The Gladiator Preamp / Overdrive is a preamp and overdrive pedal inspired by high-end American amplifiers of the Steel String Singer type.
It was designed to deliver a clear, dynamic, and highly articulate drive that remains intelligible even as gain levels increase.
Rather than behaving like a typical compact overdrive, the Gladiator functions as a true preamp stage, adding body, response, and an amp-like feel under the fingers.
Musical intent & use cases
The Gladiator excels in clean boost, edge-of-breakup, and expressive overdrive applications.
It can be used as an always-on tonal foundation, as a main preamp in front of a neutral amplifier, or as an additional gain stage within an existing setup.
Its highly dynamic response preserves pick attack and playing control, even as gain increases.
It works equally well for blues, rock, fusion, or any context requiring a rich drive that remains clear and controlled.
Who this pedal is for
The Gladiator is for guitarists looking for an open, precise, and touch-sensitive overdrive, far from compressed or overly colored saturation.
It is especially suited to players who value articulation, control, and expressive dynamics, and who shape their gain with technique rather than sheer saturation.
This is not an aggressive or high-gain pedal, but a musical tool for shaping drive with nuance and control.
Closing note
The Gladiator Preamp / Overdrive is a demanding and expressive pedal, designed to capture the feel and dynamics of a real amplifier preamp.
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