The JHS Pedals Low Drive Hand Paint is a bass overdrive pedal, hand painted in the style of JHS's limited-run enclosures. JHS describes its range as going "From meek to mild all the way to downright dirty, the Low Drive is your go to pedal for classic bass overdrive tones."1
Discontinued status
The Low Drive is no longer in production. Pedal of the Day reported that "the Low Drive was discontinued in Fall 2013," and that it was replaced with the Moonshine.3 JHS still maintains a product page for the Low Drive Hand Paint, so documentation of the pedal's controls and features remains available from the maker.1
Controls
The Low Drive keeps its control layout simple, with the V2 adding a toggle that changes the character of the gain stage13.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain knob | JHS calls it "very flexible with an amazingly wide range of dirt"1 |
| Tone knob | JHS says "You will most likely find the tone knob to be the most useful overdrive tone knob you have ever used"1 |
| 3-way gain toggle (V2) | Switches between V1 clipping, open boost, or LED crunch1 |
A reviewer at Pedal of the Day described the V2's toggle as "A toggle switch for different clippings (middle toggle was da bomb)."3
V1 and V2 versions
JHS lays out the difference between the two versions plainly on the Low Drive Hand Paint page: "V1 = Same look as current model but different knobs. V2 = Gain toggle switch added."1 In other words, the two versions share the same overall look, and the V2's added gain toggle is what sets it apart, giving it three clipping and boost options where the V1 has one fixed gain character.
Power
JHS says the Low Drive "will also run it at 18 volts for more headroom and punch."1 Headroom matters on bass, where a strong low end can make an overdrive pedal break up before you want it to. For comparison, JHS notes on another product page that the original V1 "AT" can be safely run on 18 or 9 volts, so 18-volt operation is a familiar option across JHS designs of this era.41
Because the Low Drive was discontinued in Fall 2013, units on the used market may be either version. The added gain toggle is the quickest way to tell a V2 from a V1.13
Where it sits on a board
As a bass overdrive, the Low Drive belongs alongside other dirt options in the overdrive, distortion and fuzz families, and it pairs naturally with the rest of the bass pedals category. JHS's hand-painted line also includes other enclosures such as the Calhoun and Panther Cub V2.1
Questions
Is the JHS Low Drive discontinued?
Yes. According to Pedal of the Day, the Low Drive was discontinued in Fall 2013 and was replaced with the Moonshine. JHS still lists the Low Drive Hand Paint on its own product page, but the pedal is no longer a current production model, so players looking for one will be shopping the used market.
What is the difference between the Low Drive V1 and V2?
JHS describes the two versions this way: the V1 has the same look as the current model but different knobs, while the V2 adds a gain toggle switch. That toggle on the V2 lets you choose between V1-style clipping, an open boost, or LED crunch, giving the V2 three distinct gain characters the V1 does not have.
What does the 3-way gain toggle on the Low Drive do?
On the V2, the 3-way gain toggle lets you switch between V1 clipping, an open boost, or LED crunch. A reviewer at Pedal of the Day described it as a toggle switch for different clippings and singled out the middle position as a favorite.
What voltage does the JHS Low Drive run on?
JHS says the Low Drive can run at 18 volts, which the maker says gives more headroom and punch. Check your power supply before connecting any pedal at 18 volts, since not all supplies offer that option.
Is the JHS Low Drive made for bass or guitar?
The Low Drive is a bass overdrive pedal. JHS describes it as a go-to pedal for classic bass overdrive tones, and the maker says it keeps the clarity of your rig intact no matter how much drive you have going, which is the usual concern when running dirt on bass.
Sources (4)
- LOW DRIVE HAND PAINT, JHS Pedals
- PANTHER CUB V2 HAND PAINT, JHS Pedals
- JHS Pedals Low Drive Bass Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2014-08-24
- AT+ - JHS Pedals, JHS Pedals
