"Is one a numerical label or an identifying name? Enigmatic hints suggest a substantial new offering from JHS Pedals, sparking speculation among equipment enthusiasts who believe they've deciphered the puzzle"
JHS Unveils 424 Gain Stage Pedal, Inspired by Tascam Portastudio 424
JHS Pedals, a renowned pedal manufacturer, has announced the release of their latest product – the 424 Gain Stage. The pedal, unveiled on August 11, 2025, is a tribute to the classic Tascam Portastudio 424, a multi-track recorder that has gained fame in recent years due to its use by modern guitar hero Mk.gee.
Before the official reveal, JHS teased a riddle that hinted at the pedal's design and inspiration. The riddle, which read: "Forward or back, I am still the same. 5 knobs to command 3 layers of gain. Born in Japan. Built for your play. Am I a number, or am I a name?", initially led some to believe it might be a Tube Screamer clone. However, the connection to the Tascam Portastudio 424 turned out to be the actual inspiration for the pedal.
The 424 Gain Stage is designed to capture the characteristic tones of the Tascam Portastudio 424, bringing those iconic sounds to guitarists as an effects pedal. JHS Pedals aims to replicate or evoke the lo-fi, multi-layered gain tones made famous by Mk.gee using the Tascam Portastudio 424.
The Instagram clip soundtracked by Spoon's "They Never Got You" suggests a connection to multi-track recorders like the Tascam Portastudio 424. Additionally, JHS posted a grid of nine multi-track recorders on their Instagram account and asked about a favourite home-recorded album, further fueling speculation about the product's connection to multi-track recorders.
Mk.gee's debut album, widely acclaimed as one of 2024's best records, has garnered fans from notable musicians like Eric Clapton. The Instagram clip from JHS also implies there will be an XLR jack on the upcoming pedal.
JHS Pedals has a history of creating pedals inspired by classic studio equipment. Their Colour Box preamp/EQ/overdrive/distortion/fuzz/DI box is based on a Neve studio console and was in part inspired by Spoon. The product being released by JHS could be a TS pedal, but the elusive roll-out suggests it might be something more.
The JHS Instagram account will continue to post teasers until the official unveiling of the new pedal on August 11. Many players on social media and Reddit are speculating that the new JHS pedal will be Tascam-inspired and tapping into Mk.gee-esque tones. Some fans speculate that the product could be an 808 overdrive pedal or a DOD clone, but the official reveal on August 11 will confirm the details.
The Tascam 424, a cassette preamp-style equipment, has gained popularity in recent years, particularly due to Mk.gee's use. The Tascam 424 is a palindrome, meaning it reads the same forward as backward, which could potentially be a fit for the riddle's reference to five knobs. The Tascam 424 is a Japanese company's product, as suggested by the riddle's reference to its origin.
In summary, the 424 Gain Stage pedal, named after the classic Tascam Portastudio 424, aims to capture the characteristic tones of the multi-track recorder made famous by Mk.gee. The pedal is set to be officially unveiled by JHS Pedals on August 11, 2025.
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