The ADAG Audio Seagull Transparent Overdrive is a compact overdrive pedal from the Indonesian maker ADAG Audio, described by Guitar Pedal X as a "High Headroom Transparent Overdrive"1. Its interest to players lies in its lineage: Stefan Karlsson's Guitar Pedal X review states plainly that "this is very much based on the venerable Vemuram Jan Ray"1, the Japanese-made overdrive that Vemuram describes as delivering "natural overdrive with great sustain and minimal compression, preserving the guitar's character while enhancing dynamic response"2.
What it does
Guitar Pedal X quotes the design intent behind the pedal: "The Seagull was designed to recreate a punchy clear tone. And easy-to-handle overdrive, keeping the characteristic of the guitar, with great sustain without any unnatural compression."1 That puts it in the same territory as the Jan Ray itself, which its maker positions as suitable for both transparent drive and amp-like breakup tones2. For a player, a transparent overdrive of this kind is the sort of pedal that pushes an amp or adds grit without stamping its own character on the guitar's voice.
The Jan Ray connection
The clearest physical link to the Vemuram Jan Ray is the Saturation control. Guitar Pedal X notes "the side-mounted 'Saturation' Trimpot, which matches the one that you typically find on the rear of a Jan Ray pedal!"1 So like the Jan Ray, the Seagull keeps an internal-style trim control on the enclosure rather than a top-panel knob, letting the player set the amount of saturation separately from the main controls.
Versions and availability
The Seagull has appeared in two colourways:
- Tan: the original version, first announced in 2019 but, per Guitar Pedal X, one that "didn't properly materialise until 2020"1
- Black: the later version, which Karlsson found "rather fetching in this black colourway", preferring it to the original tan1
Availability is currently unclear. As of February 2025, Guitar Pedal X reported that the ADAG Audio Reverb store was empty, with nothing listed other than the message "Adag Audio is currently away!"1
Price
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson wrote in February 2025, "I would estimate it currently to be around the $149-$199 mark", an author's estimate rather than a maker's figure1. He also noted that "Pedal of the Day sold their 2021 ex-demo unit for $110 on Reverb.com"1, which gives a sense of the secondhand market for the pedal.
What reviewers said
The main published review is Stefan Karlsson's February 2025 piece on Guitar Pedal X. His verdict: "it's a fine sounding and beautifully balanced overdrive - which I find rather fetching in this black colourway"1. The same review credits a recent Brett Kingman demo with arousing fresh interest in the pedal1.
Videos
Brett Kingman
Pedal of the Day
AUDIO ADAG
Questions
Is the Adag Audio Seagull based on the Vemuram Jan Ray?
Yes. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson describes the Seagull as very much based on the venerable Vemuram Jan Ray, including the side-mounted Saturation trimpot that matches the one typically found on the rear of a Jan Ray pedal. The Jan Ray itself is described by its maker as a natural overdrive with great sustain and minimal compression.
What colors does the Adag Audio Seagull come in?
The Seagull has appeared in two colourways: the original tan coloured version, first announced in 2019 and properly materialised in 2020, and a later black version. Reviewer Stefan Karlsson of Guitar Pedal X found the black colourway rather fetching, preferring it to the original tan.
How much does the Adag Audio Seagull cost?
There is no confirmed list price. Guitar Pedal X estimated in February 2025 that it would be around the $149 to $199 mark, and noted that Pedal of the Day sold their 2021 ex-demo unit for $110 on Reverb.com.
Is the Adag Audio Seagull still being made?
Availability is unclear. As of February 2025, Guitar Pedal X reported that the Adag Audio Reverb store was empty, with nothing listed other than the message 'Adag Audio is currently away!'
Where is the Saturation control on the Seagull?
The Saturation control is a trimpot mounted on the side of the pedal, matching the Saturation trimpot typically found on the rear of a Vemuram Jan Ray pedal.
Sources (2)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-02-07
- Jan Ray by Vemuram, RockBoard (rockboard.de), 2026
