Thorn Bad Cash - Flex Drive

Effect Pedal for Electric Guitar

Overdrive
Perfect for combining with pedals or with any (tube) amplifier
Damping control determines how much low-frequency sound reaches the distortion stage
Completely analogue
Hardwire true bypass
Controls: Drive, Damping, Headroom, Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence
Switch: Symmetry O/I, Class AB/A
Footswitch: Effect bypass
Status LED: Effect on/off
Input and output: 6.3 mm TS mono jack
Input impedance: 470 kOhm
Output impedance: 2.2 ohm
Current consumption: 18 mA
Power supply via 9 - 18 V DC mains adapter (2.1 x 5.5 mm barrel plug, centre negative - not included)
Dimensions (W x D x H): 94 x 123.5 x 53 mm
Weight: 400 g

Note: Battery operation not supported.

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Item number 610213
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Overdrive Yes
Distortion No
Fuzz No
Metal No

168 €

All prices incl. VAT

625

Sales Rank

in Distortion Pedals

Flexible Overdrive

The Thorn Soundlabs Bad Cash is an exceptionally flexible overdrive pedal – this fresh name from the U.S. wants to give all guitarists the chance to bring some serious analogue character to their sound setup. Designed to pair effortlessly with tube amps as well as other amplifier types, the Bad Cash delivers a wide range of drive tones. Featuring multiple drive character options, a 4-band EQ, and two unique controls – Damping and Headroom – the Bad Cash offers everything from subtle tonal enhancement to full-bodied, aggressive overdrive. For added punch and dynamic response, the pedal can also run at 18V. True to the Thorn Soundlabs aesthetic, the Bad Cash comes in a striking retro design inspired by 1960s Hollywood B-movies, complementing its bold tone with an unmistakable style.

Full of features for the ultimate tone

The Thorn Bad Cash flex drive comes in a rugged metal housing measuring 94 × 123.5 × 53mm – about the size of two standard pedals. Its control layout includes knobs for Drive, Volume, Damping, Headroom, and a 4-band EQ for precise sound shaping. Two toggle switches provide additional flexibility: One adjusts the drive character (Symmetry), the other switches between amp voicings (A/B-A). A sturdy footswitch activates or bypasses the effect. When bypassed, the pedal uses a hardwired true bypass to keep the signal path clear. While powered by a standard 9V supply, the Bad Cash will really show its full potential at 18V, delivering increased headroom and expanded dynamic range.

Connections of the Thorn Bad Cash - Flex Drive

Complete control

For guitarists seeking more than just a standard overdrive, the Thorn Soundlabs Bad Cash delivers complete control and versatility. While many pedals rely on basic tone or character controls, the Bad Cash takes it to the next level by offering a comprehensive set of parameter controls, including Drive, Damping, Headroom, Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble, and Presence that enables precise tonal shaping for any musical style. With a 4-band EQ, Symmetry and A/B-A switches, and the unique Damping and Headroom controls, the Bad Cash flex drive offers everything from subtle tone shaping to bold, aggressive overdrive textures. Whether it's dialling in tight midrange punch or wide-open dynamic drive, this pedal delivers pro-level flexibility in an intuitive, easy-to-use format.

About Thorn Soundlabs

Founded in 2021, Thorn Soundlabs hails from the heart of “Music City”, where Nashville's rich musical heritage and creativity provided the perfect backdrop for a collective of engineers, seasoned touring musicians, industry veterans, and passionate tone enthusiasts to come together. United by a shared vision, they set out to redefine effects pedals, not by creating “just another overdrive pedal”, but by crafting tools that inspire and shape sonic exploration. The company’s growing lineup now includes distortion, fuzz, compressor, tremolo, and booster pedals for guitar and bass. Boasting proprietary circuit designs and unique features such as damping and headroom controls, each Thorn Soundlabs pedal delivers dynamic, responsive and timeless sound. In just a few years, Thorn Soundlabs has made its mark on the industry, and with their self-evident passion for their craft, more exciting products from this brand are sure to follow.

Signature sound, smooth transitions

What truly sets the Bad Cash apart from typical overdrive pedals are its two unique controls: Damping and Headroom. These features have become something of a Thorn Soundlabs signature, appearing across their entire range of drive pedals. Damping acts as a high-pass filter, removing low-end frequencies from the distorted signal to keep the sound tight and focused, avoiding unwanted muddiness. The Headroom control determines how much clean signal is allowed before distortion sets in, making it especially useful when paired with a tube amp whose output stage is pushed right up to its break-up point. These controls make it easy for guitarists to dial in everything from clean sounds to grittier tones using only their natural playing dynamics, allowing for smooth transitions between sections like verse and chorus without adjusting a single knob.

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