Ever felt like a hyped-up guitar pedal just… didn't deliver? That's how I felt about the original JHS Kilt. But hold on, because JHS Pedals just dropped a bombshell: the Kilt 10 Anniversary Edition! And let me tell you, it's a massive improvement. Gone is the underwhelming experience, replaced by something truly special.
The original Kilt, for me, always felt like it was holding back. It lacked the sparkle and responsiveness that I expect from an Expandora-style pedal. It felt, dare I say, a bit… dull. Most Expandoras have a certain vibrancy, a lively character that the original Kilt seemed to miss. But here's where it gets controversial... Some players actually liked that darker, more controlled tone. What do you think? Did the original Kilt's subdued character appeal to you?
Well, JHS seems to have heard the cries (or maybe they just read my mind!). The Kilt 10 Anniversary Edition addresses every single one of my previous concerns. It's like they took the Morning Glory's warmth and expansive sound and injected it directly into the Kilt. That former 'dankness' is a distant memory. This new version is brighter, louder, sounds significantly better, and even looks fantastic in its shiny polished aluminum enclosure!
This pedal is incredibly versatile, covering a wide range of tones:
- Crunch: Perfect for adding a bit of grit to your rhythm playing.
- Overdrive: Smooth and responsive, ideal for bluesy leads and classic rock tones.
- Distortion: Ramps up the aggression for heavier riffs and soaring solos.
- Forbidden Fuzz: A wild and untamed fuzz that's perfect for experimental sounds. And this is the part most people miss... the way these modes interact with each other is where the Kilt 10 really shines.
And the controls! We're talking Volume, Gain, Tone, a Bass-Cut/Flat switch, and G1 & G2 Clipping Switches. The clipping switches are key to unlocking the different modes:
- ↓ ↓ = Crunch
- ↑ ↓ = Overdrive
- ↓ ↑ = Distortion
- ↑↑ = Forbidden Fuzz
To make things even better, the Kilt 10 is brilliantly compatible with JHS's Red Remote! This allows you to control the second G2 switch on the fly (Down = Blue, Up = Red). My preferred setup? Bass-Cut off (Flat), both Clipping Switches Up. The Red Remote then lets me instantly switch between Overdrive and Fuzz – a setup I also use on my Decibelics Reverend Mini, which behaves similarly. While I might slightly prefer my Reverend, the new Kilt is truly fantastic, especially with that extra headroom and volume on tap.
It might not be the most aggressive Expandora out there, but it still sounds incredible. JHS has completely won me over. I wasn't a fan of the original, but I absolutely love this new version!
My go-to settings are: Volume @ 3 o’clock, Gain @ 4 o’clock, Tone @ 5 o’clock, Bass-Cut Switch on Flat, and both G1 and G2 Clipping Switches UP!
I snagged the last Red Remote (at £34) from Andertons, or so I thought! All JHS Pedals are currently offering a 25% Black Friday discount, bringing the US price down to just $187 (equivalent UK pricing at Andertons is £187). You can find them here: JHS Pedals and Andertons.
And here's a cool little secret: the Red Remote just uses a standard TS cable! Who knew?
This is likely my last gear acquisition for the month and one of my last hands-on reviews for the year. December is all about compiling my "Best Gear of the Year" articles, which takes a ton of time!
Ultimately, I'm incredibly satisfied with this vastly improved iteration of the Kilt. It sounds fantastic! So, what are your thoughts? Are you a fan of the Expandora circuit? Does the versatility of the Kilt 10 appeal to you, or do you prefer a more focused fuzz or overdrive? Let me know in the comments below!
