Walrus Audio 385 User Manual
385
overdrive
9V JACK
9-volt DC, Center Negative,
100ma min.
The 385 overdrive is an extremely dynamic amp-like overdrive
based off of the stock amplier circuit in a 1950’s Bell & Howell 385
lm projector. The amplier inside the projector is a dual 6V6 tube
amplier with two controls – Volume and Tone. Its unassuming and
compact design would lead you to believe there isn’t much use
for the amp in its stock form, but plug a guitar in and hold on! It’s
an incredibly responsive amp, capable of nice round clean tones
and screaming overdrive. With the 385 overdrive, our aim was to
capture the dynamic magic that this amp possesses, and make its
thick overdrive tones easily attainable through a pedal.
BYPASS LED
Illuminated when the effect is on.
VOLUME
The Volume knob sets the overall
output of the pedal. Since the EQ
is capable of large boosts and
cuts, you will need to increase this
knob if EQ cuts are made, and
decrease it for EQ boosts.
BASS
The Bass knob allows you
to boost or cut bass frequencies.
When the knob is at noon, the
response is flat. When you turn the
knob down, you are cutting bass.
When you turn the knob up, you
are boosting bass.
OUTPUT JACK
1/4 inch cable to amplier.
BYPASS SWITCH
Turns the effect on and off.
GAIN
The Gain knob on the 385 is similar to
the volume knob on the Bell & Howell
amp. The amp does not have a master
volume - only a single volume knob that
controls the gain in the pre-amp section
of the projector, which sets how dirty
and responsive the amp will be. Run
the 385 Gain knob low for warm clean
tones, that will still break up when hit
hard, mid way for responsive grit, or
high for huge walls of drive, just like
the amp.
TREBLE
The Treble knob allows you to boost
or cut treble frequencies. When the
knob is at noon, the response is flat.
When you turn the knob down, you are
cutting treble. When you turn the knob
up, you are boosting treble.
INPUT JACK
1/4 inch cable from instrument.
TONE CONTROLS
The Tone control on the Bell & Howell amp is somewhat unique. It is a single knob that actually controls two pots
inside the amp. Those two pots operate a “James” style tone stack. They are wired opposite each other so as you
turn the tone knob up, you are boosting treble and cutting bass, and vise versa. We decided to break those two
pots out in to dedicated controls for bass and treble. This allows for a much greater range of tone shaping than the
single knob found on the amp.
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