The JHS Crayon is essentially a stripped-down version of the Kansas City, Missouri's, Colour Box pedal, but focusing entirely on its killer Direct-In Distortion effect. First heard on the Beatles' "Revolution 1," direct-in distortion is what you get when plugging your guitar directly into a mixing console - it has a super-compressed bite and fuzz tone that's since been implemented by countless groups - Pink Floyd ("Dogs") and Radiohead ("Bodysnatchers") especially come to mind. This iteration removed the three-band EQ and XLR function, and equipped it with Master, Pre-Vol, and EQ controls. Master is your standard volume control; Pre-Volume acts as a drive or fuzz control that increases the overdrive; and EQ is an active tone control, flat at 12 o'clock, more bass/less treble when turned left, and more treble/less bass when turned right. This gives you a lot of tonal options. Additionally, it has a Hi-Pass switch that activates the two frequencies, 200Hz and 750Hz. If you're looking for a straightforward direct-in distortion pedal, then the JHS Crayon is right for you. It comes in a standard pedal casing so it won't take up much room on your board, and is incredibly versatile overall. Requires 9V DC negative center power supply.
