The Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive is a Walrus Audio overdrive pedal, currently around $210.34. Close alternatives include the Strymon Riverside and the Walrus Audio Ages Five-State Overdrive. It pairs well with the Marshall JTM45 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head and the Synergy SL2 Module.
Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive
Walrus Audio · pedal
The Walrus Audio 385 MkII is the updated second version of Walrus Audio's overdrive inspired by the tube amp built into a vintage Bell & Howell 385 Filmosound film projector, whose dual-6V6 output stage gives the circuit its core character. Volume, Gain, Bass, and Treble controls let players boost or cut bass and treble independently, opening up genuine mid-scoop or mid-bump tonal shaping rather than a single fixed voicing. The gain range spans from fairly transparent, low-gain boost tones up through a thick, incredibly compressed, heavily saturated distortion when the Gain is cranked, with the EQ staying powerful and reactive to playing dynamics across that whole range. Some players find the Treble control's sweet spot narrow, requiring a bit of compromise. It suits players wanting a versatile overdrive that runs from clean-ish push to full compressed saturation with real EQ shaping rather than a one-trick drive voicing.
- compressed
- treble
- boost
- bump
- transparent
- mid
- thick
- low gain
Price updated Aug 26, 2026
Genres the Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive is commonly used in
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Indie Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Punk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive
Marshall JTM45 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head
amplifier
24% matchFeed a scooped signal into Marshall JTM45 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head and it comes out closer to mid-forward
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchSynergy SL2 Module stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchFriedman BE-Mini Head stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchCeriatone 2202H stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchHughes & Kettner Warp 7 stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Friedman Jose LTD
Friedman
tonal matchFriedman Jose LTD layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Hughes & Kettner Coreblade for more high gain on top
EVH 000
Evh
tonal matchRun mid-forward into EVH 000 for more high gain on top
Pedals that stack with the Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive
JHS Smiley
JHS Pedals
25% matchJHS Smiley layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Soldano SLO
Soldano
24% matchSoldano SLO stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Electro-Harmonix Bad
Electro-Harmonix
15% matchRun Electro-Harmonix Bad after Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive in the signal chain, clear of Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive's own gain stage
Xotic SP Compressor
Xotic
12% matchXotic SP Compressor leans toward mid-forward, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Red Witch Titan
Red Witch
9% matchRed Witch Titan's ambient voice goes after Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive's own compressed character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Boss DD-2 Digital Delay
Boss
9% matchKeep Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive's compressed voice out front: Boss DD-2 Digital Delay goes after Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive in the signal chain so its transparent voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
tonal matchWalrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz wants
Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes
Electro-Harmonix
tonal matchElectro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive delivers it
Cheaper alternatives
Dunlop MXR Timmy Overdrive, sold as Dunlop CSP027
Dunlop
74% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, treble, thickness
MXR Super Badass Distortion
MXR
73% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, treble, thickness
NuX SSD-10
Nux
70% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, players, sweet
EarthQuaker Devices Plumes Signal Shredder
EarthQuaker Devices
69% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, pedal, transparent
Caline CP-15
Caline
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Electro-Harmonix Nano Operation Overlord
Electro-Harmonix
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Strymon Riverside
Strymon
75% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, pedal, sweet
Walrus Audio Ages Five-State Overdrive
Walrus Audio
74% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, pedal, volume
Colorsound Power Boost
Colorsound
72% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, volume, treble
ThorpyFX Peacekeeper V2 Low-Gain Overdrive
ThorpyFX
72% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, players, sweet
Dean Markley Overlord
Dean Markley
72% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, pedal, full
Ibanez Tube Screamer
Ibanez
95% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive?+
The closest matches in character are the Strymon Riverside, the Walrus Audio Ages Five-State Overdrive, the Colorsound Power Boost. Budget picks: Dunlop MXR Timmy Overdrive, sold as Dunlop CSP027, MXR Super Badass Distortion, NuX SSD-10. Boutique upgrades: Origin Effects M-EQ Driver.
What pairs well with the Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Marshall JTM45 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head, Synergy SL2 Module, Friedman BE-Mini Head — Feed a scooped signal into Marshall JTM45 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head and it comes out closer to mid-forward.
How much does the Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive cost?+
Around $210.34 (live listing price, updated Aug 26, 2026).