The Rockfabrik Effects Mind Abuse is a high-gain distortion pedal built around three distortion structures: classic, vintage, and modern. Rockfabrik describes it as designed to create high-gain distortion tones with a very low noise level when used with a tube, solid state or modeling amp, which puts it in the same territory as other distortion pedals aimed at metal and hard rock players1.
The controls
The pedal's three-band EQ is its distinguishing feature. Where a standard EQ changes tones, Rockfabrik says the Mind Abuse's EQ can change the structure of the distortion itself1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Treble | Adds fizz1 |
| Mid | Adds grittiness1 |
| Bass | Adds just hammer1 |
| Mode switch (CVM) | Changes the harmonic contents of the distortion, so the pedal behaves like three different distortion pedals; the EQ responds in different ways for the different modes1 |
The three modes
The Mode switch selects between Classic, Vintage and Modern, and Rockfabrik says the modes behave like three different distortion pedals1.
- Classic mode is for '90s rock and heavy metal1.
- Vintage mode has more mids and is good to use at low-gain settings for rock, and the maker says it is startlingly fit for death metal1.
- Modern mode is used with drop tuning and seven- and eight-string guitars1.
Guitar.com reported a Mind Abuse MKII in June 2018, also carrying Modern, Classic and Vintage modes3. The MKII is a separate version of the pedal, so check which one you are looking at.
Power and internal design
Two internal features are worth knowing about. The pedal uses an internal charge pump and regulator, which Rockfabrik says provides more warm harmonics and eliminates all ripple noise caused by poor power supplies. That matters on a pedalboard where the DC supply is shared among several pedals1.
The pedal's three distortion structures are described by the maker as classic, vintage, and modern, and the modes are said to behave like three different distortion pedals, giving one enclosure the range of three separate high-gain units1.
Availability
Rockfabrik announced the Mind Abuse as available for $239 at Angel City Guitars in Los Angeles and Steve Music Center in New York1. Delicious Audio published a demo of the pedal played by Dennis Kayzer in June 20172.
Videos
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Rockfabrik Effects
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Questions
What do the Classic, Vintage and Modern modes do on the Mind Abuse?
The Mode switch changes the harmonic content of the distortion, so the pedal behaves like three different distortion pedals, and the EQ responds differently in each mode. Classic mode is aimed at '90s rock and heavy metal. Vintage mode has more mids and works at low-gain settings for rock, and the maker says it fits death metal startlingly well. Modern mode is intended for drop tuning and seven- or eight-string guitars.
Can the Mind Abuse be used with drop-tuned and seven- or eight-string guitars?
Yes, according to the maker. Modern mode is the setting intended for drop tuning and seven- and eight-string guitars. The pedal's three-band EQ is also designed to change the structure of the distortion rather than only the tone, which the company says sets it apart from standard EQs.
Does the Mind Abuse work with a modeling amp?
Rockfabrik Effects designed the pedal to create high-gain distortion tones with a very low noise level when used with a tube, solid state or modeling amp. An internal charge pump and regulator is said to provide warmer harmonics and eliminate ripple noise from poor power supplies.
Where can you buy the Rockfabrik Effects Mind Abuse in the US?
At the time of its 2018 announcement, the Mind Abuse was available for $239 at Angel City Guitars in Los Angeles and Steve Music Center in New York.
Sources (3)
- Rockfabrik Effects Introduces the Mind Abuse, Premier Guitar, 2018-06-18
- Rockfabrik Effects, Delicious Audio, 2017-06-19
- Rockfabrik Effects unveils metal-ready distortion pedal, Guitar.com, 2018-06-20