What is the best OD pedal?

[Billy Adams]

More then likely someone has asked, but im looking for a overdrive pedal that will give me just an extra boost in my dirty channel for leads and flavor boosts BUT at the same time wont steal from my tone. Ive heard of the maxon OD808 and the tubescreamer but i know there are dozons of other pedals out there.. But i want the best pedal out there. What is the best?

 

[Platypus]

'Best' is very subjective...

I really like the Fulltone OCD pedal personally, I feel like it's one of the only OD's that doesn't color my tone and adds lots of harmonic overtones to the notes. Also, it responds to pick attack extremely well, very very transparent, and sounds great at low guitar volumes too.

There is always the TS808, TS9, Maxon OD808 crowd but I think you'll find that they add to your tone.. I suggest you play a few. I used a TS9 before I got the OCD and it did the job ok, added a lot of harsh midrange in retrospect.

 

[axwielding1]

The Tube Screamers add mid range for sure..But the new TS808 RI is smoother, as well as a modded TS9 (keeley, analogman etc.)
That's why I got it, the mid punch...
If transparent overdrive is what you're after, the TS just isn't for you....
ax. 8)

 

[X-1]

I recently purchased a Carl Martin Hot Driven N Boost. Is it the best out there? Who really knows what the best is. I happen to like the way that it works with the clean setting on my MkIII Simulclass amp. It gives a good warm muscular distortion tone as long as you keep it's eq (Wave) knob turned down (I turn it all the way down.) That wave knob is bright. I haven't tried the other Hot Drive N Boost series pedals, but I understand that they have a bit different EQ hit to them. I would assume that the Wave knob may be not so darned bright.

I also like that it has a clean boost that is seperate from the distortion switch. It's like getting two pedals in one. I use the clean boost for well.... to boost up clean lead guitar passages and also to push the lead channel setting to an over the top Santana type tone. It works well for that.

 

[YOUNGIE41]

I've been trying to answer that question for 20yrs and still am unsure.
Some to consider are the MXR Micro Amp (lots of folk swear by them) they are uncomplicated and affordable, a Z Vex Super Hard On is a bit more pricey but I liked them when a mate used one. Keeley's Time Boost pedals,which are expensive but have two channels, I think, are highly rated. Top of the chain is the Klon Centaur which is about the price of a decemt amp ! I would just try as many as you can and your ears will tell you what sounds good. In the age of boutique pedals (and I,ve had a few) your bog standard TS9 or TS808 still sound great in front of an amp to my ears.
So many things go towards making a great sound that I'll still be looking for the ultimate tone in another 20yrs. Good luck.

 

[Cheez]

I've recommended the Barber LTD & people love 'em. Extremely well made, low gain OD. Added bonus: two internal trimpots that let you tweak the EQ further than with just the tone control (i.e., if you want less of the tube screamer "midrange hump"). Responds very well to changes in pick attack and changes at the volume knob.

Oh, and the price is great, too. I picked mine up used for $80.

The Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive might fit the bill for you, too...

 

[musicbox]

+1 for the sparkle drive. can't speak for any of the other pedals mentioned, but this one has the standard tubescreamer overdrive, and then a clean boost, which can be balanced and dialed in seperately. sounds great with everything i've played it with so far, especially the stiletto.

 

[scotspine]

+2 for the sparkle drive. a tremendous bit of kit that will not really colour your sound and gives boost as well as overdrive. it makes the strat/lonestar sing...

 

[ylo]

Make sure you try a Fulltone Fulldrive II, which is based on the Tube Screamer but has a more transparent sound with more bass response. It also has a "boost" footswitch in addition to the OD mode for heavier distortion, if and when needed. It features has a "no compression" mode switch that makes it into a pure gain boost with little or no distortion at all for pummeling the input of your tube amp. Between these various modes, plus two other switch positions for different mid emphasis and a well-voiced treble cut control, this is a very flexible, good sounding pedal.

 

[ytse_jam]

i think boss OD-3 will be a good choice too, specially if you want even much more drive and not only a simple boost...it's quite appreciated because, differently from other pedals, the OD-3 will not cut some of the bass frequencies, giving a more deep and warm sound.
i always suggest to go to the "user review"section at
www.harmony-central.com
you can find many many reviews of all products done by normal people. You also can submit a review (I did it!)

 

[SabuJSE]

Visual Sound Jekyll and Hyde Red is also a super nice OD pedal.

 

[Night0wl1970]

I definately recommend the 'Tube Zone' by MI Audio. Have a listen to some sounds clips here, I have used one for about 12 months and am very pleased with it. It drives harder than a Tube Screamer, but I use both at gigs. Being mainly a cover muso I need access to a couple of different overdrive tones.

Cheers
Shane

 

[thelordofcheesecake]

My recommendation would be the Analogman Silvermod TS9... it's really rather nice.

 

[Brewski]

I have a TC Jauernig Gristle King. Its a combo pedal with clean drive as well as overdrive. The overdrive side of it is similar to a Tube Screamer. It has a switch that you give you either a more open sound or a more compressed overdrive. It also has a switch that enhances bass. It's a well built true bypass pedal and is pretty versatile. You can either enhance your clean output, use the overdrive, or both together.

 

[dogboy131]

I am banking on my YJM boost pedal (Yngwies) for my triple recto that is in the mail.

It robs bass, but REALLY focuses the growl. As rectos can get flubby/bassy I am hoping it will be a good match.

COME ON FED EX DUDE!!!

 

[guitarmaster]

:!:

 

[TigerStrat]

Maxon OD-820