The Red Witch Epiphanous Overdrive is an overdrive pedal from Red Witch Pedals in New Zealand, part of the maker's Apothecary series. Red Witch describes it as "Offering a beautiful, uncompressed, transparent Plexi-esque overdrive", aimed at classic rock tones, and the circuit is all analog1. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley, writing with designer Ben Fulton, called it "a beautiful, uncompressed, transparent Plexi-esque" overdrive pedal and noted "It is stackable", meaning it is designed to layer well with other drives on a board2.
Its distinguishing feature is that it is effectively two overdrives in one box. Red Witch explains that "Epiphanous incorporates two overdrives in one unit. Switching the "Gain" toggle into the down position engages the second overdrive in series with the first"1. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson described this as Dual Series Drive: "It adds a second Gain stage in series for an alternative, more intense / higher-gain voicing"3.
Controls and the two toggles
The Epiphanous carries Volume and Drive knobs, joined by Bite and Body controls which Guitar World describes as "for frequency tweaking and attack altering"4. Karlsson lists the Volume knob as setting output level3.
The two mini toggles shape the character:
| Toggle | Positions | What they do |
|---|---|---|
| Gain | Up / Down | Down engages the second overdrive in series with the first, for a higher-gain voicing13 |
| EQ | Heaven Preset / Engage Bite & Body | Switches between Fulton's own pre-baked EQ preset, "Heaven", and the Bite and Body controls3 |
MusicRadar explains the EQ toggle's purpose: the standard EQ controls "can be switched out via a toggle switch in favour of Fulton's own EQ preset, "Heaven.""2. So a player can either dial in their own Bite and Body settings or flip to the designer's preset in one motion.
The Apothecary series
The Epiphanous belongs to Red Witch's Apothecary series, a five-unit range that Guitar Pedal X described as compact pedals including an analog chorus, phaser, modulated delay, drive and fuzz3. The enclosure is a diecast case with machined aluminum knobs unique to the series and an LED color matched to the pedal's color scheme1. MusicRadar's piece on the series carries Fulton's intent that these are stompboxes built to last a lifetime2.
The Epiphanous is closely related to the Red Witch Epiphanous Drive, which MusicRadar reports is "similarly inspired by Led Zeppelin"2. Red Witch also lists the Epiphanous Overdrive on its Apothecary page1.
Power, warranty and practicalities
The pedal runs on 9 volt regulated DC through a 2.1mm barrel plug, tip negative, and draws 5 milliamps1. That light draw makes it easy to accommodate on a shared supply. The footswitch is a true bypass design the maker guarantees for over 100,000 cycles1.
Red Witch backs the pedal with a Lifetime Warranty to the registered owner, covering electronics and mechanisms for a lifetime of use1. Fulton states, "I personally test and hand sign every Epiphanous that leaves our workshop"1.
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Red Witch Pedals
Questions
Is the Red Witch Epiphanous true bypass?
Yes. Red Witch specifies a 100,000 Cycle True Bypass Footswitch, guaranteed by the maker for over 100,000 switching cycles. That means the pedal's circuit is removed from your signal path entirely when off, which matters on a large board where several pedals sit in line.
How much current does the Epiphanous draw?
Red Witch lists the Epiphanous at 5 milliamps, running on 9 volt regulated DC through a 2.1mm barrel plug, tip negative. That is a light draw by pedal standards, so it sits comfortably on a shared power supply without eating a high-current outlet.
What does the Gain toggle do on the Epiphanous?
The Epiphanous holds two overdrives in one unit. Flipping the Gain toggle into the down position engages the second overdrive in series with the first, what Guitar Pedal X called Dual Series Drive, adding a second gain stage for a more intense, higher-gain voicing.
Where is the Red Witch Epiphanous made?
The Epiphanous is made in New Zealand. Designer Ben Fulton says he personally tests and hand signs every Epiphanous that leaves the Red Witch workshop, and the pedal carries a lifetime warranty to its registered owner.
Is the Red Witch Epiphanous analog?
Yes. Red Witch describes the Epiphanous as offering the ultimate all analog foundation drive, with no digital conversion in the signal path.
Sources (4)
- Epiphanous Overdrive, Red Witch Pedals, 2025-04
- “I wanted to design a pedal range that'll last 10, 20, 30, 40 years... It could be something you could bequeath to those you love”: Exquisite stompboxes, built to last a lifetime, meet Red Witch's Apothecary Series, MusicRadar, 2025-04-25
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-04-28
- Red Witch's Apothecary pedals could become family heirlooms, Guitar World, 2025-04-29
