Walrus audio Messner

£179

ORIGIN: USA TYPE: Drive pedal FEATURES: True bypass CONTROLS: Output, Colour, Gain, Open/ Closed switch, bypass footswitch CONNECTIONS: Standard input, standard output POWER: 9V DC adaptor (not supplied) 20mA DIMENSIONS: 74 (w) x 121 (d) x 58mm (h) FACE bvba +32 3 844 67 97 www.walrusaudio.com

Walrus Audio makes a range of overdrive pedals for different applications – the Messner, named after the first man to climb Everest without supplemental oxygen, is its take on the low gaintransparent overdrive genre.

The Standard Output and Gain knobs set up the sound, alongside a Color knob that offers a tonal shift to brighten things up (quite substantially if required) or to subdue the upper frequencies. Two modes are available from a toggle switch, which bypasses or engages the clipping diodes. It’s more subtle change than radical, but in the Open position (diodes bypassed) the drive is a little rougher round the edges, while in the Closed position extra compression adds punch and focus. If you naturally tighten up the bass end when you kick it in, this pedal can add a touch of crispness and bite to clean amps and harmonic richness to ones that are already cooking – all delivered with great dynamic sensitivity. [TC]