SKU: 12000013297
empress guitar pedals

empress guitar pedals Empress Effects Heavy Menace Distortion Pedal – Alto Music

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Description

empress guitar pedals Empress Effects Heavy Menace Distortion Pedal – Alto MusicHEAVY MENACE The Heavy Menace is the most versatile distortion pedal that Empress Effects has ever created. Its an evolution of the original Heavy with new features and a compact enclosure. In addition to the original Heavy and Heavier modes, the Heavy Menace adds a new Lite(ish) mode, covering any high gain sound from classic hard rock to searing modern metal. ENHANCED EQ Fans of the ParaEq pedals know Empress is obsessed with EQ, and the 3 band

HEAVY MENACE

The Heavy Menace is the most versatile distortion pedal that Empress Effects has ever created. It’s an evolution of the original Heavy with new features and a compact enclosure. 

In addition to the original Heavy and Heavier modes, the Heavy Menace adds a new Lite(ish) mode, covering any high-gain sound from classic hard rock to searing modern metal. 

ENHANCED EQ

Fans of the ParaEq pedals know Empress is obsessed with EQ, and the 3-band circuit on Heavy Menace is one of their best. 

The Weight control adjusts a high-pass filter in the distortion circuit to shape low-end character. Turn it up for a thick, full sound, or turn counterclockwise for a tight response that’s perfect for palm muting and extended-range guitars.

Midrange is a key element of a great distorted sound, so the mid frequency is sweepable from 200 Hz to 2.5 kHz to dial in the sweet spot for your guitar and amp. Scoop for a tight, aggressive sound, or push to add definition and cut through a mix.

ADAPTIVE GATE

Players loved the gate on the original Heavy. Envelope followers in the circuit respond to your playing, letting sustained notes decay naturally but clamping down quickly during fast stops.

On the Heavy Menace, this gate is now footswitchable, with two available modes of operation. In normal bypass mode, the gate doesn’t affect the signal if the distortion is off, while independent bypass mode is like having separate distortion and gate pedals. 

Empress has also added a key input so you can optionally trigger the gate with an external signal. This is particularly useful if you have additional pedals before the Heavy Menace in your signal chain, such as a low-gain pedal for stacking. Split a clean signal with a pedal like the Empress Buffer+ and connect it to the Gate Key Input, and the gate will behave consistently regardless of changes at the main input.

TRUE OR BUFFERED BYPASS

The Heavy Menace offers both true bypass for maximum transparency, and buffered bypass to protect against signal loss over long cable runs.

Shipping Notes
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Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
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SKU: 12000013297

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DAVID L.
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice shoes!
Size: 11, Color: Black Full Grain
I bought them in black and I like them so much I will be buying the brown soon. They fit true to size and are comfortable and stylish. I like the clean simplicity. They're basically a dressy sneaker which is perfect for my job's 'dress code'. Yet they're stylish enough to be worn weekends or a night out. They seemed just a touch stiff out of the box but IMO that's completely normal and fine - after just a couple days of wearing them they are breaking in nicely. No complaints on that. They seem to be of very high quality and I'm very happy with them.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2026
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Bamaphan
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
Good shoes!!!!!
Size: 10, Color: Tan Full Grain
They are comfortable, they fit, great style. I bought blue, brown and black shoes.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2025
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Shawn
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great Product
Size: 13, Color: Black Full Grain
2nd Johnston & Murphy comfortable and stylish.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2025
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Margaret
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
Great shoes for business casual, corporate travel
Size: 8.5, Color: White Full Grain
Fit true to size
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Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2025
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Jocko
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Very Comfortable Shoes
Size: 11, Color: Black Full Grain
Were purchased as a gift and the wearer says they are the most comfortable shoes he has
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Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2025

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