Red Witch Unveils the Galvinium Overdrive: A 30V High-Headroom Boutique Marvel

Overdrive is arguably the most crowded real estate on any guitarist’s pedalboard. With decades of iterations based on a handful of classic circuits, creating something genuinely new in the overdrive space is a monumental challenge.

Enter the Galvinium Headroom Overdrive by Red Witch Pedals. Priced at a premium $599 USD, it aims to shatter the homogeneity of modern drive pedals by offering pro-audio components, insane voltage flexibility, and a truly one-of-a-kind boutique experience.

Here is everything you need to know about this highly limited release.

The Power of Massive Headroom (9V to 30V)

The defining feature of the Galvinium is its incredible power handling. Most pedals operate strictly at 9V DC, with a select few allowing up to 18V for extra headroom. The Galvinium accepts standard 9V, 12V, 15V, 18V, and goes all the way up to a staggering 30 volts DC.

This isn’t just a party trick; it fundamentally changes the pedal’s response:

• Lower Voltages (9V – 12V): Delivers a grittier, more compressed, and traditional drive sound.

• Higher Voltages (18V – 30V): Dramatically expand headroom, yielding immense clarity, dynamic bloom, and less compression.

Red Witch notes that it doesn’t necessarily sound “better” at 30V—it just offers a completely different sonic flavor and feel, allowing you to tailor the pedal’s response to your specific amp and playing style.

Pro-Audio Pedigree Under the Hood

To justify the boutique price tag, the internal components have to be stellar. At the heart of the Galvinium is a Burr Brown OPA2134 op-amp. Unlike the standard TL072 or JRC4558 chips found in 90% of drive pedals, the OPA2134 is a high-end chip typically reserved for professional mixing consoles and studio outboard gear, revered for its “sweet” and transparent audio quality.

This is paired with premium WIMA capacitors in critical signal path positions, robust through-hole construction, ultra-long-life footswitches, and hand-wired Neutrik jacks.

A 1-of-79 Truly Unique Experience

Boutique builders love limited runs, but Red Witch is taking it a step further. Only 79 units of the Galvinium will be produced.

However, they aren’t completely identical. The builder is making slight, deliberate adjustments to the circuit of every single unit. While they all share the same fundamental Galvinium design, your pedal will have a slightly unique tonal and drive response compared to the other 78 in existence.

Controls and Sculpting

The interface is straightforward but highly effective for shaping both single coils and humbuckers:

• Overdrive: Controls the amount of grit.

• Presence: Manages the upper-midrange cut.

• Body: Dictates the low-end fullness and girth.

• Output: Controls the overall volume (and with 30V on tap, it has plenty to push a tube amp into natural clipping).

• Internal Trimmer: Allows you to pre-set the high-end roll-off point to perfectly match your rig.

The Verdict

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need a special power supply to run it at 30V?

A: You will need a power supply capable of delivering 30V DC if you want to max out the headroom. However, it runs perfectly fine on standard 9V, 12V, 15V, or 18V outputs found on most pedalboard power bricks.

Q: If I buy one internationally, will I get hit with massive customs fees?

A: No. Red Witch explicitly states that they cover all freight costs via DHL Express International Tracked, and they pay all required tariffs and customs fees in advance. The $599 price is out-the-door.

Q: What happens if it breaks?

A: Because it is hand-built in New Zealand using ultra-premium components, Red Witch offers a lifetime guarantee for the original purchaser.

Q: Where can I buy it?

A: The Galvinium is available directly through the Red Witch Pedals website. Given the 79-unit limit, they are expected to sell out fast.