The Hilbish Design Pessimiser King Buzzo Distortion is a distortion pedal built as a collaboration between Hilbish Design and King Buzzo of The Melvins. Pedal of the Day describes it as focusing on "the multitude of unique distorted tones coveted by The Melvins' leader," but its controls reach well past that: the same pedal can be dialed back for clean boost and slight overdrive, or pushed into full fuzz1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Boost | Goes from light overdrive to over the top fuzz1 |
| Mix | Lets you go from completely clean tones to full on distortion, and everything in between1 |
| Blast | Controls your volume1 |
| Low, Med, High AF | Wide range 3-band active EQ, with the ability to boost and cut1 |
The Boost control is the drive stage: at its lowest settings Pedal of the Day found it suited to clean boost and light overdrive territory, and at the top of its range it produces fuzz1. The Mix control blends clean and distorted signal, which is what lets one pedal cover that whole span1. The three-band active EQ can both boost and cut, giving wide range tonal shaping1.
Range and uses
Pedal of the Day's reviewer summed up the pedal's span this way:
"will get you that King Buzzo sound, for sure, but can be dialed back for clean boost, slight overdrive and more, for a wide range of gorgeous, amp-driving glory"
The same review reports that "this beast works great on guitar, bass, synth, or as a studio effect," so it is not limited to guitar on a pedalboard1. Players looking at other Hilbish Design collaborations may also know the Red Fang Night Destroyer, a separate distortion preamp pedal from the same maker1.
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Questions
Who designed the Hilbish Design Pessimiser?
The Pessimiser is a collaboration pedal between Hilbish Design and King Buzzo, the leader of The Melvins. It is the second collaboration pedal Pedal of the Day noted from Hilbish Design, and it is built around the range of distorted tones associated with Buzz Osborne's playing, while still dialing back to clean boost and slight overdrive.
What does the Mix control do on the Pessimiser?
According to Pedal of the Day, the Mix control lets you go from completely clean tones to full on distortion, and everything in between. Blending the distorted signal with the clean one in this way is what lets the pedal cover everything from a clean boost sound to full distortion on the same set of controls.
Can the Pessimiser be used on bass or synth?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review says the pedal works great on guitar, bass, synth, or as a studio effect. Its three-band active EQ, which can both boost and cut, helps it shape sources beyond guitar.
What does the Blast knob do on the Pessimiser?
The Blast control controls your volume, as Pedal of the Day describes it. It sets the pedal's output level, sitting alongside the Mix control, which blends clean and distorted tones, and the Boost control, which sets the amount of drive.
Sources (1)
- Hilbish Design Pessimiser King Buzzo Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2021-02-22
