The Wampler Low Blow is a bass overdrive and distortion pedal, announced in July 2015 as a much-needed entry in the bass pedal arena for overdrive and distortion. Its purpose is simple: many bass distortion and overdrive pedals take away the low end, and Bass Musician Magazine's reviewer Ty Campbell found that the Low Blow "doesn't lose that low end and it is designed to do what it does."12
What it does to a bass signal
The Low Blow gives a bass player two things most dirt pedals for guitar do not: a gain range that works at bass frequencies, and tone shaping aimed at the bottom end. The gain control adjusts the amount of distortion or overdrive, which Campbell described as going "from very subtle to all out heavy metal."1
Beyond the gain stage, the pedal carries a notch filter and an active three-band EQ with adjustments for bass, mids, and treble. The notch filter has a toggle with an active position, and Campbell reported that when it is set to active, "it cleans up that woofy bottom tremendously," targeting the woofy bottom end that distortion or overdrive can create on bass.1
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Adjusts the amount of distortion or overdrive, from very subtle to all out heavy metal1 |
| Bass, Mids, Treble | Active three-band EQ adjustments1 |
| Notch filter toggle | Active position cleans up the woofy bottom end created by distortion or overdrive1 |
| Footswitch | One switch engages the pedal1 |
Power and bypass
The Low Blow can be powered by a 9-volt adapter or power supply and draws 35mA, with a 9-volt power jack on a barrel plug like a Boss pedal. A battery connection is also available. When the pedal is not engaged it is in true bypass mode and will not affect your signal.12
The pedal draws 35mA, so it fits within the budget of most pedalboard power supplies, and a battery connection is available for use without a supply.2
Where it came from
Brian Wampler started tweaking a bass circuit several years before the pedal's release, sending it out to more players than the company could remember for feedback. Working with Wampler engineer and bass player Jake Steffes, Brian tuned the gain stages, and the Low Blow was announced in July 2015.2
Wampler has built its reputation on pedals designed by Brian Wampler and made in the USA, a point MusicRadar also notes in its coverage of the company's mini overdrive line.3 The Low Blow sits alongside Wampler's guitar-oriented dirt pedals such as the Wampler Sovereign and Wampler Plexi-Drive Deluxe, though it is the company's pedal designed specifically for bass, and it fits the wider field of bass pedals and distortion pedals.
What reviewers said
Bass Musician Magazine's review, by Ty Campbell, was positive on the pedal's core promise: the Low Blow holds onto the low end where many bass overdrive and distortion pedals do not, and the notch filter was found to clean up the woofy bottom considerably when engaged.1
"The Wampler Low Blow Bass Pedal doesn't lose that low end and it is designed to do what it does."
Videos
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Questions
Is the Wampler Low Blow true bypass?
Yes. Bass Musician Magazine's review notes that when the pedal is not engaged it sits in true bypass mode and does not affect your signal, so it can sit on a board without coloring the tone until you switch it on.
Does the Wampler Low Blow take a battery?
Yes. Guitar Interactive Magazine's announcement lists a battery connection alongside a 9-volt power jack, so the pedal can run from a battery when no adapter is available.
What power supply does the Low Blow need?
The Low Blow runs on a 9-volt adapter or power supply with a barrel plug like a Boss pedal, and it draws 35mA. A battery connection is also available.
Can I use the Low Blow with guitar?
The Low Blow is a bass pedal: Guitar Interactive Magazine announced it as a bass overdrive and distortion pedal, and Bass Musician Magazine reviewed it as one, with a notch filter and active three-band EQ aimed at keeping a bass guitar's low end intact.
Where is the Wampler Low Blow made?
Guitar Interactive Magazine reports that the Low Blow is hand built in the USA.
Who designed the Wampler Low Blow?
Brian Wampler began work on the bass circuit several years before release and tuned the gain stages with Wampler engineer and bass player Jake Steffes, refining the design after feedback from many players.
Sources (3)
- Review - Wampler Low Blow Bass Pedal - Bass Musician Magazine, The Face of Bass, Bass Musician Magazine, 2016-09-01
- Wampler Announce Low-Blow Bass Overdrive/ Distortion, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2015-07-02
- Wampler's new mini overdrives are packing big features into small pedals, MusicRadar, 2020-10-19
