The Velvet Sledgehammer is Mayfly's first heavy distortion pedal, announced in March 2025. It is a distortion pedal built around an overdriven LM308 op-amp with 1N4148 clipping diodes, followed by an adjustable filter circuit and an active midrange control1. The name and the motorcycle artwork are both inspired by a motorcycle model the maker describes as known for its sophistication, grace and power1.
The controls
The pedal keeps its face simple: three knobs and the footswitch.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Distortion | Sets the amount of distortion1 |
| Volume | Sets the output level1 |
| Filter | Two-pole adjustable filter control1 |
| Midrange | Active control with 12dB of boost or cut; center position is flat1 |
The active midrange stage is the pedal's distinguishing feature. Because it is active, it can cut as well as boost, by up to 12dB either side of flat1.
Circuit and sound
The signal path runs an overdriven LM308 op-amp into 1N4148 clipping diodes, then through the adjustable filter circuit, then into the active midrange control1. The LM308 op-amp and hard-clipping diode arrangement is the same general approach players know from RAT-style pedals, and Premier Guitar's writer made the comparison directly:
"If you were to say 'Hey! That sounds like a RAT with an active midrange!', you would not be far off."
The writer's verdict on the sound: "Crank on the distortion knob and it will make you feel like you can wheelie all the way down the block."1
On how it differs from the pedals it invites comparison with, the reviewer was specific:
"But it's that midrange control that makes this pedal so much better sounding than a typical RAT clone."
The reviewer's point is that boosting mids at high distortion settings gives body back where a typical RAT gets a fizzy midrange and high-gain sound1. For a player weighing this against a conventional RAT-style pedal, that active midrange control is the practical difference on the dial.
Power
The pedal runs on 9VDC and draws 28mA1.
The published specification is 9VDC at 28mA1. Use a center-negative supply rated for the pedal's draw on your board.
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Questions
How much current does the Velvet Sledgehammer draw?
The Velvet Sledgehammer runs on 9VDC and draws 28mA, according to Premier Guitar's announcement of the pedal. That is light enough for most standard pedalboard power supplies, though a battery option is not part of the published specification.
What is the list price of the Velvet Sledgehammer in the US?
The MAP price in the United States is $145 USD as of March 2025, per Premier Guitar. In Canada the MAP price is $199 CAD.
Is the Velvet Sledgehammer a RAT clone?
Premier Guitar's writer compared it to a RAT with an active midrange, saying you would not be far off making that comparison. The reviewer argued the midrange control makes it sound much better than a typical RAT clone, restoring body at high distortion settings where a typical RAT gets fizzy.
How much boost or cut does the midrange control give?
The active midrange control offers 12dB of boost or cut, with the center position flat. Premier Guitar's reviewer called this control the feature that sets the pedal apart from a typical RAT-style circuit.
What kind of bypass does the Velvet Sledgehammer use?
The pedal uses full bypass, according to Premier Guitar's announcement.
Sources (1)
- MayFly's Velvet Sledgehammer: Distortion Revolution, Premier Guitar, 2025-03-24