The Bennett Custom Audio Weather Man Overdrive + Boost is a single pedal carrying two effects: a versatile, dynamic, light-to-medium gain overdrive and a powerful, totally independent JFET-based clean boost. Each section has its own footswitch, so the boost can run on its own to push an amp, the overdrive can run alone, or the two can be stacked1.
The boost section
The Boost circuit is a JFET-based design offering 22dB of clean boost1. JFET stages are often used where a player wants a boost that responds like a tube amp's front end, and that is how the reviewer heard it:
"the Boost circuit is a JFET-based design that gives a wonderful tube amp-like feel, adding a liveliness and an ease to your playing"
"And with its independent footswitch, you can use it on its own to push your amp however you see fit."
For players comparing options, this puts the Weather Man in the territory covered on Boost Pedals, with the addition of a full overdrive beside it.
The overdrive section
The overdrive is a light-to-medium gain design with plenty of volume on tap, so it can easily be used to slam the front-end of a tube amp or another pedal1. The Gain control takes you anywhere from really clean with minimal distortion to a thick, aggressive crunch1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | From really clean with minimal distortion to a thick, aggressive crunch1 |
| Voice switch | Toggles between 3 mid-range voicings: Mid-Scoop, Mid-Hump and Flat, defining the overall character of the overdrive1 |
| Bass | Together with Treble, allows you to tailor the pedal in for any guitar and amp1 |
| Treble | Together with Bass, allows you to tailor the pedal in for any guitar and amp1 |
| Volume | Plenty on tap, enough to slam the front-end of a tube amp or another pedal1 |
Inside the pedal, two adjustments sit beyond the top panel:
- An internal trim pot controls the presence, allowing you to fine-tune the treble response1
- Two internal DIP switches select the clipping mode: hard-clipping (default), soft-clipping, or no clipping, fine-tuning the distortion and compression1
The clipping options are worth understanding when comparing the Weather Man with other Overdrive Pedals: hard and soft clipping shape how the signal distorts and compresses, and the no-clipping setting removes that stage entirely.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day reviewed the Weather Man in January 2022. Its reviewer found the controls designed to interact organically, allowing you to quickly dial in a wide palette of overdrive sounds1. On the pedal as a whole:
"these 2 effects would make a welcome addition to any rig, but when they're stacked together, they make magic."
The same review concluded that the tones you can coax out of this gem are limitless, adding punch and overall tonal glory to your rig1.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
THE PEDAL COUPLE
Pair of Pandas
Questions
How much boost does the Bennett Weather Man give?
The Boost circuit offers 22dB of clean boost, according to Pedal of the Day's review. It is a JFET-based design, which the reviewer described as giving a tube amp-like feel, adding liveliness and ease to playing. Because the boost has its own footswitch, it can be used on its own to push an amp, without engaging the overdrive side at all.
What are the three Voice switch settings on the Weather Man?
The Voice switch toggles between three different mid-range voicings: Mid-Scoop, Mid-Hump and Flat. Pedal of the Day describes it as defining the overall character of the overdrive, so it is the first place to look when shaping whether the pedal sits scooped, mid-forward or neutral in a rig.
Can the Weather Man boost be used without the overdrive?
Yes. The Boost section has its own independent footswitch, and Pedal of the Day notes that you can use it on its own to push your amp however you see fit. The overdrive and boost can also be stacked together, which the reviewer said is where the pedal makes magic.
What clipping modes does the Weather Man offer?
Two internal DIP switches select the clipping mode: hard-clipping (the default), soft-clipping, or no clipping. Pedal of the Day describes these as fine-tuning the distortion and compression of the overdrive, so the pedal can move from cleaner, less compressed settings toward a thicker, more aggressive crunch.
Where is the presence control on the Weather Man?
The presence is an internal trim pot rather than a top-panel knob. Pedal of the Day notes that it allows you to fine-tune the treble response. It sits alongside the internal DIP switches that select the clipping mode, so opening the pedal up gives access to both deeper adjustments.
Sources (1)
- Bennett Custom Audio Weather Man Overdrive + Boost, Pedal of the Day, 2022-01-04