The Elephant (or Centaur) in the Room –
If you have spent any time at all looking into the world of guitar pedals you have likely heard the term transparent overdrive thrown around quite a bit. At Fretwood we are always looking for gear that enhances your natural sound rather than covering it up and the Wampler Tumnus is a perfect example of that philosophy in action. This gold stompbox is a dedicated tribute to the legendary Klon Centaur circuit which is arguably the most famous and expensive overdrive pedal ever made. Brian Wampler managed to shrink that massive mythical sound into a tiny enclosure that fits on even the most crowded pedalboard.
What makes this pedal so special is the way it interacts with your guitar and amplifier. Unlike many overdrives that impose a heavy layer of distortion over your signal the Tumnus acts like a high definition version of your existing tone. It is a solid clone style circuit that captures the specific mid range punch and harmonic richness that made the original Klon a staple. When you step on it you notice an immediate increase in clarity and a certain three dimensional quality that makes your notes feel like they are jumping. Also, this pedal gets super loud when it wants to.
The Tumnus serves a variety of roles depending on how you set the dials. Many players choose to leave it on all the time with the gain set very low because it adds a polished sweetness to the signal that is hard to turn off once you hear it. If you decide to crank the gain you get a smooth and creamy overdrive that never gets fizzy or harsh. One of the best things about the Wampler version of this circuit is the low end response. While some older style clones can sound a bit thin the Tumnus keeps your bass frequencies intact which ensures your tone stays full and powerful.
While the small Tumnus is famous for its tiny footprint there is also a larger version called the Tumnus Deluxe for those who want extra features. This bigger model expands on the original by adding a full three band EQ and a hot switch for more gain but the mini version we are focusing on today is the one that truly nails that classic and simple plug and play experience. It gives you the legendary sound without taking up precious real estate on your board which makes it a simpler and more affordable choice for most players.
Because it uses a high quality buffered bypass the Tumnus actually helps your signal stay strong even through long cable runs. It acts as a sort of guardian for your tone by ensuring that your high end frequencies do not get lost before they hit your amp. Whether you are using it to push a tube amp into a natural breakup or as a standalone dirt box for blues and rock it remains one of the most versatile tools a guitarist can own. It is a legendary sound in a modern package and it truly lives up to the hype.
The Wampler Tumnus is a solid alternative if your seeking a Klon clone.