The Thorn Soundlabs Bad Cash is a drive pedal, and more specifically an overdrive with a wide range of tone shaping available. Guitar World's reviewer Trevor Curwen summed it up as "one flexible drive pedal that should pair with any amp," with a wide clean to dirty range that runs from nearly clean boost territory into full overdrive1. If you are weighing it against other drives, it sits in the broad family covered on our Overdrive Pedals page, and its clipping options put it in conversation with circuits like those compared in Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer.
Controls
The Bad Cash carries an unusually full control set for an overdrive, with a three-band EQ plus Presence on top of the usual drive and level controls1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Sets the amount of overdrive, working in conjunction with Headroom1 |
| Damping | Adjusts a variable filter that reduces the low-frequency content before the signal enters the overdrive circuit1 |
| Headroom | Adjusts the clipping threshold of the output stage, working in conjunction with the drive/gain knob1 |
| Volume | Output level1 |
| Bass, Mid, Treble | Three-band equalization1 |
| Presence | Additional treble shaping1 |
| Symmetry O/I switch | Selects symmetrical clipping, the smoothest option, or asymmetrical, which delivers an edgier sound1 |
| Class A/AB switch | A choice of output distortion characteristics, Class A or AB1 |
| Bypass footswitch | Engages and bypasses the pedal1 |
The switches: four voice combinations
The two switches are where the Bad Cash sets itself apart from a straightforward overdrive. The Symmetry O/I switch offers two clipping options: symmetrical is the smoothest option, with asymmetrical delivering an edgier sound. Alongside it, the Class A/AB switch offers a similar choice of output distortion characteristics, with Class A or AB on offer. Together, Curwen counted "a total of four nuanced voice combinations"1.
Damping and Headroom
Two controls here do work that many overdrives leave fixed. The Damping knob adjusts a variable filter that reduces the low-frequency content before the signal enters the overdrive circuit, which is a way of tightening the drive response before the gain stage even sees the note. The Headroom knob is designed to adjust the clipping threshold of the output stage, working in conjunction with the drive/gain knob, so you can spread the dirt between the input and output stages rather than relying on drive alone1.
Power and connections
The Bad Cash runs from a 9V to 18V DC adaptor and draws 18mA1. It has a standard input and standard output, and it is true bypass1.
The pedal's power requirement is a DC adaptor only, at 9V to 18V DC and 18mA, so plan your pedalboard power accordingly1.
What reviewers said
Guitar World reviewed the Bad Cash as part of a round-up of Thorn Soundlabs' Freq series, with Trevor Curwen concluding: "With a wide clean to dirty range, this is one flexible drive pedal that should pair with any amp"1.
Videos
Brett Kingman and Thorn Soundlabs
Mike Hermans and Thorn Soundlabs
EytschPi42
Questions
Is the Thorn Soundlabs Bad Cash true bypass?
Yes. Guitar World's review lists the Bad Cash as true bypass, so the pedal takes itself fully out of the signal path when the bypass footswitch is off, leaving your clean tone untouched.
What does the Damping knob do on the Bad Cash?
The Damping knob adjusts a variable filter that reduces the low-frequency content before the signal enters the overdrive circuit. Cutting bass ahead of the drive stage tightens the distortion, which is a common trick for keeping low-string articulation under high gain.
What does the Headroom knob do on the Bad Cash?
The Headroom knob is designed to adjust the clipping threshold of the output stage, working in conjunction with the drive/gain knob. In practice it lets you decide how hard the pedal's output stage is pushed into clipping, shaping where the dirt sits in the pedal.
What do the Symmetry and Class A/AB switches change?
The Symmetry O/I switch selects between two clipping options: symmetrical is the smoothest option, with asymmetrical delivering an edgier sound. The Class A/AB switch offers a choice of output distortion characteristics, and together the two switches give a total of four nuanced voice combinations.
Where is the Thorn Soundlabs Bad Cash made?
Guitar World's review lists the Bad Cash's origin as China.
Sources (1)
- Thorn Soundlabs Flex Series pedals review, Guitar World, 2026-08-29