The Lusithand Devices Ground & Pound MKII is a bass preamp and overdrive/distortion pedal, built as a second version of the original Ground & Pound. It carries six controls, a two-position voice switch and an input attenuator, and it runs on 9V to 18V DC at a current draw of 30 mA at 9V1. It sits in the preamp pedal territory, with gain stages that reach into overdrive and distortion for bass.
The controls
The pedal has six controls in total. Lusithand Devices describes them as follows1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Dis | Sets the amount of gain, from fairly clean overdrive to heavy distortion; the distortion's level stays more constant as the gain increases |
| Vol | Acts as the master volume |
| EQZ | A tilt equalizer that affects only the distorted signal |
| Mix | Blends the clean signal, which has a 2:1 compression ratio described by the maker as very musical, adding the clean signal's compression to the distortion |
The EQZ tilt equalizer working on the distorted signal only means the clean blend keeps its own tone while the player shapes the drive side separately, which is a common concern on bass where low-end clarity matters under distortion1.
Ground/Pound switch and L-Pad
Two new features were included in this second version of the Ground & Pound: the Ground/Pound switch and an L-Pad attenuator1.
- Ground/Pound switch: Lets the player select between a standard sound (Pound) and a more modern, deeper sound (Ground). Lusithand Devices describes the Ground setting as a new sound profile that allows for a deeper, more modern sound, while the Pound setting is the original, rawer, fuller sound of the pedal1.
- L-Pad attenuator: Allows for 10 dB of attenuation, which the maker calls perfect for use with hotter basses, or for using the pedal as a cleaner preamp1.
How it sounds and how it is used
Lusithand Devices describes the Ground & Pound MKII as very versatile, saying it shines when using a pick and digging into the strings at lighter gain settings, or that it can, in the maker's words, smash your face in at higher gain settings with both fingerstyle and pick1.
Warranty
Lusithand Devices states that any of its products will be replaced or fixed, with all expenses covered, once it has been verified that the problem is not a result of bad handling or negligence on the owner's part. If the damage is due to negligence or wrong handling, the warranty is lost and a cost can occur for the device's repair, with shipping costs not covered in such cases1.
Videos
LusitHand Devices
Nate Navarro
Rodney McG
Questions
What does the Ground/Pound switch do on the Ground & Pound MKII?
The Ground/Pound switch selects between two sound profiles. According to Lusithand Devices, the Ground setting is a new profile that allows for a deeper, more modern sound, while the Pound setting is the original, rawer, fuller sound of the pedal. In other words, the switch lets the player choose between a standard sound (Pound) and a more modern, deeper sound (Ground).
What does the L-Pad attenuator do?
The L-Pad attenuator switch provides 10 dB of attenuation. Lusithand Devices describes it as perfect for use with hotter instruments, meaning basses with high-output pickups, or for using the pedal as a cleaner preamp by taming the signal going into the gain stages.
What voltage does the Ground & Pound MKII take?
The pedal operates on 9V to 18V DC and draws 30 mA at 9V, according to the maker's product page. That range means it can run at standard pedalboard supply voltages or at a higher voltage if the player prefers.
What is new in the MKII compared with the first Ground & Pound?
Two new features were added in this second version of the Ground & Pound: the Ground/Pound switch and the L-Pad attenuator. The Ground/Pound switch selects between the original fuller sound and a deeper, more modern profile, and the L-Pad gives 10 dB of attenuation for hotter instruments or cleaner preamp use.
How big is the Ground & Pound MKII?
The pedal measures 122 x 66 mm, according to Lusithand Devices, which is a compact footprint for a pedalboard.
Are the jacks top mounted?
Yes. The maker's product page lists top mounted jacks among the pedal's features, which keeps the pedal's width narrow when several pedals sit side by side on a board.
Sources (1)
- Ground & Pound MKII, Lusithand Devices