Wampler Mofetta: A Modern Twist on the Mostortion MT10 Pedal Circuitry

🎛️ www.wamplerpedals.com/product...
In this video, we’re excited to introduce the newest release from Wampler Pedals: the Mofetta Overdrive/Distortion pedal. The Mofetta is built around the classic circuit topology of the Vintage Ibanez Mostortion, MT-10, but with a modern twist that brings new life to this vintage design.
The Ibanez Mostortion is known for its use of a MOSFET-based op amp and clipping diodes to achieve its unique overdrive sound. However, the Mofetta takes this concept further by having the ability of incorporating actual MOSFET gain stages instead of just relying on soft clipping diodes. This innovation brings a different texture and feel to the overdrive, making it a versatile tool for guitarists.
In the video, I start by discussing the inspiration behind the Mofetta. I explain the differences between the traditional Mostortion circuit and my new design, focusing on the use of MOSFETs for clipping. This method emulates the cascading gain stages found in tube amps, resulting in a more dynamic and responsive overdrive.
🎥 Here’s a breakdown of this video:
Introduction and Background: I explain the history of the Mostortion pedal and my motivation for creating the Mofetta. I touch on the high demand for Mostortion clones and my desire to offer something unique in the market.
Circuit Overview: I provide a detailed walkthrough of the Mofetta’s circuit blocks. The original Mostortion circuit uses a MOSFET-based op amp and clipping diodes, but the Mofetta adds MOSFET gain stages to enhance the clipping and overall tone. This results in a pedal that can switch between the traditional Mostortion sound and a new, crunchier MOSFET-based overdrive.
Sound Demonstration: I showcase the Mofetta through various settings, starting with the base Mostortion circuit and then switching to the MOSFET gain stages using the texture switch. This part highlights the pedal’s versatility, from subtle overdrive to more aggressive distortion.
Technical Details: I go into the specifics of the circuit design, explaining how the signal flows through the op amp and MOSFET stages. The use of low pass and high pass filtering helps shape the overall EQ, ensuring a balanced tone that suits a variety of musical styles.
Practical Use: I discuss how I personally use the Mofetta, emphasizing its capabilities as both a light overdrive and a high-gain distortion pedal. I also mention its popularity in Nashville for adding a bit of grit to clean tones.
Thank you for your support! Check out the Wampler Mofetta here:
Our website (direct sales) : www.wamplerpedals.com/product...
Our Reverb.com store: reverb.com/shop/official-wampler
Find your favorite retailer: www.wamplerpedals.com/dealers/
Timestamps:
00:00 start
00:33 Introduction and background
02:01 Circuit Overview
03:36 Play-through/Demo
12:01 Technical Circuit Details
14:23 Why this pedal?
15:17 Conclusion
🎥 Want to learn to design your own guitar pedal circuits?
Click Here for My beginners DIY course:
www.guitarpedalcourse.com/cou...
Use coupon code 25off for 25% off all of my courses including this one

[@RockAudioExperiments]

Brian is like Bob Ross for guitar. "We'll just put a happy little gain stage here" 😂😂

[@SearchingForTone]

I called him Mr Wizard in my video🤣 This pedal is absolute sick

[@7mint]

It sounds absolutely silky, love it; it's also green which is the best possible colour and now I want it

[@jcugnoni]

Really cool sound and I love that you bring both the OG and your own design in the same box.

[@deanallen927]

Wow, that switch does a lot! What FUN! Gotta get one of these.

[@EDDIE.EDDISON]

Wampler, the king of Twangstortion circuits 👍 I love cloning and tweaking wampler circuits.

[@zachmiller4575]

Just got my Mofetta a few days ago and I absolutely love it you did such a great job with this! Im absolutely in love with the way it stacks with my prince of tone it’s much fuller and thicker than a klon of a tube screamer.

[@jay2xtremefy]

Thank you Brian been waiting for this.

[@earlcoli5607]

Great demo Brian, I just placed my order and can't wait to integrate it into my pedalboard. I really like the fact that the Mofetta has a three band eq for fine tuning. I like the fact that it can be used as a "clean" boost in addition to the high gain stages. Great sounding pedal Brian!

[@deezmusicnotes]

This thing is exactly what I've been looking for. I love it at every setting, from thin break up to thick drive. And it cuts!!!!

[@zipcheckcheck]

Nice work, again, Brian. The Mofetta sounds glorious from "clean" all the way through to distorton...and your guitar playing is tasty too.

[@Hallucinogenic_Recipe]

Awesome video 🤘 another great pedal from the master.

[@EasyHeat]

Dude. You had me at Mosfet. I remember once having an albeit brief back & forth conversation with Zack Vex about "amp like" MIAC distortion, and he absolutely schooled me on why a Mosfet circuit is superior within that particular application. Z-Vex is an absolute genius. No Cap! Personally I play within the whole Post Punk Hardcore/Doomy/Stoner Rock genre, but as a creature of habit? I tend to prefer boosting and/or running a fuzz into an already driven Marshall-esque crunch tone rather than relying on any one specific pedal through a clean amp. If that makes sense?!! The Mofetta seems like just what I've been searching for. Absolutely brilliant Brian! Muchas Gracias! Cheers!

[@greyklopstock7155]

LET'S GOOO!!! I'VE BEEN WAITING, DREAMING!!! MOSTORTION GANG GGGG!! You can finally purchase both a Wampler odr1 and a mostortion. This goes CRAZY

[@MyDave3000]

I would love a messa boogie sounding pedal

[@gcensing6351]

Thank you Brian, for mentioning the feel of the pedal. This is an argument I seem to have a lot with people; you can have all the tone you want, but if it doesn't have the feel... I'd rather play gear with the right feel, that is not exactly my tone, than something that has all the tone, but leaves me cold!

[@NINEWALKING]

Brian explains his designs and demonstrates it the best. The only “problem” with this one is that you want 3 of them 😀

[@markhammer643]

I've built a few MT10 clones, for myself and people who asked me to, and personally I find the best part of it is the 3-band EQ. I find it is able to dial in a very broad range of sounds. So thank you for twisting all those knobs and showing just how flexible it can be. A second aspect of the stock MT10 that yields a pleasing tone is the use of a 2+2 clipping diode complement, like a Timmy, for a little more dynamics, and a much lower bass rolloff than found on a TS-9 or SD-1, for a fuller beefier sound. But I think the REAL secret is those 6-pin op-amps. I'll bet you had to go to the Akihibara in Tokyo for those. I've tried breaking 2 of the pins on 8-pin dual op-amps. Maybe I've just broken the wrong ones, but I can't seem to get a decent tone from them, or indeed ANY tone. 😀 But without revealing too much, do you consider the modded circuit to be a "double clipper"? A triple clipper? Something else?

[@richieworrell]

Brian whoever is doing your graphics these days is killing it. This and the Ego76 both look SO good. Not to mention how great they sound.

[@wampler_pedals]

Thanks! That would be Richard Oliver of amplify creative.

[@StudioonaStick]

Thanks for the in depth, very educational.

[@rprochowski3930]

Good stuff Brian...another great pedal.

[@benligil]

Not just his pedals but his playing is also awesome. I expect an album from Mr.Wampler.❤ This one and latest 1176 like compressor on my list.

[@mrmatthew2443]

Yep, shoot just as a boost , a 3 band boost..!!! I love the 2 types of clipping toggle It’s gonna make it super versatile

[@satch72]

I've always liked the mosfet distortions that I've played in the past and was thinking recently why don't I see that as often as I used to. And boom here it is

[@jeremeydonovan8286]

Can’t wait to play one been waiting for this!

[@jeremeydonovan8286]

14:24 when Brian loves it your going to love it!

[@JBASH2011]

Cannot wait to check this out. Would also love to hear your take on the old distortion charger. I used one of these back in the nineteen eighties for lower volume playing with my Marshall 2104/2204. I've always felt that pedal doesn't get much love.

[@jimgibson9811]

Gold. Even if it is green. And I love the nerdy engineering stuff.

[@mrmatthew2443]

Wow I think I’m gonna love it Thanks

[@lukehearn1341]

That thing sounds unbelievable

[@_HEYJACK]

Sweet! Nice work!

[@sassycat]

It's on my list, those tones are choice!

[@cuadra234]

Nice I like this sound in how it clean really nice I liked it And the design too Maya calendar nice look 😎👍

[@bryancroad2063]

Another great spin!

[@ivankachkovski]

Finally! I’m so getting myself one!

[@MartialBoniou]

My very first amp was MOS-FET based, a Hughes & Kettner in the 90s. My latest-bought distortion pedal is a brazilian one: also using MOS-FET.

[@JHKNVY02]

Another win from Wampler! Not only is this channel amazing and I’ve learned so much, both as an engineer and a musician about the pedals that help make even my attempts at noise sound terrific. Thank you for the great sounding pedals re-released at prices the working guy or gal can afford and not worry about dragging a priceless artifact around, and with the extra benefit of the updated version often sounding better, AND with more features. Now.....time for a shootout/comparison! Ibanez MT-10 Mostortion vs Karma MTN-10 vs Wampler Mofetta! Let's get it on!

[@wampler_pedals]

Thanks so much!

[@JHKNVY02]

@@wampler_pedals Thank you for the amazing products DESIGNED and MADE in the USA! Go America!

[@Fl4ppers]

I'm not one for compression in pedal form, but your Ego76 has become a firm fave of mine! This one sounds amazing, too.

[@daviddorrian5349]

Sounds great! A very open rich sound. Haven't bought a drive pedal in over 2 year and only have 2. I might dip my toe back in, maybe. Drive pedal addiction can be very similar to drugs....😅 I'm 2 years clean!

[@jw6588]

I got over that addiction last year myself. Really trying hard to resist. My plan is to pick this one up on the used market after the sticker shine has worn off. If I had more money, I'd buy it outright but in this economy...

[@Bobby_Digital37]

Sounds great!!👍🏽

[@fixedgear37]

Just in time. We were running short on overdrives.

[@wampler_pedals]

Can’t have enough overdrives. It’s the pizza of the pedal world.

[@Jim-H]

Wow! ……just WOW!!

[@BK-lx5mo]

The best ears in the business. I have yet to hear a “bad” Wampler pedal.

[@xsonicassassinx]

Have you ever discussed clipping zener diodes? That seems to be at the heart of all my favorite distortion circuits and I’d love to see you walk through how to use them.

[@philroselle1514]

This pedal is absolutely the best OD-Dist pedal ever!! It makes everyone of my guitars sound better. It's incredibly versatile, built like a tank and has tons of volume. Highly recommended!!

[@SearchingForTone]

I totally did not do justice to your pedal in my video, but it is freaking amazing. I have never hated one of your pedals, but this one is next level

[@wampler_pedals]

Thanks so much! Can you post your link here for others to check out?

[@SearchingForTone]

I don’t think they’d like to see my garbage playing. Been trying to learn the whole gambit of video editing. Getting back into playing after nearly 25 years of not playing. But ok

[@SearchingForTone]

And unfortunately the audio got caught out of me trying to tell Tom Hanks Who you are. 😂

[@heathlane8317]

Definitely along the same lines as the Mosfet switch on my FAT RAT pedal, adding a certain "something" to an already-good-sounding circuit and making it even BETTER. Dig it!

[@McCambira]

Incredible

[@chrisfit]

Sounds ace!

[@shanebrbich5698]

Beautiful stuff Brian! Best comment section on YT😂 👍🇦🇺

[@mikelermanmusic]

Well that sounds fricken awesome. Sounds a lot like my OCD but with more options

[@rickfrost5594]

Damn you Brian. I don't need another crunch pedal. But................here I go. I think it's a lot like the Paisley which I now use for my crunch. However the 3 band eq just sold me on it. So again....Dan you, and another great pedal.

[@JasminBellavance_Music]

Very cool! 🤟

[@nobodybusiness4739]

we love ya Brian

[@LeviBulger]

It sounds just like a Marshall to me. In fact, I'm pretty sure HnK put out an amp in the early 2000s that was basically using FETs instead of 12AX7s into a pair of EL34s. 3 band EQ. Yeah... Basically sounded exactly like this and was meant to do the Marshall thing as well. Great pedal Brian! Love this design.

[@joerectifier]

My subjective opinion - FET generated clipping sounds GREAT on single coils. The Rivera Clubster 25 Doce, which I have wrestled with for years, sounds kick ass on Tele’s and Strats but just has a “mush” or compressed attack and a sorta “beef cake” sound with the increased output of a humbucker. The Rivera has an introductory stage FET in the overdrive channel….and as you have learned and shown, the MIDS are super important to regain some of that crunch and attack with FET overdriven humbucker guitars. Personally, I don’t care for it - but with single coils it is great. It’s a flavor, as you mentioned. Not good or bad, but certainly open to interpretation and opinion. The “feel” of the chords and notes is lacking the touch and tube compression with humbucker unless you do a certain trick on the front end…which is a fair compromise. Great video and I enjoyed it as well as the pedal!

[@Gearhart_Music]

I just looked up the Mostortion on Reverb and, um...holy crap!! $$$$$

[@ernest5328]

In my opinion, the texture switch in that position sounds like a great overdrive, Switched up It sounds like several different types of amplifiers as you adjust the bass, mids and treble.

[@Scooby743]

The "Texture" setting would be my always on!

[@jimhart1959]

Nice!

[@livekaos]

Well done ‘

[@GazP23]

14:27 “people ask, why the Mostortion?” Because Bri is bringing sexy back, that’s why! Sounds killer 😎

[@egorreshetnikov3864]

nice one!

[@OneMoreGrave]

Your drives keep populating my board. First the Belle, then the Ratsbane, now this bad little mofo. I like your style dude.

[@jeffoberg772]

The custom mode sounds more articulate. Either the attack is emphasized or it’s allowing individual notes to shine through.

[@danstringer7610]

Dad rock…all day! And that is a good thing in my opinion.

[@chipsterb4946]

It’s so funny Brian is talking about his need to build in his own flavor/tweaks. I got a Tumnus Deluxe several years ago. I’m sure that I flipped that toggle switch to the right when I first got it, but it’s been pointing left for a long time. Yesterday morning I got the urge to flip it to “modern” and almost immediately found a sound I just love. Now that I have a Duke of Tone, I know what a KoT is supposed to sound like. I can get there pretty quickly with my Pantheon, but there are so many more sounds in that pedal. That’s supposed to be a long winded “thank you” for making pedals that are fun to explore with. P.S. this thing sounds great but I need to play more and no more pedals.

[@edhusz7555]

Very well spoken. That is what I love the Pantheon for also. Unbelievably versatile pedal. High Gain mode + Hard Clipping mode even gives you Diezel VH-4 channel 3 sounds (Tool/Adam Jones). And I bought that pedal to get Julian Lage's sound that he acquired with a JHS Morning Glory. I can't believe how absurdly well designed, usable and inspirational the Pantheon is. Thank you, Brian!

[@1vexed73]

We need a silent stage bravado pedal with IRs. Yes they are plenty of options but most more complicated then need be for running pedal board into a PA. just a thought.

[@HexxHenderson]

Speaking of headroom, I bought a 1976 Lincoln Continental with a tilt steering column because it has more headroom.

[@wampler_pedals]

😂😂

[@stahliwood8755]

​@wampler_pedals I love the fact you threw a pedal on stage at Brad Paisley. Love the paisley drive. You got Taste the Biscuit stuck in my head though lol

[@wampler_pedals]

It’s a banger! Haha

[@adamoutlnd7609]

I'm considering using this to attempt to create a kind of chimey low gain faux Filtertron sound via the middle position on a Tele.

[@ralph_clay]

That's a great sounded Tele Brian. What pickups are in it? It always sounds phenomenal.

[@keithfranklin7489]

Me: mentally accepts my need for a pedal buying hiatus and puts into practice Wampler: throws an awesome new readily available pedal in my face

[@crock2434]

I just wish they would make a pedal that has selections for clipping,gain stages,and tone stacks. Like the coppersound switching modules but in an actual pedal.

[@sonidojamon]

I love it!! I just find that a "clean blend" has become a non-negotiable for my OD/DS/FUZZES. I wish this one had it. Although I've found some ODs to be transparent enough so I don't miss it. Is that the case with this beauty?

[@scotthutchens1556]

This is one I think I can definitely buy because I like what my original Mostortion does but the bypass switch is bad which is not unusual for Ibanez pedals. I have to open the pedal compartment and push the white plastic button by hand, so I don’t use it that much. Plus-it isn’t true bypass. I can tell right from the start this sounds better than the Mostortion!

[@MrJingles021]

I'd love for you to make a chorus pedal. Walrus Audio Julia is good, but I don't like the volume increase I get with it. I'm sure you could make a wicked one and help me get that Zakk Wylde tone.

[@pointblankokc]

Time to start saving pennies and selling old pedals. I gotta have this one !

[@gaijin_lfc]

Sounds fantastic. GAS demands that I have one.

[@fadingdestination]

Sounds really Nice, Sir! Sounds like you got those eq knobs Right; I can’t stand worthless knobs.. they tease me.

[@Fl4ppers]

"worthless knobs.. they tease me" 😂 Comments are GOLD today!!!

[@jaredl123]

The more knobs the betterer the pedal is, and the more likely it will finally be the pedal that turns me into a guitar god.

[@KreativeDevices]

🔥

[@emdblues]

Sounds killer! Brian, are you gonna do an OD3 style pedal in the future?

[@wampler_pedals]

I’ve contemplated it. I love that circuit!

[@joerectifier]

Designing with mosfets is fun! Thats WHY 😂

[@picksalot1]

Brian, Do you make a "Utility Pedal" that combines an EQ, Boost, Noise Gate, and Tuner into one? When I used Pedals, it was easy for Pedalboards to quickly grow too big. I've used Modelers for many years, but I think there still may be a place for a single Pedal with those 4 critical functions.

[@reverbdeluxe]

Does Lee Roy Parnell approve? He started the mostortion craze in Nashville in the 90's.

[@edhusz7555]

One question: Is the "unmodded" setting a more or less exact copy of the MT-10? I didn't get that from the video. Btw: I think it is so cool that you keep an eye out for the whishes of your fans! When I saw your Mostortion video, I also thought immediately: please make this a pedal! Nice to have some whishes come true! :)

[@wampler_pedals]

Yes, in that setting, it’s a straight up mostortion circuit

[@devilslide01]

Brian, I really want to know which of your gain pedals including this one could be used as a preamp?

[@waynegram8907]

Why do Mosfet based Opamps/Mos Op amp have more headroom than a Non-Mosfet based Op amp? Which Mosfet based Opamps are you using?

[@Nugmania1]

Brian, would you say that the late ‘80 Fender amps like the Princeton Chorus and M-80 were using these type of ideas and circuits for theps Thanks Ruderik

[@xdoctorblindx]

My favourite part of Brian's pedals is that includes the original circuit just so you can see how much worse it is than his design and then never touch it again lol. Another great new circuit!

[@edhusz7555]

Haha, something about this is definitely ture in a way! :D

[@Scooby743]

How would putting interstage high cut affect the circuit?

[@cheeseUout]

oh god. i'm into dad rock now

[@TrevorrNourse]

Dear Wampler Team - The link to purchase isn't working... Sounds awesome...

[@wampler_pedals]

Temporary website problem, all fixed now

[@JV-rx3ov]

It hurts when Brian refers to a pedal that I remember buying when it first came out as “vintage”.

[@middle_pickup]

Doesn't the OCD use mosfets for clipping? Sounds like another cool drive, Brian!

[@wampler_pedals]

Thanks! OCD: kinda, sort of. It uses them as clipping diodes, where I'm using them as amplification stages, much like we use preamp tubes in a tube amp.

[@middle_pickup]

@@wampler_pedals interesting. Thanks!

[@fridgeonion]

Instantly sold on the first chord haha.

[@elliotgreen987]

How does the second mosfet stage work? If the first is clipping and distorting why is that not limiting the signal preventing the second from clipping?

[@wampler_pedals]

It’s adding more clipping basically.

[@user-qe1qt7pk8m]

You should make a Rockman pedal!

[@ronmoes42]

Great pedal! Sounds good and it has nice nuances. I think if you are looking to create new pedals you could go another direction, instead of thinking of one pedal that does this or that....why not caputering an era?! A great example is the steel panther PM pedal, an explicit name BUT and it also has one thing it does, yet it being a the limited edition and coming from a band that is mostly 80's glamour rock inspired, you could try and caputre the era too and use like two effects. I always think distorion and delay are two nice things to have, you could then make a 80's rock pedal, or have a distion and chorus and make an L.A rock pedal. this can go everywhere, from Brittish punk rock to 70's CCR type of sounds. Letting people have two effect (or three) to get the sound of an era is a nice thing on any guitar board.

[@wampler_pedals]

I like it!

[@neshead80]

So I ended up zoning out on how close the string tree is to the nut on that guitar.

[@LeviBulger]

Im confused on the circuit diagram, Brian. So it goes through the 3 band EQ twice? Can anyone explain what he means when he says it exits the two fets into a "not really 3 band eq" then to the op amps,then back to the 3 band EQ again...

[@wampler_pedals]

It goes into eq “circuitry “ but not a graphic eq. This circuitry is different high and low pass filtering.

[@LeviBulger]

@@wampler_pedals Ahhhh ok, I get it now. Very cool mod to the mt10 circuit. Thanks, Brian!

[@martijn_yt]

Do you have insight in the reasons why Ibanez did not go for the mosfet distortion design in their pedal ?

[@wampler_pedals]

It was just a different time in the pedal world back then. My guess is that they were simply combining a few different circuit blocks in order to bring out something new. Back then it was mostly engineers working under deadlines. These days it’s a lot of people like me, guitarists who have learned electronics and view pedal designing more like an art form.

[@pirhala]

How about this with a bass rig?

[@BobcatOneManBand]

I hope this is more dynamic than the danelectro pedal that claims to do that. Your video is promising about that