Revv G3 V2 vs. Empress Heavy Menace

Book your first complimentary 1-on-1 guitar lesson with Nate today! https://www.guitarfam.com/private-gui... - https://revvamplification.com/en-ca/p... https://empresseffects.com/products/h... Timestamps: Unboxing 00:00 Playing Example 1 0:29 Intro 1:22 Playing Example 2 2:56 Signal Chain 3:27 My Thoughts 4:20 Pedal Comparison 5:49 Lead Tones 8:14 Final Thoughts 11:15 First Impressions of the Revv G3 V2: Liquid Sustain and High-Gain Tone “This box contains happiness.” That’s what it says when you open up the new Revv G3 V2 pedal—and honestly, they might be onto something. Hey Guitar Fam and friends, Nate Savage here! In my latest video, I finally got my hands on one of the most notorious high-gain pedals out there: the Revv G3. But not just any G3—Version 2. Why the Hype? Every time I go looking for great high-gain sounds—whether it’s forums, YouTube, or reviews—the Revv G3 always comes up. It’s built a reputation as a top-tier single-space high-gain machine. So I reached out to Revv, and they generously sent over the new V2 for me to test. I paired it up against the Empress Heavy Menace for a fairer high-gain comparison than my previous Angry Charlie matchup. This time, both pedals are definitely in the same sonic ballpark, which made for a fun shootout. What’s Up With the G3 V2? The G3 V2 builds on the original with: Aggression switch (Off / Blue / Red) – Think of it like a built-in presence/gain boost selector Classic 3-band EQ – Treble, Middle, Bass for better tone shaping That signature Revv feel – dynamic, touch-sensitive, and full of character Bonus: It comes with cool stickers and a red pick. Classy touch, Revv. Pedalboard Setup Guitar → Pedals → Apollo Twin Into Tonex (XOG Lonestar clean channel, just breaking up) Then into Helix Native for reverb/delay Rhythm Tone Shootout: Revv G3 V2 vs Empress Heavy Menace Both pedals bring serious chunk, but they have distinct personalities: Revv G3 V2: More dynamic and amp-like. You can feel the response under your fingers—perfect for chugging with attitude and soaring leads. Heavy Menace: Tighter and more immediate, almost like a solid-state amp. The sweepable mid control makes it incredibly versatile for shaping your tone, especially in a cover band or studio setting. If you want plug-and-play metal tone with feel, the G3’s your pick. If you need to cover a variety of styles or gigs, the Menace might take it. Lead Tone Comparison: Expressive vs Focused Switching to lead tones with more delay, reverb, and a mid bump: The Revv G3 V2 gave me a chewy, responsive tone with that liquidy sustain—ideal for expressive solos. The Aggression switch changes the game: Off = warm and vintage Blue = balanced gain and clarity Red = full metal mayhem—think more bite, more presence The Heavy Menace did surprisingly well here too, but the Revv had a more dynamic feel for me. Verdict: Which One’s Right for You? They’re both killer. Here’s my takeaway: Revv G3 V2 = Feels amazing to play, more dynamic, and shines in lead settings. Heavy Menace = More control over mids, especially rhythm guitar tones that need precise control. It really comes down to what you need in your tone toolkit. Big thanks to Revv for sending the G3 V2 over—it’s found a spot on my board and I can’t wait to use it more in future tracks and videos. And hey, if you haven’t already, head over to GuitarFam.com to create your free account. You’ll unlock the first module of all our premium courses and get a complimentary 1-on-1 private lesson with me. See you soon, Nate