The KHDK Abyss is a bass overdrive from KHDK Electronics1. KHDK describes it on its product page as "a game changing bass overdrive"1. Its central idea is a clean blend: separate Dirty and Clean channel volumes let you keep the dynamics of your clean bass tone while dialling in just the right amount of overdriven signal on top2. At announcement the pedal's list price was given as RRP TBC, meaning the retail price was still to be confirmed3.
What it does to your sound
KHDK positions the Abyss as a versatile overdrive rather than a straight fuzz or distortion2. On the Lo setting it provides what the maker calls "a warm, tube-like boost and a subtle crunchy overdrive," which Guitar World's Paul Riario echoed in his review of the pedal14. Switching the Hi/Lo lever to Hi adds saturation, sustain, low end and compression, which KHDK recommends for a more powerful rhythm sound or for soloing12.
Because the clean and dirty channels have their own volume controls, the Abyss works as a blender as much as a drive pedal. You set the overdriven signal with Gain, Dirty and the tone controls, then bring in as much or as little of it as you want against the Clean volume, so your bass's fundamental and dynamics stay intact underneath the dirt32.
The controls
The Abyss keeps its panel simple: four knobs and one lever3.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive |
| Dirty | Volume of the distorted channel |
| Clean | Volume of the clean channel, for blending |
| Treble | Treble shaping |
| Fullness | Adjusts the overdrive sound |
| Punch | Adjusts the overdrive sound |
| Hi/Lo lever | Small switch for Hi and Lo gain settings3 |
KHDK's guidance is to adjust the overdrive sound with Fullness and Punch "until it sits where you want it"3. The Hi/Lo lever is tied directly into the gain stage, so it changes the character of the drive rather than acting as a separate volume step: Lo for the tube-like boost, Hi for the thicker, compressed setting1.
The Hi setting adds low end and compression on top of saturation and sustain, so it changes more than just the gain level. If you switch between Lo and Hi mid-song, expect your level and low-end balance to move with it12.
Where it came from
KHDK's announcement of the Abyss gave the retail price as RRP TBC, meaning it was still to be confirmed3. By August 2017 the pedal was in reviewers' hands: Paul Riario's Guitar World review described it as a brand-new bass overdrive4. KHDK says the Abyss, like all of its pedals, is crafted and quality-tested in Kentucky, USA1.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's review, by Paul Riario, described the Abyss as "a brand-new bass overdrive that provides warm, tube-like boost and a subtle crunchy overdrive," and credited it with letting bass players dial just the right amount of overdriven signal into their clean tone4. KHDK's own press release made the same blending claim, saying the pedal "allows bass players to dial just the right amount of overdriven signal to their clean tone"2.
"The Abyss offers dirty and clean channel volumes, which enables you to essentially keep the dynamics of your bass tone"
Videos
Premier Guitar
KHDK
BassTheWorld.com
Questions
Is the KHDK Abyss made for bass?
Yes. The Abyss is a bass overdrive, and it was the first KHDK pedal aimed specifically at bass players when it was announced at Summer NAMM 2017. KHDK describes it as a game-changing bass overdrive, and press coverage at launch called it a drive pedal made specifically for bass players who want some dirt in their tone.
What do the Fullness and Punch knobs do on the Abyss?
Fullness and Punch adjust the overdrive sound itself until it sits where you want it in your tone. They work alongside the Gain control and the Hi/Lo lever, which is tied directly into the gain stage and switches between a warm, tube-like boost setting and a higher-gain setting with more saturation and low end.
What does the Hi/Lo lever do on the KHDK Abyss?
The Hi/Lo lever is a small switch for Hi and Lo gain settings, and KHDK says it is tied directly into the gain. The Lo setting gives a warm, tube-like boost with a subtle crunchy overdrive, good for rhythm playing. The Hi setting adds saturation, sustain, low end and compression, which KHDK recommends for a more powerful rhythm sound or soloing.
Can the Abyss blend clean and distorted signals?
Yes. The Abyss has separate Dirty and Clean channel volumes, so you can keep the dynamics of your clean bass tone while dialling in just the right amount of overdriven signal on top. KHDK describes the effect as similar to using two amps.
Who makes the KHDK Abyss?
The Abyss is made by KHDK Electronics. Like all KHDK pedals, the company says the Abyss is crafted and quality-tested in Kentucky, USA.
Sources (4)
- Abyss | KHDK Electronics, KHDK Electronics
- KHDK Electronics Introduces the Abyss Bass Overdrive, Premier Guitar, 2017-07-07
- KHDK shoots for bass market with Abyss overdrive pedal, gearnews.com, 2017-07-10
- Review: KHDK Electronics Abyss Pedal, Guitar World, 2017-08-07
