The Hilbish Design Red Fang Night Destroyer is a two-channel EQ and distortion preamp pedal, made as a collaboration with the band Red Fang and based on the Sunn Beta series amplifiers the band is famous for using. It was announced in September 2020 at USD 365 RRP, limited to 150 pieces worldwide1. Pedal of the Day described it as "FULL of different tones, amp-inspiring dirt and a ton of ways to connect to any live or recording rig you can imagine"2.
A two-channel EQ and distortion preamp
Hilbish Design took the Sunn Beta series amplifiers that Red Fang is known for using and, in Pedal of the Day's words, "stuffed them into a big ole 8×6 heavy duty, pedal-sized enclosure"2. Gearnews described the pedal as inspired by the preamp circuit of the Sunn Beta Bass1. Each of the two identical channels has separate controls for Gain, Volume and a 3-band EQ1, with a Level control setting the overall level of each channel and a Master controlling the overall level of the effect2.
Half of the money from each pedal sold went directly to the band2.
Controls, footswitches and outputs
The pedal carries three footswitches2:
- Both Channels: when activated, turns both channel A and B on2
- A/B Toggle: toggles between Channel A (red) and Channel B (green)2
- Bypass: when using the INST output, switches between the clean instrument signal and the effect signal; when using any of the other outputs (CH A, CH B, line, balanced), it acts as a mute switch2
The Master control is not active when using the CH A or CH B outputs2.
The five outputs are the pedal's most distinctive feature1:
| Output | What it does |
|---|---|
| CH A | line level output for Channel A only2 |
| CH B | line level output for Channel B only2 |
| INST | instrument level output, for "effect pedal" operation into a guitar or bass amp2 |
| Line Out | line level output for use with a power amp, mixing board or DI2 |
| Balanced out | TRS balanced out for DI applications that require long cable runs2 |
Gearnews noted that "this kind of flexibility makes it particularly useful for bassists, especially in the studio"1. The input side is simpler: a mono instrument level input plus the standard power connection1.
Limited to 150 pieces
Availability was limited to 150 pieces worldwide, and outside the US the pedal could only be imported directly from the USA1. Because of that limited run, the Night Destroyer is a hard pedal to find secondhand, and Hilbish Design's later work went in a similar direction: the maker had already released the Pessimiser King Buzzo Distortion, a signature distortion for the Melvins' Buzz Osborne, earlier in 20201. For more on the effect type, see Distortion Pedals and Preamp Pedals.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Tone Dojo
News
Questions
What is the Red Fang Night Destroyer based on?
The pedal is inspired by the preamp circuit of the Sunn Beta Bass, the amplifier series that the band Red Fang is famous for using. Hilbish Design packed that circuit into a large pedal-sized enclosure as a two-channel EQ and distortion preamp, announced in September 2020 as a collaboration with the band.
How many outputs does the Night Destroyer have?
It has five separate outputs: CH A, CH B, INST, LINE and BALANCED. The INST output is an instrument level output for running the pedal into a guitar or bass amp, the Line Out is a line level output for a power amp, mixing board or DI, and the balanced out is a TRS balanced output for DI applications that require long cable runs.
Is the Night Destroyer good for bass?
Gearnews argued that the pedal's output flexibility makes it particularly useful for bassists, especially in the studio. The input accepts instrument level signals from guitar, bass, synth or other instruments, and the line and balanced outputs let you feed a mixing board or DI directly.
How many Night Destroyer pedals were made?
The run was limited to 150 pieces worldwide. Outside the United States, the pedal could only be imported directly from the USA.
Can the Night Destroyer run both channels at once?
Yes. A footswitch labelled Both Channels turns channel A and channel B on at the same time, and a separate A/B Toggle footswitch switches between the two channels, each with its own Gain, Volume and 3-band EQ controls.
How much did the Night Destroyer cost?
The list price was USD 365 RRP when the pedal was announced in September 2020.
Sources (2)
- Get the Red Fang sound with the new Night Destroyer EQ and distortion pedal, gearnews.com, 2020-09-28
- Hilbish Design Red Fang Night Destroyer Distortion Preamp, Pedal of the Day, 2020-11-14
