Hotone Chunk review

Massive distortion from a tiny pedal

  • £54.99
  • €72
By Michael Brown
( Total Guitar )
published
Measuring just 74 x 44mm the Chunk doesn't quite live up to its name in terms of its proportions…

MusicRadar Verdict

For classic Maiden leads and sleazy Slash riffs, the Chunk is what you want.

Pros

  • +

    Value for money. Excellent build quality. Small footprint.

Cons

  • -

    Not hugely versatile. Size means mains power is a must.

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You'd expect a pretty hefty drive from a pedal called Chunk, and you won't be disappointed by this red-hot distortion.

"It's hardly bigger than a couple of nine-volt batteries, but that doesn't mean the spec sheet is any shorter"

Part of Hotone's dinky Skyline series, it's hardly bigger than a couple of nine-volt batteries, but that doesn't mean the spec sheet is any shorter. There's a zinc alloy enclosure, a metal rod to protect the knobs from your size 10s, LED on/off indicator (built into the top knob), glow in the dark volume and tone knobs and true bypass switching.

This stomper delivers massive British rock tones from halfway on the gain dial, while the hot button engages a little extra boost and midrange to cut through the mix. Lighter overdriven tones have a slightly fizzy decay, so the sounds aren't all that versatile, but the tightly focused tone control is perfect for dialling in scorching single-coil and high-gain humbucker tones.

Michael Brown
Michael Brown

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.