Hermida Audio Technology Grinder Distortion

I didn't get the hng of the bass/bass gain controls very quickly. I had to read on some discussion forums how to use them effectively.

What a serious distortion sound, yes, a little on the old-school side, which is what it was designed to do, but it does cover a sizable range of tones. It's like the Fuzz Factory of distortions! It goes ridiculously deep, and the purpose of the semi-parametric eq on the bass knob is to "tune" the right frequency for your amp & speakers. It really works! I play through an Allen Tonesavor (80 watts, 4 KT66 power tubes) through 2x12 and 2x10 extension cab. Guitars are mostly a partscaster with Lace Hot Gold Sensors and a Hamer USA Newport Pro. I have been working at my pedalboard for over 2 years, and the most similar pedals to the Grinder have been the Menatone KOB (6 knob), Tonebone Hot British, Fulltone Distortion Pro, Barber DDSS. I also employ stacking with a good clean boost to give a tighter sound which brings some high gain overdrives into distortion territory (RC Booster, Klon, Cobalt, etc...). I am so glad that I discovered the Grinder but Alf is not making them at the moment, maybe he will when the demand gets high enough. So pressure him enough and hopefully he will cave in!

Looks very well made.

Not bad! Alf e-mailed me back when I had questions, and although I bought the Grinder pre-owned, he was really cool.

I play a bunch of styles, and I really wanted a top-notch distortion for my single-channel amp. Something that would complement the other great pedals and guitars that I own and not sound fake or thin. You can get quite alot of fatness using the bass control. Alot of the sounds are that "cocked wah" tone, which is kinda nasally, but you are expected to turn the knob until that nasal quality goes away. Turning ccw adds mids. I hope this review helps someone find just what they're after!