The Thermion Gasoline is a distortion pedal from Thermion, sold as the Gasoline Distortion Preamp. Thermion describes its sound as "Genuine American High Gain boutique sound with unprecedented versatility and tons of gain, made to reach every style from rock to the most extreme metal."1 Pedal of the Day covered it in 2022 under the name Gasoline Distortion Preamp, and noted that each unit is "built by hand one by one using the highest quality components and adjusting each gain stage."2
The controls: EQ, Presence, Deep and the VRM switch
The Gasoline carries a lot of tone shaping for a distortion pedal. There are two separate EQ stages: a three band EQ covering Bass, Mid and Treble, and a two band "extreme EQ" section labeled Presence and Deep. Gain and volume controls set the amount of distortion and the output level.1
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of distortion |
| Volume | Sets the output level |
| Bass, Mid, Treble | Three band EQ for shaping the core tone1 |
| Presence, Deep | Two band extreme EQ for top end and low end1 |
| VRM switch | Three modes: Modern, Raw, Vintage1 |
The VRM switch is the pedal's character control. Pedal of the Day described it this way21:
The VRM switch provides three different tonal characters: R (Raw), M (Modern) and V (Vintage).2 Around it, the Gasoline carries a three band EQ with Bass, Mid and Treble controls, plus a two band extreme EQ that Thermion calls Presence and Deep, alongside Gain and volume controls.1
Thermion's own page lists the three modes as Modern, Raw and Vintage.1
Recording: SE2 technology
The Gasoline includes SE2 (Studio Environment Emulation) technology, which Thermion describes as dedicated impulse responses for professional recording.1 Pedal of the Day likewise noted the pedal is "equipped with SE2 (Studio Environment Emulation) technology with dedicated impulse responses for direct, professional recording," which points at players who track direct into an interface rather than miking an amp.2
Power and hooking it up
The pedal takes standard 9V center negative power over a 2.1mm DC jack and draws 100mA.1 Its input impedance is above 1MΩ and its output impedance is below 1kΩ.1
At 100mA the Gasoline draws more current than many low draw pedals. A standard isolated supply output covers it, but a shared daisy chain output may not, depending on what else is on it.
Build and the Distortion Preamp version
Pedal of the Day's 2022 write up describes hand construction and durability: each pedal "features anodized metal printing for maximum durability," and the gain stages are adjusted one by one during the build.2 The same review frames the pedal as a distortion preamp rather than only an effect, matching Thermion's own description of the Gasoline as having the "possibility of use as effect or preamplifier."1 For players comparing it against other high gain options, that preamp role and the dual EQ sections are what set it apart from a conventional distortion pedal or a dedicated preamp pedal.
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Questions
What does the VRM switch do on the Thermion Gasoline?
The VRM switch selects between three tonal characters. Thermion lists the modes as Modern, Raw and Vintage. Pedal of the Day describes them as R (Raw) giving a trebly and sharp tone, M (Modern) and V (Vintage) each offering their own character, so the switch changes the overall voice of the distortion rather than acting as a simple tone cut.
Is the Thermion Gasoline true bypass?
Yes. Thermion's product page lists the Gasoline as True Bypass, so when the pedal is off your guitar's signal passes straight through without any buffering from the circuit.
What power supply does the Thermion Gasoline use?
The Gasoline runs on standard pedal power: a 9V center negative 2.1mm DC jack, drawing 100mA. A standard 9V pedal supply handles it, but at 100mA it is worth checking the current budget of a daisy chain before sharing an outlet with other pedals.
Can the Thermion Gasoline be used as a preamp?
Yes. Thermion describes it as usable as an effect or a preamplifier, and Pedal of the Day covers it under the name Gasoline Distortion Preamp. With its gain, volume and full EQ section it can take the place of an amp's preamp stage in front of a power amp or a clean platform.
Sources (2)
- Gasoline, Thermion
- Thermion Gasoline Distortion Preamp, Pedal of the Day, 2022-05-30
