JHS Pedals Violet Distortion

Quick Product Summary

The JHS Pedals The Violet in Purple is a highly flexible distortion and overdrive pedal developed by JHS founder Josh Scott in collaboration with Brazilian guitarist Lari Basilio. Designed to work almost like an additional drive channel for your amplifier, it can move from articulate overdrive through muscular rock crunch to saturated modern distortion while retaining detailed control over the frequencies hitting the clipping circuit.

The feature that makes The Violet especially interesting is its pre-distortion midrange section. The Middle control adjusts the amount of mid boost or cut, while the separate Mid Freq control determines which part of the midrange is being shaped. Because this happens before the distortion stage, changing the mids also changes how the pedal clips and responds rather than simply altering the finished EQ.

Bass and Treble controls are positioned after the distortion stage for more familiar final tone shaping, giving The Violet a powerful combination of pre-gain and post-gain EQ. The result is a distortion pedal that can adapt to different guitars, amplifiers, pickups and musical styles without losing its own expressive character.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	JHS Pedals
Model	The Violet
Finish	Purple
Condition	New
Product Type	Distortion / overdrive pedal
Signature Collaboration	Lari Basilio
Main Appeal	Sweepable pre-distortion midrange shaping
Best For	Rock, fusion, blues-rock, pop, alternative and modern lead guitar
Headline Feature	Six-control EQ and gain architecture

What's Included?

• ✓ 1 x JHS Pedals The Violet Distortion / Overdrive Pedal – Purple

• ✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

New effects pedals supplied by Fair Deal Music are checked with practical musicianship in mind, including switching, control operation, connections and general signal performance.

The Violet's expanded EQ architecture makes correct control interaction especially important. Its Mid and Mid Freq controls shape the signal before the distortion stage, while Bass and Treble operate after the drive circuit, giving the pedal a deliberately wider tonal range than a conventional distortion with a single Tone control.

Why Choose The JHS The Violet?

Pre-Distortion Midrange Shaping

The standout feature is the interaction between Middle and Mid Freq. Instead of simply adjusting mids after distortion has already been created, The Violet lets you decide which mid frequencies are emphasised or reduced before the signal reaches the clipping stage. This can significantly alter the attack, saturation and overall character of the distortion.

From Overdrive To Modern Distortion

The Gain control covers far more than one fixed level of drive. Lower settings can provide articulate breakup and driven rhythm tones, while higher settings move into fuller, more saturated distortion suited to powerful riffs and lead guitar.

Detailed Three-Band EQ

Bass and Treble controls sit after the distortion circuit, while the sweepable midrange section operates before it. This gives you detailed control over both how distortion is generated and how the finished sound is balanced.

Built For Gain Stacking

The Violet can operate as your main distortion sound, but its flexible EQ also makes it particularly useful alongside other overdrives, distortions and fuzz pedals. You can shape the mids to determine how one gain stage pushes another rather than simply adding more saturation.

JHS The Violet vs Popular Distortion Pedal Alternatives

JHS The Violet vs JHS Hard Drive

The JHS Hard Drive is the better choice for players specifically chasing heavier '90s and 2000s-style modern distortion, using cascaded gain stages and a hard-limiting circuit for a more aggressive high-gain character. Although both pedals offer sweepable mid controls, the Hard Drive shapes its midrange after the main distortion architecture, while The Violet places its midrange shaping before distortion. Choose The Violet for greater control over how the guitar signal drives the clipping stage; choose the Hard Drive when heavier modern saturation is the priority.

JHS The Violet vs JHS Angry Charlie V3

The Angry Charlie V3 is centred on a recognisable British JCM800-style amplifier voice, with Bass, Middle and Treble controls designed around that classic high-gain character. The Violet is less tied to one amplifier sound and provides a sweepable mid frequency plus pre-distortion mid shaping, making it the stronger option for players who want to construct their own distortion voice.

JHS The Violet vs JHS PG-14

The JHS PG-14 is another artist collaboration and uses a FET-based distortion engine together with pre-distortion midrange shaping to recreate the feel of a pushed amplifier at manageable volumes. The PG-14 has a distinct Paul Gilbert-focused design philosophy, while The Violet expands the concept with independent Bass and Treble controls for additional post-distortion shaping.

JHS The Violet vs JHS 3 Series Distortion

The JHS 3 Series Distortion is the simpler choice, with Volume, Filter and Distort controls plus a Gain toggle for changing between more saturated and more open responses. It is ideal for players who value straightforward operation. The Violet offers considerably deeper tonal control for guitarists who want to fine-tune how their distortion responds to different instruments and amplifiers.

Who Is The JHS The Violet For?

The Violet is particularly well suited to:

• Guitarists wanting one drive pedal to cover overdrive and distortion

• Players who need detailed control over midrange frequencies

• Lead guitarists who want to shape how their sound cuts through a mix

• Players using several different guitars or pickup types

• Musicians who regularly stack multiple gain pedals

• Rock and fusion players looking for articulate saturation

• Guitarists who prefer analogue-style hands-on controls rather than menus

• Players who want a distortion that is not locked into one vintage amplifier voice

Looking for advice on choosing the right overdrive, distortion pedal or gain-stacking setup? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in our Birmingham showroom.

Playing Styles & Applications

Rock rhythm guitar: Use moderate Gain with carefully positioned mids for a strong rhythm sound that can be shaped around the rest of the band rather than simply increasing overall distortion.

Lead guitar: Boosting a carefully selected mid frequency before the clipping stage can help create focused, sustaining lead tones without relying on excessive treble.

Fusion and technical playing: The ability to adjust the frequencies entering the distortion circuit makes The Violet particularly useful when note definition and responsive attack are important.

Blues-rock: Lower Gain settings can provide a more restrained drive sound while the sweepable midrange lets you tune the response around single coils, humbuckers or a particular amplifier.

Alternative and modern rock: Scooped, focused or more aggressive midrange structures can be created without being restricted to the fixed voicing of a traditional amp-in-a-box pedal.

Gain stacking: Use The Violet before or after another drive pedal and adjust Mid Freq to control which frequencies are emphasised as the two gain stages interact.

Why Does Pre-Distortion Mid EQ Matter?

On many distortion pedals, EQ is applied after the signal has already been clipped. That approach is extremely useful for changing the overall finished sound, but it does not significantly alter which frequencies are driving the distortion circuit hardest.

The Violet's pre-distortion midrange section changes that relationship. Boost one area of the mids and those frequencies hit the clipping stage harder; cut them and the distortion responds differently. Combined with conventional post-distortion Bass and Treble controls, this gives you two different stages of tone shaping rather than one.

Story & Context

The Violet was developed through a collaboration between Josh Scott of JHS Pedals and Brazilian guitarist Lari Basilio, with the aim of creating a flexible distortion sound capable of functioning as a new drive channel for a clean amplifier.

Rather than starting with the familiar layout of Gain, Tone and Volume, JHS gave the pedal a more sophisticated approach to midrange. Moving the Middle circuit ahead of the distortion stage means the player can influence not only the final EQ but the way the distortion itself is generated.

That design gives The Violet an interesting place within the JHS range. The Angry Charlie is deliberately connected to British amplifier sounds and the Hard Drive focuses heavily on modern high-gain distortion, while The Violet is designed as a more adaptable platform capable of being shaped around the individual player.

Its Purple finish gives the production pedal a distinctive visual identity to match a circuit intended to offer its own voice rather than reproduce one specific classic distortion design.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	JHS Pedals
Model	The Violet
Finish	Purple
Effect Type	Distortion / overdrive
Controls	Volume, Mid Freq, Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble
Midrange Architecture	Sweepable pre-distortion mid EQ
Bass Control	Post-distortion boost / cut
Treble Control	Post-distortion boost / cut
Bypass	Buffered bypass
Switching	Silent soft-touch
Input	1/4"
Output	1/4"
Power Requirement	9V DC centre negative
Current Draw	55mA
Dimensions	2.6" x 4.8" x 1.6"

Power Requirements

The JHS Pedals The Violet requires a regulated 9V DC centre-negative power supply capable of supplying at least 55mA.

Do not operate The Violet above 9V DC. The pedal is specifically designed for standard 9V operation and supplying a higher voltage can damage the unit.

Fair Deal Music Verdict 🎵

★★★★★ 5/5

The JHS Pedals The Violet in Purple is an excellent choice for players who have outgrown simple distortion pedals but do not want to move into complicated digital processing. Its biggest strength is not simply how much gain it produces, but how precisely you can determine the frequencies that enter the distortion stage.

That pre-distortion Mid and Mid Freq combination makes The Violet feel more like designing an amplifier channel than adjusting a conventional stompbox. Add the post-distortion Bass and Treble controls and it becomes exceptionally adaptable to different guitars, amplifiers and gain-stacking setups.

Best suited for: Players who want a versatile main drive with detailed control over distortion character and midrange response.

Customers usually upgrade from: Traditional three-knob overdrive or distortion pedals when they want substantially greater control over EQ and gain structure.

Most commonly paired with: Clean or lightly driven amplifiers, boost pedals, additional overdrives, fuzz, delay and reverb.

Our tip: Start with Bass, Middle and Treble around noon and moderate Gain. Sweep the Mid Freq control while boosting the Middle slightly until you find the frequency that makes your guitar sit naturally in the mix, then adjust Bass and Treble afterwards.

Showroom feedback: The Mid Freq control is the key to understanding The Violet. Two settings with exactly the same Gain and output level can feel remarkably different once the pre-distortion mid frequency is repositioned.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Our Birmingham showroom and knowledgeable musician-led team give you access to friendly, practical advice before and after your purchase. Whether you're building your first pedalboard, improving an existing gain section or looking for a distortion that works with several guitars and amplifiers, we're happy to help you choose equipment that suits the way you actually play.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure online ordering

• UK-wide delivery

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• Decades of experience with new and pre-owned musical equipment

• A large Birmingham showroom where you can speak directly with our team

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next piece of equipment even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the JHS The Violet an overdrive or a distortion pedal?

It covers both areas. Lower Gain settings can produce overdrive and driven amplifier-style sounds, while increasing the Gain takes the pedal into fuller modern distortion. Its flexible EQ makes it easier to tailor both ends of that range around your rig.

What does the Mid Freq control do?

Mid Freq determines which area of the midrange is affected by the Middle control. This lets you choose the frequency you want to boost or scoop rather than working with one permanently fixed midrange centre.

Why is the Violet's midrange EQ placed before the distortion circuit?

Placing the midrange section before distortion changes which frequencies drive the clipping stage hardest. This means the Mid and Mid Freq controls can influence the feel and character of the distortion itself rather than merely changing the finished EQ.

Does The Violet work with a clean amplifier?

Yes. The pedal was specifically conceived as a flexible additional distortion channel that can work effectively with a clean amplifier platform.

Is The Violet suitable for gain stacking?

Yes. Its detailed EQ is particularly useful for stacking because you can shape the frequency range being sent into another overdrive, distortion or fuzz pedal and reduce unwanted frequency build-up.

Does The Violet have true bypass?

No. The Violet uses buffered bypass together with silent soft-touch switching. The buffer helps maintain a strong signal through a pedalboard when the effect is bypassed.

Is The Violet suitable for both single coils and humbuckers?

Yes. The sweepable midrange and separate Bass and Treble controls make it easy to compensate for the different frequency balance and output characteristics of different pickup types.

How should I initially set the JHS The Violet?

A useful starting point is to place the EQ controls around noon, set Gain to a moderate level and establish the required Volume. Then experiment with the Middle and Mid Freq controls first, before making final adjustments to Bass and Treble.

The JHS Pedals The Violet in Purple is a strong option for guitarists who want more control than a traditional distortion pedal without sacrificing immediate hands-on operation. Its unusual pre-distortion midrange section, flexible gain range and post-distortion EQ make it equally capable as a primary drive sound or a powerful part of a larger pedalboard.