The Unknown Hinson Signature Overdrive is an overdrive pedal built by Pro Tone Pedals as a signature edition for guitarist Unknown Hinson, the tall-haired character guitarist known for his dark, twangy stage persona. Guitar Interactive Magazine announced the pedal in June 2014, describing it as Pro Tone Pedals getting "down and gritty" with the artist. The pedal carries Gain, Tone and Volume controls, runs on a 9 volt battery or adapter, and is built by hand in the United States1.
What it does to your sound
Pro Tone Pedals described the pedal in characteristically colorful terms when it launched. The company said it had "captured the gritty grind that rips through the solos and underlying drive that is the Unknown Hinson experience"1. In plain terms, that positions it as a gritty overdrive for players who want a rougher edge under solos rather than a clean boost. If you are weighing it against other drives, the site's Overdrive Pedals page covers the type as a whole, and the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer comparison looks at two of the most common reference points.
Controls and build
The pedal keeps things simple: three knobs and a footswitch.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive |
| Tone | Shapes the treble character |
| Volume | Sets the output level |
The footswitch is described as a stomp switch built to withstand years of hard stomping shows, and the circuit sits in a durable aluminum housing. A Super-Bright LED makes the pedal easy to identify on a dark stage1.
Power and bypass
The pedal operates on a standard 9 volt battery or a 9v negative tip style adapter, and the adapter is sold separately1. The bypass arrangement is True Hardwire Bypass with a grounded input, which the announcement describes as giving noise free operation1.
The 9v negative tip adapter is not included with the pedal. If you run it on a pedalboard supply, budget for a 9 volt center-negative output.
The signature edition
The pedal's look is part of the point: it is marked by what Guitar Interactive Magazine called "the kings chart-toppin' hair and sideburns imagery," a nod to Unknown Hinson's unmistakable appearance1. Pro Tone Pedals has built other signature and character-driven drives, including the Pro Tone Pedals Dead Horse Overdrive and the Pro Tone pedals Pro Tone Gold Label Overdrive.
Because the units are hand crafted, the reported lead time was 6 to 8 weeks1.
Questions
Is the Unknown Hinson Signature Overdrive true bypass?
Yes. Guitar Interactive Magazine reports the pedal uses True Hardwire Bypass with a grounded input, which the publication describes as giving noise free operation. That means the pedal's circuit is taken out of the signal path when it is switched off, so your guitar's tone reaches the amp unchanged until you stomp on it.
Is the power adapter included?
No. The pedal runs on a standard 9 volt battery, or on a 9v negative tip style adapter, but the adapter is sold separately. If you plan to run it from a pedalboard power supply, you will need to supply your own 9 volt center-negative adapter or supply output.
Where is the Unknown Hinson pedal made?
Pro Tone Pedals builds the Unknown Hinson Signature Overdrive by hand in the United States. Because the units are hand crafted, the publication reported a lead time of 6 to 8 weeks for the pedal when it was announced.
How long is the lead time for a Pro Tone Pedals handmade unit?
For the hand crafted Unknown Hinson Signature Overdrive, Guitar Interactive Magazine reported a lead time of 6 to 8 weeks. That reflects the fact that each unit is built by hand in the U.S.A. rather than assembled on a production line.
What is on the Unknown Hinson pedal's artwork?
The signature edition is marked by what Guitar Interactive Magazine called the king's chart-toppin' hair and sideburns imagery, a reference to Unknown Hinson's trademark look. The pedal also carries a Super-Bright LED for easy onstage identification.
Sources (1)
- Pro Tone Pedals Releases the Unknown Hinson Signature Overdrive, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2014-06-03
