The Wampler Tumnus Deluxe is an overdrive and boost pedal built by Wampler, designed by Brian Wampler as an expanded take on his Klon Centaur-style Tumnus circuit. Wampler describes it as the original Tumnus with "more features, more tweakability, and a switchable buffer," and says it delivers string-to-string clarity, high-headroom output, and amp-like breakup, with a three-band EQ that adds warm low end, an identifiable midrange, and top-end sparkle1. It was released in November 2017 at $1992, and MusicRadar reported it available at $199.973.
The pedal sits in Wampler's range between the compact Wampler Tumnus and the limited-edition Wampler Germanium Tumnus Deluxe. Gearnews described it at launch as based on the "legendary" Klon Siberia overdrive, with an extra knob compared with the regular Tumnus and a high-gain setting added4.
A Klon-style overdrive and boost
The Tumnus Deluxe belongs to the family of pedals based on the Klon Centaur, the 1990s overdrive whose circuit has been widely copied. Wampler's original Tumnus was a compact Klon-style overdrive with three controls, and GuitarPlayer's Rob Laing called it "a coveted Klon-style overdrive with the advantage of being much smaller than its closest competitors"6. The Deluxe keeps that lineage: Wampler says you can still get "that original classic Klon sound" or tweak further for a sweeter overdrive1.
Where the standard Tumnus stops at gain, volume and treble, the Deluxe adds an active bass and mid control alongside the same treble control, giving a full three-band EQ7. Delicious Audio noted the treble control is "the same as the pedal it was inspired by"7. Guitar World's buying guide summarized the changes from the original as the EQ stack and the "hot" switch8.
The controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive9 |
| Level | Sets the output volume9 |
| Bass (active) | Sculpts the low end7 |
| Mid (active) | Sculpts the midrange7 |
| Treble | Adjusts the top end, same as the original Tumnus7 |
| Normal/Hot switch | Adds extra gain when the pedal is pushed into higher gain1 |
| Buffer switch (side-mounted) | Chooses buffered or true bypass1 |
The Normal/Hot switch is the Deluxe's other addition over the standard Tumnus. Wampler says it "adds a little extra when the pedal is being pushed into higher gain"1. On That Pedal Show, Mick and Dan worked through the pedal's controls, treating the Normal and Hot modes as a gain choice, and discussed how the buffer switch interacts with the rest of a pedalboard10.
"that says buffle on it so it shouldn't ever be a buffering bypass mode"
The pedal also uses a relay-type footswitch, with an LED to indicate when the effect is engaged5.
Power and connections
The Tumnus Deluxe runs at 9V only, drawing 70.3 mA, and supports both a battery connection and a 9V power jack; the LED flashes three times when battery power is running low1. Inputs and outputs are 1/4" jacks with 3.5mm power adapter connectivity5, and the top-mounted jacks make pedalboard placement straightforward1.
The pedal runs at 9V only. At 70.3 mA it draws more current than many compact overdrives, so plan your power supply accordingly if you run a crowded board1.
What reviewers said
MusicPlayers.com's Bruce Sokolovic gave the Tumnus Deluxe 3.8 stars, which earned it a WIHO Award5. In Guitar World's best Klon clones guide, Paul Riario's verdict was notably positive:
"Combining detailed grit and wide-open headroom with sparkling clarity, the Tumnus Deluxe is an overdriven elixir that will strengthen any guitar and amp combination."
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson, who owns the whole Tumnus family, wrote that he prefers the Deluxe editions "as I'm better able to dial in my perfect tones with those!"2. A Premier Guitar review noted the control layout sits on a relatively large 125B-sized enclosure11. The original Tumnus earned a Platinum Award from Guitar World's Paul Riario in 201612, and the wider Klon-clone comparison in that Guitar World guide places the Deluxe among its recommended options8.
Related versions
The Tumnus line has grown around the Deluxe:
Videos
Pete Thorn
Sweetwater
Questions
What is the difference between the Tumnus and the Tumnus Deluxe?
The Tumnus Deluxe is the original Tumnus circuit with more features and more tweakability. Where the standard Tumnus has three controls (gain, volume and treble), the Deluxe adds an active bass and mid control for a full three-band EQ, plus a Normal/Hot switch and a buffer that can be switched to true bypass.
What does the Hot switch do on the Tumnus Deluxe?
The Normal/Hot switch adds a little extra gain when the pedal is being pushed into higher gain settings. In Normal mode you get the standard Tumnus-style drive; flipping to Hot takes the pedal from standard to higher amounts of drive.
Is the Wampler Tumnus Deluxe true bypass or buffered?
It is both. A side-mounted switch lets you choose between an articulate-sounding buffer, like an actual Klon pedal, or true-bypass operation. Reviewers on That Pedal Show noted the buffer setting should be chosen with care depending on what comes after it in your chain.
Can the Tumnus Deluxe run on a battery?
Yes. The pedal has a battery connection as well as a 9V power jack, and the LED flashes three times when battery power is getting low. It runs at 9V only, drawing 70.3 mA, so an external supply is the practical choice for most pedalboards.
What was the Germanium Tumnus Deluxe?
A limited-edition version of the Tumnus Deluxe released in July 2024 at $309, using USA-made 1N34A germanium clipping diodes, the original Klon diode choice. The 2,500-unit run sold out on launch day, and the pedal is now listed as sold out and discontinued.
Sources (12)
- Tumnus Deluxe, Wampler Pedals, 2026-09-01
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-09-08
- Wampler's Tumnus Deluxe “sets the new standard” for Klon-style overdrive pedals, MusicRadar, 2017-11-20
- Jef's Pedal Roundup, gearnews.com, 2017-11-27
- Wampler Tumnus, Ethereal and The Paisley Deluxe, MusicPlayers.com, 2018-10-31
- The Wampler Tumnus is the one pedal that will never leave my 'board, and its golden Klon-style overdrive goodness is now even cheaper for a limited time!, GuitarPlayer (www.guitarplayer.com), 2025-12-01
- Wampler Tumnus Deluxe Overdrive, Delicious Audio, 2021-08-09
- Best Klon clones 2026: Klon Centaur Klones for every budget, Guitar World, 2022-06-09
- 11 Best Overdrive Pedals For 2026 (Includes Budget Options), Tone Island, 2026
- That Pedal Show, That Pedal Show, 2017-12-15
- Klon vs Klone: Top 5 Budget Pedals Compared, Premier Guitar, 2020-04-17
- Review: Wampler Pedals Tumnus Overdrive, Guitar World, 2016-11-23
