Ashdown LOMENZO HYPERDRIVE SIGNATURE - B Stock

The Evolution of the Hyperdrive in Its Signature Version

The Ashdown Lomenzo Mega Drive follows directly in the footsteps of the Hyperdrive, with a redesigned circuit offering greater precision, bite and control over saturation. Developed with James LoMenzo, the bassist associated with Megadeth and a loyal Ashdown artist for more than twenty years, it holds a special place in the range: that of a signature pedal designed for bassists who want a pronounced drive without losing their sonic identity. Unveiled at NAMM 2024, it fully embraces a modern approach to saturated bass tone.

Distortion Designed for Bassists Who Want to Stay Clear

This pedal is primarily aimed at intermediate to advanced bassists looking for more than just a simple layer of saturation. In rock, hard rock, metal, punk, stoner and modern metal, it brings out the attack without overwhelming the rhythmic foundation. It works just as well for thickening a fingerstyle line as it does for making pick playing more incisive. In rehearsal, it helps the bass find its place in a busy mix ; on stage, it cuts through with authority ; in the studio, it allows for extremely precise balancing between definition, aggression and depth.

Smart Controls for Shaping the Tone

The Mega Drive's real strength lies in its range of controls. The " Input " control lets you adapt the input level to your instrument, making it easy to use with both a passive bass and an active model. " Bypass Mix " controls the quantity of direct signal retained, " Drive Mix " adjusts the amount of saturated signal and " Drive " controls the gain. The " HP " and " LP " filters then fine-tune the exact range in which the distortion is expressed, keeping the low end clean while focusing the aggression on the mids or upper frequencies. Everything remains easy to operate thanks to a clear layout, analog design, true bypass and straightforward 6.35mm jack connectivity.

The Sound

This pedal's sonic character gets straight to the point: a modern, lively drive, rich in harmonics, yet capable of retaining body and low-end solidity. Depending on the balance of direct signal and the filter settings, you can achieve a cutting attack, a focused metallic growl or a broader, denser, almost textured saturation. The dynamics are particularly impressive on bass, as the pedal remains sensitive to your picking hand and playing level: the harder you attack, the more the tone opens up and bites ; when playing more lightly, it retains its definition. In terms of notable users, James LoMenzo is naturally the central figure associated with this signature model, while the related Hyperdrive lineage has also been spotted on Equipboard in the rigs of Peter Iwers, Chuck Garric and Nate Mendel, confirming its affinity with rock and metal styles.

Technical specifications

Category	distortion	Height	65 mm.
Number of effects	1	Width	116.2 mm.
"Input" control	input level adjustment	Depth	145.5 mm.
"Drive Mix" control	saturated signal blend	Weight	0.9 kg.
"Drive" control	gain adjustment	Power supply included	no.
True bypass	yes.	Power supply	DC 9 V.
Inputs	1 x 6.35 mm jack	Power consumption	45 mA.
Outputs	1 x 6.35 mm jack