The Jackson Audio Asabi Modular Overdrive Distortion is a drive pedal built around a simple idea: instead of one fixed distortion circuit, it uses replaceable modules, so the character of the drive can be swapped by changing a module. Guitar World called it "the world's first fully modular pedal platform to feature replaceable distortion circuits" when the pedal was announced in November 20201.
The pedal began life as a signature design for Mateus Asato, the LA-based Brazilian guitarist, and was relaunched as the Asabi with the modular circuit design added1. Reviewer Trevor Curwen, writing in Guitar World, described it as "a signature pedal for LA-based Brazilian virtuoso Mateus Asato"2.
What modular means here
On the Asabi, modular means the distortion circuit itself is replaceable. The pedal shipped with a pre-installed Modern High Gain module, which Guitar World reported was meant to recreate the "detail and harmonic complexity" of a Marshall JCM800, with tones ranging from classic rock to crushing metal1. Swapping modules changes the voicing of the drive while the rest of the pedal, its EQ and its control set, stays the same.
Core features
Guitar World's launch coverage lists the Asabi's main features as1:
- Four clipping styles
- A three-band active EQ
- Jackson's Gain Cycle circuit
- Full MIDI control
The four clipping styles and the swappable distortion modules together give the pedal a wide range of gain voicings, from lower-gain overdrive through to the high-gain territory of the pre-installed module1.
The Mateus Asato connection
The Asabi is not a separate design from the Asato signature pedal: it is that pedal, rebranded and upgraded. Guitar World reported in November 2020 that Mateus Asato had collaborated with Jackson Audio on a brand-new signature overdrive pedal, and that the Asabi was its relaunch with replaceable distortion circuits1. Curwen's review in Guitar World likewise treats the Asabi as Asato's signature pedal2.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's review of the Asabi, by Trevor Curwen, frames the pedal around its signature pedigree and its modular design, describing it as "a signature pedal for LA-based Brazilian virtuoso Mateus Asato"2.
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Questions
What does modular mean on the Jackson Audio Asabi?
Modular means the Asabi's distortion circuit sits on a replaceable module, so you can swap the character of the drive without changing pedals. Guitar World described it as the world's first fully modular pedal platform to feature replaceable distortion circuits, and it shipped with a pre-installed Modern High Gain module voiced after the Marshall JCM800.
How much does the Jackson Audio Asabi cost?
Guitar World reported the Asabi Modular Overdrive Distortion as available for $349 when it was announced in November 2020. That was the list price at launch.
Does the Asabi have MIDI control?
Yes. Alongside its four clipping styles, three-band active EQ and Jackson's Gain Cycle circuit, the Asabi offers full MIDI control, according to Guitar World's coverage of the pedal's launch.
Is the Asabi the same as the Mateus Asato signature pedal?
The Asabi is a rebranded and upgraded version of the overdrive pedal Jackson Audio developed as a signature for Mateus Asato. Guitar World reported the relaunch in November 2020, with the new modular design and replaceable distortion circuits added to the signature concept.
How many clipping styles does the Asabi have?
The Asabi offers four clipping styles, according to Guitar World's report on the pedal. Combined with the swappable distortion modules, that gives a wide range of drive voicings in one enclosure.
What is the Gain Cycle circuit?
The Gain Cycle is a Jackson Audio circuit built into the Asabi. Guitar World lists it among the pedal's core features, alongside the four clipping styles, the three-band active EQ and full MIDI control.
Sources (2)
- Jackson Audio upgrades Mateus Asato signature drive with replaceable distortion circuits, Guitar World, 2020-11-05
- Jackson Audio Asabi & Large Mouse review, Guitar World, 2021-04-29
