What is the primary function of the T-Rex Moller 2?

The T-Rex Moller 2 is a dual-purpose pedal that functions as both a classic bluesy overdrive and a clean volume boost. It is designed to enhance a guitar's tone with rich texture without losing the original signal's character.

Knud Møller is a well-known Danish guitarist for whom this pedal was named. His requirements for a transparent, versatile overdrive informed the design of the original Moller and the subsequent Moller 2.

How much boost does the Moller 2 provide?

The Moller 2 features a dedicated clean boost circuit capable of providing between 0 and 20dB of additional gain. This can be used to increase volume for solos or to push an amplifier into natural breakup.

What does the Mix control do on this pedal?

The Mix control allows the player to blend their clean guitar signal with the overdriven signal. This helps maintain clarity, dynamics, and the natural 'feel' of the instrument even when using higher gain settings.

Is the Clean Boost independent of the Overdrive?

Yes, the Clean Boost and the Overdrive circuits have their own dedicated footswitches. This means they can be used individually or combined for a more saturated and louder lead tone.

What improvement does the Moller 2 have over the original version?

The Moller 2 features a more durable and robust Bass Boost toggle switch compared to the first version. It also retains the classic overdrive voicing that made the original highly sought after by guitarists.

What is the purpose of the Bass Boost switch?

The Bass Boost toggle switch enhances the lower frequencies of the output. This is particularly useful for thickening the sound of thin-sounding guitars or adding body when playing through smaller speakers.

Can the Moller 2 be used for high-gain metal tones?

The Moller 2 is described as a 'classic bluesy overdrive' and is not intended for high-gain metal. For those tones, a dedicated distortion or fuzz like the Big Muff would be more appropriate.

What is the typical price range for the T-Rex Moller 2?

The typical price for a T-Rex Moller 2 is approximately £86. This makes it a competitively priced option for a professional-grade dual-function pedal.

Does the pedal require a specific power supply?

While the manufacturer description does not specify, it typically follows standard pedal power requirements. It is a compact effect unit designed to sit on a pedalboard alongside other standard effects.

How does the Moller 2 handle dynamics?

The pedal is specifically engineered to retain the feel and dynamics of the original tone. It responds well to playing nuances, allowing the guitarist to control the amount of grit through their pick attack.

How does it compare to the Boss NS-2 or Boss DD-3T?

The Moller 2 is an overdrive pedal, whereas the Boss NS-2 is a noise suppressor and the DD-3T is a digital delay. They serve entirely different functions but can be used together in a signal chain to create a complete tone.

Gear article

T-Rex Moller 2 Overdrive

The T-Rex Moller 2 is a professional-grade overdrive and clean boost pedal for guitarists, named after Danish guitarist Knud Møller. It is a refined version of its predecessor, featuring a versatile mix control and a dedicated 0-20dB clean boost circuit that functions independently of the overdrive channel.

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Background and Design

The T-Rex Moller 2 is a 'classic' overdrive pedal that builds upon the reputation of the original Moller unit. Named in honour of the Danish guitarist Knud Møller, the pedal was designed to provide a transparent overdrive that preserves the natural character of a player's guitar and amplifier. The second iteration includes hardware updates such as a more durable Bass Boost toggle switch, aimed at improving longevity and performance in live environments.

Physically, the pedal is housed in a robust metal enclosure and features dual footswitches: one for the overdrive circuit and one for the independent clean boost. This layout allows the pedal to serve two functions on a pedalboard, reducing the need for separate gain stages.

Technical Features

The Moller 2 is defined by several key controls that offer significant tonal flexibility:

Mix Control: This allows the user to blend the clean signal with the distorted signal, ensuring that note definition and pick attack are not lost even at higher gain settings.
Clean Boost: A dedicated circuit providing up to 20dB of gain without adding significant clipping, useful for pushing an amplifier's front end or increasing volume for solos.
Bass Boost: A toggle switch that helps maintain low-end response, particularly useful when playing through smaller amplifiers or using single-coil pickups.
Independent Operation: The boost and overdrive functions can be used separately or in tandem.

Sound Character

The Moller 2 is widely described as a 'bluesy' overdrive. Rather than offering extreme high-gain saturation, it focuses on rich textures and dynamic responsiveness. The texture is designed to feel 'big' and open, avoiding the compressed, mid-heavy 'nasal' sound associated with some vintage-style overdrives. By using the Mix control, guitarists can retain the feel of their original tone while layering a gritty, overdriven edge over the top.

Suitability and Comparison

This pedal is primarily suited for blues, rock, and country players who require a 'transparent' overdrive that responds well to volume adjustments on the guitar itself.

In comparison to other gain-based effects like the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff w/ Tone Wicker, the Moller 2 is much more subtle, focusing on overdrive rather than heavy fuzz or sustain. Unlike standard overdrives such as the Boss SD-1, the inclusion of a parallel mix control and an independent 20dB boost provides more versatility for professional stage use, allowing it to compete with various boutique gain solutions.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary function of the T-Rex Moller 2?: The T-Rex Moller 2 is a dual-purpose pedal that functions as both a classic bluesy overdrive and a clean volume boost. It is designed to enhance a guitar's tone with rich texture without losing the original signal's character.
Who is Knud Moller?: Knud Møller is a well-known Danish guitarist for whom this pedal was named. His requirements for a transparent, versatile overdrive informed the design of the original Moller and the subsequent Moller 2.
How much boost does the Moller 2 provide?: The Moller 2 features a dedicated clean boost circuit capable of providing between 0 and 20dB of additional gain. This can be used to increase volume for solos or to push an amplifier into natural breakup.
What does the Mix control do on this pedal?: The Mix control allows the player to blend their clean guitar signal with the overdriven signal. This helps maintain clarity, dynamics, and the natural 'feel' of the instrument even when using higher gain settings.
Is the Clean Boost independent of the Overdrive?: Yes, the Clean Boost and the Overdrive circuits have their own dedicated footswitches. This means they can be used individually or combined for a more saturated and louder lead tone.
What improvement does the Moller 2 have over the original version?: The Moller 2 features a more durable and robust Bass Boost toggle switch compared to the first version. It also retains the classic overdrive voicing that made the original highly sought after by guitarists.
What is the purpose of the Bass Boost switch?: The Bass Boost toggle switch enhances the lower frequencies of the output. This is particularly useful for thickening the sound of thin-sounding guitars or adding body when playing through smaller speakers.
Can the Moller 2 be used for high-gain metal tones?: The Moller 2 is described as a 'classic bluesy overdrive' and is not intended for high-gain metal. For those tones, a dedicated distortion or fuzz like the Big Muff would be more appropriate.
What is the typical price range for the T-Rex Moller 2?: The typical price for a T-Rex Moller 2 is approximately £86. This makes it a competitively priced option for a professional-grade dual-function pedal.
Does the pedal require a specific power supply?: While the manufacturer description does not specify, it typically follows standard pedal power requirements. It is a compact effect unit designed to sit on a pedalboard alongside other standard effects.
How does the Moller 2 handle dynamics?: The pedal is specifically engineered to retain the feel and dynamics of the original tone. It responds well to playing nuances, allowing the guitarist to control the amount of grit through their pick attack.
How does it compare to the Boss NS-2 or Boss DD-3T?: The Moller 2 is an overdrive pedal, whereas the Boss NS-2 is a noise suppressor and the DD-3T is a digital delay. They serve entirely different functions but can be used together in a signal chain to create a complete tone.