Explosive attack, crushing saturation and razor-edged precision collide in the MXR EVH Modern High Gain pedal. Developed in collaboration with the late Eddie Van Halen in 2015 as a no-compromise modern distortion platform, this pedal delivers a ferocious, tightly controlled high-gain voice built for contemporary rigs. Output and Gain controls provide massive saturation without sacrificing definition, while a powerful three-band EQ, Boost switch and selectable low-end voicing let you sculpt everything from percussive rhythm tones to searing, harmonically charged leads. Built to stay articulate at extreme settings, the EVH Modern High Gain pedal hits hard, stays focused and slices cleanly through even the densest mixes.

Crushing High-Gain Saturation With Definition and Control

At its core, the EVH Modern High Gain Pedal is voiced for clarity under pressure. The Gain control delivers dense, aggressive distortion that remains tight and responsive, while the Output knob provides ample level to drive an amp or front end without collapsing dynamics. Fast alternate picking, complex chord voicings and palm-muted passages retain separation and punch, making the pedal equally effective for precision rhythm work and fluid, sustaining leads. Engaging the Boost switch adds gain to the front end and the final gain stage, increasing saturation, sustain and output—adding clarity and punch at lower Gain settings, or rich, uncompressed clipping when the Gain is pushed higher.

Precision EQ, Low-End Voicing and Intelligent Noise Control

A dedicated Bass, Mid and Treble EQ section offers detailed tonal shaping, allowing you to fine-tune low-end weight, midrange focus and high-frequency bite to suit different guitars and amplifiers. The Bass Shift switch selects the Bass control’s cutoff frequency, with an 80Hz setting for tighter, more controlled low end and a 55Hz option for a heavier, ultra-low-frequency attack. For high-output rigs and extreme gain settings, the onboard noise gate can be engaged via the Gate control, which illuminates when active and lets you dial in the threshold for clean, controlled silence without choking sustain or dynamics. Together, these features make the EVH Modern High Gain Pedal a disciplined, stage-ready weapon for modern high-gain performance.