The Seymour Duncan Killing Floor High Gain Boost is a boost pedal that doubles as an amp-like overdrive. Its single Gain knob gives up to 34 dB of additional gain, a range Seymour Duncan's press release described as running from subtle boost to a full, fat overdriven lead1. Guitar World's review called it a pedal that delivers up to 34 dB of boost2, and Guitar.com's reviewer Richard Purvis summed it up simply: "Well, it's a high-gain boost"3.
What it does for your sound
Seymour Duncan positions the Killing Floor as both a volume boost and a musical amp-like overdrive in one box. The press release suggests using it to boost overall output for solos, to push an amp further into overdrive, or for a beefy, expressive solo voice, with what the company called "an unmistakable, undeniable bluesy feel"1.
The Voicing switch is the second half of the pedal's character. It is a three-way toggle that sculpts the high end1. Guitar.com's review lists the controls as Gain and a high boost/cut switch3.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of boost, up to 34 dB, from subtle boost to a full, fat overdriven lead12 |
| Voicing (3-way toggle) | High boost at 10K, high cut at 4.8K, or flat1 |
Seymour Duncan's suggested uses for the Voicing switch1:
- Take the bite out of overly bright single coils
- Put more sting into a dark humbucker
- Add airiness to your tone
The Killing Floor runs on a 9V battery or a mains supply, and neither the battery nor the supply is included with the pedal3.
What reviewers said
Purvis's Guitar.com review noted the marking at the top end of the dial, 34 dB, "which is rather a lot," and found that the high boost setting calls to mind a Vox Top Boost circuit3.
"Well, it's a high-gain boost"
Guitar World's review, published in February 2017, framed the Killing Floor as one of Seymour Duncan's latest offerings at the time, delivering up to 34 dB of boost2.
Where it sits in Seymour Duncan's range
The Killing Floor was announced in June 2016 as a new high-gain boost in Seymour Duncan's USA-made pedal line3. Players comparing it with other Seymour Duncan boost options can also look at the Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster and the Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster Mini, and for the wider field the Boost Pedals type page gathers the category. Where the Killing Floor leans into overdriven character, Seymour Duncan also makes dedicated Overdrive Pedals and Distortion Pedals.
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Questions
How much gain does the Seymour Duncan Killing Floor add?
The single Gain knob gives up to 34 dB of additional gain, which Guitar Interactive Magazine described as an amazing range from subtle boost to a full, fat overdriven lead. That is enough headroom to use it as a clean volume boost for solos or to push an amp into overdrive, and Guitar World's review put the maximum at up to 34 dB of boost.
Is the Killing Floor true bypass?
Yes. Seymour Duncan's press release states the pedal is true bypass, and Guitar.com's review lists true bypass among its features, with power from a 9V battery or a mains supply that is not included.
What does the Voicing switch do on the Killing Floor?
The three-way Voicing toggle sculpts the high end: a boost at 10K, a cut at 4.8K, or a flat setting. Seymour Duncan suggests using it to take the bite out of overly bright single coils, put more sting into a dark humbucker, or add airiness to your tone.
Where is the Seymour Duncan Killing Floor made?
The Killing Floor is made in the USA, according to both Seymour Duncan's press release and Guitar.com's review, which lists it as a boost pedal made in USA.
Does the Killing Floor sound like a Vox Top Boost?
Guitar.com's reviewer Richard Purvis found that the high boost setting calls to mind a Vox Top Boost circuit. Guitar Interactive Magazine described the pedal as having an unmistakable, undeniable bluesy feel, so the comparisons reviewers drew lean toward that chimey, pushed-amp character.
Sources (3)
- Meet the New Killing Floor High Gain Boost Pedal, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2016-06-28
- Review: Seymour Duncan Killing Floor High Gain Boost, Guitar World, 2017-02-08
- Seymour Duncan Palladium & Killing Floor Review, guitar.com, 2017-04-19
