To mark a decade since their very first release, UK-based Flattley Pedals has revisited where it all started. Built as part of their handcrafted Platinum Range, the new Flattley Reaper 10 AE takes the op-amp core of the original 2016 Reaper and evolves it into a much more aggressive, rodent-inspired distortion machine.
Rather than relying on a complex rotary feedback loop, the anniversary edition utilizes a straightforward three-way toggle switch to jump between three distinct gain architectures:
- Hard Clipping (HC): Employs vintage glass-envelope germanium diodes for an aggressive, biting crunch.
- Boost (BST): Bypasses all clipping stages entirely, serving up a high-headroom clean boost capable of pushing a tube amp preamp into natural saturation—or dialing up the gain control for its own organic push.
- Soft Clipping (SC): Uses asymmetric clipping paired with an LED and a conventional silicon diode for a smoother, touch-sensitive overdrive.
Beyond the circuit, Flattley’s meticulous UK-handcrafted build shines through in the details. It features custom-etched 20 mm black anodized aluminum knobs, a matching purple-etched foot topper, and a signature stage-friendly purple halo light ring designed to diffuse glare under dark venue lights.
It’s a thoughtful, beautifully finished nod to the company’s roots, packed with enough versatility to carve out space on any modern board.
