The KHDK Electronics Mad Monarch is a signature preamp and drive pedal developed in collaboration with Gary Holt, launched in September 2023 as what MusicRadar called "the Mad Monarch signature preamp/drive pedal"1. One enclosure holds a preamp on one side and a drive on the other, each with its own footswitch, so a player can run the two sections separately or together1. KHDK's product page quotes Holt calling it a "Game changer!!! I can just pull this out of my backpack and play a gig right there," and the maker's own tagline for it is "Heaviest pedal known to man"2.
What it does for a player
The preamp side is laid out like a guitar amp, with Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, Master and Contour controls shaping the core sound21. KHDK describes the preamp section as "An homage to the revered silverface amplifier *wink wink*"2. An Output Level switch adds a second role: in its up position it "makes the pedal a stand-alone preamp," meaning the pedal can replace an amp's front end rather than just push one2. Players comparing this kind of pedal with a straight drive can see how the two approaches differ on the Preamp Pedals and Overdrive Pedals pages.
The drive side carries three controls, Drive, Volume and Mid Boost, and KHDK says it "Gives you Gary's iconic Paranormal pedal sound"2. Holt's own words at launch: "Simply put, my tone in a pedal, and so much more!"1.
Controls
| Control | Section | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Gain | Preamp | Shapes the core preamp sound2 |
| Bass | Preamp | Low EQ2 |
| Middle | Preamp | Midrange EQ2 |
| Treble | Preamp | High EQ2 |
| Master | Preamp | Preamp level2 |
| Contour | Preamp | Shapes the core preamp sound2 |
| Output Level switch | Preamp | Up position makes the pedal a stand-alone preamp2 |
| Drive | Drive | Drive amount2 |
| Volume | Drive | Drive section level2 |
| Mid Boost | Drive | Mid boost2 |
| OD Tone switch (internal) | Drive | Down position gives a flat response2 |
Each section has its own footswitch, so the preamp and drive can be used separately or stacked1.
The Paranormal connection
MusicRadar described the Mad Monarch as "a sequel of sorts to Holt's long-discontinued KHDK Paranormal signature pedal"1. The Paranormal, a Gary Holt Parametric EQ Overdrive, originally shipped in a limited run of 250 units in 20193. The Mad Monarch's drive section is KHDK's way of putting that sound back in production2.
The Mad Monarch was reported as a limited edition signature collaboration at launch1. KHDK has a history of limited artist runs, including the SGT D boost/preamp for Scott Ian.
Internal switches
The pedal houses two internal switches2. KHDK's page explains the OD Tone switch: its down position "gives you a flat response"2.
Videos
KHDK
Ultimate metal guitar tones
Ultimate metal guitar tones
Questions
Who designed the KHDK Mad Monarch?
The Mad Monarch was developed in collaboration with Gary Holt, the thrash guitarist KHDK Electronics describes as a thrash legend. It is a signature pedal carrying Holt's name, and Holt himself called it "Simply put, my tone in a pedal, and so much more!" when it launched in September 2023.
What controls are on the preamp side of the Mad Monarch?
The preamp side is laid out like a guitar amp, with Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, Master and Contour knobs that shape the core sound. KHDK describes the preamp section as an homage to the silverface amplifier. An Output Level switch set to the up position makes the pedal a stand-alone preamp.
Is the Mad Monarch a limited edition?
MusicRadar reported at launch that the Mad Monarch is a limited edition signature collaboration and the latest in a string of artist signature pedals KHDK has released.
How is the Mad Monarch related to the KHDK Paranormal?
MusicRadar described the Mad Monarch as a sequel of sorts to Gary Holt's long-discontinued KHDK Paranormal signature pedal, a Parametric EQ Overdrive that originally shipped in a limited run of 250 units. KHDK says the Mad Monarch's drive section gives you Gary's iconic Paranormal pedal sound.
What do the two internal switches on the Mad Monarch do?
The pedal houses two internal switches. KHDK's product page explains that the OD Tone switch in its down position gives a flat response. The function of the second switch is not described on the page.
How much did the Mad Monarch cost at launch?
MusicRadar reported the Mad Monarch was priced at $249 when it launched in September 2023. KHDK's own product page lists the cost as $249.99.
Sources (3)
- “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
- Mad Monarch by Gary Holt, KHDK Electronics
- Gary Holt finds “the tone I've been searching for for 20 years” with KHDK's Paranormal parametric EQ, MusicRadar, 2019-03-05
