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Wampler Finally Delivers a Rodent-style Distortion Pedal





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Back in the 1980s, a certain rodent-based distortion pedal was ubiquitous ? every hard rock guitarist worth their salt had one of these stompboxes parked in front of their amp. The Ratsbane is Wampler's interpretation of this much-loved circuit. Like the effects pedal that inspired it, the Ratsbane is incredibly flexible. Everything from subtle overdrive to metal-ready high gain and fuzz-filled anarchy is well within its capabilities. That said, true pedal aficionados know that Brian Wampler doesn't construct mere clones. Accordingly, his Ratsbane includes a 3-stage Gain switch and two voicing options, in addition to the expected Distortion, Volume, and Filter controls. What's more, the Ratsbane's TL071 op-amp delivers a sound much like a vintage LM308-based unit, but with a warmer lower-gain tone. The end result is a praiseworthy update of a timeless distortion stompbox that blues players, arena rockers, and metalheads alike will appreciate.





Related Videos: Ratsbane Distortion Pedal


Versatile controls dial in a wide range of usable tones





Like the stompbox that inspired it, the Ratsbane includes three intuitive top-panel knobs: Distortion, Volume, and Filter. The Distortion knob dials in the total amount of saturation. At its minimum setting, this control acts as a high-octane dirty boost. At maximum, it delivers harmonic-drenched fuzz tones. The Volume knob adjusts your total output level. Run the Ratsbane at unity gain to add grit to your tone or crank it to punish the front end of your amp. The Filter knob conjures up a myriad of sonic textures. Turn the control counterclockwise to elicit mix-piercing tones with loads of clarity and high-frequency attack. Twist it clockwise to roll off your tone's brittle high end for a warm, cranked amp-like tone. Just about every guitarist here at Sweetwater has (or has used) the Ratsbane's forerunner, and we're all pretty stoked about Wampler's take on this tried-and-true pedalboard classic.





Much more than a mere "stock" reissue





An avid tinkerer, Brian Wampler doesn't settle for "stock" anything. And with the Wampler Ratsbane, the proof is in the, er, cheese. Besides the expected Rattus norvegicus-style tone, this stompbox's 3-stage Gain switch gives you two additional turbocharged gain stages to play with. Flick the switch to the left for a firm yet smooth gain boost, or flick it to the right for out-of-control levels of creamy, distorted cacophony. You also get a Voice switch that alters the compression and clipping of your signal, thereby making it more manageable in high-gain applications. Deploying this function tightens the pedal's distortion and rolls back its fuzz-like qualities, transforming it into an articulate ? yet unapologetically aggressive ? beast that's tailor-made for modern metal. Wampler devotees have long been clamoring for Brian to work his magic on this circuit, and the Ratsbane exceeds all expectations.





Wampler Ratsbane Distortion Pedal Features:


Wampler's interpretation of the much-loved, rodent-style circuit


TL071 op-amp delivers a vintage LM308-like sound, but with a warmer lower-gain tone


Delivers everything from subtle overdrive to metal-ready high gain to fuzz-filled anarchy


Distortion knob dials in the total amount of saturation


Volume knob adjusts your total output level


Filter knob conjures up a myriad of sonic textures


3-stage Gain switch supplements the "stock" tone with 2 additional turbocharged gain stages


Voice switch alters the compression and clipping of your signal for high-gain applications