Wampler pedals Sovereign Distortion

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Sovereign. Distortion.

Brian Wampler is famous for taking big sounds and making them t into

small boxes, capable of running through just about anything and sound-

ing so much like the inspiration that you'd have trouble telling the dier-

ence with your eyes closed.

What happens when you take all that razor-honed skill and let it loose

with a goal not of replicating an amp sound, but of just making the best

sounding distortion pedal possible?

The answer – and there can be only one – is Sovereign.

Capable of a range of sounds from juicy crunch to fat rhythm to leads

with diamond-edged cut, the Sovereign Distortion could redeem distor-

tion pedals in the eyes of even the most skeptical pedal-hater.

For all of us pedal-lovers, it's a magnicent beast which sacrices nothing

and brings it all to the table.

The question isn't whether Sovereign will give you the tone you seek, but

rather, are you prepared for that much power under your feet?

To get the most out of your new pedal, you'll want to become very

familiar with the controls. The Sovereign distortion pedal has a control

setup that combines a few distinct elements in easy-to-grasp ways,

making it straightforward to use but allowing for plenty of tonal exibility.

With the Sovereign, Wampler Pedals has introduced the "Advanced Gain Structure" control setup, which visibly

groups the adjustments most relevant to adding more or less distortion and making large changes to its character in

one area. Inside that area are the Gain knob, an Even/Bright Toggle Switch, and a Standard/Boost Toggle Switch.

The other controls which have less to do with shaping the distortion itself are outside the Advanced Gain Structure

box, and are Volume, Mid Behavior, and Tone. We recommend that you start with the Mid Behavior knob and Tone at

Noon, and dial in the Advanced Gain Structure controls rst! As with all Wampler Pedals products, the Sovereign

includes a high-quality true-bypass switch which takes it completely out of the signal path when bypassed. Experi-

ment and enjoy!

Bypass Switch – A true-bypass footswitch ensures solid, mechanical removal of the circuit when it isn't wanted,

meaning you don't lose any tone when the pedal is o.

Volume – This control adjusts the output level of the Sovereign. There's plenty of volume on tap, so whether you

want to go farther than your input level or just make sure it can do unity volume (the same level of signal going out

as you feed it, when active), you're covered. The output volume, Advanced Gain Structure controls and tonal adjust-

ments all have an impact on the total volume, so you're probably better o waiting to adjust the Volume until you've

dialed in the other controls. Re-adjustment might be necessary if you get it to the desired level and still need to tweak

the sound.

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Wampler pedals Sovereign Distortion and is the answer not in the manual?

Summary

Sovereign Distortion Controls Overview

Advanced Gain Structure Controls

Groups adjustments for distortion level and character, including Gain and toggle switches.

Bypass Switch Functionality

Ensures solid, mechanical removal of the circuit when the pedal is off, preserving tone.

Volume Control Operation

Adjusts the output level of the Sovereign, offering ample volume for various needs.

Detailed Control Explanations

Gain Knob Functionality

Adjusts the distortion level and interacts with toggle switches for tone shaping.

Toggle Switch Operations

Even/Bright and Standard/Boost switches alter tonal character and gain structure.

Mid Behavior and Tone Controls

Mid Behavior shapes fundamental frequencies; Tone controls high-frequency emphasis.

Operational Information

Power Requirements and Safety

Specifies 9V DC power, adapter requirements, and warnings against incorrect usage.

Return and Warranty Policy Details

Outlines the 7-day return period for direct sales and the 5-year transferable warranty.

The Wampler Sovereign Distortion is a versatile guitar effects pedal designed to deliver a wide range of distortion tones, from juicy crunch to fat rhythm and leads with diamond-edged cut. It aims to be a comprehensive distortion solution, offering significant tonal flexibility through its unique control set.

Function Description:

The Sovereign Distortion pedal provides a powerful gain engine capable of generating various levels of distortion. It is designed to integrate seamlessly into a guitar rig, offering true-bypass switching to ensure no tonal degradation when the effect is disengaged. The pedal's core function is to shape and enhance the guitar's signal with distortion, allowing players to achieve diverse sonic textures suitable for different musical styles and roles within a mix.

Important Technical Specifications:

Power Requirements: The pedal can be powered by a 9V battery or a 9V DC regulated power supply with a center-pin negative configuration. It is designed to operate optimally at 9V.
Current Draw: The pedal draws 4mA of current.
Bypass: Features a high-quality true-bypass footswitch, ensuring the circuit is completely removed from the signal path when bypassed, preserving the original tone.
Voltage Warning: Do not exceed 18V DC, use center-pin negative adapters only, and do not use AC power. Using an incorrect power adapter will void the warranty and may damage the pedal.
Battery Usage: If using a battery, it will drain when the input cord is plugged in.

Usage Features:

The Sovereign Distortion features a comprehensive control layout, with some controls grouped under an "Advanced Gain Structure" section for intuitive adjustment of distortion character.

Advanced Gain Structure Controls: This section visibly groups controls most relevant to adjusting distortion level and character.
- Gain Knob: Adjusts the distortion level. This knob interacts with the toggle switches in the AGS section, allowing for a wide range of tones from subtle crunch to heavy distortion.
- Even/Bright Toggle Switch:
  - Even Mode: Provides a rock-solid foundation with strong midrange and even treble and bass response. Ideal for laying down "thunder."
  - Bright Mode: Shifts the tonal balance to favor high frequencies, useful for adding highs to naturally dark setups or unleashing "lightning."
- Standard/Boost Toggle Switch:
  - Standard Mode: Offers a great range of gain from responsive crunch to powerful, chunky distortion.
  - Boost Mode: Picks up where Standard leaves off, providing more power and chewy, commanding distortion.
Other Controls (Outside Advanced Gain Structure):
- Volume Knob: Adjusts the output level of the pedal. There is ample volume available for boosting the signal or achieving unity gain. It's recommended to adjust this control after dialing in the other tonal settings.
- Mid Behavior Knob: Has a profound impact on the fundamental voice of the pedal by controlling the midrange frequencies. This is crucial for fitting the pedal's sound into the desired role in the mix and adjusting the relationship of mids to other frequencies.
- Tone Knob: Controls the high frequencies and harmonics generated by the distortion engine. In conjunction with the Even/Bright switch, this provides extensive control over the pedal's frequency emphasis.

Suggested Settings (Volume to Suit):

Chunky Rhythm (Single Coils): Gain at 1-2 o'clock, Even/Bright Toggle on EVEN, Standard/Boost Toggle on STANDARD, Mid Behavior at Noon, Tone at 11 o'clock.
Chunky Rhythm (Humbuckers): Gain at Noon-1 o'clock, Even/Bright Toggle on EVEN, Standard/Boost Toggle on STANDARD, Mid Behavior at 11 o'clock, Tone at Noon-1 o'clock.
Powerful Lead (Single Coils): Gain at 3 o'clock, Even/Bright Toggle on EVEN, Standard/Boost Toggle on BOOST, Mid Behavior at 11 o'clock-Noon, Tone at 1-2 o'clock.
Powerful Lead (Humbuckers): Gain at 2 o'clock, Even/Bright Toggle on BRIGHT, Standard/Boost Toggle on BOOST, Mid Behavior at 10 o'clock, Tone at 11 o'clock-Noon.

Maintenance Features:

Warranty: All Wampler Pedals, Inc. pedals carry a 5-year, fully transferable warranty covering defects due to parts and labor, starting from the point of purchase.
Registration: Users are encouraged to register their pedal as soon as possible after purchase via the Wampler Pedals website (www.wamplerpedals.com/warranty_registration) to ensure quicker service for warranty claims.
Contact for Support: For warranty repairs or questions, users can contact Wampler Pedals via their website (www.wamplerpedals.com/contact_us.html).
Return Policy (Direct Sales): For direct sales, there is a 7-day "no questions asked" return period, provided the pedal is in its original condition with all packaging retained. Shipping costs for returns are the responsibility of the customer. This policy applies to direct sales only, not dealer or retailer sales.