Walrus Audio 385 Overdrive Effect Pedal
Steeped in the legacy of pure tone, the Walrus Audio 385 Overdrive pedal captures the essence of a bygone era, invoking the characteristic sound and response of vintage film projector audio circuits turned guitar amplifiers. It’s a nod to those innovative guitarists who discovered the golden tones hidden within the tube-powered audio sections of old film projectors, most notably the Bell and Howell 385 Filmosound.
The Bell and Howell 385 Filmosound wasn’t just a projector; for discerning ears, it was a tonal treasure chest. When transformed into a guitar amp, its dual 6V6 output section revealed a spectrum of sounds ranging from transparent clarity to richly compressed overdrive when pushed to the limit.
Inspired by these iconic tones, Walrus Audio’s 385 Overdrive pedal is engineered to encapsulate that very amp-like responsiveness and tube-like dynamism. Through extensive research and reverence for the vintage Bell and Howell 385, Walrus designed this pedal as a contemporary homage. Its user-friendly controls remain true to the original’s ethos, but with a modern touch. While the original amp had bass and treble stacked behind a singular tone control, the 385 Overdrive offers separate bass and treble controls, granting players the flexibility to sculpt mids with more precision.
But it isn’t just about capturing a sound; it’s about capturing a feel. Internally powered at 18v, the 385 Overdrive pedal flawlessly mirrors the dynamic sensitivity of its amplifier counterpart. Just like its inspiration, the pedal responds intuitively to playing intensity, ensuring that tone and touch remain intrinsically intertwined.
For those seeking the authentic, dynamic overdrive of vintage units, the Walrus Audio 385 delivers, reflecting its rich lineage with modern precision and versatility.
- Based on ’50s Bell and Howell 385 Projector Unit
- EQ Expanded from OG Unit for Better Tonal Control
- Tube-y, Amp-Like Response to Picking Dynamics
- Standard 2.1mm 9V DC Operation
- Internal Voltage Multiplier for Increased Dynamics and Headroom
