Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (6)
$169.99
Amazon
4.0 (9)
Used
Reverb
5.0 (6)
$299.99 New
$165.00 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (13)
$169.99
zZounds
4.0 (1)
$299.99
Thomann
3.7 (3)
$208.00

Average Price: $223

High-end/Boutique

$70

$201+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp Pedal". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Breathe life into your bass tone with the Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp Pedal, a versatile and powerful tone sculpting tool designed to meet the needs of bassists across all styles. This multi-functional preamp and DI, with an internal always-on optical compressor, offers a broad range of shaping capabilities from subtle transient management to smooth sustain. It's all in your control with the Sustain knob.

The Badwater also boasts a Drive section, offering three selectable voicings for the perfect balance between low and high-frequency content. Adjust the Blend knob to seamlessly merge clean and distorted signals, adding depth and nuance to your sound.

Further enhancing its versatility, the Badwater comes with an extensive EQ section. You can boost or cut low, mid, and high frequencies to suit your needs, then dial in your perfect tone with the Low Mid Frequency (LMF) and High Mid Frequency (HMF) knobs.

The Badwater is more than just a preamp, it's your all-in-one solution for achieving that perfect bass sound, whether you're in the studio or on stage.

Key Features:

  • Tone-shaping bass pedal functions as preamp and DI
  • Optical compression, overdrive, and 4-band EQ
  • Sustain knob adds compression for long sustain and smooth transients
  • Drive control offers 3 different voicings and a Blend knob
  • Level knob boosts or cuts Drive signal
  • Boost/Cut EQ sections
  • Ground lift eliminates pesky buzzing and humming
  • Low mid frequency knob (LMF) and high mid frequency knob (HMF) sweep frequency ranges to dial in your perfect tone
  • 1/4-inch and XLR can be used at the same time
  • Does not accept phantom power

Product specs

Brand Walrus Audio
Model Badwater Bass Preamp / DI, Badwater Bass Preamp / DI Limited Edition - Floral Series
Finish Black / Teal, Navy Floral
Year 2022 - 2025
Made In United States
Categories Bass Effect Pedals, Preamps
Color Family Blue
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

What features does the Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp Pedal offer for tone shaping?

The Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp Pedal provides a comprehensive EQ section with bass, mid, and treble controls, along with a drive section for adding grit and warmth to your tone, making it versatile for various music styles.

Can the Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp Pedal be used as a DI box?

Yes, the Walrus Audio Badwater includes a DI (Direct Input) feature, allowing you to send your bass signal directly to a mixing console or audio interface, ideal for live performances and studio recording.

Is the Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp Pedal suitable for live performances?

Absolutely, the Walrus Audio Badwater is designed with live performance in mind, featuring robust construction and versatile tone-shaping capabilities that make it a reliable choice for gigging musicians.

Does the Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp Pedal work with active and passive basses?

Yes, the Walrus Audio Badwater is compatible with both active and passive basses, offering flexible tone control and signal boosting for a wide range of bass guitars.

What power supply does the Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp Pedal require?

The Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp Pedal requires a standard 9V DC power supply, commonly used with most pedalboards, ensuring easy integration into your existing setup.

walrusaudioeffects

walrusaudioeffects

Walrus Audio Pedal Play: Badwater Bass Pre-Amp & D.I.

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio Pedal Play: Badwater Bass Pre-Amp & D.I. by walrusaudioeffects

Walrus Audio Pedal Play: Badwater Bass Pre-Amp & D.I.

walrusaudioeffects

walrusaudioeffects

Video thumbnail for WALRUS AUDIO BADWATER // BASS DRIVE, PREAMP & DI by BassTheWorld.com

WALRUS AUDIO BADWATER // BASS DRIVE, PREAMP & DI

BassTheWorld.com

BassTheWorld.com

Video thumbnail for WALRUS AUDIO - BADWATER // Demo by Nate Navarro by Nate Navarro

WALRUS AUDIO - BADWATER // Demo by Nate Navarro

Nate Navarro

Nate Navarro

Video thumbnail for The Swiss Army Bass Preamp! - Walrus Audio Badwater [Demo] by Patrick Hunter

The Swiss Army Bass Preamp! - Walrus Audio Badwater [Demo]

Patrick Hunter

Patrick Hunter

Video thumbnail for Badwater Bass Pre-Amp & D.I. Tech Demo by walrusaudioeffects

Badwater Bass Pre-Amp & D.I. Tech Demo

walrusaudioeffects

walrusaudioeffects

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp by The Bass Channel

Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp

The Bass Channel

The Bass Channel

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp Demo By Amos Heller by AmosHeller

Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp Demo By Amos Heller

AmosHeller

AmosHeller

Video thumbnail for Walrus Audio Badwater - Sound Demo (no talking) by Bass Bonedo

Walrus Audio Badwater - Sound Demo (no talking)

Bass Bonedo

Bass Bonedo

Video thumbnail for Walrus - Badwater by Bass Stuff

Walrus - Badwater

Bass Stuff

Bass Stuff

Reviews

PROS

  • Superior to Tech21 Sansamp Bass Driver clones with a friendlier interface

  • Offers highly versatile overdrive with fantastic sound

  • Includes a high-quality compressor that adds significant sustain

  • Provides a "one tone knob simplicity" for easy EQ adjustments

  • Effortlessly integrates Compression, Overdrive, and EQ in one unit

  • Efficient for both live and home settings

  • Sits well in the mix, suitable for an ampless setup

  • Exceptional in achieving classic tones

CONS

  • Overdrive may sound like wild fuzz at higher settings, lacking tight, fizzy, grindy sound

  • EQ section not optimally voiced for cutting specific lower frequencies (below 500 Hz)

  • Considered a little pricey by some users

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp Pedal.

Features and functionality

  • The onboard optical compressor integrates well with fuzz pedals, enhancing the overall sound without additional noise.

    Source
  • The Walrus Badwater features a parametric EQ with 4 bands, but some find the range designed more for guitarists than bassists.

    Source
  • Despite its analog appearance, the Badwater is not a fully analog pedal, which surprised some potential buyers.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners appreciate the drive feature, describing it as "wonderful," indicating strong satisfaction with its tonal character.

    Source
  • Owners report noticeable noise when used with high power, though it's less apparent in a home setting.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The DSM Bass Simplifier offers extensive EQ options and a cabsim, providing more bass-specific features compared to the Badwater.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The Badwater is on sale for $170, down from $300, as it is being discontinued by Walrus Audio.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Particularly praised for its powerful EQ, making it suitable for users who need versatile tonal control in their bass rigs.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Walrus Audio Badwater review: An essential tool for the accidental bassist

guitar.com

Walrus Audio’s Badwater Bass Preamp Pedal delivers a robust low-end tone and versatile features, making it a valuable asset for bassists. With an intuitive one-knob compressor, a flexible drive circuit, and a four-band EQ, it provides ample tonal shaping for any genre. However, while the pedal excels in clean and overdriven sounds, it struggles slightly to match the punchiness of competitors in its class. Additionally, the compressor might not be fully bypassable, which could deter purists. Overall, it’s a powerful compact preamp that can elevate recordings and performances but may leave some bassists wanting more from its midrange capabilities.

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Artist usage

Add artist
E

Ethan Billips

Bassist

This Will Destroy You

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

Ethan Billips uses the Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Preamp Pedal as part of his setup, as confirmed by Chris Kies in the "This Will Destroy You Rig Rundown" on Premier Guitar.

Genre Usage

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Used With

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