The Gladiator Dual Overdrive is a pedal that is based on the highly sought-after King Tone Duellist, which was first released in 2015. The Duellist is a dual-channel overdrive pedal that combines elements of the Tube Screamer and the Bluesbreaker.

The String Singer, which is the first channel of the Duellist, is based on a modified Tube Screamer circuit. The input and output buffers have been removed, resulting in a stripped-down version of the classic Ibanez circuit. The EQ and clipping characteristics have also been heavily modified, giving it a unique sound. Aion FX released this half of the circuit as a standalone pedal called the Soloist, which is available as the Gladius.

The second channel of the Duellist, called the Heavy Hand, is based on the Marshall Bluesbreaker. However, like the String Singer, it has been heavily modified from the original circuit. While it may remind you of the Bluesbreaker, it will have its own distinct sound. Aion FX released this half of the circuit as a standalone pedal called the Heavyhand, available as the Xiphos.

Both sides of the Gladiator Dual Overdrive feature an external EQ toggle switch, allowing you to select between different EQ voicings. Additionally, there are two internal DIP switches that allow you to adjust the EQ and clipping characteristics further. Side A has options for fat EQ and asymmetrical clipping, while side B has options for asymmetrical clipping and hard clipping.

The Gladiator simplifies the send/return functionality of the original Duellist by including four jacks by default. The send and return now have their own dedicated jacks, which automatically short together if nothing is plugged in. Other than that, the Gladiator is a direct clone of the Duellist, based on Aion FX’s own trace of the original circuit.

For more detailed information about the tracing process and the specific components used in the Gladiator, you can refer to the tracing journal provided by Aion FX.

Summary created by AI from the original source.