Vintage BOSS HM-2 Heavy Metal, made in Japan in December 1984.

This is an original Japanese-made Black Label HM-2 from the classic early production period.

The HM-2 hardly needs an introduction. It has become famous for the savage, grinding distortion that later became closely associated with Swedish death metal, but there is actually quite a bit more to this pedal than the familiar “all knobs maxed” chainsaw setting.

The two Color Mix controls are a big part of what makes the HM-2 special. The Low control can add a huge amount of weight, while the High control brings out that cutting, aggressive upper-mid character. Combined with the Distortion and Level controls, it can move from thick old-school hard rock distortion to an absolutely brutal wall of sound.

There is a rawness to the original Japanese HM-2 that is difficult to mistake for anything else. It is not a polite or transparent distortion pedal, and that is exactly the point — it has a strong personality and can completely transform the character of an amp.

Of course, with all four controls turned up, it delivers the unmistakable buzzsaw tone that made the HM-2 legendary. But backing the controls down reveals a surprisingly useful range of heavy, gritty distortion sounds as well.

This December 1984 example comes from the desirable Made in Japan era and is a great choice both for someone looking for the genuine original HM-2 sound and for a collector of vintage BOSS pedals.

Accessories

Main unit only.

No original box or power adapter is included.

This vintage Japanese BOSS pedal uses the older BOSS ACA power specification. Please use a genuine BOSS ACA adapter or a compatible 12V DC center-negative power supply. It can also be powered by a 9V battery.

Please note that using a standard BOSS PSA-type 9V adapter directly with an ACA-spec pedal may result in improper operation or the LED not lighting correctly.

Condition

Shows normal signs of age and use.

Please check the photos carefully for the exact cosmetic condition.

Fully functional and works perfectly.

Shipping

I ship worldwide via UPS / DHL / FedEx Express with tracking and careful packing.

Remote Area Fee

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If this fee applies to your address, I will contact you after purchase to confirm the extra cost before shipping.

Import Duties / Taxes (Important)

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Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs may be before purchasing.

Customs fees are usually collected by the shipping carrier during the customs clearance process or upon delivery.

We cannot undervalue the item or mark it as a gift on customs forms. Thank you for your understanding.