The Alexander Pedals Magnolia Vintage Overdrive is an overdrive pedal released in January 2020. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio described it as a more traditional release from a maker known for other kinds of pedals, and presented it as a "smooth and sultry overdrive" with two selectable drive modes and a three-way EQ section1.
It sits in the broad family of overdrive pedals, and its two drive modes and adjustable tone stack give it more tonal control than a simple one-knob or two-knob overdrive1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Controls the output level of the pedal. |
| Drive | Adjusts the gain and distortion of the pedal. |
| Toggle | Selects two different clipping and compression modes: up for louder and more open, down for more compression and dirt. |
| Treble / Middle / Bass | Passive three-band tone stack, voiced like a vintage American amplifier. |
All control descriptions come from Delicious Audio's report on the pedal's launch1.
The two drive modes
The toggle switch is the pedal's main voicing control. In the up position, Delicious Audio describes the pedal as louder and more open; switched down, it delivers more compression and dirt1. That gives a player two distinct characters from one pedal: an open, level-forward setting for pushing an amp, and a compressed, grittier setting for rhythm work.
The tone section is a passive three-band stack, which Delicious Audio says is voiced like a vintage American amplifier1. A passive stack cuts rather than boosts, so the Treble, Middle and Bass knobs shape the pedal's response by trimming frequencies rather than adding them.
Where it came from
Alexander Pedals announced the Magnolia Vintage Overdrive on January 9, 2020, when Delicious Audio reported its launch1. De Gregorio's write-up framed it as a departure in style for the company: "The Alexander Pedals Magnolia Vintage Overdrive is a more traditional release from a manufacturer that got us used to cr"1, and summed up its character this way:
"Featuring a fully adjustable tone stack and two selectable drive modes, it's as comfortable as your favorite jeans."
The maker's own launch copy, quoted by Delicious Audio, took a similar tone: "Sweeter than summer sweat on a hot August night, Magnolia is your smooth and sultry companion"1.
Videos
R.J. Ronquillo
Demos In The Dark
Rocknroll Amps
Sources (1)
- New Pedals: Alexander Pedals Magnolia Vintage Overdrive, Delicious Audio, 2020-01-09
