Walrus Mantle - The newest IMA gizmo.

[AlexDelores]

I’d imagine these will sell like hot cakes if the MXR, Labella & Mike Lull collabs are anything to go by! 

[andydye]

it sounds like it might sound really nice, wonder how spendy it will be if it's supplanting his previous super fancy di capo thing

[andydye]

...$750 and doesn't currently ship to uk

[pn_day]

$750 

 

Admittedly you might be able to get 25% off if you are early enough, but it's quite spendy. 

[pn_day]

If you want a transformer based DI box, save yourself a bunch and buy a Canford Audio one 2nd hand. Then spend the rest on another bass

 

 

[ordep]

 

 

 

[Musicman20]

Insane money. 

[Musicman20]

Had a listen, sounds...well...nice? But, unremarkable. You'd probably get almost exactly the same sound with the HX Stomp he uses later. 

[Bagman]

it looks nice 

$1300 NZD... no chance 

[ped]

Everyone needs a MantleNoble3leafCapo

 

 

[Chadu25]

Sounds great! But with that price I’ll just get a Capo or a Bassrig fifteen

Edited 14 hours ago by Chadu25

[MartinB]

The EQ controls are clever - HPF/LPF when cut, shelf-to-bell when boosted. The price though... 😬

[AinsleyWalker]

11 hours ago, Chadu25 said:

Sounds great! But with that price I’ll just get a Capo or a Bassrig fifteen

 

Or perhaps the upcoming Jad Freer device, looks like valve DI box

[ezbass]

Crazy money IMO

 

[Chadu25]

16 minutes ago, AinsleyWalker said:

 

Or perhaps the upcoming Jad Freer device, looks like valve DI box

That too!

[thumbo]

Does anyone know why, or have any theories as to why it's priced like this? I don't mind spending a few quid on a great pedal, but I feel like I'm missing something here. 

Edited 2 hours ago by thumbo
typo

[AlexDelores]

15 minutes ago, thumbo said:

Does anyone know why, or have any theories as to why it's priced like this? I don't mind spending a few quid on a great pedal, but I feel like I'm missing something here. 

IMA posted an IG story about this in response to ‘lots of questions about the price’

 

He stated that it’s due to high quality components and sparing no expense on subtle features, as well as development times etc. Said that the profit margins aren’t massively high in the industry and that it was all justified.

 

Personally think it looks cool and really rate Ian and his content/energy etc… I’m sure there’s A LOT of people that can justify spending this much money on a pedal, or will happily spend it because it has his name on it... Personally I’m not one of those people.

 

Would be interesting to see how how it compares to some of the other previously ‘high end’ equivalents… although this now makes them look like budget options 😅

[ordep]

For those not on IG, he said transformer is custom order. Pots used are rotary dials with good quality caps on each EQ points. Knobs are custom order. I bet they will not produce a lot of it so profit margin might not be as great as opposed to being mass produced. IMO it is a niche product anyway for people who likes a Neve/API hybrid but cannot afford the real thing. 

 

is $750 justifiable? maybe, maybe not. But some people are ok with spending a lot more for stuff that are just a tad better if not just the same. Otherwise, noone will buy vintage basses. or branded underpants. 

[spyder]

Regarding the price..... It is cheap compared to a Noble Di. 😀

[soulstar89]

Watching ian talk about this pedal and the unique boost cut mechanic, I was intrigued. Then I saw the price. Nope 🙂‍↔️ 🙂‍↔️

[ezbass]

I watched one of the videos and due to the lack of a side by side comparison (with and without the Walrus), it's hard to say if it's really enhancing the sound that much (away from the extreme settings) than my current, much more affordable pre amps do already (Tech21 & Sadowsky).

 

 

 

I know it's very easy and typical for us to diss a new product, but I really wanted to be blown away  

Edited 47 minutes ago by ezbass

[Musicman20]

I just don't think Walrus have a big enough name and/or specialism in bass gear to go in at this price.

 

I wouldn't listen to anyone saying that profits in the pedal industry aren't high. Why do you think there are now SO MANY manufacturers, with many being high end.

 

Big money, small footprint, easy to ship and thus less concerns over returns like a bass/guitar as you can really pack a pedal easily so it is nigh on impossible to damage. 

 

Walrus churn out pedals and updated pedals all the time, for big money.

[Musicman20]

7 minutes ago, ezbass said:

I watched one of the videos and due to the lack of a side by side comparison (with and without the Walrus), it's hard to say if it's really enhancing the sound that much (away from the extreme settings) than my current, much more affordable pre amps do already (Tech21 & Sadowsky).

Exactly my thoughts. The Sadowsky and Tech 21 pre amps have been used for decades. They aren't cheap. They are extremely well made and well renowned. 

 

This IMA chap is a great player, he seems extremely enthusiastic. But, he just seems like yet another online personality pushing product. Do we have any links to his bands or recordings?

 

[MartinB]

I like EHX's recent approach of producing a limited-edition vintage style big box version of a new pedal, for collectors - and then releasing a normal-sized version at a normal price for normal people shortly afterwards.