The JHS Lari Basilio Violet is a signature overdrive/distortion pedal from JHS Pedals, developed by JHS founder Josh Scott in cooperation with guitarist Lari Basilio, who joined Madison Cunningham and Paul Gilbert as a JHS Pedals signature artist12. JHS describes it as an innovative reinterpretation of distortion/overdrive sounds: the pedal acts as a flexible distortion channel for your favorite clean amp, ranging from smooth overdrive to modern distortion1.
What it does to your sound
The Violet's distinguishing feature is its three-band EQ with bass, mid frequency and treble controls1. The Mid Frequency control is placed in front of the distortion circuit, so it shapes the distortion itself before the signal reaches the amplifier; the bass and treble sit in a more traditional position behind the distortion circuit, for post-distortion shaping1. Basilio herself singled out that side of the design: speaking to MusicRadar, she praised the pedal's dynamics and described its EQ as very responsive2.
Gearnews' George Loveridge found the pedal straightforward to use: "The operation of the Violet Distortion is intuitive and user-friendly, with clear controls to fine-tune the sound." He also liked that it does not simply repeat a familiar formula: "I like the fact that this isn't just yet another distortion pedal. This thing has goals and objectives"1.
Stacking with other drives
JHS describes the Violet as harmonising with additional overdrives, distortions and fuzz pedals, meaning it can fit into a board as a second or main distortion alongside other drives1. That makes it a candidate to pair with other JHS drives such as the JHS PackRat or the JHS AT+, or to sit alongside pedals from the wider distortion field.
Versions and price
Two colors were available at the pedal's announcement, and both carry the same price1. The US list price reported at announcement was $195.001; European pricing was reported as £176.00 in the UK and €229 in the eurozone, with gearnews also listing a €207 figure, so the European figures differ between reports1.
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Questions
Who designed the JHS Lari Basilio Violet?
The Violet was developed by JHS founder Josh Scott in cooperation with Lari Basilio, who joined Madison Cunningham and Paul Gilbert as a JHS Pedals signature artist. It is her signature pedal, built around the dynamics and responsive EQ she wanted from a drive pedal.
How much does the JHS Lari Basilio Violet cost in the US?
The US list price reported at the pedal's announcement in November 2024 was $195.00. Both color versions carry the same price.
Is the Lari Basilio Violet a distortion or an overdrive?
It is described as both: JHS presents it as a reinterpretation of distortion/overdrive sounds, acting as a flexible distortion channel for a clean amp that ranges from smooth overdrive to modern distortion.
What does the Mid Frequency control do on the Lari Basilio Violet?
The Mid Frequency control is placed in front of the distortion circuit, so it shapes the character of the distortion itself before the signal reaches the amp. The bass and treble controls sit behind the distortion circuit in a more traditional post-distortion position.
Can you stack the Lari Basilio Violet with other drive pedals?
Yes. JHS describes the Violet as harmonising with additional overdrives, distortions and fuzz pedals, so it can serve as a second or main distortion in a board alongside other drives.
What colors does the Lari Basilio Violet come in?
Two colors were available at the pedal's announcement, and both are sold at the same price.
Sources (2)
- JHS Lari Basilio: Purple Pocket Rocket with 3-Band EQ, gearnews.com, 2024-11-05
- “Using this pedal is like adding a new and ultra-flexible distortion channel to your favorite clean amplifier”: JHS Pedals and Lari Basilio join forces for Violet, a versatile overdrive/distortion with a powerful EQ, MusicRadar, 2024-11-05
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