Fortin Amps launches Meshuggah signature preamp/distortion pedal

April 22, 2025 · 3 sources

Fortin Amps unveiled the Meshuggah Pedal on April 22, 2025, a signature preamp and distortion stompbox designed by Mike Fortin in collaboration with Meshuggah¹². MusicRadar reports it is priced $349 and available now²; Gearnews gives the same figure as the MSRP¹. Guitar Pedal X, writing on April 24, also lists $349 and says the pedal is expected to be available through Thomann in Europe³.

The pedal draws on the Fortin Meshuggah amplifier head, which Fortin designed in 2016 as a single amp for all eras of Meshuggah tone, used by Fredrik Thordendal and Mårten Hagström¹². The two outlets describe the source amp differently: Gearnews says the pedal is inspired by the head¹, while Guitar Pedal X says it is based on the signature Blackout Amp, which it says cost nearly $7,000 with only 50 produced³. MusicRadar describes the head as a 50-watt single-channel amp².

The layout has two footswitchable channels, an active 3-band EQ with cut and boost, a master volume control (MVC), Hi and Lo gain modes, and a built-in Fortin Zuul noise gate¹³². Guitar Pedal X lists the controls as active bass, mids and treble, MVC master volume, Gain 2 for low-end frequencies distortion, Gain 1 for bright and high-end frequencies distortion, a Lo/Hi gain structure switch for saturation and compression, and the Zuul noise gate. It adds that both gain knobs affect Channel 1, while only Gain 2 affects Channel 2³. Gearnews describes Hi Gain mode as more compressed and modern and Lo mode as offering a more "open, raw vintage" feel¹.

Fortin Amps claims the pedal's tone and feel are close to the amplifier. In its FAQs, the company says:

The pedal requires a 9V DC power supply with a minimum of 106mA¹². MusicRadar reports it is designed and made in the USA².