The Gary Holt Paranormal is a limited-edition pedal from KHDK that combines a full-studio parametric EQ with an overdrive circuit. It was designed in cooperation with Gary Holt, the guitarist of Slayer and Exodus, and was a staple of his live rigs, including Slayer's final tour1.
KHDK describes the pedal's sound as "distinct, thick, precise with absolute clarity in the mix"1.
Controls
The Paranormal pairs EQ and drive sections on one pedal:
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Bass | Low EQ |
| Tone | Treble EQ |
| Drive | Overdrive amount |
| Bandwidth | Parametric EQ band width |
| Volume | Output level (slider) |
| Mid | Mid EQ (slider) |
Design and artwork
The enclosure carries silkscreened art of a satanic cat with glowing eyes, inspired by Holt's own cat, Buffy1.
Availability
The pedal was announced in March 2019 as a limited run of 250 units, available for pre-order at $249.991. As a limited edition, it is no longer in production; KHDK's standard Paranormal and Paranormal II carry the concept forward.
The Gary Holt Paranormal was a limited run of 250 units and is discontinued. For players after a current version, KHDK's Paranormal II is the later model.
Where it sits
The Paranormal belongs to the equalization pedals family, but its overdrive circuit also puts it among overdrive pedals. That combination of a parametric EQ with a drive stage is what sets it apart from a straight EQ or a straight overdrive1.
Videos
Xander Raymond Charles
Chris Merino
Beau Monde Guitars
Sources (2)
- KHDK Electronics Unveils Gary Holt Paranormal Parametric EQ Overdrive, Guitar World, 2019-03-05
- KHDK Electronics debuts Gary Holt signature Paranormal parametric EQ, gearnews.com, 2019-03-06
