“The Mofetta is my way of bringing it all back and re-creating those singing tones”: Wampler’s Mofetta pays homage to a cult ’90s distortion pedal that now sells for upwards of $400
Wampler promises vintage tones with increased versatility via a 3-band EQ and overdrive/distortion switch
Boutique pedal builder Brian Wampler has brought back Ibanez's cult ‘90s pedal, the MT10 MOSTORTION in the form of the Mofetta Overdrive/Distortion pedal.
According to Wampler, the Mofetta is a “supercharged MOSTORTION,” delivering “the classic, amp-like overdrive, massive headroom, and versatile 3-band EQ” that made the MT10 MOSTORTION so famous in the first place.
As Wampler puts it, “the Mofetta preserves everything you love about the early ‘90s legend with a powerful new Wampler dimension.”
In 1990, Ibanez released the MT10 MOSTORTION as a budget alternative to more expensive distortion pedals. Although it was later discontinued, its cheaper price tag and amp-like low-gain tones made it a cult classic. Nowadays, secondhand examples command upwards of $400 on the used market.
At the time of the pedal's launch, guitarists arguably incorrectly attributed its tones to the pedal's MOSFET op-amps. This assumption inspired Wampler to create a modern version of the MOSTORTION.
“What if I built one that could actually use MOSFETs for the clipping, using multiple gain staging like a tube amp?” he remarks. “The Mofetta is my way of bringing it all back and re-creating those singing tones.”
As promised, Wampler integrates actual MOSFETs into the pedal's overdrive section via an added Texture feature. This upgrade means that, with the flick of a switch, the pedal goes from “smooth overdrive to fiery distortion.”
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Speaking of the Moffet's overdrive, Wampler also pays homage to the original's low to-mid-gain voice. In this way, the Mofetta promises to achieve an “edge-of-breakup to fat, vintage amp-style crunch,” coupled with tube-like compression and high-headroom output.
Another key feature of Wampler's tribute to the ‘90s classic is the integration of a three-band EQ alongside the typical Level and Gain controls. This allows for independent control of the bass, mids and treble.
“If you dial up the mids and treble a bit, you can even use it as a focused boost to push your amp’s breakup, or stacking with another gain pedal, tightening its response and enhancing its character,” advises Wampler.
Priced at $199.97, the Mofetta Overdrive/Distortion pedal is available to order. Head to Wampler for more information.
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Janelle is a staff writer at GuitarWorld.com. After a long stint in classical music, Janelle discovered the joys of playing guitar in dingy venues at the age of 13 and has never looked back. Janelle has written extensively about the intersection of music and technology, and how this is shaping the future of the music industry. She also had the pleasure of interviewing Dream Wife, K.Flay, Yīn Yīn, and Black Honey, among others. When she's not writing, you'll find her creating layers of delicious audio lasagna with her art-rock/psych-punk band ĠENN.