The KHDK Mad Monarch is a signature preamp and drive pedal from KHDK Electronics, developed in collaboration with Gary Holt, the guitarist known for Exodus and his work with Slayer. It combines two sections in one enclosure: a preamp shaped like a classic amp's front end, and a drive channel that recreates the sound of Holt's earlier KHDK signature pedal, the long-discontinued Paranormal. KHDK launched it in September 2023 at $249, and the maker's product page now lists it at $249.99.12
A preamp and a drive in one pedal
The pedal splits its work in two. The preamp section, on the left of the pedal, carries Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, Master and Contour knobs, and KHDK describes it as an homage to the revered silverface amplifier, with a wink at the reference. The drive section, occupying the right-hand side of the pedal, is controlled by Drive, Volume and Mid Boost knobs, and gives what KHDK calls Gary's iconic Paranormal pedal sound.12
The output level switch is what turns the preamp section into a genuine stand-alone preamp rather than just a drive box1:
- Up position: makes the pedal a stand-alone preamp, for running straight into a power amp or an effects return
- Down position: gives an instrument level output, which KHDK describes as perfect for your amp's clean channel1
Inside, the pedal carries two internal switches. One of them, the OD Tone switch, shapes the drive section's top end: in the up position it brings what KHDK calls the twisted glory of the Tone control, like when the tone on your overdrive pedal is on maximum.1
Where it came from
MusicRadar reported the Mad Monarch's launch in September 2023 as the latest in a string of artist signature pedals KHDK has released, a line that includes the SGT D built with Scott Ian and Zacky Vengeance's Night Of The Living Shred high-gain preamp. The Mad Monarch is a sequel of sorts to Holt's long-discontinued Paranormal signature pedal, which KHDK sold in 2019 at $249/£195. The enclosure is finished in purple flake, and each pedal comes with a signed certificate of authenticity.23
Holt's own verdict, quoted by MusicRadar at launch:
"Simply put, my tone in a pedal, and so much more!"
KHDK's product page carries a blunter tagline of its own, "Heaviest pedal known to man", and quotes Holt calling the pedal a game changer: "I can just pull this out of my backpack and play a gig right there."1
The Mad Monarch is a limited edition signature collaboration, so it may not return to regular production.12
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Questions
Who is the KHDK Mad Monarch designed with?
The Mad Monarch was developed in collaboration with Gary Holt, the guitarist known for Exodus and his work with Slayer. It is a signature pedal in the KHDK Electronics artist range, and it follows Holt's earlier KHDK signature pedal, the Paranormal. The pedal ships with a signed certificate of authenticity.
What amp is the Mad Monarch preamp section modeled on?
KHDK describes the preamp section as an homage to the revered silverface amplifier, adding a wink to the reference. The section carries Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, Master and Contour controls, and an output level switch that can set the pedal up as a stand-alone preamp.
What does the output level switch on the Mad Monarch do?
The output level switch has two positions. In the up position it makes the pedal a stand-alone preamp, suitable for running into a power amp or effects return. In the down position it gives an instrument level output, which KHDK describes as perfect for an amp's clean channel.
How many internal switches does the Mad Monarch have?
The Mad Monarch has two internal switches. One of them, the OD Tone switch, sets the drive section's tone character: in the up position it brings the Tone control to maximum, which KHDK compares to an overdrive pedal with its tone knob on maximum.
What does the Mad Monarch cost?
KHDK lists the Mad Monarch at $249.99 on its product page. When MusicRadar reported the pedal's launch in September 2023, it was priced at $249 and available for preorder with October shipping.
Sources (3)
- Mad Monarch by Gary Holt, KHDK Electronics
- “This thing shall destroy all!” promises Gary Holt as KHDK Electronics launches the thrash legend's Mad Monarch signature preamp/drive pedal, MusicRadar, 2023-09-15
- Gary Holt finds “the tone I've been searching for for 20 years” with KHDK's Paranormal parametric EQ, MusicRadar, 2019-03-05
Gary Holt
