distortion pedal during a performance of "Reverend's Daughter" by Typecast, as evidenced in a video by Tower of Doom. The pedal is clearly visible at the 3:25 mark during this live recording session.