The Wren and Cuff Hangman 2D is a hand-wired recreation of the Boss HM-2. This is Japanese heavy metal distortion that became the defining sound of Swedish death metal. The HM-2 is a “marmite” love it or hate ti type of pedal.
Whilst one of the most polarising pedals in guitar history, Boss discontinued it in 1991.
Within a decade, Entombed and Dismember had made its chainsaw buzz-saw distortion synonymous with an entire genre, and the original MIJ pedals started becoming collectible (nearly always a bad thing!).
Matthew Holl, Wren and Cuff chief, describes building this pedal as an obsession.
The Hangman 2D is hand-wired on a hand-loaded board using 1/4 watt metal film resistors instead of the 1/8 watt carbon film originals.
The practical effect is a dramatically lower noise floor and more apparent colourful overtones.
A Modern/Vintage toggle accesses two distinct circuit characters and heavy-duty Alpha pots are chassis mounted. And there’s a lifetime warranty, which the original most certainly did not come with.
Controls
- Volume: Master output volume.
- Distortion: Controls the distortion level.
- Highs: Treble frequency control.
- Lows Bass frequency control.
- Modern/Vintage toggle: Selects between two circuit voicings — Modern for a tighter, more controlled character; Vintage for the looser, buzzier character of the original HM-2.
Key Features
- Hand-wired HM-2 recreation — built from vintage units and hours of listening
- Metal film resistors instead of original carbon film — lower noise floor
- Modern/Vintage toggle switch
- Heavy-duty Alpha pots mounted to chassis
- True hardwired bypass
- 9V DC centre-negative or battery
- Lifetime warranty
- Made in Los Angeles, USA
Power
9V DC centre-negative only. 8mA current draw. Do not run above 9V — Muff-style circuits rely on specific transistor biasing and higher voltage reduces the distortion character significantly. You can use a battery with the 2D, if you need to.
Watch The Wren and Cuff Hangman 2D In Action
FAQs
The Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal was produced in Japan from 1983 to 1991. Despite its name it was used across heavy metal, shoegaze, and grunge. Swedish death metal bands like Entombed and Dismember made its aggressive chainsaw buzz-saw distortion synonymous with the genre. My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain also used it.
Three key differences. First, it’s hand-wired on a hand-loaded board whereas the original was machine produced. Second, it uses 1/4-watt metal film resistors instead of the original 1/8-watt carbon film, because metal film is lower noise. Third is an addedthe Modern/Vintage toggle.
It selects between two circuit characters. Vintage gives the looser, buzzier, more saturated character associated with original MIJ HM-2 units. Modern gives a tighter, more controlled distortion that suits contemporary playing and down-tuned guitars.
No. It was used by shoegaze bands like My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain, grunge acts, and noise rock players. The HM-2 circuit works for any genre that benefits from its specific buzz-saw character. The Modern/Vintage toggle extends its range.
Yes — true hardwired bypass.
9V DC centre-negative or a 9V battery. Do not run above 9V.
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