Pricing and availability

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Guitar Center
5.0 (5)
$239.97 $203.97 $36.00 · All time low
Reverb
5.0 (23)
$149.95 New
$94.00 Used

Average Price: $149

Standard/Professional

$50

$176+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Wampler Plexi Drive". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Experience the magic of vintage Marshall amplifiers with the Wampler Plexi Drive. This compact overdrive effects pedal is a tribute to the iconic Marshall heads from the '60s and early '70s. It offers the unique bright and crunchy drive that defined the rock 'n' roll era, all in one compact and portable package. No need to spend a fortune or break your back carrying a full stack, the Wampler Plexi Drive is your accessible ticket to the time-honored tones of rock legends.

Key Features:

  • Compact overdrive effects pedal
  • Replicates the tone of vintage Marshall amplifiers
  • Bright, crunchy drive characteristic
  • Portable and affordable solution for achieving classic rock tones

Product specs

Brand Wampler
Model Plexi Drive
Finish White
Year 2010s
Made In United States
Categories Distortion Pedals

FAQs

What type of power supply does the Wampler Plexi Drive require?

The Wampler Plexi Drive requires a 9V DC power supply, regulated, with a center pin negative configuration. It can also be powered by a 9V battery.

What kind of tones can I expect from the Wampler Plexi Drive for rock music?

The Wampler Plexi Drive is designed to emulate the classic British "Plexi" sound, delivering rich, dynamic overdrive tones that are ideal for rock music. It provides a vintage Marshall amp-like sound with a responsive and touch-sensitive feel.

Is the Wampler Plexi Drive suitable for use with both humbuckers and single-coil pickups?

Yes, the Wampler Plexi Drive works well with both humbuckers and single-coil pickups, offering versatile tone-shaping capabilities that complement a wide range of guitar styles and pickup configurations.

How does the Wampler Plexi Drive differ from the Wampler Plexi-Drive Deluxe?

The Wampler Plexi Drive is a simpler version focused on delivering classic Plexi tones, while the Plexi-Drive Deluxe includes additional features like a 3-band EQ and a pregain booster for more tone-shaping options and flexibility.

Does the Wampler Plexi Drive work well with other pedals in a signal chain?

Yes, the Wampler Plexi Drive integrates smoothly with other pedals, making it a great addition to any pedalboard setup for enhancing your overall sound without causing signal loss or unwanted noise.

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Wampler Plexidrive

Video thumbnail for Wampler Plexidrive by ProGuitarShopDemos

Wampler Plexidrive

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Video thumbnail for Mini Plexi Drive from Wampler demo, using Fender & Vox amps by Wampler Pedals

Mini Plexi Drive from Wampler demo, using Fender & Vox amps

Wampler Pedals

Wampler Pedals

Video thumbnail for Wampler Pedals - PlexiDrive by Wampler Pedals

Wampler Pedals - PlexiDrive

Wampler Pedals

Wampler Pedals

Video thumbnail for Wampler Plexi-Drive British Overdrive | Reverb Demo Video by Reverb

Wampler Plexi-Drive British Overdrive | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Wampler Plexi Drive - Amazing Natural Overdrive - Pedal Demo by Brett Papa

Wampler Plexi Drive - Amazing Natural Overdrive - Pedal Demo

Brett Papa

Brett Papa

Video thumbnail for Wampler Mini-Plexi Drive Demo - First Look by Premier Guitar

Wampler Mini-Plexi Drive Demo - First Look

Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar

Reviews

PROS

  • Emulates Marshall amps effectively, providing the "Marshall Roar"

  • Built quality is high, with a robust and durable design

  • Offers clarity and dynamic response, simulating real amp breakup

  • Simple yet effective EQ, with a useful bass boost switch

  • Compatible with 9V to 18V power for flexibility

  • Can be easily modified for personalized sound shaping

  • Works well when combined with other distortion or overdrive pedals

  • Provides a vintage Marshall sound, ideal for classic rock tones

  • Suitable for achieving specific artist tones like Hendrix

CONS

  • Sound may be too "polite" or lacking in aggression for some

  • Limited tone-shaping versatility compared to other pedals

  • Low output pickups might not achieve desired distortion levels

  • Some may find the low gain setting uninspiring

  • Higher cost might not justify the features for beginners

  • Lacks an internal trim pot for mid-range adjustment

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Wampler Plexi Drive.

Features and functionality

  • Owners note the Plexi Drive excels in note clarity and smoothness, especially when paired with the right preamp/poweramp/speaker setup for optimal performance.

    Source
  • The Xotic SL Drive can be powered from 9V to 18V, with more headroom and less compression at 18V, providing a more "amp-like" dynamic response.

    Source
  • The Wampler Plexi Drive includes mids and bass switches that effectively enhance low frequencies when used with Fender amps, providing a fuller sound.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Plexi Drive's boost switch does not provide a significant volume increase, leading some users to switch to alternatives like the Zendrive for high gain lead tones.

    Source
  • The Xotic SL Drive, inspired by Plexis, offers both Super Lead and Super Bass voices and outperformed the Wampler in user comparisons for Marshall tones.

    Source
  • JHS Charlie Brown is praised for its JTM45-like tones, while Angry Charlie is noted for JCM800-like tones, both offering varying levels of gain for different applications.

    Source
  • Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret is recommended for achieving Marshall-like sounds, serving as a notable alternative to the Wampler Plexi Drive for such tones.

    Source
  • The Wampler Plexi Drive has been contrasted with the MXR Fat Sugar, with users noting both pedals stack well together for enhanced tonal versatility.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • For live performances, users combine quad-tracked rhythm guitars with stereo chorus to achieve a fuller sound, noting the necessity of a proper stereo rig for effects like the TC Electronic Mimiq to perform well.

    Source
  • The Wampler Plexi Drive is noted for its compatibility with Telecasters, enhancing its performance in achieving desired Marshall tones.

    Source
  • Owners achieve a Hendrix and Zeppelin vibe by stacking the Plexi Drive with a Klone or similar overdrive to boost its capabilities for classic rock tones.

    Source

User experience

  • Users with larger feet find mini pedals like the Wampler Plexi Mini challenging, preferring standard-sized pedals for easier operation.

    Source
  • The Wampler Plexi Drive is favored for achieving a general Plexi sound rather than a precise replication, making it suitable for versatile home use.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Users often pair the Plexi Drive with Klon clones like the Tumnus to add midrange presence and grit, especially when used with clean amps.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 13 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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2 star
1 star
faber_fdm

A great Marshallian overdrive, perfect for those "on the brink of distortion" sounds

I was looking for a simulation of Marshall (JTM45 or JCM800). I tried several pedals of the genre: JHS Angry Charlie, Xotic SL drive, J.Rocket 45 Caliber and therefore, this one, which I preferred. My favorite features on this thing; - the possibility of powering it from 9V to 18 V - the clarity of the pedal (I set it to 1/3 gain to maintain clarity but it is very dynamic and if I hit the strings hard there is a "breakup" effect) - Simple but effective equalization (the bass boost is great) - volume and gain reserve - dynamics of a real amp A few drawbacks: - other competing pedals have more adjustability. An internal trim pot for the mids might have been nice Apart from this, I really like it. I bought it as an "always on" pedal. It is inserted between my Little Brute Drive (used as a boost that acts as a second channel) and the Hizumitas EQD, which I like to put last in the gain pedals so as not to restrict its very effective equalization (in front of the Wampler, it would be too "medium" and we would lose grain). It is still a fairly expensive pedal for a simple overdrive. I'm afraid a beginner who loves AC/DC and thinks this pedal offers "Angus in a box" will be disappointed. In fact, the pedal does offer a Marshallian sound, but it's really the vintage sound of the first albums, a single channel amp pushed to its limits. This is not a "distortion". Personally, I see it as a preamp, more than an overdrive. Other than that, I highly recommend it. I think I prefer it to the Zvex Box of Rock that I had a few years ago because the sound range (gain, tone) seems greater to me.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Favorite setting: Drive at 10, Level at noon and tone at 1

mancio_23

The "Plexi-Tone"

I'm a real "Hendrix-tone" lover... and with this i reach the tipical Marshall-Plexi sound that i need for my blue-gigs. It's a really great feeling play "foxey lady" or "vodoo child" with this on! You can feel the basses punch right in your stomach (even more with the bass-boost switch).

gabriel_rojas

A great drive!!!

The Wampler Plexidrive is a great overdrive, covering clean sounds to crunchy type distortion. Great to combinate with other type of distortions pedals like a Muff to get Gilmour sounds.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Brad Paisley uses Wampler Plexi Drive

Brad Paisley

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via MusicRadar

Brad Paisley incorporates the Wampler Plexi Drive into his pedalboard for a unique sound, as featured in MusicRadar's showcase of professional guitarists' setups.

See how Seth Morrison uses Wampler Plexi Drive

Seth Morrison

Guitarist

Skillet

...
Verified via YouTube

NO LONGER IN USE: See updated pedalboard photo here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BKjwihDj4sq/?taken-by=morrisonseth&hl=en

At 6:00, Seth shows the Plexi-Drive on his pedal board. He only uses it on American Noise. The pedal goes to his Mesa amp.

See how Patrick Droney uses Wampler Plexi Drive

Patrick Droney

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

You can see his pedalboard at the bottom left of the screen during the entire performance.

See how Dana Margolin uses Wampler Plexi Drive

Dana Margolin

Singer, Guitarist

Porridge Radio

...
Verified via Photo

A photo from Dana Margolin's pedalboard at the concert in Wiesbaden on December 18, 2024, clearly shows the use of the Wampler Plexi Drive.

See how Tommi Holappa uses Wampler Plexi Drive

Tommi Holappa

Guitarist

Dozer

...
Verified via The Sleeping Shaman

Pedals are an interesting topic with some guitarists collecting many different kinds, while others taking the less is more approach. What pedals are you currently using and are any of them custom made for you?

I try to keep it simple, the more pedals you have the more things can break when you are on tour hahaha. And pedals are expensive. But this is what’s on my board now:

– Boss Chromatic Tuner – Wampler Plexi-Drive – Himmelstrutz Fetto (Got this a looong time ago from the guy who makes them and I have use it a lot live and on recordings, it’s a killer!) – Dunlop Fuzzface Mini – EHX Memory Man Deluxe (no it’s not reeeeeally old, it’s just rusty hahaha) – EHX Holy Grail Nano – EHX Wah Wah

See how Danny Groah uses Wampler Plexi Drive

Danny Groah

Guitarist

The Strayhorns

...
Verified via Wamplerpedals

Danny Groah uses the Wampler Plexi Drive, as listed in the Wampler Pedals Artists section.

See how Elle Puckett uses Wampler Plexi Drive

Elle Puckett

Guitarist

Eisley

...
Verified via Instagram

In October 2016, Elle Puckett shared a photo on Instagram featuring her Wampler Plexi Drive overdrive pedal.

B

Brian Bonds

Guitarist

Florida Georgia Line

...
Verified via YouTube

At 7:04 in this Pedal Profile from the Wampler YouTube channel, Brian talks about his Wampler PlexiDrive. He tells a story about playing the pedal through a stock Fender Deluxe, and it sounded AND felt like he was playing a Marshall Plexi.

See how MORRIE uses Wampler Plexi Drive

MORRIE

Singer, Guitarist

DEAD END

...
Verified via Photo

On April 5, 2021, MORRIE shared a photo on Instagram featuring the Wampler Plexi Drive, highlighting its use in his setup.

J

Jacob Petersen

Guitarist

Steve Miller Band

...
Verified via Vertexeffects

In his 2011 pedalboard, which was custom-built for him by Vertex Effects, one of the pedals that can be seen is the Wampler Plexi-Drive.

See how Hunter Walls uses Wampler Plexi Drive

Hunter Walls

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Hunter Walls mentioned in an Instagram post by the__chief that he traded his Wampler Plexi Drive for a Timmy pedal.

Album Usage

The Wampler Plexi Drive has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Wampler Plexi Drive, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

3 alternative and related items for Wampler Plexi Drive, curated by the Equipboard community.

ZVEX Vexter Box of Rock

$218.34 - $249.00

similar sound

These are two JTM 45 simulations. While it has an additional boost, the Wampler pedal has a bass boost which is really effective.

More Wampler Overdrive Effects Pedals

Community setups

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    mancio_23
    mancio_23

    Gear IQ 551