What is the primary purpose of the Pinnacle Deluxe V2?

It is designed to provide 'Brown Sound' distortion, emulating the tone of vintage British valve amplifiers pushed to their limits.

How does the V2 differ from the original Pinnacle Deluxe?

The V2 features an upgraded 3-band EQ, a new 'Valve Screamer' style boost circuit, and additional toggle switches for bass and brightness.

Can the boost function be used without the distortion?

Yes, the pre-gain boost is designed so that it can be used independently even when the main distortion circuit is bypassed.

What style of boost is included in the V2?

The boost is based on a 'Valve Screamer' circuit, which typically adds a midrange bump and extra saturation to the signal.

Does the pedal have a 3-band EQ?

Yes, it features dedicated Bass, Middle, and Treble controls to allow for comprehensive tone sculpting.

What do the 'Bright' and 'Bass' switches do?

The Bright switch adds high-end sparkle for a 'fresh' tone, while the Bass boost emulates the low-end 'thump' of a 4x12 speaker cabinet.

What is the typical price for this pedal?

The Wampler Pinnacle Deluxe V2 typically retails for approximately GBP 239.

Is this pedal suitable for heavy metal?

Yes, due to its high-gain capabilities and the 3-band EQ, it can be adjusted to handle various heavy rock and metal styles.

How many footswitches does the Pinnacle Deluxe V2 have?

It features two footswitches: one for bypassing the main circuit and one for engaging the pre-gain boost.

Is the Wampler Pinnacle Deluxe V2 an analogue or digital pedal?

Wampler distortion pedals like the Pinnacle series are known for their high-quality analogue circuitry.

What kind of power supply does the V2 require?

Like most Wampler pedals, it typically requires a standard 9V DC power supply, though users should check specific manual requirements for current draw.

How does it compare to the Pinnacle Standard?

The Deluxe V2 offers a much higher level of versatility through its expanded EQ and more sophisticated boost options compared to the simpler Standard model.

Gear article

Wampler Pinnacle Deluxe V2

The Wampler Pinnacle Deluxe V2 is a high-gain distortion pedal designed to emulate the iconic 'Brown Sound' associated with classic British valve amplifiers. It builds upon its predecessor with an expanded three-band EQ and an integrated pre-gain boost circuit inspired by classic overdrive designs.

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Overview

The Pinnacle Deluxe V2 represents an evolution in Brian Wampler’s quest to capture high-gain rock tones in a compact pedal format. While the original version focused on simplicity, the V2 introduces comprehensive tone-shaping tools to accommodate a wider variety of guitars and amplifiers. It is specifically engineered to provide the sag, saturation, and harmonic richness typically found in cranked vintage stacks.

History and Background

The Pinnacle series began with the Pinnacle Standard and the original Deluxe, which shared the same internal circuitry but differed in their switching configurations. In the original Deluxe, the 'Boost' function was moved to a second footswitch rather than a toggle. The V2 update is a significant redesign, incorporating a full three-band equaliser and a new pre-gain boost circuit to provide more versatility than the earlier standard models.

Features and Controls

The V2 is distinguished by several key hardware upgrades:

3-Band EQ: Dedicated controls for Bass, Middle, and Treble allow for precise frequency sculpting.
Integrated Boost: A 'Valve Screamer' style pre-gain boost that can be engaged independently, even when the main distortion circuit is bypassed.
Tone Switches: Side-mounted or top-mounted toggles for 'Bright' and 'Bass' boosts, allowing the user to add high-end clarity or the low-end 'thump' of a 4x12 cabinet.
Gain Structure: A toggle switch to select between different gain stages, ranging from classic overdrive to modern high-gain distortion.

Sound Character

The primary sonic goal of the Pinnacle Deluxe V2 is the 'Brown Sound'—a specific type of distortion characterized by a warm midrange, smooth high-end roll-off, and spongey compression. The addition of the active EQ allows users to 'scoop' the mids for more modern metal tones or push them for vintage lead work. The 'Valve Screamer' boost adds a mid-hump and extra saturation, helping the guitar cut through a dense band mix.

Target Audience

This pedal is designed for guitarists seeking a 'Marshall-in-a-box' solution that offers more flexibility than a standard drive pedal. It suits players who need a two-channel setup from a single unit, as the independent boost provides a secondary level of gain for solos. Its versatility makes it appropriate for various genres including hard rock, blues-rock, and heavy metal.

Comparison to Alternatives

Compared to the original Pinnacle Standard, the V2 offers significantly more control via its three-band EQ. While products like the Boss DS-1 or the Fender Hammertone Flanger occupy different sonic niches, the Pinnacle Deluxe V2 competes with high-end boutique distortions. Unlike many 'Brown Sound' pedals that utilize a single tone knob, the V2’s ability to toggle bass and bright boosts provides more utility when switching between single-coil and humbucker-equipped guitars.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary purpose of the Pinnacle Deluxe V2?: It is designed to provide 'Brown Sound' distortion, emulating the tone of vintage British valve amplifiers pushed to their limits.
How does the V2 differ from the original Pinnacle Deluxe?: The V2 features an upgraded 3-band EQ, a new 'Valve Screamer' style boost circuit, and additional toggle switches for bass and brightness.
Can the boost function be used without the distortion?: Yes, the pre-gain boost is designed so that it can be used independently even when the main distortion circuit is bypassed.
What style of boost is included in the V2?: The boost is based on a 'Valve Screamer' circuit, which typically adds a midrange bump and extra saturation to the signal.
Does the pedal have a 3-band EQ?: Yes, it features dedicated Bass, Middle, and Treble controls to allow for comprehensive tone sculpting.
What do the 'Bright' and 'Bass' switches do?: The Bright switch adds high-end sparkle for a 'fresh' tone, while the Bass boost emulates the low-end 'thump' of a 4x12 speaker cabinet.
What is the typical price for this pedal?: The Wampler Pinnacle Deluxe V2 typically retails for approximately GBP 239.
Is this pedal suitable for heavy metal?: Yes, due to its high-gain capabilities and the 3-band EQ, it can be adjusted to handle various heavy rock and metal styles.
How many footswitches does the Pinnacle Deluxe V2 have?: It features two footswitches: one for bypassing the main circuit and one for engaging the pre-gain boost.
Is the Wampler Pinnacle Deluxe V2 an analogue or digital pedal?: Wampler distortion pedals like the Pinnacle series are known for their high-quality analogue circuitry.
What kind of power supply does the V2 require?: Like most Wampler pedals, it typically requires a standard 9V DC power supply, though users should check specific manual requirements for current draw.
How does it compare to the Pinnacle Standard?: The Deluxe V2 offers a much higher level of versatility through its expanded EQ and more sophisticated boost options compared to the simpler Standard model.