The Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive is a Walrus Audio overdrive pedal, currently around $206.82. Close alternatives include the Ibanez Tube Screamer and the ThorpyFX Peacekeeper V2 Low-Gain Overdrive. It pairs well with the Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head and the Laney Ironheart Foundry Leadtop 60W Head.
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.
What stands out
“It suits players wanting a versatile overdrive that runs from clean-ish push to full compressed saturation with real EQ shaping”
— from the listing
“Some players find the Treble control's sweet spot narrow, requiring a bit of compromise”
— from the listing
“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”
— from the listing
“Use case: players wanting one overdrive that covers both clean-ish push and full-on compressed saturation, with independent Bass/Treble letting them dial in mid-scoop or mid-bump character”
— from the community notes
“Standout strength: genuinely wide gain range from transparent boost to heavy compressed saturation within one pedal”
— from the community notes
Trade-offs
“Limitations: some reviewers find the Treble control's sweet spot narrow and describe dialing it in as more of a compromise than a clear best setting; the compressed high-gain voicing, while thick, , uncompre…”
— from the reviews
- compressed
- treble
- bump
- transparent
- mid
- low gain
- distortion
- thick
Price updated Oct 24, 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. - Metal
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. - Hard Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive
Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head
Revv
23% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → high gain)
Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Comes later in the signal chain
Laney Ironheart Foundry Leadtop 60W Head
Laney
23% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → high gain)
Laney Ironheart Foundry Leadtop 60W Head layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Comes later in the signal chain
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Synergy SL2 Module stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H
Marshall
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Friedman BE-Mini Head layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Ceriatone 2202H stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Pedals that stack with the Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive
JHS Smiley
JHS Pedals
24% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → fuzzy)
JHS Smiley layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Comes later in the signal chain
Fjord Fuzz Odin
Fjord Fuzz
24% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → fuzzy)
Put Fjord Fuzz Odin in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy
Comes later in the signal chain
MXR ZW90 Wylde Phase
MXR
15% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put MXR ZW90 Wylde Phase after Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive in the signal chain, clear of Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
Artec SE-NGT
Artec
11% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Boss
9% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep Boss DD-3 Digital Delay after Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive in the signal chain, clear of Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Boss DD-7 Digital Delay
Boss
8% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run Boss DD-7 Digital Delay after Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive in the signal chain, clear of Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Death By Audio Destruction
Death By Audio
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run mid-forward into Death By Audio Destruction for more fuzzy on top
Cheaper alternatives
MXR Super Badass Distortion
MXR
62% similarityShared character: high gain settings, treble, thickness
Dunlop MXR Timmy Overdrive, sold as Dunlop CSP027
Dunlop
60% similarityShared character: high gain settings, treble, thickness
TC Electronic Dual Wreck Preamp
TC Electronic
57% similarityShared character: thickness, high gain settings
EarthQuaker Devices Zoar
EarthQuaker Devices
55% similarityShared character: high gain settings, circuit, treble
Marshall Guv'nor
Marshall
54% similarityShared character: high gain settings, sweet, thickness
MXR Timmy Overdrive
MXR
54% similarityShared character: treble, transparent, overdrive
Boutique & premium upgrades
Strymon Riverside
Strymon
60% similarityShared character: high gain settings, sweet, thickness
Origin Effects M-EQ Driver
Origin Effects
59% similarityShared character: high gain settings, sweet, circuit
Analog Man King of Tone
Analog Man
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer
Ibanez
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Ibanez Tube Screamer
Ibanez
61% similarityShared character: high gain settings, middle, boost
ThorpyFX Peacekeeper V2 Low-Gain Overdrive
ThorpyFX
60% similarityShared character: high gain settings, sweet, treble
Walrus Audio Ages Five-State Overdrive
Walrus Audio
60% similarityShared character: high gain settings, volume, treble
Joyo Maximum Overdrive
Joyo
58% similarityShared character: circuit, treble, middle
Colorsound Power Boost
Colorsound
57% similarityShared character: high gain settings, volume, treble
Tech 21 Tri-O.D.
Tech 21
56% similarityShared character: high gain settings, middle, boost
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 Ibanez Tube Screamer, the ThorpyFX Peacekeeper V2 Low-Gain Overdrive, the Walrus Audio Ages Five-State Overdrive. Budget picks: MXR Super Badass Distortion, Dunlop MXR Timmy Overdrive, sold as Dunlop CSP027, TC Electronic Dual Wreck Preamp. Boutique upgrades: Strymon Riverside, Origin Effects M-EQ Driver, Analog Man King of Tone.
What pairs well with the Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head, Laney Ironheart Foundry Leadtop 60W Head, Synergy SL2 Module — Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal.
How much does the Walrus Audio 385 MkII Overdrive cost?+
Around $206.82 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).
Compare
- vs Analog Man King of Tone
- vs Electro-Harmonix Nano Operation Overlord
- vs Tech 21 California Overdrive