The Distortion Inc Indigo Sludge (Head version) is a limited-edition dual preamp and fuzz pedal built for Brian "Head" Welch of Korn, capturing what Guitar World calls the iconic sound of the band's Indigo Ranch era and its 1990s sessions with producer Ross Robinson1. It is available to pre-order via Korn's website1.
What it does
The pedal has two sides. The preamp section is modeled on the high-gain preamp stages from the Indigo rigs, delivering what Guitar World describes as the tight, saturated crunch that defined Munky and Head's seven-string riffs2. Guitar World's writer, speaking with Head, says the preamp section draws on the high-gain preamp stages that were all over the band's first few records1.
The fuzz side is a different animal: Guitar World describes it as marrying sustain with hairy chaos, ideal for seven-string brutality1. Together the two sections offer what the publication called "the same preamp roar and fuzzed chaos" of the Indigo Ranch sessions2.
"This isn't 'inspired by' Korn's tone. It's built on the same ingredients that forged it."
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Master, Gain, Volume, Distortion | dials on the top row1 |
| Three-band EQ | beneath the top row1 |
| Tone | separate control beneath the top row1 |
| Fuzz Gain, Volume, Tone | independent controls for the fuzz section2 |
The pedal has dedicated footswitches for both sides, so the preamp and fuzz can be switched separately1.
Head version versus Munky version
The Head version carries the same self-titled record-inspired artwork as Munky's version, but pulls away from the red visage of Munky's, opting for a color scheme closer to the original album cover1. Munky's version was priced at $250 USD and limited to 500 units, all of which sold out before Guitar World could write a news story about it1.
Munky's version of the Indigo Sludge is sold out. Head's version is a limited edition available to pre-order via Korn's website1.
For where the Indigo Sludge sits among its neighbors, see Preamp Pedals, Fuzz Pedals and Distortion Pedals.
Questions
What is the difference between the Head and Munky versions of the Indigo Sludge?
Both are the same dual preamp and fuzz pedal, but the artwork differs. Head's version keeps the self-titled record-inspired artwork of Munky's version but swaps the red visage for a color scheme closer to the original album cover. Munky's version was priced at $250 USD and limited to 500 units, all of which sold out before Guitar World could publish a news story about it.
Is the Distortion Inc Indigo Sludge a limited edition?
Yes. Guitar World reports that Head's Indigo Sludge pedal is a limited edition, available to pre-order via Korn's website, and that it will release in limited numbers. The earlier Munky version was limited to 500 units and sold out.
How much did the Munky version of the Indigo Sludge cost?
Munky's version of the Indigo Sludge was listed at $250 USD, according to Guitar World. All 500 of those pedals sold out before the publication could write a news story about it.
Which Korn recording sessions inspired the Indigo Sludge?
The pedal draws on Korn's mid-'90s Indigo Ranch sessions with producer Ross Robinson, the sessions that forged the band's debut album tone. The preamp section is modelled on the high-gain preamp stages from those Indigo rigs, and the fuzz delivers what Guitar World called the same preamp roar and fuzzed chaos of those sessions.
Sources (2)
- Korn drops pedal that channels genre-defining debut record tone, Guitar World, 2026-05-29
- Indigo Sludge Preamp pedal recreates Korn's guitar tone, Guitar World, 2025-10-27