The Forestry Overdrive is an overdrive pedal from Mistweaver Effects, a Singapore-based maker. Mistweaver describes it as "our take on a Dumble-in-a-box," an "organic and transparent sounding overdrive with tube-like response"1. The pedal offers two clipping modes selected by a toggle, symmetrical using NOS germanium diodes and asymmetrical using silicon1.
Guitar.com characterized it more bluntly as "a modestly priced clone of the Dumble Overdrive Special"2. For players, that means a pedal aimed at the sound of the rare, hand-built Dumble amps rather than at modern high-gain distortion.
What it does to your sound
The Forestry is what reviewers consistently call a low-to-mid gain pedal. Pedal of the Day described it as "a low-to-mid gain focused drive pedal that features tube-like response and fantastic touch sensitivity across the board"4. Guitar.com similarly called it "a responsive light- to medium-gain OD that's rich in harmonics"2. Mistweaver's own press material says there is "plenty of gain on tap"1, but every published description places it in the lighter drive range, not distortion or fuzz territory.
In Michael Watts' review for Guitar.com, the pedal "unleashes an extremely pokey and present overdrive sound" and responded to the nuances of bare finger playing, going from full clean to rich overdrive by varying pick attack strength5.
Controls and clipping modes
The control section includes a Presence knob, which Pedal of the Day explained lets you "control the harmonic overtones that are being driven, enabling any amp to sound incredible with just the right amount of high end"4. The most distinctive control is the Clipping toggle, which offers "two distinct flavors of clipping to choose from"4.
| Position | Mode | Clipping components | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up | Symmetrical | NOS Soviet-era germanium diodes4 | Organic overdrive that responds well to pick attack, meant for smoother, quieter styles requiring just a touch of gain2 |
| Down | Asymmetrical | Silicon diodes1 | The alternate clipping flavor4 |
The germanium diodes are the notable detail here: NOS (new old stock) Soviet-era germanium parts are used for the symmetrical mode, while silicon diodes handle the asymmetrical side41. Guitar.com noted that the symmetrical mode "uses NOS germanium diodes to create an organic overdrive that responds well to your pick attack" and is "a mode meant for smoother, quieter styles that require just a touch of gain"2.
Where it came from
Mistweaver Effects launched in 20181. Guitar.com covered the Forestry that August as a Dumble-style overdrive with symmetrical and asymmetrical clipping modes2. Pedal of the Day featured the pedal on November 20, 20183.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's verdict was positive on versatility: "With a fairly extensive control section and sounds that work in any situation, this overdrive adds sparkle and crunch to" any rig4. Michael Watts at Guitar.com focused on its responsiveness to touch dynamics, from clean to overdrive depending on attack5.
"a low-to-mid gain focused drive pedal that features tube-like response and fantastic touch sensitivity across the board"
Videos
Mistweaver Effects
pedal partners
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Is the Mistweaver Forestry based on a Dumble amp?
Yes. Mistweaver Effects describes the Forestry as its take on a Dumble-in-a-box, and Guitar.com called it a modestly priced clone of the Dumble Overdrive Special. The pedal is built to capture the character of those sought-after hand-built amps in a stompbox format.
What is the difference between the Symmetrical and Asymmetrical modes on the Forestry?
The Clipping toggle selects between two clipping flavors. Symmetrical mode uses NOS Soviet-era germanium diodes for an organic overdrive that suits smoother, quieter playing needing just a touch of gain. Asymmetrical mode uses silicon diodes for the other flavor of clipping.
Does the Forestry use germanium diodes?
Yes, in its Symmetrical mode. The pedal uses NOS Soviet-era germanium diodes for symmetrical clipping, while the Asymmetrical mode uses silicon diodes. The toggle switch on the front of the pedal moves between the two.
Is the Forestry a high-gain pedal?
No. Reviewers describe it as a low-to-mid gain focused drive pedal, and Guitar.com called it a responsive light- to medium-gain overdrive rich in harmonics. Mistweaver says there is plenty of gain on tap, but it sits in the low-to-mid gain range rather than high gain.
Sources (5)
- New Serpent Fuzz & Forestry Overdrive by Mistweaver, Premier Guitar, 2018-07-31
- Mistweaver Effects unveils Dumble-style overdrive, Guitar.com, 2018-08-01
- Mistweaver Effects Forestry Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2018-11-20
- Mistweaver Effects Forestry Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2018-11-21
- Review: Mistweaver Effects Forestry & The Serpent, guitar.com, 2020-02-04