What is the primary function of the Wampler Moxie?

The Wampler Moxie is an overdrive pedal designed to provide saturated, driven guitar tones. It is based on a legendary classic circuit but includes modern updates for frequency and gain adjustment.

How does the Voice switch affect the tone?

The Voice switch boosts the bass and treble frequencies while cutting the midrange. This results in a more natural, 'brawny' overdrive that lacks the typical mid-hump of standard circuits.

What does the Fat switch do on the Wampler Moxie?

The Fat switch introduces a significant amount of gain to the signal. It is intended for creating more aggressive and 'gnarly' tones while maintaining output clarity.

Is the Wampler Moxie a full-sized pedal?

No, the Wampler Moxie is housed in an extra-slim chassis. This compact design is specifically intended to save space on crowded guitar pedalboards.

What are the three main control dials on the Moxie?

The pedal features standard Volume, Gain, and Tone dials. These simple controls allow the user to shape the level, saturation intensity, and overall brightness of the effect.

What is the typical price for a Wampler Moxie in the UK?

The typical price range for the Wampler Moxie Overdrive is approximately £130. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer and current market conditions.

Does the Moxie maintain signal clarity at high gain?

Yes, the pedal is designed to maintain a vibrant and clear output even when the Fat switch is engaged. This ensures that the guitar's character is not lost under heavy saturation.

Can the Moxie produce transparent overdrive tones?

While its base circuit is mid-focused, activating the Voice switch allows for a more transparent response. By cutting mids and boosting lows/highs, it reveals a more 'open' sound.

Who is the designer behind the Moxie pedal?

The pedal was designed by Brian Wampler, the founder of Wampler Pedals. He is known for taking classic circuits and adding unique modifications to improve their versatility.

How does the Moxie compare to a standard Tube Screamer?

The Moxie offers the core sound of a Tube Screamer but adds the ability to adjust the EQ profile and gain range. Its smaller size and added toggles make it more flexible than a standard vintage unit.

Is the Wampler Moxie suitable for metal music?

While primarily an overdrive, the Fat switch provides enough gain for heavy rock tones. However, for extreme metal, it is often used as a 'boost' in front of a high-gain amplifier.

What type of power supply does the Wampler Moxie require?

Like most Wampler pedals, it typically requires a standard 9V DC centre-negative power supply. Users should always check the specific manual for voltage requirements to avoid damaging the circuit.

Gear article

Wampler Moxie Overdrive

The Wampler Moxie is a compact guitar effects pedal designed as a modern homage to one of the most popular overdrive circuits in history. It incorporates the signature mid-hump characteristics of a classic overdrive while adding toggle switches for expanded tonal versatility and gain structure.

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Overview

The Wampler Moxie Overdrive is a specialised stompbox that reimagines a legendary drive circuit through the lens of modern utility. It is designed to provide the classic 'screamer' style saturation that has defined blues and rock tones for decades, but housed in an extra-slim chassis to accommodate crowded pedalboards. The pedal aims to solve common limitations of vintage circuits by providing user-selectable modifications to the frequency response and gain stages.

Features and Controls

The device features a straightforward three-knob interface comprising Volume, Gain, and Tone controls. However, its primary innovation lies in two specific toggle switches:

Voice Switch: When activated, this switch provides a boost to the bass and treble frequencies while simultaneously cutting the midrange. This creates a more 'transparent' or natural overdrive sound compared to the standard compressed mid-heavy profile.
Fat Switch: This control introduces a significant amount of additional gain into the signal path. It is designed for players seeking more aggressive, 'gnarly' tones without sacrificing signal clarity or vibrancy.

Sound Character

In its default state, the Moxie delivers the punchy, midrange-forward character associated with classic green-boxed overdrives. This makes it highly effective for cutting through a band mix during solos. With the 'Voice' and 'Fat' switches engaged, the pedal transforms into a broader, more brawny drive capable of heavier saturation. The circuit is noted for maintaining harmonic richness and a vibrant output even at higher gain settings.

Comparison and Use Case

The Moxie distinguishes itself from standard vintage reissues through its versatility. While pedals like the Boss SD-1 or Ibanez TS808 offer a singular iconic sound, the Moxie allows the user to 'scoop' the mids or push the gain beyond traditional limits. It is ideally suited for guitarists who require a small-footprint drive that can transition between subtle bluesy grit and high-gain rock textures.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary function of the Wampler Moxie?: The Wampler Moxie is an overdrive pedal designed to provide saturated, driven guitar tones. It is based on a legendary classic circuit but includes modern updates for frequency and gain adjustment.
How does the Voice switch affect the tone?: The Voice switch boosts the bass and treble frequencies while cutting the midrange. This results in a more natural, 'brawny' overdrive that lacks the typical mid-hump of standard circuits.
What does the Fat switch do on the Wampler Moxie?: The Fat switch introduces a significant amount of gain to the signal. It is intended for creating more aggressive and 'gnarly' tones while maintaining output clarity.
Is the Wampler Moxie a full-sized pedal?: No, the Wampler Moxie is housed in an extra-slim chassis. This compact design is specifically intended to save space on crowded guitar pedalboards.
What are the three main control dials on the Moxie?: The pedal features standard Volume, Gain, and Tone dials. These simple controls allow the user to shape the level, saturation intensity, and overall brightness of the effect.
What is the typical price for a Wampler Moxie in the UK?: The typical price range for the Wampler Moxie Overdrive is approximately £130. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer and current market conditions.
Does the Moxie maintain signal clarity at high gain?: Yes, the pedal is designed to maintain a vibrant and clear output even when the Fat switch is engaged. This ensures that the guitar's character is not lost under heavy saturation.
Can the Moxie produce transparent overdrive tones?: While its base circuit is mid-focused, activating the Voice switch allows for a more transparent response. By cutting mids and boosting lows/highs, it reveals a more 'open' sound.
Who is the designer behind the Moxie pedal?: The pedal was designed by Brian Wampler, the founder of Wampler Pedals. He is known for taking classic circuits and adding unique modifications to improve their versatility.
How does the Moxie compare to a standard Tube Screamer?: The Moxie offers the core sound of a Tube Screamer but adds the ability to adjust the EQ profile and gain range. Its smaller size and added toggles make it more flexible than a standard vintage unit.
Is the Wampler Moxie suitable for metal music?: While primarily an overdrive, the Fat switch provides enough gain for heavy rock tones. However, for extreme metal, it is often used as a 'boost' in front of a high-gain amplifier.
What type of power supply does the Wampler Moxie require?: Like most Wampler pedals, it typically requires a standard 9V DC centre-negative power supply. Users should always check the specific manual for voltage requirements to avoid damaging the circuit.