The Browne Amplification Gritador is a take on the Tube Screamer overdrive by a Kansas City-based company that was able to earn the trust of tone connoisseurs thanks to a series of simple but great-sounding devices inspired by classic circuits – the Protein above them all.
The clue is in the name: “Gritador” means “screamer” in Portuguese. If you are wondering how this version differs from the original unit by Ibanez, it delivers a more nuanced midrange bump that doesn’t get as nasal, and a slightly more pronounced low end, without losing the TS’s signature punchy and tight quality.
Also, the Gritador delivers a type of clipping that – to quote the builder – is “slightly less symmetrical.”
Check out the videos, we added this device to our article about the best Tube Screamer clones and variants.
Browne Amplification Gritador, Builder’s Notes
We won’t beat around the bush on this because we both know what classic circuit inspired this pedal. From Stevie Ray Vaughn to John Mayer, the Tube Screamer has been part of more recordings than any other overdrive pedal.
This version, however, is the version that our resident genius-in-chief has tweaked to perfection. He dialed in the midrange to be more nuanced. You still get that classic midrange bump but without some of the inherent nasaliness that can sometimes plague this circuit. He altered the clipping to be slightly less symmetrical. He also tweaked the low end to give it more fullness while still maintaining a tight and punchy low end.
Why Gritador? Because it means “screamer” in Portuguese.
This is Dave’s favorite version of his favorite overdrive.
Just plug it in and let go. I promise you – this thing SCREAMS.
The dimensions of the Gritador are 4.8” x 2.64” x 1.6” (2.25” with knobs) and is powered by a 9V power supply with draw of 20mA. It has soft switching with an adjustable startup state and a beautiful glossy Bullfrog Belly Green, keeping the Gritador in the militaristic aesthetic loved by fans of Browne Amplification.
