The Wilson Effects Lusus Naturae is an overdrive/boost pedal handmade in the U.S.A. by Wilson Effects. The maker describes it as "a faithful reproduction of the infamous K pedal with additional clipping options," and positions it as an organic overdrive/boost designed to push an amp that is already breaking up. Wilson Effects states that "while it is an overdrive the pedal is actually designed to boost or overdrive an already dirty amp," which places it in the same working role as other amp-focused drives in the overdrive pedals family.12
What it does to your sound
Wilson Effects markets the pedal around three features beyond the basic drive circuit. Harmonic Richness "enhances bends, pinch harmonics, and sustain," Unrivaled Tonal Enhancement "adds a natural shine and harmonic depth," and Amp-Driven Overdrive is "designed to boost or overdrive an already dirty amp."1 In plain terms, the maker intends the Lusus Naturae as a pedal you run into a cranked amp rather than as your only source of dirt, using it to lift an already overdriven tone rather than clean up a pristine one.2
The controls
The pedal has four standard controls: output, tone, gain and clipping.2
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Output | Adjusts overall volume1 |
| Tone | Shapes your EQ response1 |
| Gain | Controls the level of overdrive1 |
| Clipping | Selects various clipping stages of the pedal in its overdriven state; fully counterclockwise is the stock setting, with five additional settings12 |
The Clipping Selector is the pedal's main departure from the circuit it reproduces. It offers six different clipping stages, from the stock setting (fully counterclockwise) to five additional tone-shaping options, so a player can move between the original pedal's clipping character and five alternatives without changing pedals.1
Bypass and power
The Lusus Naturae is the only pedal in the Wilson Effects line that operates with a non-true bypass circuit. It uses buffered bypass, the same buffered bypass as the original it reproduces.2
Buffered bypass means the signal passes through a buffer when the pedal is on, which is a deliberate part of this design rather than an oversight. Players who prefer true bypass everywhere else on a board should know this pedal will not switch that way.2
Power is straightforward: the pedal runs on a 2.1mm center negative 9VDC power supply or a high-quality 9V battery.12 The 2.1mm center negative connector is the industry standard, so it works with ordinary pedalboard power supplies.2
Editions and availability
The pedal comes in two editions: Grabber Orange with standard graphics, and a special artwork edition in silver and black featuring a custom special art print created by David Medel, also known as WeirdBeard72.2
When Premier Guitar covered the pedal's unveiling in August 2017, the stock orange edition carried a street price of $175.00 each and the custom art version carried a street price of $195.00 each. The current maker's product page lists the price at $195.00.23 The pedal was reported available at select retailers and directly from the Wilson Effects online store.3
Wilson Effects includes its standard one year warranty on parts and labor, and accepts returns within 7 days of receiving a new pedal, with shipping costs not refunded and return shipping the customer's responsibility. All items are shipped via USPS Priority Mail.2
How it sits in the Wilson Effects range
The Lusus Naturae is one of several drives from the maker. Players comparing it within the same stable may also look at the Wilson Effects Capstone, a transparent overdrive with a clipping Mod switch, the Wilson Effects Angry Goat, or the Wilson Effects Lotus Drive. Its distinguishing points in that company are the K pedal reproduction basis and the six-position clipping selector, along with its buffered bypass, which is unique to this model in the line.12
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Questions
Is the Wilson Effects Lusus Naturae true bypass?
No. Wilson Effects describes the Lusus Naturae as the only pedal in its line that operates with a non-true bypass circuit, meaning it uses buffered bypass. The maker says the circuit features the same buffered bypass as the original pedal it reproduces, so the signal passes through a buffer rather than a hardwire true bypass switch.
Does the Lusus Naturae run on a battery?
Yes. Wilson Effects says the pedal runs on a 2.1mm center negative 9VDC power supply or a high-quality 9V battery, so it can be powered either way. Players using a shared power supply on a pedalboard should note the center negative connector is the industry standard.
Is the Lusus Naturae a Klon clone?
Wilson Effects describes the Lusus Naturae as a faithful reproduction of the infamous K pedal with additional clipping options. The maker does not name the K pedal further on the product page, so the pedal is best described as a K pedal reproduction with a six-position clipping selector added on top of the stock circuit.
How many clipping settings does the Lusus Naturae have?
Six. The Clipping Selector offers six different clipping stages, from the stock setting at fully counterclockwise to five additional tone-shaping options. The clipping control selects various clipping stages of the pedal in its overdriven state.
Where is the Lusus Naturae made?
Wilson Effects says the Lusus Naturae is handmade in the U.S.A. When the pedal was announced in August 2017, Premier Guitar reported that it was available at select retailers and directly from the Wilson Effects online store.
Sources (3)
- Lusus Naturae Pedal for Guitar Tone Adjustment, Wilson Effects
- Lusus Naturae, Wilson Effects
- Wilson Effects Unveils the Lusus Naturae, Premier Guitar, 2017-08-07
