The Seawolf Overdrive is an overdrive pedal from ToneApparatus FX, a maker of compact overdrive pedals. Pedal of the Day, reviewing it in October 2018, described it as a pedal that is not trying to create a new effect or genre, just making a very good overdrive. Its three knobs and a clipping toggle cover the ground most players want from the effect type, and each unit is built to order with the buyer's choice of layout and cosmetics.1
The controls
The Seawolf keeps to a familiar three-knob layout, with a toggle switch added for voicing1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the output level; Pedal of the Day noted it provides a nice range from which to choose your level of power from the pedal1 |
| Tone | Tonal control, part of the three-knob setup1 |
| Gain | Sets the amount of grit1 |
| Toggle switch | Switches between two different clipping options1 |
The toggle is the control that sets the Seawolf apart from a plain three-knob overdrive. Clipping choice is a common way overdrive designers offer two distinct voices in one box, and here it gives the player a second character to dial in alongside the Gain knob.1
How it sounds and where it fits
Pedal of the Day described the range of the Seawolf in three roles1:
- A dirty boost, with the grit low and the level up
- A crunchy mid-gainer
- A powerful overdrive when cranked up1
On the tones themselves, the reviewer wrote: "The tones that can be achieved with the Seawolf are thick and crunchy when turned up and the sweet tones that are made w[hen] the grit is down and the level is up."1
That range puts the Seawolf in the same broad territory as other overdrives that can run from light push to full grit. For how it compares with the two most famous circuits of the type, see the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer comparison, or browse boost pedals if a clean level boost is all you need.
Customization
A distinguishing feature of the Seawolf is that it is fully customizable. According to Pedal of the Day, the buyer can choose1:
- Jack locations
- LED color
- Knob configuration
- And more1
For players who care about pedalboard layout, top-mounted jacks or a particular look, this is a level of specification most mass-produced overdrives do not offer1.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's verdict, from October 2018, was positive on both sound and value. The reviewer called the Seawolf "Simple, easy to use and excellent-sounding," and added that it "offers what a lot of pedals, especially in this price range, do not, sonically and aesthetically overall," calling the customization "quite the service for a pedal that will only run you $100."1
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
How much does the Tone Apparatus FX Seawolf Overdrive cost?
Pedal of the Day's 2018 review listed the Seawolf Overdrive at $100, and the reviewer called that price notable given what the pedal offers sonically and aesthetically compared with others in the same price range. Because ToneApparatus FX builds each Seawolf to order with the buyer's choice of jack locations, LED color and knob configuration, pricing may vary with the options chosen.
What does the toggle switch do on the Seawolf Overdrive?
The toggle switch on the Seawolf Overdrive lets you switch between two different clipping options, according to Pedal of the Day's review. Clipping choice shapes how the overdrive compresses and breaks up, so the toggle effectively gives the pedal two distinct voices on top of the Gain control.
Can you customize the Tone Apparatus FX Seawolf Overdrive?
Yes. Pedal of the Day describes the Seawolf as fully customizable, letting the buyer choose the jack locations, LED color, knob configuration and more. That means two Seawolf pedals can look and be laid out quite differently depending on what each player ordered from the maker.
Can the Seawolf Overdrive be used as a boost?
Yes. Pedal of the Day found the Seawolf works as a dirty boost, a crunchy mid-gainer and a powerful overdrive when cranked up. With the grit backed off and the level up, the reviewer described sweet tones, which is the territory of a boost pedal pushing the front end of an amp.
Sources (1)
- Tone Apparatus FX Seawolf Overdrive Pedal, Pedal of the Day, 2018-10-18