The JAM Pedals "Relic" Harmonious Monk mk.2 is a limited-artwork version of the Harmonious Monk mk.2, an all-analog harmonic and amplitude tremolo pedal that JAM Pedals created with That Pedal Show. It carries the same circuit and feature set as the standard mk.2, wrapped in a one-of-a-kind hand-painted "Relic" finish: JAM Pedals notes that every limited artwork pedal differs in detail from the photos, since each is painted by hand1.
The pedal gives you two tremolo voices in one box. Harmonic mode splits the signal and modulates the high and low content against each other, which JAM Pedals describes as creating "rich, phase-like movement." Amplitude mode is the traditional volume-modulation tremolo, dipping the whole signal up and down. The maker sums up the mk.2's range as "vintage pulse, modern control and a remarkably wide range of movement," from subtle flowing modulation to hard staccato chop1.
The "Relic" version is sold out3, as are the other custom artwork versions of the mk.24. Because each limited artwork pedal is a one-of-a-kind hand-painted piece, a sold-out design does not come back in identical form1. The standard Harmonious Monk mk.2 circuit remains the same pedal underneath.
The controls, footswitches and modes
Four knobs handle the core sound, and two footswitches handle everything else. The right footswitch is the TAP switch; the left is ON/OFF1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Depth | Sets the intensity of the modulation1 |
| Speed | Sets the rate1 |
| Level | Controls the output level1 |
| Mix | Blends dry and wet signals1 |
| LFO shape selector | Chooses square, sine or reverse-sawtooth modulation1 |
The Mix control is worth a second look for a tremolo: blending dry and wet lets you keep body in the sound while the effect moves on top of it, rather than muting the signal at the bottom of each sweep as a full-depth amplitude tremolo does.
The pedal has three modes1:
- Harmonic mode: the phase-like voice, modulating high and low content against each other1
- Amplitude mode: traditional volume modulation1
- Tap & Ramp mode: tap the right footswitch to set tempo; hold it to ramp from the current rate to a second speed. While holding TAP, Speed defines the destination rate and Depth defines the travel time1
- Legacy mode: preserves the original pedal's speed-multiplication workflow. The right footswitch toggles speed multiplication, and you choose x2 or x1.5 by holding TAP until you see two or three confirmation blinks1
There is also a Legacy mode wrinkle worth knowing: it exists specifically for players who learned the original Harmonious Monk's workflow, so the mk.2 can feel like the older pedal when you want it to1.
How do you switch modes
Mode switching is done with the footswitches themselves: hold both footswitches until the LEDs blink, and the pedal moves to the next mode1. No internal dipswitches or menu diving. In Legacy mode, the same right footswitch that taps tempo becomes the speed-multiply control, with the x2 versus x1.5 choice made by holding TAP and counting the confirmation blinks1.
What changed from the original Harmonious Monk
The original Harmonious Monk was the first JAM Pedals and That Pedal Show collaboration, an analog harmonic tremolo launched in December 2020. The mk.2, released in April 2023, is the second iteration. That Pedal Show describes the update plainly:
"Mk.2 retains the original's all-analogue circuitry and modern-classic tone, but adds features to make it even more useful"5
Premier Guitar likewise calls the mk.2 "the second iteration of JAM's Harmonious Monk"2. In practice, the additions over the mk.1 are the Tap & Ramp mode, the three selectable LFO shapes including reverse-sawtooth, the Legacy mode, and the mode-switching scheme, all layered on top of the unchanged analog circuit15.
The Relic finish and the artwork versions
The "Relic" is one of a run of custom artwork versions of the mk.2. Others in the series include the "Arachnid", "Beast", "Cactus Totem" and "Achenbach" designs, all of which are sold out14. JAM Pedals paints each limited artwork pedal by hand, so no two are identical and the pedal you receive differs in detail from the product photos1.
The mk.2 also exists in a B-stock listing, which is the same pedal sold as a discounted second, and the "Relic" artwork appears there too1.
Buying and shipping notes
JAM Pedals offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, with a refund "no questions asked" if you are not satisfied within 30 days of receiving the product1. For UK buyers, the pedal ships DDP with 20% UK VAT and all duties included, so there are no extra charges on delivery1.
Videos
That Pedal Show
Pete Thorn
JAM pedals
Questions
Is the Harmonious Monk mk.2 true bypass?
Yes. JAM Pedals lists the Harmonious Monk mk.2 as true bypass, so with the effect off your dry signal passes without the circuit in the path. The pedal is all analog, and its input and output are in phase.
What power supply does the Harmonious Monk mk.2 need?
It runs on 9V DC with a center-negative plug, and JAM Pedals recommends an isolated power supply. Maximum current draw is 145 mA, which is high for an analog tremolo, so a dedicated or isolated output is the safe choice rather than a shared daisy chain.
What changed from the original Harmonious Monk to the mk.2?
The mk.2 keeps the original's all-analog circuitry and tone while adding features: Tap & Ramp mode, three selectable LFO shapes (square, sine and reverse-sawtooth), a Legacy mode that preserves the original speed-multiplication workflow, and mode switching by holding both footswitches.
How do you switch modes on the Harmonious Monk mk.2?
Hold both footswitches until the LEDs blink. That cycles between the available modes. In Legacy mode, the right footswitch toggles speed multiplication, and you choose x2 or x1.5 by holding TAP until you see two or three confirmation blinks.
Is the Relic Harmonious Monk mk.2 still available?
No. The "Relic" artwork version is listed as sold out, as are the other custom artwork versions of the mk.2. Each limited artwork pedal is a one-of-a-kind hand-painted piece, so a sold-out design does not return in identical form.
Sources (5)
- “Relic” Harmonious Monk mk.2, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
- JAM Pedals Harmonious Monk mk.2 Review, Premier Guitar, 2024-01-21
- "Arachnid" Harmonious Monk, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
- "Cactus Totem" Harmonious Monk, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
- Harmonious Monk Mk.2, That Pedal Show, 2023-04
