The Jeds Peds Lion is a CMOS based bass overdrive, sold as a DIY effects pedal kit aimed at what the maker calls "our 4 string slingers"1. It sits in the bass overdrive corner of the bass pedals world, alongside other overdrive pedals built for low-string work. Jeds Peds describes its character as follows:
"This pedal is quite unique, it delivers brute whilst retaining its clarity. Its saturation is defined and powerful."
For comparison, the maker also builds the Jeds Peds Super Sonic Bass Fuzz and the Jeds Peds Bass Fuzz, which cover the fuzz side of bass dirt rather than overdrive.
What the Lion is
The circuit is CMOS based, a design approach that uses CMOS chips for the clipping and distortion stages, and Jeds Peds states plainly that "this kit compares to the Darkglass BK3 Bass OD"1. The maker is careful about that comparison, noting that "there is no endorsement or approval from any manufacturer and this information is for comparison only"1.
The controls
The Lion carries five controls: three pots for drive, blend and level, and two toggle switches that "offer further control around the level of attack and 'grunt'"1. The blend control is the bass player's friend here, letting clean low end sit under the driven signal.
| Control | Type | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Drive | Pot | Sets the overdrive amount1 |
| Blend | Pot | Blends clean and driven signal1 |
| Level | Pot | Sets output level1 |
| Attack | Toggle | Further control over attack1 |
| Grunt | Toggle | Further control over "grunt"1 |
A related unit, the JET Pedals Lion Distortion, exposes its Gain knob over MIDI, where "CC #20 with any value of 1 thru 8 controls the Gain knob"2. That MIDI mapping belongs to the JET Pedals version of the circuit, not to the Jeds Peds kit itself.
Versions and what you get
The Lion is sold in five versions, from a bare board to a finished pedal1:
- PCB Only: just the plain PCB
- PCB & Components: PCB, onboard components and any pots and toggle switches
- Full Kit: the complete kit
- Full Kit & Drilling: full kit with drilled enclosure
- Pre Built Kit: built by Jeds Peds, priced at £60.00 GBP1
The Pre Built Kit is sold without returns: "There are no returns accepted on these but I do give a 12 month repair warranty so should a fault be developed I will repair it"1.
Enclosure
The kit is supplied with a JP1590BB sized enclosure as standard1. Choosing the Full Kit & Drilling version means the enclosure arrives already drilled for the pots and toggles; the other kit versions leave the drilling to you.
Questions
Is the Jeds Peds Lion a kit or a finished pedal?
Both options exist. The Lion is sold by Jeds Peds in five versions: PCB Only, PCB & Components, Full Kit, Full Kit & Drilling, and Pre Built Kit. The pre-built version is soldered and ready to use, while the other versions leave the building to you, from just the bare circuit board up to a complete kit with a drilled enclosure.
What is the Jeds Peds Lion compared to?
Jeds Peds says the kit compares to the Darkglass BK3 Bass OD. The maker also states that there is no endorsement or approval from any manufacturer and that the comparison is for information only.
What enclosure size does the Jeds Peds Lion use?
The kit is supplied with a JP1590BB sized enclosure as standard, which is Jeds Peds' own version of the common 1590BB format used for many medium-sized effects pedals.
Does the Jeds Peds Lion come with a warranty?
The Pre Built Kit carries a 12 month repair warranty: if a fault develops, Jeds Peds will repair it. Returns are not accepted on pre-built kits, so the repair warranty is the cover provided.
Do I need to drill the enclosure for the Lion kit?
Not if you choose the Full Kit & Drilling version, which comes with an already drilled enclosure. Other kit versions would need you to drill the enclosure yourself to fit the pots and toggle switches.
Sources (2)
- The Lion Bass Overdrive, Jeds Peds
- Voes | MIDI-CC, Voes (voes.be), 2024
