Wampler Sovereign Distortion

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Brian Wampler is famous for taking big sounds and making them fit into small boxes,

capable of running through just about anything and sounding so much like the

inspiration that you'd have trouble telling the difference 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 distortion pedals in the

eyes of even the most skeptical pedal-hater.

For all of us pedal-lovers, it's a magnificent beast which sacrifices 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 flexibility.

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 first! 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. Experiment and enjoy!

Need help?

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

Summary

Sovereign Distortion Pedal Overview

Advanced Gain Structure Controls

Groups Gain knob, Even/Bright, and Standard/Boost toggle switches for distortion shaping.

Additional Tone Shaping Controls

Volume, Mid Behavior, and Tone knobs for overall sound adjustment.

Sovereign Distortion Control Details

Volume Control

Adjusts the overall output level of the pedal.

Gain Control

Controls the amount and character of distortion.

Even;Bright Toggle Switch

Selects between two EQ voicings for the distortion.

Standard;Boost Toggle Switch

Switches between standard distortion and a boosted mode.

Mid Behavior Control

Shapes the mid-range frequencies for tonal flexibility.

Tone Control

Adjusts the overall brightness and presence of the tone.

Wampler Pedals Limited Warranty

Warranty Terms

Details the warranty period and conditions for the product.

Return Procedures

Outlines the process for returning a product for warranty service.

Product Safety Information

Provides important safety warnings regarding product usage.

Summary

Sovereign Distortion Pedal Overview

Advanced Gain Structure Controls

Groups Gain knob, Even/Bright, and Standard/Boost toggle switches for distortion shaping.

Additional Tone Shaping Controls

Volume, Mid Behavior, and Tone knobs for overall sound adjustment.

Sovereign Distortion Control Details

Volume Control

Adjusts the overall output level of the pedal.

Gain Control

Controls the amount and character of distortion.

Even;Bright Toggle Switch

Selects between two EQ voicings for the distortion.

Standard;Boost Toggle Switch

Switches between standard distortion and a boosted mode.

Mid Behavior Control

Shapes the mid-range frequencies for tonal flexibility.

Tone Control

Adjusts the overall brightness and presence of the tone.

Wampler Pedals Limited Warranty

Warranty Terms

Details the warranty period and conditions for the product.

Return Procedures

Outlines the process for returning a product for warranty service.

Product Safety Information

Provides important safety warnings regarding product usage.

The Wampler Sovereign Distortion is a high-quality, versatile distortion pedal designed to deliver a wide range of tones, from subtle crunch to powerful, commanding distortion. Brian Wampler, known for creating big sounds in compact enclosures, has crafted this pedal not as an amp simulator, but as a dedicated distortion unit aiming for the best possible sound.

Function Description:

The Sovereign Distortion is designed to provide a comprehensive palette of distorted tones for guitarists. It can produce juicy crunch, fat rhythm sounds, and leads with a diamond-edged cut. The pedal features a unique "Advanced Gain Structure" control setup, which groups the most relevant adjustments for shaping the distortion character and level. This includes the Gain knob, an Even/Bright Toggle Switch, and a Standard/Boost Toggle Switch. Outside this advanced section, the pedal offers additional controls for Volume, Mid Behavior, and Tone, allowing for precise sculpting of the overall sound. The pedal incorporates a high-quality true-bypass switch, ensuring that the signal path remains unaffected when the pedal is disengaged.

Important Technical Specifications:

Power: The pedal operates with a 9-18V DC power supply.
Bypass: Features a relay-based soft switch true-bypass footswitch, ensuring no tone loss when bypassed.
Controls:
- Volume: Adjusts the overall output level.
- Gain: Controls the distortion level, interacting with the Standard/Boost and Even/Bright toggle switches.
- Mid Behavior: A crucial knob for shaping the fundamental frequencies and character of the midrange.
- Tone: Adjusts the higher frequencies and harmonics, essential for dialing in the desired treble.
- Even/Bright Toggle Switch:
  - Even Mode: Provides a rock-solid foundation with strong midrange, even treble, and bass.
  - Bright Mode: Shifts the balance to favor high frequencies, useful for darker setups.
- Standard/Boost Toggle Switch:
  - Standard Mode: Offers a range from responsive crunch to powerful, chunky distortion.
  - Boost Mode: Extends the gain range beyond Standard, providing more power and chewy distortion.
Warranty: Wampler Pedals offers a five (5) year warranty to the original purchaser, covering defects in material and workmanship.

Usage Features:

The Sovereign Distortion is designed for ease of use while offering extensive tonal flexibility. Users are recommended to start with the Mid Behavior knob and Tone at Noon, and then adjust the Advanced Gain Structure controls (Gain, Even/Bright, Standard/Boost) first to dial in the core distortion sound. The Volume control should typically be adjusted last, as it interacts with all other tonal adjustments.

Chunky SC Rhythm (Suggested Setting): This setting is achieved with specific positions for the Volume, Mid Contour, Tone, Gain, and toggle switches (Bright, Boost, Even, Standard). The visual representation shows Volume around 1 o'clock, Mid Contour around 11 o'clock, Tone around 1 o'clock, Gain around 1 o'clock, with the Bright/Even switch in "Even" mode and the Standard/Boost switch in "Standard" mode.
Chunky HB Rhythm (Suggested Setting): Similar to the SC rhythm, but with slightly different settings. Volume around 1 o'clock, Mid Contour around 10 o'clock, Tone around 1 o'clock, Gain around 1 o'clock, with the Bright/Even switch in "Even" mode and the Standard/Boost switch in "Standard" mode.
Big SC Leads (Suggested Setting): For powerful single-coil leads. Volume around 1 o'clock, Mid Contour around 1 o'clock, Tone around 1 o'clock, Gain around 3 o'clock, with the Bright/Even switch in "Bright" mode and the Standard/Boost switch in "Boost" mode.
Big HB Leads (Suggested Setting): For powerful humbucker leads. Volume around 1 o'clock, Mid Contour around 1 o'clock, Tone around 1 o'clock, Gain around 3 o'clock, with the Bright/Even switch in "Bright" mode and the Standard/Boost switch in "Boost" mode.

The interaction between the Gain knob and the toggle switches allows for a wide range of distortion levels and characteristics. The Mid Behavior knob is particularly important for shaping the fundamental voice of the pedal, controlling the midrange frequencies that are crucial to a guitar's sound. The Tone control, in conjunction with the Even/Bright switch, provides extensive control over the pedal's high-frequency emphasis.

Maintenance Features:

Warranty Service: In the event of a defect, customers should obtain a Return Authorization Number from Customer Service and ship the product, freight pre-paid and insured, to Wampler Service Dept. The product should be in its original packaging or equivalent.
Online Warranty Registration: Users are encouraged to complete the online warranty registration within 10 days of purchase to ensure quicker service and to be contacted in case of safety notifications.
Customer Support: Dedicated staff are available for warranty or product questions via email (help@wamplerpedals.com) or phone ((765) 352-8626).
FCC Compliance: The device complies with Class B digital device limits (part 15 of FCC Rules) and is designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. If interference occurs, users are advised to reorient/relocate the receiving antenna, increase separation between equipment and receiver, connect equipment to a different circuit, or consult a radio/TV technician.