Wampler Mini Pedals - Belle / Ratsbane / Plexi Drive - Unboxing & First Impressions

[@periurban]

I think of you as the Mr. Rogers of the pedal world.

[@grayaj23]

Needs more sweaters, but yeah.

[@Grvgabe]

And chords of orion is bob ross

[@joellebrodeur1015]

@@Grvgabe I was just going to say that😅

[@matthewdavis473]

Totally not a compliment

[@johnsterthemonster9181]

@@matthewdavis473 according to you

[@gfgdafgdf]

Ryan, I think you are hard on yourself. Personally, I think you are quite a good guitarist. Honestly. Who cares about shredding?! You have a groove and style of your own - that’s what counts.

[@JaniceLalla]

It's sad that you can't play actual songs in here with the copyright police lurking

[@joellebrodeur1015]

His older videos he plays more and fiddles less. Not sure why he changed it. I tinker on gear. If I bond with it, the playing chops come out. If I can't get comfortable with a piece of gear, I struggle. Like being thrown onto an ice rink and never used skates before.

[@JaniceLalla]

I'm sure the copyright policies crackdown changed everything for everybody

[@engelsjn]

Love Wampler pedals. Tumnus is probably my all time favorite pedal

[@ck2music712]

I can not express my IMMENSE gratitude for you actually using a CLEAN sound to demo pedals... I'm a serious tone chaser and it REALLY seems like 80% of pedal demos will start with "Here's my clean tone"- And it's already distorted as hell by their amp, and I immediately dislike the video and click off if it because it's COMPLETELY useless... Us real tone collectors know- Those videos are more about them showin off their "sick toanz" than giving an accurate and realistic representation of the gear that they're "demoing"... So, again, a million thanks! And GREAT demo, btw!

[@DBroce]

The Ratsbane is so much more when you don’t have the gain maxed. I have my gain at 10 o’clock and that’s pushing it. The Plexi drive has that added TS9 feature when you put the toggle on the right side, which makes it great. Wampler is amazing.

[@None_More_Metal]

Liking that Plexi Drive, especially that mids switch.

[@ChadWork1]

I got the Belle a couple weeks ago, and it's really great! I keep the button in, and the gain at 10-11 o'clock, then adjust the bass to taste depending on the pickup. So good for Teles!

[@JoshuaJH1987]

I’d mention that with the controls set a little different, the side clipping button on the Belle makes a tremendous difference. If you set the colour knob about 1 or 2 oclock and the gain about the same for clarity, you can REALLY hear the difference that button makes. To me with the button in, it’s more natural, non compressed, less gritty sounding and there’s just a presence to the sound that is there, but not as much with the other clipping. In my rig, it sounds like distortion without the distortion. Great video!

[@bruiserbrawler8054]

The Belle's tone, or whatever Mr. Wampler calls it acts like the TBX control Strats came with in the mid1980's. One way pegs bass and highs and then backs them down the other way, more mids. LOVE it. Ratsbane is my new favorite Rat...

[@Jaysteenn]

I love the Ratsbane too! Also check out Alexander Circuitry Cranium. Its a rat with tons of different clipping options.

[@Biofilmz]

Say what you want about the packaging, Brian makes some premium dirt pedals. Great review Ryan!

[@chadjohnson26]

I’m considering all three pedals and I appreciate you making this video. Thanks!

[@jasoncarlson7867]

Good timing of this video. Currently looking at picking up the Plexi Drive mini for some good old school Marshall tones.

[@michaelfreer9183]

Excellent “first impressions” video. I agree with you that, for me, the Belle is the most useful but that Plexi-drive sounds so fun. I also dug the little chord progression that sounded like the Andrew Lloyd Weber “Phantom of the Opera” song. 👍👍👍

[@60CycleHumcast]

Lol my wife poked her head in when I was editing and asked if I was playing phantom. It was totally unintentional.

[@michaelfreer9183]

@@60CycleHumcast Great minds think alike. 😉

[@mindfall82]

The Plexi Drive is great! Very musical at any level of gain!

[@lewisbeeman]

The saddle positioning on that guitar is blowing my mind

[@periurban]

I watched Ryan showing how he does his setups. Anything is possible!

[@dafud77]

I own the Belle, second favorite after my Sugar Drive from MXR

[@blairswitchproject2347]

You can hear the left switch more when the gain is low. Middle is lowest, left is 2nd, and right is the most gain. If you have the gain low, you can use the switch to go from light gain to searing distortion on the right without moving knob settings

[@johnbaker4666]

I think the Katana has a really nice Nobles clone with the natural overdrive setting. If you never noticed that go check it out.

[@Jaysteenn]

Thats good to know, I like the nobels circuit. I'll have to check it out.

[@BMitchell]

Plexi drive for the win. 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@lance134679]

Yeah, Brian does make pedals for some of the best pickers (Mason, Paisley, Wood...). The Plexi-Drive Deluxe is my current favourite drive pedal - it really comes close to converting a standard Fender amp into a Marshall. The mini version seems really dialed into the modded tone.

[@nandoblivion]

Tee hee…very late to this video but bro, you ARE a really good sounding player, your rhythm, your feel is more than good, I’m glad you’re not inundating viewers with blistering sweep picking & nuclear thrash blasts, makes it so much simpler to really hear what you’re demoing, your gear always sounds great & like ‘they’ say, tone is in the fingers, you got tone bruv!

[@nandoblivion]

Oh yeah, signed, HUGE Judas Priest, Van Halen, Michael Schenker, Randy Rhoads, Pantera, Gojira, Yngwie, Joe Bonamassa, etc. über fan 🤘🏼

[@lancecox8084]

I replaced my Vintage 1987 Rat with the Ratsbane, it plays better with other pedals, less noisy and the extra options really give you more tone control, plus has a very dynamic tone range than the ProCo Rat, I am digging the Plexi Drive too, surprisingly.

[@joshuaevans1922]

Cool to see you try out some more premium pedals! I am a big Wampler fan, cool to see you give your own take on a few of their stompboxes.

[@frankpalomacity]

the white and the green for the classic rock stuff...the grey one definitely more doomy

[@garrygaggles1160]

I'm with you on this - The Belle is the most usable for what I play. Plexi for the hard hitting stuff.... I'm just not a RAT user though. Maybe its for distortion lovers.

[@JoelCaseyJonesMusic]

Most people make the mistake of assuming the RAT is only a distortion box and turn the gain up WAY too much. It handles low/moderate gain better than most comparable dirt boxes with that much on tap. I love it with gain set anywhere below 9 o clock. It also stacks well with other lower gains. Gain staging with different pedals is my jam. I should have went that route a LONG time ago

[@andrewstendahl36]

I've been thinking about a lower gain setting with the Rat lately. I dont own one, I had and sold the JHS Distortion series (Rat Clone) which I felt was too bright and trebley and I tried the more bass laden Animals Pedals Tioga Road Cycling Distortion pedal which I felt had a really loose gain feel on the strum. The original circuit inside the ProCo Rat has to be its own thing. I still havent encountered one in person. Two other self proclaimed Rat clone pedals sounded different

[@phillippitts6294]

I love my Wampler plextortion!

[@artartpal]

Man, I freaking love that sparkly Harley Benton. Need to get one if I ever find it

[@DoobTube71]

My ID got hold of my Wampler EGO,...and the rest has been a rabbit's hole of tone chasing. Then came the Belle. Then the Tumnus. Then the Ratsbane. Next will be the Plexi mini. These damn pedal gear shows are addicting. I'm currently in Dogecoin investing recovery to recoup my guitar gear balance sheet loses! Lol. The Wampler Belle is my favorite mini pedal. Stacked with the Tumnus, they both put the pussy on the chain wax! Off. The. Chain!

[@grayaj23]

I loooooove my Ego pedal...

[@Jaysteenn]

The Belle Switch on the side makes more of a difference with Humbuckers

[@ghostofdavid]

The Ratsbane is speaking to me and the types of tones I'm interested in playing with. I see real lo-fi industrial potential there. Gonna have to get myself one and have some fun.

[@JAFOpty]

17:16 Ella usó mi cabeza como un revolver unplugged!

[@barnshart9662]

The Nobels ODR-1 is by far my favorite overdrive pedal. It's got a very large gain range, it is pretty boomy but they have a new version with a bass cut dip switch that addresses that "issue" some people have. If you look into Tom Bukovac, he's really an incredible session guy with a killer channel here on KZbin as well. He's semi credited as being the one to push the Nobels into the limelight in Nashville. And the current reissue of it in production is CHEAP. Like borderline affordaboard cheap. Check it out!

[@mantashaft]

At 7:20 my pop hypnotized me with that riff

[@ferox965]

The ratsbane is next for me. Pairing it with my Tumnus would be perfect.

[@briancullen9575]

One of your go to riffs always reminds me of the opening of the 90210 theme song, lol.

[@MaartenAnna]

As always, great review! That Wampler Belle sounds a bit like my Mosky Golden Horse (albeit the Wampler a little warmer & no fizzy sound).

[@DoobTube71]

Over the line! That's a foul. The Wampler Tumnus should be most similar to the Golden Horse. Lol.

[@MaartenAnna]

@@DoobTube71 I know, it didn’t make any sense to me either. I think 🤔 the Golden Horse is supposed to sound like a Klon, but it’s a lot fizzier through my amp (cheap Marshal knock-off). So, perhaps the Wampler Belle is supposed to sound like the Klon?

[@brianrollins7275]

I have the Belle and it can get you into klon territory but it is based on the nobels odr circuit. Very versatile little pedal and it’s a favorite of mine. ✌🏻

[@phunkyjunkee]

I have Moxie, Belle, and Ratsbane ❤

[@MrPhins]

I don't think I've ever seen Ryan intimidated by a pedal before. Just close your eyes and imagine it's an #affordaboard pedal lol.

[@jeffreydooley3745]

I watch Brian Wamplers channel. He is a genius. I'll own the Belle Overdrive!!

[@JoelK]

The Belle is a great ODR-1 based pedal. You’re right - noon is a great place. Bass control = ODR-1 that we can use with humbuckers

[@xjohn1970]

The TS-9 Tube Screamer sounds so good in a Marshall DSL on Regular Gain and even Better on Ultra Gain.

[@butchlauer]

I love it, drive me over the edge, for real for real!

[@jcd13able]

I could hear a little bit of the Green Acres theme song in that overdrive noodling.

[@mantashaft]

I’m a San Diego native and I think we should grab a pint at Shakespeares

[@apokswitch6378]

I love your videos...um, and if you're not a good player, then I should DEFINITELY give up in shame. I think you're awesome and come not only for the information and entertainment, but for the cool guitar noodling!

[@ricksigurdson2016]

I wouldn't worry about quality of playing as it is much like most of us or better. You obviously have fun and I really enjoy most of the videos. My wallet on the other hand, dislikes you😇

[@grayaj23]

Shredding is overrated. Style is what counts.

[@joellebrodeur1015]

@@grayaj23 I get turned off by shredding vids. As a rhythm player, shredding doesn't showcase what I need to hear.

[@jamesflack8624]

"That one has a li'l switchy on the side" You are pip, Edith... 😁👍 Cheers, 🍻

[@blairmichaelhogan4502]

The ODR-1 is indeed a Nashville not so secret (anymore) weapon. Basically, they sound amazing with a tele in bridge position into a blackface fender with high headroom, and that’s about all they work for. Very bass heavy circuit that doesn’t work in just any situation, but when it does it’s magic. Great layering tool for recording rhythm guitars too! I can’t keep mine on my board though - it gets lost in a band and makes me have to rethink my basic clean sound too much.

[@jw152]

Yes, but there are versions now that allow you to dial in the bass (I think the belle does it) for about any use. I’m a just barely to the edge of breakup guy on my clean sound though. It def shines driving into that type of clean sound.

[@AndrewLewisHowe]

Word. Just too much bass for my rig. I got the ODR mini, which has less bass than the original, but more bass than the new full-size version with the bass cut. STILL too much bass for my tastes. I'm keeping it for studio use where I can tone adjust the amps and such, but it just won't work with my live rig.

[@dannyrabin8415]

I hope you can do a Nobels pedal show. The Nobels mini would be a good side by side test with the Belle.

[@ScottfromBaltimore]

I think I want any of them.

[@bradconklin2878]

Love Wampler pedals.

[@Briansgate]

Plexi is where it's at!

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

. I find the Belle is not necessary because the original does it's thing well enough and is cheaper. One gets a Rat because it is also it's own thing. It too that once it is tampered with ends up moving into a conventional OD or it becomes a mediocre Fuzz that is best pulled off by a conventional OD or a real Fuzz. The Rat is significantly cheaper. It is not broken and does not need to be fixed.The Plexi is what it is. There are mountains of other choices. I think you made it sound much better than the whizz kids that have already demoed it. A Plexi was NEVER used when it was the only Marshall to solo without a Fuzz or treble booster.In short your chord things were the perfect choice, Thanx!!!

[@blairswitchproject2347]

I think that the regular odr-1 has a lot of low end that is hard to tone down, so that switch on the side cut that a bit to make it more versatile

[@al271987]

Pick up a Nobels Mini, they’re like $79 new and you could compare it with the Belle and see how it stacks up. I don’t see too many comparison vids between the Belle and the Mini from Nobels. I’d love to see your take.

[@ianskelding2218]

The plexi pedal is good for the punk rock sound, probably the more versatile of the 3 pedals

[@SeasonedSalmon]

The plexi drive is the nicest

[@ScottfromBaltimore]

I'm most interested in the pkexi-drive

[@chopper4484]

In the market for a Rat style pedal and the Ratsbane is certainly in the mix.

[@joshuaevans1922]

I grabbed a Rare Buzz Snitch a couple months ago and LOVE IT, I 100% recommend it.

[@JaniceLalla]

I enjoyed the replay!

[@subjectt.change6599]

I have an 18v slot left on my power supply, and Loop 2 on my EQD Swiss Things is lonely. One of these three is gonna live on the underside of my pedalboard. But how does one choose between such great tones?!

[@zachary963]

9:10 as a guitarist, I don’t think I’d ever use that switch lol. BUT, having some experience mixing music, ie with my producer ears, I hear a big difference and I would be picky with when I do and don’t use the compression. You know?

[@joellebrodeur1015]

I knew Brain Stew was going to crop up😄

[@paulmatulevich3623]

Dude, get ahold of a Browne Amplification Protein. It's half Nobles and it's amazing

[@jwjeffrey]

Why am I getting notify after video airs? I thought I'd get notify when the video is airing

[@jwjeffrey]

@@mjdbruyn Thanks, sometimes I do come to the site when it's live but it's really annoying to see the video air an hour before.

[@owlytimbre9103]

It doesn't sound like a ts circuit because it isn't one. The Belle is a Nobls circuit which is as different as an overdrive can be. In a universe of ts rip offs and variants the nobles is its own thing. The low end is just huge with that Princeton, my man. Holy shit!

[@timidater4803]

think the belle is based after one of the nobles pedals

[@jeffmazzei8520]

Why would you use a Tele to test pedals ??

[@normlenhart9565]

Love the Belle and plexi sounds. I guess I'm in the heretic side because I don't like he Rat sound at all and the 'Bane hasn't improved on it for me. Now I AM wondering how that Belle would stack in front of my SLOstortion. THAT is an awesome sounding pedal.

[@joshuaevans1922]

YES MORE BARITONE

[@ryancoder3165]

4:31 King of the Hill vibes

[@joellebrodeur1015]

I like what I hear but these aren't for my particular sound. The Belle is thick sounding. I'm on a short scale Ric and those tend to be bass heavy (kicks like a Ric bass if I let it). I'm pretty sure I'd blow a speaker using that pedal with that guitar. I'd have to hear the baritone on this to confirm that.

[@bouzoukiman5000]

Are you building the can'taffordaboard?

[@stimpsonjcat67]

Ratsbane makes my pants tight. The Tumnus is more useful by far. I need to get a Bell.

[@jeffmariajenson9751]

What amp are these pedals running in to?

[@Mark761966]

He has the box(es)

[@mantashaft]

At 4:55 is a single

[@ravenslaves]

I'll wait for the Chinese clones to hit the market, that are made in the same factory. ... ...are they here yet?

[@60CycleHumcast]

I’ve been to the warehouse where Wampler pedals are made... it’s not in China.

[@ravenslaves]

@@60CycleHumcast That's good news. I'm always suspicious of mini pedals that all seem to look oddly similar...(...making squinty, suspicious eyes as I type this...)

[@60CycleHumcast]

@@ravenslaves it’s unfortunate that mini pedals have become synonymous with cheap imports, if a circuit can fit it can fit and that has nothing to do with its quality.

[@ravenslaves]

@@60CycleHumcast You say "cheap" like that's a bad thing! For shame! I prefer to call it "inexpensive alternative gear". No, I was just reflecting on the manufacturing reality of outsourcing components and manufacturing to places like China to keep the costs down...and then being stolen and rebranded by the same factories and sold at a massive discount. ...I think some enterprising KZbinr even set up an "affordable board" sort of thing, to explore these sorts of pedals.

[@goodear1540]

How did you smash your ring finger?

[@60CycleHumcast]

Driving screws into a fence.

[@jpizzleforizzle]

Certified? Maybe certifiable... LoL. Love your vids bro!

[@iggyflop3777]

18v for the Belle is better

[@DoobTube71]

Yeah,...blah, blah, blah....! But does the Plexi DRIP?!? Lol.

[@rcolpitts5528]

Asking the real questions! Lol

[@baileydagnall9755]

#notalltubescreamers

[@cabbycabby1770]

The problem is my foot is the same size. So… I still have to space them out accordingly.

[@Dram1984]

The RAT is such a wonderfully ugly distortion pedal. :D

[@izzynutz2000]

You underestimate yourself sir

[@teknomanning]

Wish I could play as bad as you😊

[@rcolpitts5528]

I want a rat style pedal. But I can't decide between ratsbane, iron horse, or just a plain old rat. 🙃

[@60CycleHumcast]

Iron horse isn’t a traditional rat, the tone stack is very different.

[@rcolpitts5528]

@@60CycleHumcast yeah, that is making me lean more towards the ratsbane since it can be close to a rat and also get heavier.

[@markn4526]

I've tried and sent back the Iron Horse. It's a very high quality pedal, as are all Walrus products and it operates very quietly. However that "quality" seems to translate into a very refined, sort of "Rat" sound which isn't really what the Rat is all about. I also found the Iron Horse to be pretty dark-sounding too. I actually compared it side-by-side to the Ratsbane. I immediately liked the Iron Horse better because it just had so much girth, so I sent the Ratsbane on its way. After I played with the Iron Horse more...I regretted doing that. So I ended up with a Wampler Sovereign which to me is sort of a combination of a Rat and a high gain distortion pedal. I still yearn for a Ratsbane sometimes which does the Rat-thing really well and a lot more. I really want to try a PlexiDrive though.

[@rcolpitts5528]

@@markn4526 so I picked up the iron horse and found that even though I liked it. It didn't completely beat the built in rat on the hx stomp. And yesterday I picked up a used rat at a great price to use with my Amp setup. Sounds killer at a more reasonable price, and sometimes it's nice not to have three different modes and all the extras.

[@markn4526]

@@rcolpitts5528 Yeah, usually I don't like a lot of switches and knobs on anything, but the Ratsbane's controls (as tiny as they may be) are very purposeful and work very well. I had to keep the Iron Horse's tone control cranked (as bright as it would go) just for it to be usable. I think if you use primarily single coil pickups and/or have a thin-sounding amp, the Iron Horse could be the ticket. I don't use/have either and that's why it didn't work for me. On another note...all this has motivated me to order a PlexiDrive today!

[@jeffmazzei8520]

Please get another more knowledgeable and better player to demo !!! As of now these pedals don’t sound good!

[@60CycleHumcast]

Are you volunteering?