Wampler Triple Wreck - User Manual

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The Triple Wreck takes Brian's careful dedication to getting the tonality of an amp

and replicating the sounds that make the amp famous and aims it squarely at

creating superb high gain tones inspired by the Mesa-Boogie® Rectier® amp

series.

A powerful three-band EQ ensures that you can dial it in regardless of your

amplier. Any clean amp plus the Triple Wreck equals instant "brutal" high-gain.

Nonetheless, it is still extremely touch-sensitive and responsive in its lower gain

knob settings. If that were all that the pedal were designed to do, it would be

pretty fantastic... Yet Brian worked extremely hard on the Triple Wreck pedal to

accomplish two goals: rst, provide that trademark Wampler Pedals tone and

exibility in achieving the amp-in-a-box function, but second, provide a

beyond-brutal, overwhelming, crushing wall of fuzz with the Boost mode.

Kicking in the Boost is not like anything else you've heard.

It takes a high-gain, made-for-metal pedal and turns it into a re-breathing fuzz

monster. The Boost is not separately activated, it requires the pedal to be on in

order to do its thing, and it's not a volume boost...

It's a monster. Bringing unreal levels of snarling gain to bear, it can do even the

most high-gain modern fuzz tones, but kick the Boost o again and you're back

to a great, inspired metal tone.

To get the most out of your new pedal, you'll want to become very familiar with the controls. The Triple Wreck features controls

for Gain and Volume, as well as a full three-band EQ for versatile tone shaping and a “Hard/Brutal” Toggle switch to help deter-

mine the overall tonal emphasis of the pedal.

In addition, it has a Boost footswitch, controlled by a knob labeled Boost Contour. As with all Wampler Pedals products, the Triple

Wreck distortion pedal includes a high-quality true-bypass switch which takes it 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 Triple Wreck. 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 Gain,

three-band EQ knobs, and the Hard/Brutal Toggle all have an impact on total output volume level, 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.

Gain – This control certainly brings heavy gain into play, but it goes farther than that. It lets you dial in medium crunch tones that are very

responsive to your volume knob on your guitar and playing dynamics, or crank it up for a seriously powerful high-gain sound. When using the

Boost mode, this has a dramatic impact as well, and is very, very strongly interactive with the Boost Contour knob. With lower Gain and with the

Boost knob set more anticlockwise side of its range of adjustment, it functions more like a conventional gain boost on an amp, kicking in a

higher gain tone and making it possible to switch from a medium-gain crunch to a high-gain lead tone with one click of the Boost switch. Set to

higher Gain knob settings, though, the Boost Contour knob has more of an impact on the character of the blasting fuzz. The interaction

between the Boost and the Gain knob is denitely something to pay close attention to as you dial in the pedal.

Modern Rectied Distortion

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Summary

Triple Wreck Pedal Controls Overview

Bypass Switch Functionality

True-bypass footswitch ensures solid, mechanical removal of the circuit when bypassed.

Volume Control Operation

Adjusts output level, providing ample volume for unity or boosting signal.

Gain Control Versatility

Dial in versatile gain from crunch to high-gain, interactive with Boost Contour.

Detailed Control and Feature Descriptions

Treble Control Adjustment

Adjusts high-frequency emphasis. Effectiveness influenced by Hard/Brutal switch setting.

Mids Control Shaping

Adjusts midrange frequencies to shape sound's body and presence in the mix.

Bass Control Tuning

Determines low-end pound and tightness, crucial for matching cabinets.

Hard;Brutal Voicing Switch

Sets overall voicing between darker '80s/'90s or brighter, modern high gain.

Boost Footswitch Activation

Activates the pedal's unique fuzz-monster mode, tied to Boost Contour knob.

Boost Contour Adjustment

Changes the intensity of the Boost, interacts with Gain for crushing fuzz tones.

Suggested Triple Wreck Settings

Late 80 s High Gain Setting

Example settings for a classic high-gain tone with specific control adjustments.

Modern Brutal Chugga Chugga Tone

Settings for aggressive, modern high-gain tones with Brutal voicing.

Responsive Medium Crunch with Boost

Settings for a dynamic crunch sound, with Boost for enhanced gain.

Wreck It Fuzz Setting

Example settings for the pedal's most extreme, fuzz-like distortion.

Summary

Triple Wreck Pedal Controls Overview

Bypass Switch Functionality

True-bypass footswitch ensures solid, mechanical removal of the circuit when bypassed.

Volume Control Operation

Adjusts output level, providing ample volume for unity or boosting signal.

Gain Control Versatility

Dial in versatile gain from crunch to high-gain, interactive with Boost Contour.

Detailed Control and Feature Descriptions

Treble Control Adjustment

Adjusts high-frequency emphasis. Effectiveness influenced by Hard/Brutal switch setting.

Mids Control Shaping

Adjusts midrange frequencies to shape sound's body and presence in the mix.

Bass Control Tuning

Determines low-end pound and tightness, crucial for matching cabinets.

Hard;Brutal Voicing Switch

Sets overall voicing between darker '80s/'90s or brighter, modern high gain.

Boost Footswitch Activation

Activates the pedal's unique fuzz-monster mode, tied to Boost Contour knob.

Boost Contour Adjustment

Changes the intensity of the Boost, interacts with Gain for crushing fuzz tones.

Suggested Triple Wreck Settings

Late 80 s High Gain Setting

Example settings for a classic high-gain tone with specific control adjustments.

Modern Brutal Chugga Chugga Tone

Settings for aggressive, modern high-gain tones with Brutal voicing.

Responsive Medium Crunch with Boost

Settings for a dynamic crunch sound, with Boost for enhanced gain.

Wreck It Fuzz Setting

Example settings for the pedal's most extreme, fuzz-like distortion.

The Wampler Triple Wreck is a high-gain distortion pedal designed to emulate the aggressive, rectified tones of Mesa-Boogie® Rectifier® amplifiers. It aims to provide a powerful, crushing high-gain sound, suitable for metal and other heavy genres, while also offering versatility for lower-gain applications and a unique "Boost" mode for extreme fuzz.

Function Description:

The core function of the Triple Wreck is to transform any clean amplifier into a high-gain monster, delivering "brutal" distortion. It achieves this through a carefully designed circuit that replicates the tonal characteristics of famous high-gain amps. Beyond its primary distortion capabilities, the pedal features a unique "Boost" mode that, when engaged, transforms the pedal into a "fire-breathing fuzz monster," offering overwhelming, crushing fuzz tones. This Boost mode is not a separate activation but rather an enhancement to the existing distortion, dramatically altering its character.

The pedal is designed to be highly touch-sensitive and responsive, even in its lower gain settings, allowing for dynamic playing. It provides a wide range of tonal possibilities, from medium crunch to full-on high-gain distortion and extreme fuzz, making it a versatile tool for various heavy music styles.

Usage Features:

The Triple Wreck offers a comprehensive set of controls to shape its sound:

Gain: This control adjusts the amount of distortion, ranging from medium crunch tones that are responsive to guitar volume and playing dynamics, to powerful high-gain sounds. In Boost mode, the Gain knob has a dramatic impact and interacts strongly with the Boost Contour knob, influencing the character of the fuzz.
Volume: This knob controls the overall output level of the pedal. It provides ample volume, allowing users to either boost their signal beyond unity or match it. It's recommended to adjust the Volume after dialing in other controls, as they can affect the overall output level.
Three-Band EQ (Treble, Mids, Bass):
- Treble: Adjusts the high-frequency emphasis. Raising it increases highs, while lowering it reduces them. Its interaction with the "Hard/Brutal" switch is notable; "Hard" mode inherently has less treble, while "Brutal" mode offers more high-frequency headroom.
- Mids: Controls the "body" of the sound, where the guitar's fundamental frequencies reside. Scooping the mids can push the guitar back in the mix, while boosting them brings it forward. This control is crucial for dialing in ideal high-gain sounds across different amps.
- Bass: Determines the amount of low-end pound in the signal. This is essential for tailoring the pedal to different cabinet needs and ensuring a tight distortion character, especially for aggressive, high-gain sounds and "chugging" without flab.
Hard/Brutal Toggle Switch: This switch sets the overall voicing of the pedal's frequencies. "Hard" mode typically offers a darker tone, reminiscent of late '80s and early '90s high-gain guitar tones. "Brutal" mode provides a brighter and more modern voicing. This switch serves as a good starting point for tone shaping and can also be used to make broader tonal shifts.
Boost Footswitch: This dedicated footswitch engages the Boost mode, transforming the pedal from high-gain distortion into a modern fuzz monster. It is linked to the Boost Contour knob.
Boost Contour: This knob adjusts the intensity of the Boost effect. When the Gain knob is set lower and the Boost Contour is anticlockwise, it can function as a conventional gain boost, providing a higher gain lead tone with one click. However, its primary function, especially with higher Gain settings, is to shape the character of the heavy, crushing fuzz. This control, in conjunction with the Gain knob and EQ options, allows for precise dialing in of the fuzz sound.
Bypass Switch: A high-quality true-bypass footswitch ensures that the pedal is mechanically removed from the signal path when disengaged, preventing any tone loss when the effect is not desired.

The pedal's controls are highly interactive, especially the Gain and Boost Contour knobs in Boost mode, requiring users to experiment to find their desired sounds. Suggested settings are provided in the manual to offer starting points for various tones, such as "Late '80s High Gain," "Modern Brutal Chugga Chugga," "Responsive Medium Crunch with Boost," and "Wreck It" (extreme fuzz).

Maintenance Features:

The Wampler Triple Wreck is designed for reliable performance. While specific routine maintenance is not detailed in the provided text, general best practices for guitar pedals apply:

Power Supply: The pedal operates on a 9V power supply. Using the correct power supply is crucial for optimal performance and to prevent damage.
Physical Care: Protecting the pedal from physical damage, such as accidents, neglect, misuse, or abuse, is important for its longevity. This includes ensuring proper packing if the pedal needs to be shipped.
Environmental Considerations: The manual does not specify environmental conditions, but generally, keeping electronic devices away from extreme temperatures, moisture, and dust helps maintain their functionality.
Troubleshooting: In case of issues, the manual suggests checking basic connections and power. For more complex problems, Wampler offers customer support via email and phone.
Warranty: Wampler provides a five-year limited warranty to the original purchaser, covering defects in material and workmanship. A dated sales receipt is required for warranty claims. The warranty does not cover damage from accidents, neglect, misuse, unauthorized repairs, or modifications. Return procedures for defective products involve obtaining a Return Authorization Number, shipping the product prepaid and insured in its original packaging, and including a description of the defect. Replaced or repaired products are returned via ground shipping within the United States.
FCC Compliance: The device complies with Class B digital device limits, indicating it has been tested to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. If interference occurs, troubleshooting steps like reorienting the antenna, increasing separation from the receiver, or connecting to a different circuit are suggested.
Warranty Registration: Users are encouraged to register their pedal online within ten days of purchase to ensure quicker service for warranty claims and to receive safety notifications.

Wampler Triple Wreck Specifications

General

Type	Distortion
Power Supply	9V DC
Weight	1.5 lbs
True Bypass	Yes
Input Impedance	1M Ohm
Output Impedance	1k Ohm
Controls	Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, Volume
Switches	Boost