The Ashdown Lomenzo Mega Drive is a bass distortion pedal from Ashdown Engineering. Ashdown describes it as a pedal that "delivers everything from rich harmonic distortion to razor-sharp modern drive"1. Its controls are built around blending: with bypass mix, drive mix, and drive level controls, you can blend pristine bass tone with harmonically rich distortion, and a sweepable high-pass filter and low-pass filter let you focus the distortion precisely where you want it1.
What it does to your sound
Ashdown describes the Mega Drive as delivering rich harmonic distortion with sharp, modern high-end drive. The company positions it for players who want to push their sound to the edge, and LoMenzo's full endorsement is part of the pitch: Ashdown calls the pedal a true extension of his sound and artistry1.
The tone-shaping side is where the pedal differs from a straightforward dirt box. A sweepable high-pass filter and a sweepable low-pass filter let you focus the distortion precisely, so the drive can sit in the part of the frequency range you want while the rest of the bass stays clear1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Bypass Mix | Blends clean bass tone with the distorted signal1 |
| Drive Mix | Blends pristine bass tone with harmonically rich distortion1 |
| Drive Level | Sets the level of the distorted signal1 |
| High-pass filter | Sweepable, for precise distortion focus1 |
| Low-pass filter | Sweepable, for precise distortion focus1 |
| Unity input control | Ashdown says it guarantees seamless integration with the rest of your rig1 |
The mix controls are the heart of the design. Because you can blend bypass and drive signals independently, the low end of your bass tone can stay intact while the distortion adds harmonics on top, which is the usual challenge with distortion on bass. With bypass mix, drive mix, and drive level controls, you can blend pristine bass tone with harmonically rich distortion1.
Power, size and build
The Mega Drive runs on a 9V power supply and draws 45mA1. It measures 116.2 mm wide, 65 mm high and 145.5 mm deep, and weighs 0.9 kg. Ashdown describes the chassis as rugged and engineered to withstand years of touring1.
The pedal's power requirement is given as a 9V power supply, not a battery option, so budget a slot on your power supply for its 45mA draw.
Where it sits in Ashdown's pedal range
Ashdown Engineering has built a line of bass effects around its amp heritage, from the Dr. Green range of hand-made bass pedals such as the Bearded Lady and OctaDose to signature designs like the Stuart Zender FUNK FACE and the Triple Shot, a bass overdrive that splits the signal into three frequency bands with separate distortion for each1. The Mega Drive is the company's current signature distortion pedal, carrying the Hyperdrive concept forward with LoMenzo's name on it.
Warranty
All Ashdown products purchased include a 5 year warranty, which covers the Mega Drive1.
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Questions
Who designed the Ashdown Lomenzo Mega Drive?
The Mega Drive was developed with James LoMenzo, bassist with Megadeth. Ashdown states the pedal carries his full endorsement and describes it as a true extension of his sound and artistry. It is the evolution of Ashdown's earlier Hyperdrive pedal, updated with LoMenzo's input into the circuit and its tone-shaping controls.
Is the Mega Drive true bypass?
Yes. Ashdown lists the switching as true bypass, so when the pedal is off, your bass signal passes through without going through the drive circuit. Ashdown also specifies a unity input control, which the company says guarantees seamless integration with the rest of your rig.
What pedal is the Mega Drive based on?
Ashdown describes the James LoMenzo Mega Drive as the evolution of the acclaimed Ashdown Hyperdrive pedal. It keeps the Hyperdrive's core idea of shaping distortion around the bass signal and adds the mix and filter controls that let players blend clean and distorted tones.
Can the Mega Drive blend clean bass with distortion?
Yes. With bypass mix, drive mix and drive level controls, Ashdown says you can blend pristine bass tone with harmonically rich distortion. Sweepable high-pass and low-pass filters let you focus the distortion on particular parts of the frequency range, which helps keep low-end definition intact.
How much current does the Mega Drive draw?
The Mega Drive runs on a 9V power supply and draws 45mA, according to Ashdown's product page. That is a modest draw by pedal standards, but the pedal takes a power supply rather than a battery, so plan your board's power accordingly.
How long is the Ashdown warranty on the Mega Drive?
Ashdown includes a 5 year warranty on all Ashdown products purchased, which covers the Mega Drive. The warranty comes from the maker, so it applies to the pedal as sold by Ashdown Engineering.
Sources (1)
- Lomenzo Mega Drive, Ashdown Engineering
