Wampler Brent Mason Hot Wired

The Wampler Brent Mason Hot Wired is a dual overdrive and distortion pedal: two separate circuits in one box, a lighter screamer-style overdrive with a blend control on channel 1 and a full, roaring Plexi-flavored distortion on channel 2¹. It was designed to Nashville session guitarist Brent Mason's specifications by Wampler, and Wampler lists it as used by Mason live and in the studio¹. The pedal is discontinued, but its circuit line continues in the Brent Mason ReWired, which Guitar Pedal X calls the V3 edition of the Hot Wired²³.

Because each channel works on its own and both can be on at once, the Hot Wired covers a wide range on a pedalboard: light drive on one side, heavy British-flavored distortion on the other, and stacked tones in between. Guitar World noted that players can expect a range from light drive to heavy distortion when combining the channels⁴.

What the Hot Wired does

Wampler describes the Hot Wired as two pedals in one, with each channel having its own gain structure: channel 1 is a screamer-style overdrive with a blend control, and channel 2 is a full roaring Plexi¹. The blend control on channel 1 lets you mix your clean signal in with the overdrive, which Premier Guitar's reviewer called a "Highly useful blend control"⁶. Vintage Guitar's reviewer found the blend "superb for dialing in the right mix of clean and drive, from subtle to out front"⁷.

The pedal is voiced with an emphasis on midrange tones, according to Vintage Guitar's 2013 review⁷. Guitar World's Paul Riario, reviewing it in 2012, described "a slightly more organic, warmer overdrive on its overdrive channel"⁸.

Both channels can be used at the same time for what Wampler calls "stacking" tones¹. Vintage Guitar's reviewer found stacking a treat for soloing: "stacking the channels was a treat for soloing, as it increased note clarity without diminishing overall tone"⁷.

The controls

Each channel has its own volume, tone and gain controls, with a clean blend on channel 1¹. On the v2, each channel also carries a three-position Fat/Normal/Fatter switch, which Guitar World describes as enhanced tone controls for both channels⁴. Wampler's page also lists a bass boost switch on each channel, giving two extra stages¹.

Vintage Guitar's review details the overdrive channel's controls as Volume, Overdrive, Tone and Blend adjustment⁷.

History and versions: v1, v2 and the ReWired

The original Hot Wired was released by Wampler Effects in collaboration with Brent Mason in 2008, designed to Brent's exact specifications, with volume, tone, gain and bass boost controls for each channel, at a list price of $299 U.S. It came in two colors: Glowing Fire orange or Silver/Black silver vein⁵.

The V2 arrived in 2012. Wampler says v1 was geared towards all-out chickin' pickin', and that when Mason discovered he needed a little more control, the company completely redesigned channel 1 to incorporate a blend control⁴. Guitar World reported the changes as a totally revamped Channel One with a useful clean blend function, plus the Fat/Normal/Fatter switches on both channels⁴. Channel 2 kept the same "British Plexi" flavor as v1¹. The V2 carried an MSRP of $259.97⁴.

The ReWired is, in Guitar Pedal X's words, the V3 edition of the previously known Brent Mason Hot Wired dual overdrive/distortion pedal³. It keeps the same two-channel layout as its predecessor, with independent Overdrive and Distortion channels². The original Hot Wired, by contrast, gave each channel volume, tone, gain and bass boost controls⁵¹, and the V2 ran on a battery connection or a 9V power jack, drawing between 17mA at 9V and 28mA at 18V¹.

Who uses it: Brent Mason

Brent Mason is a Nashville session guitarist whose credits, as Wampler's page lists, include playing with and contributing to chart-topping hits from Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton and Shania Twain². Gearnews notes his collaborations have resulted in signature models with Fender, PRS and Wampler⁹.

Wampler lists the Hot Wired v2 as used by Brent Mason live and in the studio¹. Premier Guitar's review recounts that Mason teamed up with Wampler Effects to develop an overdrive that could match his varied needs in the studio, and the Hot Wired was the result⁶. Guitar World quotes Brian Wampler on the V2's development: "Brent's needs are always evolving, and I wanted to be absolutely sure he can get the tones he needs from his signature"⁴.

What reviewers said

• Vintage Guitar (2013): "The pedal sounded terrific with every amp and guitar combo, though a little will go a long way with an amp that favors midrange voicing." Stacking the channels increased note clarity without diminishing overall tone⁷.
• Premier Guitar: Called the blend control "Highly useful," and described two channels that "can range from subtle overdrive to beefy distortion and mean stacked tones"⁶.
• Guitar World, Paul Riario (2012): "Just when I thought this two-in-one overdrive/distortion pedal is about as good as it gets, they release the V2," adding that the V2 Hot Wired ($259.97) "adds more flexibility with a blend control to mix in your clean signal with the overdrive"⁸.

Videos

Click to load

Click to load

Click to load

Questions