Gary Holt is the long-standing guitarist in Bay Area thrash band Exodus and Jeff Hanneman's replacement in Slayer, a player MusicRadar notes needs little introduction in metal guitar circles1. Across both bands his rig has settled around a small group of pedals rather than a large board: a KHDK Mad Monarch preamp and drive pedal, the limited-edition KHDK Gary Holt Paranormal parametric EQ, and the GUPtech PdeQ presence and depth EQ, each tied to a stock Marshall head234.
The tone he searched for with Exodus and Slayer
Holt's own account of his sound is unusually specific: for decades it came down to what a pedal could do to a stock Marshall head. On the Paranormal EQ he told the press:
"This is the tone I've been searching for, for over 20 years."
Guitar World carried the same account at the pedal's launch, quoting him on the search itself3. KHDK describes the Paranormal as capturing "the essence" of the Slayer and Exodus guitarist's sound, "distinct, thick, precise with absolute clarity in the mix"3, and Guitar.com reported it was aimed at his ferocious tones7. The pedal was built specifically for him as Slayer's lead guitarist and saw use on Slayer's final tour2.
The KHDK pedals
Holt's signature relationship is with KHDK Electronics, which has released two pedals carrying his name or built around his rig.
| Pedal | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Holt Paranormal | Parametric EQ with overdrive | Limited-edition signature pedal, a staple of his live rigs32 |
| Mad Monarch | Preamp and drive pedal | Holt's "stage-ready tone in a box"5 |
On the Mad Monarch, KHDK quotes him calling it a game changer:
"I can just pull this out of my backpack and play a gig right there. It's my stage-ready tone in a box."
MusicRadar's launch coverage framed the Mad Monarch in similar terms, suggesting the pedal could do the talking for a player of Holt's standing1.
The PdeQ
Alongside the KHDK pedals, Holt uses the GUPtech PdeQ, short for Province DE Quebec. GUPtech describes it as a professional presence and depth guitar EQ pedal designed to emulate an amplifier's presence and resonance/depth controls4. RockBoard's PedalPedia gives the same description of the pedal's purpose8.
The maker's placement advice matters for how a player would use one:
- Put it at the end of the effects loop, just before the return4
- GUPtech says this transforms a solid state amplifier into a more dynamic, tube-like experience4
GUPtech honors Holt, whom the maker calls one of the greatest metal guitarists of all times and one of the most notable players using the PdeQ, with a special edition color scheme in matte white with red graphics4. There is also a Double PdeQ Gary Holt Tribute edition, a super double pedal in a limited color scheme released as that tribute9.
Amps, guitar and rig
Questions
What pedal does Gary Holt use with a Marshall?
The KHDK Mad Monarch preamp and drive pedal. Holt says he had been searching for its tone for decades and that hearing what it does to a stock Marshall head will make you lose your mind. KHDK quotes him calling it his stage-ready tone in a box, something he can pull from a backpack and gig with.
What is the PdeQ pedal?
The GUPtech PdeQ, short for Province DE Quebec, is a presence and depth EQ pedal that emulates an amplifier's presence and resonance controls. GUPtech says placing it at the end of an effects loop, just before the return, can make a solid state amp feel more dynamic and tube-like. Gary Holt uses one and has a tribute edition in his colors.
What amp does Gary Holt use?
His tone discussions center on a stock Marshall head. He says the KHDK Paranormal EQ and the Mad Monarch each transform what a stock Marshall does, and that the Paranormal gave him a tone he had been chasing for over 20 years. Premier Guitar's rig rundowns cover his live setup.
Does Gary Holt have a signature guitar?
Yes. Premier Guitar's 2010 rig rundown with Holt covered his then-upcoming Schecter signature guitar. His signature gear also extends to pedals: the limited-edition KHDK Gary Holt Paranormal and the GUPtech PdeQ Gary Holt tribute editions.
What did Gary Holt use in Slayer?
The KHDK Gary Holt Paranormal parametric EQ, which was built specifically for him as Slayer's lead guitarist and saw use on Slayer's final tour. Holt joined Slayer as Jeff Hanneman's replacement while remaining the long-standing guitarist in Exodus.
Sources (9)
- “This thing shall destroy all!” promises Gary Holt as KHDK Electronics launches the thrash legend's Mad Monarch signature preamp/drive pedal, MusicRadar, 2023-09-15
- KHDK Electronics debuts Gary Holt signature Paranormal parametric EQ, gearnews.com, 2019-03-06
- KHDK Electronics Unveils Gary Holt Paranormal Parametric EQ Overdrive, Guitar World, 2019-03-05
- PdeQ Gary Holt Edition, GUPtech (guptech.ca)
- Mad Monarch by Gary Holt, KHDK Electronics
- Rig Rundown, Premier Guitar, 2010-03-23
- KHDK Electronics unleashes the Paranormal, Guitar.com, 2019-03-06
- Pdeq by Guptech, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Double PdeQ GH Tribute edition, GUP Tech (guptech.ca), 2023-12-23