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shortpunks
Copper Member
USA
47 Posts |
 Posted - 03/29/2007 : 01:29:00
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Just got an '89 made-in-Taiwan HM-2 Heavy Metal pedal from eBay in mint condition. It was very cheap and I have always wanted to try one since it's used by two of my favorite artists, My Bloody Valentine and Justin Broadrick of Godflesh and Jesu. I haven't had a lot of time to work with it, but so far it certainly does create a wall-of-sound with some humbuckers and a few suspended chords. It almost reminds me of a Fuzz face at certain settings.
I also notice that by dialing down the distortion and punching up the low-end, I can get a very sweet, thick overdrive which reminds me of Willie Johnson or Hubert Sumlin from Howlin' Wolf's records. You can't beat that--the Wolf to shoegaze with the twist of a knob! Any other fans of the HM-2 out there? I may end up alternating it with my DS-1 on my pedalboard. If the HM-2 is a gift of the Metal Gods, they certainly know how to design a nice, versatile circuit. Maybe I shouldn't use words like "sweet" and "nice" in relation to the HM-2, however... |
Edited by - shortpunks on 03/29/2007 06:26:45 |
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StratoSphere
Double Platinum Member
Canada
2232 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2007 : 02:16:12
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i think the HM-2 is right up there with the DS-1. i use it for heavy metal rhythym, and by heavy i mean actually heavy. (At The Gates, As i Lay Dying, Lamb Of God etc.) (not heavy like Nirvana or Soundgarden ) anyways, i find the HM-2 sounds better the higher you turn it. most heavier distortions sound worse the louder they get. i like to keep the distortion down on the HM-2 and drive it with a OD-1 since the OD-1 is more on the trebly side.
GO HM-2! |
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tomwest
Silver Member
United Kingdom
436 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2007 : 03:07:17
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I'm a huge fan of the HM-2, I recommend it to anybody and anyone looking for an overdrive or distortion or fuzz pedal, it's great! By the way, My Bloody Valentine may not have used it, it's a guitargeek myth, meaning take it with a pinch, or more like a pound of salt considering the source |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2007 : 07:31:40
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quote:
Originally posted by shortpunks
Just got an '89 made-in-Taiwan HM-2 Heavy Metal pedal from eBay in mint condition. It was very cheap and I have always wanted to try one since it's used by two of my favorite artists, My Bloody Valentine and Justin Broadrick of Godflesh and Jesu. I haven't had a lot of time to work with it, but so far it certainly does create a wall-of-sound with some humbuckers and a few suspended chords. It almost reminds me of a Fuzz face at certain settings.
I also notice that by dialing down the distortion and punching up the low-end, I can get a very sweet, thick overdrive which reminds me of Willie Johnson or Hubert Sumlin from Howlin' Wolf's records. You can't beat that--the Wolf to shoegaze with the twist of a knob! Any other fans of the HM-2 out there? I may end up alternating it with my DS-1 on my pedalboard. If the HM-2 is a gift of the Metal Gods, they certainly know how to design a nice, versatile circuit. Maybe I shouldn't use words like "sweet" and "nice" in relation to the HM-2, however...
I like HM-2 too (the tone controls are great!), and if it�s capable of recreating Willie Johnsons sound I would be an even greater fan of it.
One strange thing about HM-2 is that when using the drive control not much happens between 9 o�clock and 16. I know many has observed this, but OK for me as the sound is fine anyway. |
Edited by - Goran on 03/29/2007 07:33:21 |
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dudewheresmybass
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
66 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2007 : 12:24:44
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i too love my HM2. it is absolutely fantastic on bass. the low control really replaces that low end that is normally lost with using guitar od/dist pedals on a bass, and it sounds crisp and clear, no matter where i set the gain control.
i actually own two - both MIT, but one definitely sounds better than the other with my rig.
if i ever have a problem with it i will definitely be after another one!
also, let's ace it, they can be found for pennies on ebay as well - BONUS! |
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guirat
Silver Member
United Kingdom
186 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2007 : 12:44:53
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quote:
Originally posted by shortpunks
I also notice that by dialing down the distortion and punching up the low-end, I can get a very sweet, thick overdrive which reminds me of Willie Johnson or Hubert Sumlin from Howlin' Wolf's records.
That's exactly what I found when I had one - that one useful setting, I used it for things like the intro to LZ's "Bring it on Home". It was like an overdriven valve amp sound, not transistory and tinny.
Unfortunately if I moved the settings I couldn't find any other sound I liked, it was just too extreme, but it was probably also to do with the amp I had, I never tried it through a valve amp. I've thought about getting another HM-2, not sure there's enough reason for me now though, unless as mentioned I can get one cheap.
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shortpunks
Copper Member
USA
47 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2007 : 20:50:44
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It does have that "Bring It on Home" sound! I was trying to figure out what else it sounded like to me, and that's exactly the tone at low settings...that heavier Jimmy Page or Jeff Beck tone. One of my bandmates tried the HM-2 with his old Gibson Moderne the other night at rehearsal and all of a sudden I was hearing Iron Maiden and Testament riffs coming out of his Dr. Z...
I was wondering about that My Bloody Valentine reference I'd come across...the HM-2 can capture those sounds, but I seem to remember years ago reading an interview in "Guitar Player" where Kevin Shields talked about using a DS-1...not to mention several other distortion boxes along with his Marshall and his Vox. A lot of his sounds on "Loveless" sound like a DS-1 to my ears, especially one being driven by a Jaguar or a Jazzmaster... |
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bossFan
Bronze Member
Portugal
97 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2007 : 16:26:28
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Here�s a treat for you HM2 fans out there...
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StratoSphere
Double Platinum Member
Canada
2232 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2007 : 16:37:24
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holy crap thats amazing. i wonder if that $5 poster deal is still good?
i also wonder if Heavy Metal man knows hes plugged into the Output.. DOH! |
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shortpunks
Copper Member
USA
47 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2007 : 23:44:09
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That's awesome! I've been a comic book fan since I was a kid--so seeing the HM-2 and a giant guy who looks like Cyborg from the Teen Titans is almost too much for me. I ought to find a copy of that to go in my music room...thanks for posting it!  |
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bossFan
Bronze Member
Portugal
97 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2007 : 00:02:28
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Ok!!!!...I really thought you guys would like it.
It was a full page ad in Guitar Player magazine Oct.1984. |
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MERCYFULFATE
Copper Member
USA
45 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2007 : 00:24:46
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| imo the hm-2 was one of Bosses worst pedals. lifeless and tonally dull. |
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bossFan
Bronze Member
Portugal
97 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2007 : 14:55:16
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[MERCYFULFATE...imo the hm-2 was one of Bosses worst pedals. lifeless and tonally dull.]
Probably lost his way when he landed on this topic... |
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Vim Fuego
Gold Member
Denmark
566 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2007 : 16:28:39
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Great pic bossFan!! That sure brings back some memories.. Used to read Guitar Player forward and backwards in those days...
Remember that Boss also used cartoon/comix as comercial for the DD-2.. |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2007 : 16:51:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Vim Fuego
Great pic bossFan!! That sure brings back some memories.. Used to read Guitar Player forward and backwards in those days...
Remember that Boss also used cartoon/comix as comercial for the DD-2..
Hi Vim & Guys
Any chance you have a copy of that DD-2 Advert? 
Regards Dr. Bob |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2007 : 17:13:24
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quote:
Originally posted by StratoSphere
holy crap thats amazing. i wonder if that $5 poster deal is still good?
i also wonder if Heavy Metal man knows hes plugged into the Output.. DOH!
Hey StratoSphere
It's W_A_Y louder that way. 
& it's got more Overdrive... 
Regards Dr. Bob |
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HM-2 fans!
