Stacks on stacks
Let's talk about stacking. Let's talk about the utility of having two great effects in one box (which honestly, is something we don't see enough of). Let's talk about great places you can get along with one pedal. For a brand like Browne Amplification, stacking overdrives is a science and an art – and that's why we've got this shiny new pedal on the docket today. Today, we're talking about overdrive, scaling down, and getting inspired every step of the way.
This is the Browne Amplification Ethane Dual Overdrive.
Ethane As It Ever Was
Introducing the Browne Amplification Ethane Dual Overdrive
When it comes to brands that really excel in particular types of effect, we can point out Browne Amplification and their knack for overdrives. The Browne Amplification library of effects is stacked with plenty of interesting takes on beloved overdrive tones with sleek, clean designs and high-fidelity sounds. With Browne, you get in on their classics like the T4, Gritador, and Carbon V2 for streamlined effect experiences reminiscent of Muff, screamer, and breaker icons of generations past.
Though we're not talking about the past, we're talking about the present – and the present today sounds like the wonderfully distorted sounds and stackable playability of the Browne Ethane Dual Overdrive. Let's talk some specifics.
Stack It Up
Browne Amplification Ethane Dual Overdrive Design and Tones
With the Ethane Dual Overdrive, we're met with a classic overdrive combo. On the Ethane, Browne built in two of their classic overdrive effects – the Carbon V2 and the Gritador. Together, these effects are fitted specifically to stack and complement one another. Let's get into each of these sides.
Browne Amplification Ethane Carbon V2 Overdrive Side
The leftmost side of the Ethane features Browne's Carbon V2 overdrive. This drive is a pretty established classic of the Browne lineup as it produces an iconic transparent tone. Browne's Carbon V2 side translates the experience of the standalone Carbon V2 with three control dials and a three-way high-cut switch. The tone in question produced is Browne's take on Bluesbreaker overdrive circuits favored by guitarists like John Mayer – particularly on the cleaner passages of his album Continuum. For the uninitiated, Bluesbreaker-style overdrives can be found all over the boutique effect market and are quite popular for a reason.
The Ethane's Carbon V2 side summons a clear, transparent helping of gain that doesn't get overly distorted. Great for pushing a teetering tube amp into natural overdrive without distorting your clean tones too much, the Carbon V2 side performs excellently in retaining the natural character of your guitar along with plenty of touch-responsive dynamics. The Carbon V2 side serves as a great base to start feeling out the Ethane and get acquainted with one of Browne's most popular effects. The Carbon V2's controls include a three-way high signal-cut toggle switch that rolls off the effect's higher frequencies on at three levels for an added element of customization and adaptability. All alone, the Carbon side's high cut switch most notably shapes highs to chime more or less.
Browne Amplification Ethane Gritador Overdrive Side
On the opposite side of the Ethane, we have Browne's Gritador overdrive. The tone produced belongs to a long, long lineage of higher-gain, "screaming" overdrives with a streamlined, three-dial control scheme. Browne's Gritador overdrive punches in with a bold, lush, and energetic sonic profile to break the mold and consequentially nudge the Carbon V2 side over the edge. The Gritador side of the Ethane burns brightly to breathe quite a bit of life into the overall circuit. Getting compressed, saturated, and distorted, the "screaming" character of the Gritador side speaks for itself. You know it, you love it, it's a classic screamer circuit ready for action.
Together, the Ethane's Carbon and Gritador sides effortlessly slot into one another for a seamless drive combination. Think of it this way: The Carbon beefs up your cleans while saving what makes it sparkle while the Gritador gives your signal a loving shove into familiar but thoroughly exciting dirt territory.
Browne Amplification Ethane Dual Overdrive Further Functions
As a reliable example of two expressive overdrives locked in a tight tango, the Ethane Dual Overdrive backs its power up with a number of exceptional, player-friendly features. For one, the Ethane features a particularly compact design that is very pedalboard-friendly. Think of your small, single-row pedalboards. This guy's for you. For another, the Ethane comes fitted with top-mounted input and output jacks. Again: Single-row pedalboards. You get the idea. This double-barreled Browne is engaged with two soft-touch footswitches and is powered by your usual nine-volt DC center negative power supplies. In short, the Ethane is highly compatible and ready to get to work with your existing rig or start up a new one.
Browne Amplification Ethane Dual Overdrive Final Thoughts
With the Ethane, Browne Amplification stakes its claim to yet another dual overdrive victory lap. As their list of dual overdrive effect pedals slowly but surely grows, entries like the Ethane give you a reason to keep coming back. The Ethane is a masterfully done example of dual-headed overdrive magic in motion that is sure to please both veterans of "breaker" and "screamer" drives and those looking to get in on all the hubbub for the first time.
