Wampler has been a dominant force in the Plexi-style overdrive niche for a while with its Plexi Drive series (the original version was so popular that the builder released a Deluxe version in 2015).
Wampler recently announced the release of the little brother in the series, the Plexi Drive Mini, which allows access to the same tones as its siblings but at a lower cost and smaller footprint.
The circuit integrates the three basic Gain, Tone and Volume knobs with two toggle switches for Bass and Mids, essentially offering a circuit very similar to the one found on the popular Deluxe version, minus the extra Boost.
We added this pedal to our comprehensive list of Best Plexi-Style Overdrive Pedals.
[Wanna get this baby and be supportive? Buy it through our Sweetwater affiliate program – at no extra cost].
Wampler Plexi Drive Mini, Builder’s Notes
First there was the Plexi-Drive. Then there was the Plexi-Drive Deluxe. Now Wampler Pedals brings you the all new Plexi-Drive Mini. Brian has managed to cram an improved version of the original Plexi-Drive circuit into a miniature housing and even added some new features.
Since the early 60’s, Marshall Amplifiers® have led the way in rock tones with legendary crunch and punchy bass response. Early rock legends such as: Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Cream, and AC/DC helped in creating some of the most iconic rock tones ever and catapulted Marshall® into legendary status. Like the original, the Plexi-Drive Mini’s unique gain structure covers everything from Vintage ’68 style Plexi tones to the all-out massive rock tones of a JTM-45® cranked to ten, or even eleven…
The all-new Mid Boost circuit switch, never featured on any previous Wampler Plexi style pedal, creates a powerful throaty tube-like boost by tweaking several gain stages of the circuit at once. The combination of these switches with the Tone and Gain controls offer impressive tonal flexibility from a mini pedal. Many players love to run Tumnus, Clarksdale and other OD type pedals into the Plexi-Drive or Plexi-Drive Deluxe. For the Plexi-Drive Mini, Brian implemented gain stage and EQ changes within the mid boost circuit to achieve a similar response – the result is astounding, and with masses of gain on tap, things are about to get loud! The Plexi Drive Mini also features our special Bass Boost switch which emulates the tonal difference between a 4×12 and 2×12 speaker cab.
