The Fender Dual Marine Layer is a digital reverb pedal for electric guitar, a dual-channel version of Fender's Marine Layer Reverb. It houses three reverb sounds, hall, room and shimmer, on two switchable channels, so a player can dial in two different reverb settings and toggle between them with a footswitch1. A Sustain footswitch holds on to the reverb tails through a momentary effect, giving a quick burst of extra reverb when it is needed2.
Fender released the Dual Marine Layer Reverb as a dual-format version of its Marine Layer Reverb pedal2. It measures 89mm x 123mm x 138mm1 and carries the same Fender-designed reverb circuit as the original Marine Layer2.
Two reverb channels in one pedal
The core idea of the Dual Marine Layer is simple: instead of one reverb setting, a player gets two. The pedal duplicates the original Marine Layer's control set twice, so two independent settings or voicings can be dialed in and footswitched from a single enclosure3. Gearnews described it at launch as coming "with two independent foot-switchable settings"5.
The two channels, called Reverb A and Reverb B, are toggled through an A/B switch in the middle of the pedal2. Guitar.com's reviewer found this made it "an incredibly useful bit of gear on stage"1, since a player can set a subtle room for verses and a bigger hall for choruses without bending down.
The pedal was launched as part of a pair of dual-format Fender stomboxes. Guitar World noted that both the Dual Marine Layer and the Duel Pugilist Distortion "duplicate the original pedals' control sets (combined with unique options and special features) for two independent" settings in a single box3.
The controls: two sets of knobs, an A/B switch and Sustain
Each channel carries its own set of controls, and both reverbs have a range of sounds to explore through the Pre-delay, Time and Damping controls2. Guitar World describes the two sets of identical controls for Damping, Time, Mod and Level, with the Reverb footswitch toggling between the Reverb A and Reverb B presets3.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Sets the reverb level for that channel3 |
| Time | Sets the reverb decay time, with a range of sounds to explore2 |
| Damping | Shapes the reverb's tone within that channel32 |
| Pre-delay | Sets the time before the reverb begins2 |
| Mod | Adds subtle chorus modulation to the wet signal2 |
| A/B switch | Toggles between the two reverb channels, in the middle of the pedal2 |
| Sustain knob | Sets the level of the momentary Sustain effect2 |
| Sustain footswitch | Momentary switch that prolongs the reverb and holds on to the reverb tails2 |
The Sustain feature is the addition that sets the Dual Marine Layer apart from running two original Marine Layers. Delicious Audio described it as "a new Sustain knob + footswitch that prolongs the reverb through a momentary effect," with an independent level control "for moments when you need a touch more reverb"2. Hold the footswitch and the reverb swells; release it and the tails let go.
Hall, room and shimmer reverb
A small 3-position toggle switch selects between hall, room and shimmer reverb algorithms4. Delicious Audio characterized the pedal as offering "2 classic reverb types (Hall and Room) and a third, more modern Shimmer mode"2.
The shimmer mode descends from the "Special" mode on the original Marine Layer Reverb, which produced shimmer sounds alongside its Hall and Room types6. One thing the pedal does not offer is a spring reverb emulation: Premier Guitar noted that when Fender released the Marine Layer digital reverb, it did not include one4. Players chasing a Fender spring tank sound will need to look elsewhere in the range.
Delicious Audio summed up the pedal's character as one "designed with classic tone purveyors in mind," writing that "it brilliantly recreates classic reverb sounds but doesn't really get into spacey territory as one may expect"2.
Where it came from
The Dual Marine Layer builds directly on the Marine Layer Reverb, which Fender released in 2018 with Hall and Room types, a Special shimmer mode and LED backlit knobs6. Delicious Audio reported that "Building on the strengths of the Marine Layer Reverb, Fender released a dual version of that same pedal"2.
The timeline of its release has a few steps:
- January 2021: Fender releases the Dual Marine Layer as a Sweetwater exclusive2.
- July 2021: The Dual Marine Layer and Duel Pugilist Distortion are unveiled at Summer NAMM3.
- October 2021: Fender officially launches both pedals, with the Dual Marine Layer listed at $229.99 USD7.
Premier Guitar reported that "Designed by Fender's in-house tone gurus, the Dual Marine Layer is an all-original Fender circuit"7, and it retains the same Fender-designed reverb circuit as the original2. All of it is packed into an anodized aluminum chassis2, made in China1.
What reviewers said
Guitar.com's Matt McCracken reviewed the pedal in December 2021 and rated it 8 out of 10, calling it proof there is more to Fender reverb than surf17. His verdict on its stage usefulness:
"the two footswitchable modes of the Dual Marine Layer making it an incredibly useful bit of gear on stage"
Guitar World's Paul Riario praised the build quality of both dual-format Fender pedals, listing "Hardy builds." among their strengths3. Delicious Audio's take was that the pedal nails the classic sounds but stays out of ambient territory2.
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Questions
Is the Fender Dual Marine Layer stereo?
No. The Dual Marine Layer is a mono pedal with 1/4-inch input and output jacks, and Guitar World's review notes there is no stereo out3.
Is the Dual Marine Layer true bypass?
Guitar World lists the bypass as buffered3, while guitar.com's review describes true bypass switching in its features list1. Players sensitive to bypass type may want to try the pedal first.
What power supply does the Dual Marine Layer need?
It runs on 9V DC center negative mains power, according to guitar.com's review1.
Was the Dual Marine Layer a Sweetwater exclusive?
Yes, at launch. When Fender released the dual version of the Marine Layer Reverb in January 2021, it was sold as a Sweetwater exclusive2. The pedal was later given a wider launch alongside the Duel Pugilist Distortion in 20213.
How much does the Fender Dual Marine Layer cost?
Premier Guitar listed the Dual Marine Layer at $229.99 USD at its October 2021 launch7. Guitar World later gave the street price as $2293, so the price has held steady since release.
Where is the Fender Dual Marine Layer made?
The Dual Marine Layer is made in China, as stated in guitar.com's review1. The original Marine Layer Reverb was also made in China8.
Sources (8)
- Fender Dual Marine Layer Reverb review: proof that there’s more to Fender reverb than surf, guitar.com, 2021-12-08
- Fender Dual Marine Layer, Delicious Audio, 2021-01-27
- Fender Dual Marine Layer Reverb and Duel Pugilist Distortion review, Guitar World, 2022-03-02
- Fender Dual Marine Layer Review, Premier Guitar, 2022-01-16
- Fender doubles up with new Duel Pugilist and Dual Marine Layer pedals, gearnews.com, 2021-07-08
- Fender Marine Layer Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2018-05-01
- Fender's New Duel Pugilist & Dual Marine Reverb, Premier Guitar, 2021-10-26
- Fender Effects Pedals Review, guitar.com, 2018-05-21
