Walrus Audio 385 MKII Overdrive: Reimagining Vintage Tones with A/B Switch and 385+ Saturation
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For years, guitarists seeking pure tone have been taking the tube-powered audio sections of vintage film projectors and using them as guitar amps. They fell in love with the unique sound, and were inspired to capture it in a pedalboard-friendly box when we created the original 385 Overdrive pedal.
The 385 was developed to have the same simple but effective tone control as its grandfather. While the amp stacks bass and treble behind a single knob, our design separates them, allowing for a much wider array of tones to be achieved. The user is able to boost and cut bass and treble, allowing them to be creative with mid-frequency scoops and bumps.
When they released the 385 Overdrive in 2016, it was quickly adopted by guitar players for the amp-like dynamics you could get at lower gain settings. Soon though, players found that cranking the gain produced a distortion-esque drive that was unique to the 385. To accommodate both setups in a single pedal, they added an A/B switch along with a second set of Volume and Gain knobs that share a single set of tone controls.
The pedal is internally running at 18v, which helps us nail the same dynamic feel of the amp in a stomp box. This means it is extremely sensitive to how hard you dig in – just like the amp.
Updated for 2023, The 385 MKII has received the following features:
- An A/B switch has been added giving the pedal two separate sets of volume and gain. Use it like a preset to change the volume and/or gain for specific parts!
- The 385+ Switch adds an additional gain stage at the front of the pedal for thick, saturated overdrive with more sustain.
- Soft touch, relay true-bypass switch.
- Top mount in/out jacks
Need to know for Retailers
- Successor of acclaimed original “Walrus Audio 385 Overdrive” released in 2016
- Based on the circuit of the original pedal with additional features and modernised design
- A/B switch has been added giving the pedal two separate sets of volume and gain. Use it like a preset to change the volume and/or gain for specific parts!
- The “385+” option adds an additional gain stage, resulting in a thicker, more saturated tone with extra sustain.
- Very dynamic overdrive (operating internally at 18V) that is is touch-responsive and delivers a unique, vintage amp-like sound.
