The BAT is a distortion pedal from Black Arts Toneworks, described by the maker as "the newest offering of dirt disease from Black Arts"1. It is built to cover a wide range: the maker says it is "delicate enough to act as a boost or driver while responding to guitar controls," and at the other end, "so much gain it can collapse under its own weight or roar like a cutting beast"1. That range, plus its tone shaping and clipping options, makes it a flexible dirt pedal rather than a one-trick distortion.
The controls
The BAT keeps its front panel to four knobs, each with a distinct job1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of distortion |
| Volume | Sets the output level |
| Pre Gain | Drives the Baxandall style tone controls |
| Lo Drive | Adds low end drive |
| Hi Drive | Adds top end detail and drive |
The Pre Gain control feeds the pedal's Baxandall style tone controls, a type of EQ circuit with separate bass and treble shelves, which is what the Lo Drive and Hi Drive knobs shape1. Between them you can dial in low end weight and top end detail independently, which is a good part of why the maker says the pedal has "many eq and texture possibilities" that allow always-on use1.
Clipping options and input voicings
Two design choices set the BAT apart from a straightforward distortion:
- LED or silicon clipping: a switchable choice between two diode types that shape how the distortion clips1
- Three input voicings: three settings, all with different bass response, that change how the pedal handles low end at its input1
The input voicings matter most at high gain, where bass response decides whether the sound stays tight or turns to mush. Combined with the tone controls, the maker presents the BAT as a pedal with "many eq and texture possibilities"1.
Power and price
The BAT runs on 9V DC with negative center polarity, the same standard as most compact pedals, so it will work with a typical pedalboard power supply. A power supply is not included with the pedal1. Black Arts Toneworks lists it at $199.00 USD on its product page as of 26 October 20261.
The BAT needs a 9V negative center supply, which is not included in the box. Make sure your power brick or adapter can cover it before it goes on the board.
Where it sits in the range
Black Arts Toneworks makes other dirt pedals that readers comparing options may want to look at, including the Raw Heart OD, an overdrive, and the LSTR. For the wider field, see the site's pages on Distortion Pedals, Overdrive Pedals and Boost Pedals.
Videos
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Questions
Is the Black Arts Toneworks BAT true bypass?
Yes. Black Arts Toneworks lists the BAT with true bypass switching, so when the pedal is off, your guitar signal passes straight through without going through the circuit. That matters on a large pedalboard, where pedals that buffer the signal when off can gradually change your tone.
What power supply does the Black Arts Toneworks BAT need?
The BAT runs on 9V DC with negative center polarity. A power supply is not included with the pedal, so you will need your own supply or a spot on your pedalboard power brick. Check that your supply's output matches the 9V negative center requirement before plugging in.
How much does the Black Arts Toneworks BAT cost?
Black Arts Toneworks lists the BAT at $199.00 USD on its product page as of October 2026. Prices can change, so the maker's own page is the place to see the current figure.
Can the BAT be used as a boost?
Yes. Black Arts Toneworks describes the BAT as delicate enough to act as a boost or driver while still responding to your guitar's volume and tone controls. At the other end of its range, the maker says it has so much gain it can collapse under its own weight or roar like a cutting beast.
What is the difference between LED and silicon clipping on the BAT?
The BAT offers a choice between LED clipping and silicon clipping. These are two different diode types used to shape the distortion, and each gives the pedal a different character. The maker does not describe the tonal difference between the two on its product page, so it is a matter of trying both and hearing which suits your rig.
What do the three input voicings do?
The BAT has three input voicings, each with a different bass response. Switching between them changes how much low end the pedal lets through, which affects how tight or full the distortion sits in a mix, especially at higher gain settings.
Sources (1)
- BAT | Black Arts Toneworks, Black Arts Toneworks
