Jhs Pedals Moonshine V2

A "Tube Screamer"... with the added JHS character

The Moonshine v2 clearly belongs to the large family of Tube Screamer-type overdrives: this recipe with present mids is ideal for making a guitar stand out in a mix, pushing a tube amp, or tightening a saturated channel. Where JHS goes further is in the sensation of "body" and density, with a more generous approach to low-mids and saturation that can become genuinely impressive for an overdrive. The v2 version brings a major advantage: the Clean control, designed to preserve the precision and dynamics of playing even when the gain is significantly increased.

For whom, which styles, and in what context?

The JHS Moonshine v2 is made for the guitarist (and even bassist) who wants an expressive overdrive, capable of serving as a boost, crunch, or main drive depending on the amp and Proof setting. In blues, rock, indie, pop, worship, hard rock, or light stoner, it excels whenever a present, singing, and clearly readable grain is sought. It also fits perfectly into a "stacking" oriented pedalboard: before distortion to tighten the lows and push the mids, or after a more transparent boost/OD to thicken and add sustain.

In the studio, the Clean knob allows quick balancing between saturation and definition (super useful for rhythms, double tracking, and funk/rock parts). Live, the Proof selector becomes a true "second channel": one position for more open and dynamic sounds, the other for denser and more sustained passages.

Settings, modes, and design: simple but very usable

The Moonshine v2 keeps it essential, but each control is designed to cover a wide range of uses. Controls include Volume (output level), Drive (gain amount), Tone (tonal balance), and Clean (blend of the original signal). The Proof selector acts as a character/gain choice: in the low position, you get the highest gains, lots of saturation, easy sustain, and more mids; in the high position, the response becomes crunchier, more open, with more overall volume and a heightened sense of dynamics.

Another key point: the internal conversion stage (charge pump) provides a sensation of headroom and tightness, particularly appreciated when playing loudly, with high-output pickups, or when stacking multiple saturations without everything collapsing.

The sound

The Moonshine v2 is an overdrive with a thick and present character, featuring a TS-typed mid signature but with an impression of extra "width" and punch. The Clean setting is the secret weapon: by adding dry signal, you retain the attack's clarity, chord definition, and better readability in the low spectrum, which helps greatly with lower-tuned guitars or bass. The Tone control allows moving toward softer textures without harshness in the highs, or conversely opening the sound to cut through a busy mix.

In practice, the high Proof position delivers a more "open" and snappy overdrive, very pleasant for crunchy rhythm playing and amp boosting. The low Proof position provides a tighter, denser saturation with sustain that facilitates leads and thick riffs, while maintaining the organic feel of an overdrive rather than pure distortion.

Technical specifications

Effects	Boost, Overdrive	Type	sector
Technology	Analog	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Grey
EQ	Tone

Internal charge pump	9V to 18V conversion internally for more headroom	Approximate dimensions	56 x 122 x 41 mm
Bypass	true bypass	Weight	about 280 g
Controls	Volume, Drive, Tone, Clean (blend)	Made in	USA
Selector	Proof (2 positions)	Power supply	not included
Footswitch	bypass	Required power	9V DC center negative
Indicator light	status LED	Consumption	30 mA
Input	6.35mm (1/4") TS jack (mono)	Battery operation	no
Output	6.35mm (1/4") TS jack (mono)