JHS Pedals has teased a new product with a cryptic riddle, sending guitar enthusiasts scrambling to solve the mystery. Could the new pedal be a tribute to a classic piece of recording gear, inspired by the sound of modern guitar hero Mk.gee?
Guitar pedal manufacturer JHS Pedals has sent the gear world into a frenzy with a series of cryptic social media posts. The company is known for its creative and often quirky approach to marketing, and its latest campaign has fans playing detective to figure out what’s coming next Monday, August 11.
UPDATE 11/08/25- 424 Gain Stage
JHS Pedals is unveiling the 424 Gain Stage, a new effects pedal designed to replicate the unique, lo-fi sound of plugging a guitar directly into a vintage Tascam Portastudio 424 MKI multi-track recorder.
If you’re chasing the “Mk.Gee vibe” or the tones found on records by artists like Mac DeMarco, Radiohead, and Steve Lacy, the JHS 424 Gain Stage is your shortcut.
This compact pedal captures the unique, lo-fi sound of plugging a guitar directly into a Portastudio. It’s designed for musicians looking to get those vintage, elastic sounds that are popular in modern bedroom pop and indie music.
This new preamp pedal aims to bring the “rubbery clean tones, high headroom, and smashed-out fuzz” of the classic recording unit to guitarists in a compact, stompbox format.
Preamp Pedal
According to the company, the 424 Gain Stage is a “historically accurate recreation” that uses the original UPC4570 and NJM4565 op-amps found in the vintage Portastudio. The pedal features controls for Volume, Gain 1, Gain 2, Bass, and Treble, mimicking the gain stages and EQ of the original unit.
XLR Output
In addition to the standard 1/4″ output, the pedal includes a balanced XLR output with a ground lift switch, providing a direct injection (DI) option for recording or live sound applications. The pedal also features a soft-touch footswitch and a status LED, and is housed in a durable metal enclosure.
The JHS 424 Gain Stage operates on a 9V DC power supply and has a current draw of 50 mA. The pedal measures 122 x 66 x 41 mm and weighs 290 g. It is made in the USA.
Price & Availability
The new JHS 424 Gain Stage is available from JHS authorized dealers and their online store.
MSRP – $249/£249/€289
US
Available at Sweetwater
UK
Available at Andertons
EU
Available at Thomann
The Riddle: A Palindrome, Five Knobs, and a Japanese Origin
The central clue is a four-line riddle:
“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?”
Each line has fueled a new wave of speculation. The first line, “Forward or back, I am still the same,” points directly to a palindrome. This immediately led many to think of pedals with palindromic names or model numbers, like the classic Ibanez TS-808 Tube Screamer.
“Born in Japan” further supports the Tube Screamer theory, as Ibanez is a Japanese company. However, JHS already has the popular Bonsai, a pedal that emulates several different Tube Screamer models. This has led some to believe a straightforward Tube Screamer clone isn’t the whole story.
The Tascam 424 Theory: Mk.gee, Spoon, and Lo-Fi Tones
As the clues piled up, some eagle-eyed fans started looking beyond the riddle itself. They’ve connected the dots to a completely different piece of equipment: the Tascam Portastudio 424. This theory is gaining significant traction for several reasons:
- Palindromic Number: The model number, 424, is a perfect palindrome.
- Japanese Origin: Tascam is a Japanese company.
- Vintage Vibe: A JHS social media post showed a multitrack recorder, and another asked fans to “Imagine waking up after 30 years.” A version of the Tascam 424 was released in the mid-1990s, roughly 30 years ago.
- Spoon & Britt Daniel: JHS posted a clip featuring the song “They Never Got You” by the band Spoon. Spoon frontman Britt Daniel is a well-known user of multitrack recorders like the Tascam Portastudio 424.
- The Mk.gee Connection: The Tascam Portastudio 424 has seen a huge surge in popularity thanks to rising guitar star Mk.gee. His distinctive, lo-fi tones are heavily influenced by the sound of recording directly into the Tascam’s preamp. A pedal that captures this sought-after tone would be an instant hit.
Is It a Tascam-Style Preamp Pedal?
A cassette preamp-style pedal inspired by the Tascam 424 would make a lot of sense for JHS. The company has a history of creating pedals based on studio gear, most notably the Colour Box, which emulates the sound of a Neve studio console.
Five Knobs?
The Tascam theory also explains a clue from a recent video that appears to show an XLR jack, which a DI-style preamp pedal would need.
While the riddle’s “five knobs” don’t perfectly align with a multitrack recorder (though a single channel strip has 5 knobs on the 424), many believe JHS would simplify the controls for a pedal format.
Another Theory: The Ibanez Tube King TK999
While the Tascam theory is strong, another popular idea points to the Ibanez Tube King TK999. This pedal also fits many of the clues: it’s Japanese, has a palindromic model number, and features five knobs. However, for many fans, the idea of a pedal capturing the trendy, lo-fi sound of Mk.gee is far more exciting.
Not Long Till an Official Announcement
We’ll find out for sure on Monday, August 11, when JHS officially unveils its new pedal. Until then, the debate rages on.
What do you think JHS has up its sleeve? Let us know your theory in the comments below!
More Information
#JHS Pedals #424 Gain Stage #Tascam 424 Portastudio
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