The Ashdown Engineering NM-2 Nate Mendel Double Distortion is a dual-channel bass distortion pedal designed from the ground up for Nate Mendel, bassist of the Foo Fighters, and released by Ashdown in September 201312. Where most distortion pedals give you one drive voice, the NM-2 carries two individually adjustable bass overdrive effects, each switched in or out on its own, with the option to bridge them into a single stacked sound12.
The pedal is really two distortion pedals in one box. Guitar World's reviewer, Billy Voight, called that the standout feature: "The standout feature is this pedal's simplicity. It's basically two distortion pedals with only level and drive knobs."2 There is no EQ anywhere on it, which Voight noted plainly: "There's absolutely no EQ on this pedal."2
Two distortions in one pedal
The two channels have distinct characters. MusicRadar's review describes them as serving different jobs: "1 is subtler, adding a layer of crunch to your sound; 2 is bigger and nastier."3 Run together, the bridge toggle stacks them, and MusicRadar found the combination delivers a big sound with a certain polish: "Both distortions in combination give you a massive distortion if you want it, although there's a smoothness to the sound."3
Distortion 2 also gets a +10dB boost switch, which MusicRadar described as a way "to make it even more evil if you like."3
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Input | Sets how much of your signal enters the pedal, visible on the VU meter32 |
| Drive Mix 1 | Distortion level for channel 12 |
| Drive Mix 2 | Distortion level for channel 22 |
| Master 1 | Master volume for channel 12 |
| Output level | Balances the effect against the true bypass level1 |
| Meter on/off toggle | Switches the VU meter on or off2 |
| 10dB boost toggle | Boosts channel 22 |
| Bridge toggle | Runs both distortions together2 |
| 1+2 switch | Routes both effects to Output 2 for single amp use1 |
A big issue with bass distortion, as Voight put it, is "not losing low-end definition."2 MusicRadar's take on the NM-2 on that front was short and favorable: "There's plenty of low end, crucially."3
The meter and the outputs
The VU meter is an Ashdown trademark, and on the NM-2 it sits protected between two roll bars3. It is a working tool rather than decoration. A dedicated switch lets you compare input and output volumes on the meter3, and Voight found it genuinely useful for a reason any bass player who has set a distortion level by ear will recognize:
"The meter isn't just for show. Often, distortion sounds louder than it really is."
The meter lets you accurately compare levels between all three signal paths: the bypassed clean signal, Distortion 1 and Distortion 22.
The two output jacks open up routing options a single-output distortion pedal cannot match. You can send two differently distorted signals to separate amps, or send a single signal to one amp32. For players using one amplifier, the 1+2 switch routes both effects to Output 21.
Build and power
The chassis is made of durable aluminum, which Voight judged "should handle some casual abuse"2. Power comes from a 9-volt battery or a negative center pin 9-volt power supply, the standard arrangement for most pedalboards2.
What reviewers said
Both published reviews landed on the same strengths. Guitar World's Billy Voight highlighted the simplicity of the two-channel design and the practical value of the meter for level matching2. MusicRadar found plenty of low end, a useful contrast between the subtler first channel and the bigger second channel, and a smoothness to the sound even when both distortions are stacked3. Neither review points to tone shaping on the pedal itself, since the absence of any EQ is part of the design2.
Where it sits in Ashdown's bass pedal line
Ashdown's bass pedal line includes the NM-2 Nate Mendel Double Distortion, a signature pedal built around the Foo Fighters bassist. Its layout sets it apart from a straightforward single-channel drive: it offers two channels, each with its own master volume control, a Master 1 knob for channel 1 and a 10dB boost toggle for channel 2, and two output jacks that allow use of one or two amplifiers12.
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Questions
Does the Ashdown NM-2 have an EQ?
No. There is no EQ on the pedal at all2. Tone shaping comes down to the Input control, the two Drive Mix knobs, the Master 1 volume and the channel 2 boost, so any tonal balancing has to happen elsewhere in your rig.
Does the NM-2 Double Distortion take a battery?
Yes. It runs on a 9-volt battery or a negative center pin 9-volt power supply2.
Can the NM-2 run to two amplifiers?
Yes. It has two output jacks, so you can send two differently distorted signals to separate amps, or send a single signal to one amp32. With the 1+2 switch engaged, both effects can be routed to Output 2 for single amp use1.
What does the meter on the NM-2 do?
The VU meter shows your input level and lets you accurately compare levels between the bypassed clean signal, Distortion 1 and Distortion 2, using a dedicated compare switch32. It can be switched off, and it sits protected between two roll bars32.
What does the bridge switch do on the NM-2?
The bridge toggle runs both distortions together rather than keeping them separate2. Stacked, the two channels give a massive distortion with a smoothness to the sound, in MusicRadar's finding3, and the 1+2 switch routes the combined effect to Output 2 for a single amp1.
Sources (3)
- NM2 - Nate Mendel Double Drive Pedal - Ashdown Engineering, Ashdown Engineering
- Review: Ashdown Engineering NM2 Double Distortion Pedal, Guitar World, 2013-09-06
- Ashdown Nate Mendel NM2 Double Distortion review, MusicRadar, 2018-02-10
