Product ReviewsDigiTech HardWire TL-2 Metal Distortion Guitar Effect Pedal

Now my main METAL distortion effect!!!!!!!

I really like this pedal and it is now my favorite metal distortion stompbox.... and I have several. I always liked my Digitech Metal Master. It was my first pedal, and the one that started my collection of about 30 stompboxes. Up until buying this TL-2, it was still my favorite. I also own a HardWire CM-2 Tube Overdrive, Digitech Hod Rod, Digitech Tone Driver, Boss Metal Zone, Boss Metal Core, Boss Mega Distortion, and Original MXR Dime Distortion. So I have plenty of experience with distortion stompboxes, although I've stuck to Digitech and Boss for the most part as you can see. This is definitly a step up from the Metal Master and the others I own, and I definitely dig the True Bypass. The Blue LED is a nice touch and very bright. This thing is very rugged. I've always thought the Digitechs were even more tank-like than the Boss pedals which were the benchmarks for metal chassis stompboxes. This has two regular knobs for Level and Gain and two concentric knobs for Highs, Lows, Mids, and Mid Frequency so it has all the main parameters covered. Many metal distortion boxes skip the mid and mid freq. The Tight/Loose switch is a nice addition although I generally stick with the Tight setting. The loose setting seems a little muddy, but that is when the parameters are set for the tight setting, so tweaking things and having a clear idea of the Loose tone you want would probably fix that. I haven't needed to use it yet but that doesn't mean that setting sucks. Although a lot of people stick with the Tight setting from what I've seen in other reviews. The aluminum knobs look great but I have heard that they can can come loose or come off because they are just glued or pressed on covers for plastic knobs. It's nothing a little glue can't fix. I haven't noticed this on my TL-2, but my CM-2 Tube Overdrive which I got used on Ebay does have this issue. Hopefully Digitech gets enough customer feedback to become aware of this problem and fix it. I never use batteries in my stompboxes, only wall adapters, so I can't comment on battery life. It only took me a few dead batteries to realized adapters are the way to go, especially with long effects chains with several pedals. Ok, I'm gonna shut up now. Bottom line, this is a great sounding and designed stompbox that you will enjoy. It's a great bang for the buck!!!!!!!! Rock on!Read full review...

Hardwire TL-2 Metal Distortion

I play in a hardcore/metalcore band, and if you've listened to that kind of music you know there's a lot of high-gain riffs and heavy, chugging breakdowns. So, I needed amazing, high-gain distortion that let me personalize my sound well, and at a low cost since I don't come about much money at the moment. Considering that I can't afford an amazing amp with good metal distortion, I decided to buy a cheap amp that has an amazing clean channel, and run a pedal through it.

Why the TL-2, though? There /are/ certainly better ones out there, but not at this price or with this kind of versatility. What really sold me was the switchable "Loose/Tight" toggle switch. The 'Tight' setting adds more treble to the mix, while 'Loose' adds a little more bass instead *I use this setting about 95% of the time; its amazing*. It also comes with adjustable High, Low, Midrange and Mid Frequency EQ knobs, which really helped me out. The distortion is amazing too, even with the gain set at halfway its more than enough to match Peavey or Blackstar amps.

That being said, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who might be thinking about it. Thank you, Digitech!Read full review...

Better than most mass produced metal pedals out there.

No one will ever confuse this pedal for a tube amp. If you're a metal player, you'll probably want a suitable amp. However, if you don't play that style often, and need a pedal to fulfill a specific need, the TL-2 does so admirably. Unless you're a perfectionist or play in metal supergroup, it'll do for amateur recordings and live gigs in certain situations. To my ears, it's better than its main competitor - the Boss Metal Zone, and I say this having owned and used the Metal Zone for about 20 years. The true bypass switching is a nice option (which is missing on Boss pedals), too.Read full review...

Best on the market!

Man,
Theses pedals not only are HEAVY DUTY, but BEAUTIFUL on my board...Thay are easy to operate and far as I'm concerned they are the best pedals I've ever owned...Its definetly worth the extra money...You can tell soon as you open it up that its going to last forever....I have now bought every pedal they have to offer except the tuner as i have one that my dad gave me that ill never replace...
Thanks to the people at Digitech/Hardwire A PLUS!!!!Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: lexicort

amazing pedal!

this is an amazing pedal for heavy distortion but is versatile enough to be used for pretty much any type of rock... overall an amazing pedal! the look is great and the sound is unmatched by any other pedals i've heard. you can hit the sweet highs on the solos as well as get the chugga-chugga you want when palm muting, all without getting an unnecessary amount of feedback. would recommend to anyone who plays metal/any type of hard rock... a great buy!Read full review...

Great tones in this box.

I have owned my fair share of pedals. This is a great high gain to metal pedal. I doesn't do low gain well, but that's not what it's for. It has great tone although it may take some time to dial in. I find the loose mode to be useless. The tight mode is where the magic is. Replaced the Digitech Metal Master(amazing pedal as well) on my board. Highly recommend both.Read full review...

Light weight and great feature

Excellent Pedal for Heavy metal, Classic Rock, pop and more feature sound .

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: treasure_monster

Farshad

This is a great pedal, I just don't see why they discontinued this one Compared it to a bunch of other metal distortion pedals and yo my ear sounds fuller and richer, highly recommended.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: samuraimart-auc...

Amazing, agressive pedal!

A lot of gain, very aggressive, modern sound, super sharp and fast attack which I value most in this pedal and no noise or hiss at all even at the maximum gain. The only problem of this pedal is probably the lack of tightness in bottom end. The rest is fine. Honestly it is the only solid state pedal I like. But basing on my taste of course.
All in all I would recommend it to anybody who pays metal, trash and alternative. Works best with active pick ups.Read full review...

Very good

Packed well world fine pleasure to do business with

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: ejunk