The Walrus Audio Eras Five-State Distortion is a high-gain distortion pedal that Walrus Audio describes as "a no apologies, high-gain distortion that's ready to chug, shred, and palm mute with tight response and multiple clipping options"1. Its defining feature is a five-position rotary knob that selects between five gain states, each with its own clipping character and midrange voicing, so one pedal covers a range of distorted tones from tight and compressed to scooped and heavy.
Alongside the mode knob, the Eras gives you Volume, Gain, Bass and Treble controls plus a Blend knob. The Bass and Treble controls are both boost/cut, so you can shape the distorted signal dynamically rather than only cutting2. The Blend knob is the other half of the story: at maximum you get the full distortion effect, and rolling it back mixes your clean signal in, which Walrus suggests as a way to stack and mix other dirt pedals placed in front of the Eras1.
The five gain states and their clipping
The five-position rotary knob is where the Eras earns its name. Each position pairs a clipping type with a midrange voicing, using silicon and LED hard clipping across the modes4. Walrus describes the states the knob selects as follows1:
| Position | Mode | Clipping | Voicing |
|---|---|---|---|
| II | Tight | Silicon hard clipping | Slight mid-cut, smooth with added compression |
| III | Dual clipping | Silicon and LED hard clipping | Slight mid-cut, rich and full with added sustain |
| IV | Rhythm | LED hard clipping, internal volume control | Deeper mid-cut, scooped mids, tight response |
| V | Rhythm | Silicon hard clipping | Deeper mid-cut, rhythmic, warm and full |
The two Rhythm positions differ in their clipping: position IV uses LED hard clipping with an internal volume control for scooped mids and a tight response, while position V uses silicon hard clipping for a warmer, fuller character12. The Tight and Dual clipping modes both apply a slight mid-cut, with the Dual mode adding LED clipping alongside the silicon for what Walrus calls a rich, full sound with added sustain1.
For bass players, the Blend knob is the practical route in: Walrus says the pedal is "great for bassists that want to blend in their dry signal as well"1, which keeps the clean low end intact under the distorted layer.
Design and artwork
The Eras comes in a transparent red enclosure with yellow, cream and black ink. The artwork features a stoic four-horned, winged bull illustrated by Adam Forster1.
The pedal shares its form-factor with the Walrus Audio Ages overdrive pedal, as Guitar World's reviewer Trevor Curwen noted5, so the two sit together on a board as a matched pair covering overdrive and high-gain distortion duties.
Walrus also sells blemished units of the Eras at $212.49 USD, where a blemish is cosmetic only, such as scratches or dents in the finish of the pedal1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar reviewed the Eras and summed it up as "A versatile fire-breather"3. The review confirms the control set of Volume, Gain, Bass and Treble alongside the mode and Blend knobs, and lists the pedal's origin as the USA3.
On price, Walrus Audio's product page lists the Eras at $249.99 USD1, while Guitar World's review gives $199 / £1795. The maker's figure is the current list price as of October 2026.
Pedal of the Day reviewed the Eras in April 2023, covering the five gain states and the Blend knob's use for stacking and dry blending4.
The Eras draws a minimum of 100mA at 9V DC, center negative, and Walrus Audio recommends an isolated power supply for all of its pedals rather than a daisy chain. No power supply is included with the pedal1.
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Questions
Can you use the Walrus Eras on bass?
Yes. Walrus Audio says the Eras is great for bassists who want to blend in their dry signal, which the Blend knob makes possible. Rolling the Blend back keeps your clean low end present while the distorted signal sits on top, and the Bass control is a boost/cut so you can shape the low end of the distorted side.
Is the Walrus Eras true bypass?
Yes, the Eras uses true bypass switching, so with the pedal off your signal passes through without the circuit coloring it. It runs on 9V DC, center negative, drawing a minimum of 100mA, and Walrus recommends an isolated power supply rather than a daisy chain.
What is the difference between the Walrus Eras and Ages?
The Eras is a high-gain distortion while the Ages is an overdrive pedal, so the Eras is voiced for heavier, tighter, higher-gain sounds. According to Guitar World's review, the Eras shares the same form-factor as the Ages overdrive, so the two pedals match on a pedalboard while covering different amounts of gain.
Can the Walrus Eras run on a daisy chain power supply?
Walrus Audio does not recommend it. The maker recommends an isolated power supply for all of its pedals, including the Eras, and no power supply is included in the box. The pedal needs 9V DC, center negative, with a minimum current draw of 100mA.
Where is the Walrus Eras made?
The Eras is made in the USA, according to MusicRadar's review. It is covered by Walrus Audio's limited lifetime warranty, and the maker directs warranty questions to help@walrusaudio.com.
Sources (5)
- Eras Five-State Distortion, Walrus Audio
- Eras Five-State Distortion, Walrus Audio
- Walrus Eras Five-State Distortion review, MusicRadar, 2022-05-03
- Walrus Audio Eras Five-State Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2023-04-10
- Walrus Audio Eras Five-State Distortion and Iron Horse High-Gain LM308 Distortion, Guitar World, 2022-02-17
