Wampler Tumnus Germanium vs MXR Timmy vs MXR Duke Of Tone vs Nobels ODR-mini: overdrive shootout!

[@RichWordsMusic]

Timestamps have gone mini like the pedals today: 00:00 Introduction and what we’re doing today 01:03 What is transparent overdrive? 01:27 Wampler Germanium Tumnus info 01:51 MXR Timmy info 02:25 MXR Duke Of Tone info 03:14 Nobles ODR-mini info 03:50 Today’s rig and plan 04:45 Fender Telecaster indie rock loop 13:35 Epiphone Les Paul classic rock loop

[@jaxta2]

I loved both the Tumnus and the Timmy. And I really loved when the Tumnus was stacked into the Timmy briefly

[@RichWordsMusic]

Yes, those two stacked together are awesome! And on their own too, obviously. A great pair to have on any board :)

[@RaisonBaby]

You are the best gear reviewer bar none. Thanks for the work and excellent organization!

[@RichWordsMusic]

Thanks so much! It makes me very happy to hear that people like you appreciate these videos... more to come!

[@Fostext]

Great video! I loved how you set this up like an experiment while you let the loops play. Liking the Timmy and the Tumnus the best. Thank you

[@RichWordsMusic]

Thanks a lot! Yes, it's almost scientific in a way ;) And I learn a lot about the pedals while making the videos too... sonic experiments, for sure. Cheers for watching and enjoying!

[@KordTaylor]

👏 Thank you for the excellent video. Can't wait to hear your preferences. Seems like you really thought this process through.

[@RichWordsMusic]

Cheers, glad you enjoyed it! I find these videos extremely useful in getting to know my pedals better as well.

[@CatharticGuitar]

July 2024. I just got the Germanium Tumnus Deluxe. It’s definitely an always-on-the-board keeper.

[@RichWordsMusic]

I've just seen that version! Probably I'm too late to get hold of one now ;) Enjoy yours, because if it's anything like the Mini it's brilliant!

[@jahjah67]

The Tumnus and the Timmy were far superior to my ears. I’ve owned the DOT and a modified Nobles Mini but I thought they sounded really inferior in this comparison. I have the original Tumnus and still like it a lot but I’m really impressed with the Timmy . Nice comparison

[@jared8324]

I’m not sure why the nobels is popular in Nashville, maybe for recording it sounds good but it just gets so muddy in a live mix, maybe that’s why all the Nashville guys have to run a boss eq after it to fix the eq of the pedal, to me if I have to use an eq pedal as a solo boost it’s the wrong pedal

[@user-wv1ef2my2t]

Good evening, I wish you a pleasant and peaceful experience of the Christmas holidays. Greetings from the Czech Republic. Pavel CZ. PS Video again great, comprehensive and inspiring. Stay healthy and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you next year.👍🎸

[@RichWordsMusic]

Hey Pavel, wishing you a great Christmas and festive season too! Relax, play guitar, eat good food, do whatever feels good :) This is what I will be doing. I'm super happy you're enjoying my videos and looking forward to whatever comes in 2024! All the best and rock on :)

[@Samana009]

Definitely, the one to cut into the mix is the Tumnus, but the best sounding one is the the Timmy.

[@RichWordsMusic]

That's a good way to look at it I think... you can make the Timmy cut through too though with a bit more tweaking.

[@robertdonosobuchner3129]

The Tumnus and the Nobels are the best pedals for me. All the pedals sound good to me, but I would use these for different music styles. I would use the Duke of Tone and the Timmy for blues and blues rock. The other two pedals I would use for rock. The Tumnus would be my choice, it has a special character that I like. I'm still thinking about a pedalboard with only mini pedals...but I'm not sure if they are good enough or if they producing humm... I would like to have an overdrive, distortion, chorus, delay, reverb, flanger, octaver, fuzz and a tuner on my mini pedalboard. I would safe me a lot of space on my pedalboard that I use...

[@elliotvernon7971]

Thanks for this video - they all had something that I liked. Overall, I think the Timmy sat in the ‘sweet spot’ between all of them, but I would be happy to own all four 😅

[@RichWordsMusic]

Thanks Elliot... I happen to agree! There's something very special about the Timmy. It has a little less aggression than the others (in lower gain modes) and I love the way it just subtly makes me always sound better... it's a must-have for me. But all of these are, in their own way, and I am indeed happy I own all four ;) Cheers and rock on!

[@waitin4winter]

The Duke of tone has an internal trim pot for presence that is set at noon by default. Really this should be turned all the way off as that’s how the KoT comes. It sounds better that way, presence should only be added as needed

[@RichWordsMusic]

Well there you go, I didn't even know that! Thanks for the tip. I guess I need to remake the video ;) Or at least make another at some point!

[@toddwilliamson2651]

I did not know that im getting out the screwdriver right now. Which toggle do you prefer? Ive been using the boost.

[@michaelbradley8937]

Thank you very much for the comparison - I look forward to hearing your own thoughts and conclusions in the future video. I probably prefer the Tumnus and Timmy based on your play-through, but I think the DoT has some good sounds and I believe the internal treble trim pot could be adjusted for less brightness given your guitar/amp (at least in the single-coil section where I thought the DoT sounded a bit tinny). I was fortunate enough to get one of the new Germanium Tumnus pedals and I look forward to doing a similar comparison, although I'll be using the Nobels ODR-1 30th Anniversary (with Spectrum & Bass-cut) and the new(ish) Nordland Custom Special (with full/active 3-band EQ) to really dial in that ODR-type circuit. I'm planning to pick up the MXR DoT and Timmy as well. Thank you for the guitar gear content that you provide!!

[@raygehring]

I still feel lucky that I got the Wampler Germanium Tumnus-I just happened to watch Wampler's video that morning and got one after watching the video. The price was definitely reasonable that morning, they seem to be going for a lot more now of course.

[@RichWordsMusic]

Me too! We got lucky for sure. It's a wonderful sounding pedal, and I shan't be selling mine, even though I know I could make a bit of money on it if I did. I want it to play it!

[@raygehring]

Exactly! I've been loving having it on the board next to the Archer pedal because they have different characteristics and can be used as such or stacked.@@RichWordsMusic

[@pyratoothNL]

Fun shootout and shows the similarities of the pedals. The biggest differences are in the extremes, though the Tumnus had a significant mid-hump compared to the others and a bit mufly with the gain up. The Timmy is too subtle for my tastes, you could get similar sounds from a much cheaper OD pedal. Sounded to me like the ODR-mini had the most diversity in the controls, the drive and spectrum really cover a lot of ground verging on distortion.

[@JoelCaseyJonesMusic]

I have the Timmy, Duke, and Tumnus deluxe (non germanium obviously) and I have to say they each do their own thing but none of them are “subtle”. The Timmy is the most subtle of them but even then it can go full trash can if you want it to. All 3 are my main drives on my board and they live there. Cheers!

[@pyratoothNL]

​@@JoelCaseyJonesMusic Yeah, that's true. It's good to see these kinds of comparisons though, especially if you're looking for a specific sound. Glad to hear I'm not the only one with a bunch of ODs on their board 😉

[@alejandroangeles8587]

I have the Duke and the big ODR-1. Both, Amazing pedals. And I'll receive MXR Timmy in one week. I can't wait to stack them... Thanks so much for such an excellent demo. I wonder which are your preferences while stacking them. Both in settings as well as in the signal chain's order. Thanx so much again. This is the best review of these pedals.

[@pierrelatupeirissa352]

Thanks man, nice video

[@RichWordsMusic]

Thanks a lot, glad you enjoyed it!

[@duncansbuddy]

Had my head spinning after Jimmy and Tumnus. They all sounded good. The main thing I got out of it all clearly was that the Tumnus has a higher volume output. Wish I had your Tumnus though, I'd sell it and buy the other three, and perhaps some red knobs. Then take what's left of the money from the sale of the Tumnus and treat myself out to a nice steakhouse. Nice vid.

[@ernest5328]

I love the Duke of Tone... The sound!! ...I thought of getting two just to have another set for second sound. The Nobels with the spectrum set low is power chord Happiness!!

[@RichWordsMusic]

Yes, two Dukes... and you've got a King Of Tone! Would be a fantastic option. The Nobels is just great for punk and anything vaguely aggressive ;)

[@BB-ft6nd]

All of them sound great. I’d probably get the Duke and the Tumnus.

[@RichWordsMusic]

I agree, and I think those are two awesome choices - you can cover anything with those two, and they stack together supremely 🔥

[@alejandroangeles8587]

7:38 At that point, the Timmy and the Tumnus sound almost identical. I have all these with the excepción of the Tumnus (but the Mosky Golden and Silver Horse are great too...)

[@RichWordsMusic]

Yep, it's amazing how close they all get at some points. These are all fantastic pedals, though. I'd recommend them all. Still gotta try the Mosky pedals! I will do one day :)

[@AD-kv9kj]

Similar, though the Tumnus just had a bit more life to it, like a deeper richness to the distortion.

[@kylethompson1987]

Nice video! It’s helpful to shoot them all out at noon to give an idea of how loud they are, I don’t like pedals without a lot of headroom. I have that Tumnus and a protein which covers the kot and odr1. They all play very nicely together. Perhaps a follow up vid where you demonstrate stacking combinations of these pedals would be useful to many. I’m sure lots of people will have a version of 1 of these and wonder which might pair best!

[@RichWordsMusic]

Thanks a lot! Yes, the headroom thing is interesting, and the Tumnus has a bunch. It's way louder than the other three here (and I think this might be a Wampler thing - my Ratsbane and Pantheon both have plenty of volume too) and that's an advantage for sure. I always learn plenty about the pedals and how they work on their own (and together!) when I do these vids, and I think others do too... plenty more to come in 2024 :)

[@NickSergeev]

Amazing video! Does your Tumnus make a very loud mechanical click when stepping on it? Mine got it and I wonder if this is something out of the ordinary, none of my other pedals make this loud click although some of them also got true mechanical switches.

[@jottieman]

All Great pedals with different values in the circuit design.

[@RichWordsMusic]

Yep, they're all great flavors of the same family, if you will.

[@PooNinja]

Mini housing massive tones! They all stack well together to my ears.

[@PooNinja]

Descriptors for tone are hilarious, transparent, warm, gritty just play em and see how they make you feel. I feel warm and gritty, I should probably bathe? Oh and Appy Olidays Sir may (adam H) all your Christmas wishes come true.

[@RichWordsMusic]

Totally agree! They all have their own thing going on (you know, the descriptive adjectives!) and play really nicely together too. And they're small enough to have all four on my board if I want ;) Merry Christmas to you too! Play lots of guitar and don't do anything you don't want to or need to :)

[@PooNinja]

@@RichWordsMusic 🤘🏽

[@dennisdavis6960]

I'm not talking about how well they operate. I'm talking about size. Size matters haven't you heard.

[@luiza177music]

I'm surprised at how quiet this Timmy is. I don't know what the PC V2 is like, but I never run my V3 past 9:15 o' clock-ish. I've also been itching to try the Duke of Tone, I loved it when the Tumnus was going into it too.

[@mrkite89]

I'm not sure but I heard that the first batch of MXR Timmy's had a different taper for the volume pot but now they fixed it: I bought one few days ago and it's super loud, unity volume around 10 o' clock or less.

[@MarkBadia]

It's always interesting when people do a shootout review of a pedal you can not get!

[@RichWordsMusic]

You can get all of these easily... you might have to pay a little more for a Germanium Tumnus, but let's be honest, the standard Tumnus is almost identical. (I wouldn't pay the extra for the Germanium one - I was lucky to get one before they sold out.)

[@KordTaylor]

Sorry. like you do try and sort the gain as you go along. Thank you.

[@RichWordsMusic]

Yes, in the end we did it! I always like to start with everything at 12 o'clock, and then go from there. Helps me (and hopefully you guys watching!) to hear the differences and the similarities of the pedals. Cheers for watching!

[@kleberkshima]

Awesome!!!!

[@RichWordsMusic]

Thanks my friend, I hope you are well! See you at NAMM in January?

[@kleberkshima]

@@RichWordsMusic ​​⁠Yes, I will be there. I hope to meet you again my friend. Thank you very much!

[@RichWordsMusic]

@@kleberkshima Awesome, looking forward to seeing you there!

[@TheJudy79]

Duke of tone and the odd mini for me

[@RichWordsMusic]

The Duke Of Tone is a special pedal for sure!

[@thebeautifulbad]

Nobels = everything at 1pm = winner

[@RichWordsMusic]

Yep, if I'm not doing the lower gain "edge of breakup" thing that's where I have the ODR set! Amazing sound.

[@steventhomas231]

Oh no. Please stop reviewing all the pedals I'm considering, I'm skint. Lol. These all look seriously good though. Love the colour scheme of that Tumnus. I'm gonna have a good watch through this as I've recently been considering 3 of these. Ps I like the loop you do Rich as everyone seems to do blues licks or fast lead play. Some good old riffing helps me determine in part what sounds best to me.

[@RichWordsMusic]

Ha ha, sorry! But at least I can maybe help you narrow it down from 3 to 1 ;) Let me know which one you end up going for! I think they're all excellent pedals at what they do, and if I was picking one... it'd be the Timmy, based on today's taste. Could change tomorrow though! And thanks :) I usually struggle to find other channels playing the kind of music I like too... KZbin needs more riffs!

[@SteveD-zm3bm]

Tumnus wins hands down. You should have left each pedal on for like 5 seconds or so to at least give the listener a fair chance to hear each pedals true character before switching to the next one. Constantly flipping between them really didn't help the experience much.

[@KordTaylor]

The gains need to be matched btw.

[@RichWordsMusic]

We're coming to that! ;)

[@oqsy]

MXR Sugar Drive would have been a better choice.

[@RichWordsMusic]

Possibly true, but I don't own that one (yet)! It's actually on my list to try this year.

[@NorthernStone1]

I run a full size ODR, Tumnus Deluxe and a Timmy haha! Playing multi-genre gigs these are three awesome stompers! Great video Rich, thanks for another quality video!

[@TheJudy79]

Duck of tone sounds best

[@RichWordsMusic]

I love the Duke... use it all the time!

[@tylerdurden5122]

Duck of tone pairs well with the EHX Spruce Goose for that fowl dirt tone

[@650thunderbird]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@RichWordsMusic]

Cheers my friend!

[@dennisdavis6960]

Excuse me but mini sucks.

[@PooNinja]

Even mini skirts?

[@RichWordsMusic]

​@@PooNinja My first car was an old Mini! It drove like a go-kart and I loved it. Maybe that's why I like mini pedals also... in all seriousness though, I think they're great aside from one thing - the knobs/switches can sometimes be fiddly. Otherwise what's not to like?

[@dennisdavis6960]

@@PooNinja get your mind out of the gutter. We are talking guitar pedals here.

[@PooNinja]

@@RichWordsMusic I do have big feet hence big boots so having them too close together could be an issue but i build big enough boards to allow easy access. My first earth vehicle was a chariot, before they figured out how to make proper harnesses for horses so you didn’t choke them, the lil craft i pilot now has way more maneuverability and runs on an element you humans are just starting to understand. Gravity engines allow all kinds of cool stuff. I’ve probably said to much Gravity engines for the direct manipulation off gasses for audio replication 🤘🏽 keep running those super colliders 🤘🏽

[@dennisdavis6960]

@@RichWordsMusic to small. Everything now days is about down sizing. Mostly soy boys giving the instructions. Mini pedals, light guitars, and small amps.