Review: KHDK Electronics Abyss Pedal

The KHDK Electronics Abyss is a brand-new bass overdrive that provides warm, tube-like boost and a subtle crunchy overdrive.

The Abyss uses bi-amp technology with two discrete circuits, dividing the signal down two paths: one stores the dynamic and color, the other adds overdriven sound with fullness and a powerful punch. When the two split signals meet again, the result is the original sound made richer and more powerful.

Abyss allows bass players to dial just the right amount of overdriven signal to their clean tone, and for more powerful rhythm or soloing, the “Hi” setting adds saturation, sustain, low end and compression.

STREET PRICE $199.95, khdkelectronics.com

Paul Riario has been the tech/gear editor and online video presence for Guitar World for over 25 years. Paul is one of the few gear editors who has actually played and owned nearly all the original gear that most guitarists wax poetically about, and has survived this long by knowing every useless musical tidbit of classic rock, new wave, hair metal, grunge, and alternative genres. When Paul is not riding his road bike at any given moment, he remains a working musician, playing in two bands called SuperTrans Am and Radio Nashville.

More about effects pedals

The Line 6 HX Stomp just got a $100 discount at Guitar Center – here's 5 reasons it's been on my 'board for the past two years

“This $2 billion company has assimilated the history of Musitronics as if it was their own”: Behringer blasted by Mu-Tron III maker following the release of $69 replica

Left-Charli XCX performs at Roskilde Festival 2024 on July 05, 2024 in Roskilde, Denmark; Right-Lou Reed on electric guitar, performs onstage during the 'New Sensations' tour at the Beacon Theatre, New York, New York, October 17, 1984

“I really had fun doing it and it got me thinking, what if we made a record with guitars…” Charli XCX is tempted to make a guitar record – and she's taking inspiration from Lou Reed

See more latest

“Malcolm said, ‘I've got this riff, it's driving me nuts.’ It's three o'clock in the morning and I'm trying to sleep. I said, ‘It sounds fine to me.’ That was Back in Black”: Through 50 years of triumph and tragedy, they remain hard rock's greatest titans

“That move from F to Ab is either a clever allusion… or it’s an accident!” He’s one of the most influential bassists of all time, but did Motown’s James Jamerson make a mistake on this 1969 hit record?

“I sold all my stuff. I even left my car out on the street!” When asked by Miles Davis to move to New York and play some shows, bass great Dave Holland didn’t blink

“They told Gibson four days before the performance. I know they were working on the guitar nonstop”: Chappell Roan’s guitarist reveals the story behind the Grammys’ show-stopping – and last-minute – mirrorball Gibson Les Paul

“I have two sources of sound: the guitar pickups and the one in my hand. The less effects there are, the better I feel”: Thurston Moore hailed Nina Garcia as noise guitar’s secret weapon – and an unusual pickup is key to her otherworldly explorations

“I’ve brought that chef mentality to whatever I do. There’s not a lot of standing around and admiring my work. It’s, ‘Right, this needs to get done’”: Meet JWJ’s Rich Jones, the chef who turned luthier – and is serving up some mighty fine acoustics

“Metal suffers without dynamics. DADGAD can help without having to think about it. You can play chords that aren’t possible in standard tuning”: John Browne hasn’t played in standard tuning for 20 years. He explains why DADGAD is perfect for modern metal

“I’ve worked on pop sessions with artists who have a squeaky-clean image, but what’s behind the scenes is a lot darker than people’s perception of the hip-hop world”: How bassist Mike Elizondo brought low-end and soul to Dr. Dre’s superstar productions

“Technically, it’s for sale – I’ve priced it at a point where I hope nobody will ever buy it because I know I’ll never see another”: Why the 1960s Fender Bass VI is a tone machine that (almost) defies categorization

“Someone once gave me an old Danelectro guitar they bought at a garage sale for $10. I still have it and used it on a bunch of my records”: Shred hero Vinnie Moore reveals his greatest gear hits and misses – and why the best guitars are free

“My ethos is, ‘Choose any guitar you want.’ It doesn’t matter at the end of the day. I’d rather spend the money on pedals”: Introducing Ditz, the UK post-punks who don’t mind fighting their equipment to achieve their vicious six-string bite

Get The Pick Newsletter

Most Popular