Wampler | RATSBANE | RAT inspired Distortion

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.

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. 

• 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