The Walrus Audio Gold Standard is a dual reverb pedal that combines two of the Oklahoma City maker's ambient reverbs, the Slö and the Fathom, into a single gold-colored enclosure. Each unit contains the Slö and Fathom circuits, so a player gets two reverb pedals in one box, each with its own controls and footswitch1. It was a limited edition of 196 units, sold exclusively through Reverb.com for $3492.
Two reverb circuits in one pedal
The Gold Standard takes two pedals that already existed in their entirety and puts them in one enclosure2. The Slö sits on the left and the Fathom on the right, and each side keeps the controls of the pedal it comes from2.
Slö side (left):
- Dark, Rise and Dream modes: sub-octave, swelling and shimmery ambient reverbs respectively2
- Controls for modulation depth and waveform, tone filter, overall mix and reverb decay2
Fathom side (right):
- Hall, Plate, Lo-Fi and Sonar modes, plus three modulation modes2
- Controls for decay, dampening and overall mix2
Each side also gets a sustain footswitch, meaning both pedals can create a swell effect on their own1. Guitar.com put it this way: both pedals can create the swelling, ambient pads they're known for on their own2.
A limited run, sold through Reverb
The pedal was announced in July 2020 as a limited edition of 196 units worldwide12. It was available exclusively through Reverb.com2, which fits the pedal's name: the Gold Standard was made in partnership with the Reverb marketplace. With a run that small, the pedal sold out and is no longer in production.
The Gold Standard was a one-off limited edition of 196 units. Walrus Audio's regular reverb lineup, including the Slö and Fathom as separate pedals, covers the same circuits without the limited run.
What reviewers said
The two pedals inside it had already been reviewed on their own. Guitar.com gave both the Slö and the Fathom 9/10 in their respective reviews, and the site argued that combining both into one pedal gives a near-endless amount of quality reverb and soundscaping options2. At gearnews.com, Jef took the price into account: "For two combined boutique reverb pedals, I think the price is about right."1
For players who missed the 196-unit run, Walrus Audio's wider reverb range includes the Slöer Stereo Ambient Reverb, the Slötva Multi Texture Reverb and the Mako Series R1 High-Fidelity Stereo Reverb, alongside the Lüm Texture Engine. See the site's Reverb Pedals page for the wider category21.
Questions
What circuits are in the Walrus Audio Gold Standard?
Each Gold Standard unit contains the circuits of two Walrus Audio reverbs: the Slö and the Fathom. The Slö side offers Dark, Rise and Dream modes, covering sub-octave, swelling and shimmery ambient reverbs, while the Fathom side offers Hall, Plate, Lo-Fi and Sonar modes plus three modulation modes. Both sides have their own controls and a sustain footswitch.
How many Gold Standard pedals were made?
The Gold Standard was a limited edition pedal. Guitar.com reported it was limited to 196 units, and gearnews.com likewise noted that only 196 pedals were available worldwide. Once those units were gone, the pedal was no longer available new.
Where was the Gold Standard sold?
The Gold Standard was available exclusively through Reverb.com. Guitar.com reported the exclusive arrangement, and gearnews.com also noted the pedal was available via Reverb when it launched in July 2020.
How much did the Walrus Audio Gold Standard cost?
The Gold Standard carried a list price of $349. Guitar.com reported it was available exclusively through Reverb.com for $349, and gearnews.com gave the same figure as the RRP, adding that for two combined boutique reverb pedals the price was about right.
Can both sides of the Gold Standard make swells?
Yes. Each side of the pedal has its own sustain footswitch, which means both the Slö and Fathom circuits can create a swell effect on their own. Guitar.com noted that both pedals can create the swelling, ambient pads they are known for independently.
What color is the Gold Standard?
The Gold Standard comes in a gold-coloured enclosure, which is where the pedal takes its name. gearnews.com described it as turning two normal pedals into one gold-coloured mammoth reverb stompbox.
Sources (2)
- Walrus Audio conjures up Gold Standard Slö and Fathom dual reverb pedal, gearnews.com, 2020-07-02
- Walrus Audio releases limited edition dual Slo and Fathom Gold Standard pedal, Guitar.com, 2020-07-01
