The Tampco Nelson Martins Distorter is a boutique pedal built around parallel gain: instead of one effect feeding another, it runs three signals side by side, a +20dB clean blend, a classic fuzz and a low gain overdrive, and lets you set the mix between them. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson described it as "a 3-Part Parallel Gain Machine combining a +20dB Clean Blend, Classic Fuzz and Low Gain Overdrive - all blended together in parallel."1
How the parallel gain layout works
Because the three parts run in parallel, the fuzz and the drive each keep their own character, and the clean blend keeps the fundamental of your guitar underneath both. Separate footswitches for Fuzz and Drive mean either can be used on its own or together, and the mix is set with the two level controls and a single clear blend control.1
Karlsson placed the approach in a lineage of parallel dry and effected designs: "It recalls the Klon Centaur, Drunk Beaver's Klone and Empress Multidrive, while adding Classic Fuzz." He noted that Rodolphe of Tampco is "doing much the similar thing - with the addition of a Classic Fuzz Circuit," referring to his earlier Klone-style design.1
Controls
| Section | Control | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| FUZZ | Voice | Pushed / Scooped voicing switch1 |
| FUZZ | Level | Fuzz level1 |
| FUZZ | Tone | Fuzz tone1 |
| FUZZ | Gain | Fuzz gain1 |
| FUZZ | Bias | Fuzz bias1 |
| FUZZ | Fuzz Distortion | Fuzz distortion amount1 |
| DRIVE | Level | Drive level1 |
| DRIVE | Tone | Drive tone1 |
| DRIVE | Gain | Drive gain1 |
| CLEAR | Blend | Clean blend amount1 |
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X's review, published on 10 March 2025, was favourable on the build: "The design and build of this pedal is exceptional - with that shiny gold facia and superior components inside."1
The same review flagged one practical point about the panel:
"Note that some of those labels might be a touch tricky to read in certain lighting conditions - while the pedal looks un..1."
Stefan Karlsson, Guitar Pedal X1
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Questions
What does parallel gain mean on the Nelson Martins Distorter?
Parallel gain means the pedal runs three signals side by side rather than one into the next: a +20dB clean blend, a classic fuzz and a low gain overdrive. Each keeps its own character, and you set how much of each you hear through the level and blend controls, rather than stacking one effect into another in series.
Can the fuzz and drive be used separately?
Yes. The Distorter has separate footswitches for the fuzz and the drive, so either can be switched on its own or together. Guitar Pedal X notes you can blend in your perfect mix via the two level controls and the single clear blend control.
What does the Voice switch do?
The Voice switch sits in the fuzz section and offers two settings, Pushed and Scooped. Pushed and Scooped are two voicings for the fuzz side of the pedal, letting you favour a mid-forward or a scooped character before you set the fuzz's level, tone, gain, bias and fuzz distortion controls.
How much does the Tampco Nelson Martins Distorter cost?
Guitar Pedal X reported in March 2025 that the Distorter sells for €249 on the Tampco webstore, which the review equated to circa $269 and £209. Prices were as reported at that date.
Who is Nelson Martins?
Nelson Martins is the collaborator the pedal is named after. Guitar Pedal X described the pedal as a collaboration with Martins, with Rodolphe of Tampco doing much the same thing as his earlier Drunk Beaver Klone design, with the addition of a classic fuzz circuit.
Sources (1)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-03-10
