The Clark Amplification Gainster is an overdrive pedal that has been around since the '90s. It was out of production at one time, but it is now available directly from the builder, still in the big-box format1. Delicious Audio's buying guide describes the Gainster and the Browntone Hoochie Mama as "two expensive overdrive pedals with a similar circuit"2.
What it does
The Gainster is one of two overdrive pedals, alongside the Browntone Hoochie Mama, that are "rarely mentioned separately" because of how closely related they are1. Of the pair, "The Gainster has a little more available gain and high end" than the Hoochie Mama, according to Christopher Scapelliti writing for Delicious Audio1.
On tone, Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio writes of these pedals: "They deliver a rather transparent and musical tone with rich low-end and clear, singing highs"2.
Build and modding
The pedal is built with an eye toward players who like to modify their gear. Scapelliti notes that "It also has bigger components that provide an easier modding platform"1. The related ThorpyFX Clark Gainster Clone is described as having "a great attention to detail in the selection of each component, manufactured to the highest hand-wired quality"1.
The Gainster sits at the expensive end of the overdrive market, and it shares its basic circuit with the Browntone Hoochie Mama, so the two are worth comparing before choosing one2.
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Questions
Is the Clark Amplification Gainster still in production?
Yes. According to Delicious Audio, the Gainster was out of production at one time, but it is now available directly from the builder, still in the big-box format. That makes it one of the longer-running overdrive designs around, having been around since the '90s.
How does the Gainster differ from the Browntone Hoochie Mama?
The two pedals are rarely mentioned separately because they share a similar circuit. Delicious Audio's Christopher Scapelliti notes that the Gainster has a little more available gain and high end than the Hoochie Mama, so players choosing between them are essentially picking between two voices of the same design.
Sources (2)
- Cult Overdrive Circuits: Clark Gainster Clones, And The Hoochee-Mama, Delicious Audio, 2022-05-12
- The 3 Best Overdrive Pedals Per Type In 2023, Delicious Audio, 2023-05-11
