Ashdown Lomenzo Hyperdrive Signature

From the Hyperdrive to the Mega Drive: the LoMenzo Evolution

The Mega Drive was born from Ashdown's desire to push further the formula that made the Hyperdrive a success. In direct collaboration with James LoMenzo (Megadeth), the team redesigned the circuit to achieve a distortion tailored for today's bass: more control, more precision, and above all a drive capable of remaining clear even when the band plays loud.

The idea is clear: to preserve the clean foundation (weight, depth, and solidity) while adding rich harmonic saturation, with an adjustable spectrum to avoid the "muddiness" often encountered with distortions not dedicated to bass.

For Which Bassists and Styles?

This pedal is aimed at bassists who want a usable distortion in real contexts, meaning rehearsals, studio, and especially on stage. If you play with a pick, in lower tunings, or with a very dynamic right-hand technique, the Mega Drive allows you to keep a clear attack without sacrificing the low end.

Regarding styles, it is particularly comfortable in hard rock, metal, thrash, and all modern variants where the bass must support the guitar while remaining defined. It also works very well in alternative rock or punk, as long as you are looking for an "aggressive but clean" tone, with a wide adjustment range to dial in the saturation.

Controls, Filters, and Mixing Philosophy: Sculpt Saturation to the Millimeter

The Mega Drive does not just add gain: it offers a "studio" approach to drive, where you decide how much clean signal you keep, how much distortion you add, and especially where you place it in the spectrum. The mix controls are perfect for preserving the punch of the lows while adding bite in the mids/highs.

The HP and LP filters serve to focus the distortion on a precise zone: you can tighten the sound for a more "tight" drive, or conversely widen it for a thicker saturation. The result: a very effective pedal to adapt to different amps, different cabinets, and active/passive basses, without losing your sonic identity.

Finally, the True Bypass guarantees a clean cut of the effect when it is off, handy if you want to preserve the original signal as much as possible on a crowded pedalboard.

Sound

The Mega Drive's sonic signature lies in a rare balance: a deep and harmonic distortion, but with modern definition that remains clear in attacks and palm mutes. The low end can stay solid (thanks to the clean/drive blends), while the saturation adds grit, density, and presence that helps the bass "speak" amidst the guitars.

With the filters, you can go from a drive focused in the mids for a sound that cuts through the mix, to a broader and more muscular saturation. This is typically the kind of pedal that responds well to playing nuances: lowering the bass volume or softening the attack yields a more contained drive, then instantly regains a massive edge when you play harder.

Technical specifications

Effects	Bass, Distortion	Number of tracks	1
Technology	Analog	EQ	2 channels
Format	Pedal	Type	sector
Inputs	1 x jack	Use	electric bass
Outputs	1 x jack	Color	Black
True bypass	Yes	Power supply included	No
Number of effects	1	Power supply	DC 9 V

Signature	James LoMenzo	Required power supply	9V DC
Bypass Mix	clean signal mix	Power connector	2.1 mm DC center-negative
Drive Mix	overdriven signal mix	Height	65 mm
Drive Level	drive level	Width	116.2 mm
Input	input level	Depth	145.5 mm
HP	sweepable high-pass filter (210 Hz to 3 kHz)	Weight	0.9 kg
LP	sweepable low-pass filter (100 Hz to 330 Hz)	Included accessories	user documentation
Bypass type	True Bypass	Power consumption	45 mA
Output	6.35 mm Jack	Required voltage	9V DC