All user reviews of 3/5 for the Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal (Japan)

Boss decided since the metal craze was going on they would put out this pedal to give the metal guys a distortion box. This thing was terrible. The originally made it in Japan and then later moved the production to Taiwan. This pedal is so bad that I find myself thinking why did I spend anytime with this pedal knowing full well ahead of time that this pedal is not going to sound good at all. Back when trying out the guitar for the first time it seems like a lot of beginners try out pedals like this. So I had number of friends who had metal type pedals to which every single one of them sounded horrible. This pedal is no exception. Running my fork across the plate sounds about what you get out of this pedal. It may even sound better. I know that Boss is tailoring to the metal market but come on this thing sound like garbage!!


UTILIZATION

Specifications

Controls: Level, Color Mix (L, H), Distortion
Connectors: Input, Output, AC Adaptor
Current Draw: 10 mA (DC 9V)
Weight: 400 g (14 oz.)
Input Impedance: 1 MOhm
Recommended AC Adaptor: ACA Series


SOUND QUALITY

They claim that the Japanese pedal from Boss always sound better than when they moved the farm to Taiwan. I would say that is false and they sound the same. Maybe if you A/B then together you might come across a different result but it is not worth any more money. There really isn't any way you can throw a guitar or amp in front or behind this thing to have any workable sound. Try using a Les Paul or a Super Strat and you won't sound like CC Deville. Try using a Marshall JCM 800 and Kerry King is not an option. You know what is an option....not buying this pedal.

This thing sounds thin and metallic to which sounds nothing like a tube amp at all. No active EMG pickups or Dean guitar will help you at this point.

OVERALL OPINION

This will have to be picked up on the used market. They stopped making the Japan ones back in 1988. They began building then in Taiwan at that point. These can be found on the used market all day long. They are cheap to buy and they sound cheap.