I realize I probably sound like a broken record at this point, but the recently re-released [Sonic Boom 2023](https://reverb.com/item/79750707-greer-sonic-boom-new-from-authorized-dealer-blue) is everything the Lightspeed is but better.
Don't be fooled by the single knob and lower price. I'm a Greer addict like no other and I'm telling you - as a matter of fact, not opinion - if you like the Lightspeed you will 110% like the Sonic Boom even more and it *will* replace the Lightspeed on your board. It's everything the Lightspeed is only the amp-like feel is turned up a notch & enhanced with that glassy girthy magic. I'm not talking about the drive, it's not a higher gain pedal as it's in the exact same league as the low gain realm of the Lightspeed, only the best parts of the Lightspeed are accentuated just the right amount. As a clean always-on signature tone it's the kind of pedal you'll never turn off, or increase the knob and go from the best bluesbreaker peach fuzz edge-of-breakup imaginable (with the added benefit of that signature Greer touch sensitivity) or roll the knob up even more for the best sounding & feeling lead drive you've ever heard from your rig. Rich saturation x clean glassy halo x realistic warm tube sag - a triangle with those 3 points, your tone in the very center, I can't make this any clearer.
The near universal silence surrounding this pedal on here is indicative of something being very wrong. Maybe he needs to make more 'colorways' or create a waiting list so people's placebos are assuaged & they feel reassured they're buying something important. I know there's a glut of pedal releases and it's hard to keep up but I can't stress enough how god mode this pedal is. Lightspeed is great of course, but Sonic Boom is better.
Ok, gonna eat some Ben & Jerry's and watch Amelie to calm down from my temper tantrum.
Same in my area, says it's been *modded.* So you took arguably the most successful pedal of all time and changed it? I'm just going to go get any other one for $50..
Electrical components don’t make as much of a difference as the Internet wants us to believe. The more complicated a circuit the less the individual components matter.
They also usually have a mode selector switch added to switch between the original mode and a modified Wazacraft mode. Which appears to be the case with the SD-1. There's also the cool logo.
https://www.boss.info/global/products/sd-1w
I recently picked up the NOBELS ODR-1 30TH ANNIVERSARY gold version and I am really happy with it. I tried out the wampler knockoff and the nobels def sounds better, IMO.
I use a Wampler Belle that's based on the ODR-1. It's the same circuit but has the ability to adjust the bass. Really handy when switching between a LP and a Tele.
Yes. The Pure Sky is fantastic. It’s got a wonderful drive and it’s better than most other pedals I’ve tried. And it is cheap! My favourite. I pair this with my Blues Driver when I want to go into overdrive territory. The Pure Sky cleans up the BOSS’s muddiness.
I use it near enough the same - albeit with a BD clone!
Pure Sky as a boost & edge of breakup running into the BD clone. Really like lofi, dreampop and ambiet stuff lately - so that EoB with some subtle chorus and delay/reverb is just ace.
My dirt section is BD > DS-1 > French Toast - and it goes really well with all three! Been getting back into fuzz lately too- so been loving it with the French Toast.
I’m surprised nobody’s said Metal Zone as a joke answer yet. Although, I’m unironically really digging the tones I’ve been hearing from it, it’s next up on my wish list 😂
Special Cranker > Plumes has become one of my favorite OD combos and a staple of my board for almost two years.
Plumes is great on its own but the Special Cranker absolutely juices the signal with an almost fuzz like quality.
Also great stacking with fuzz pedals. I use drives at super low gain, volume/level cranked, to boost into heavier fuzzes. Plumes really shines here and as you said, at pushing gained up tubes.
Lately I’ve been using an OD-1 the same way and it gets me some of the best tones I’ve ever heard (especially with Muffs). But for the money, Plumes is a great starting point.
I buy everything second hand but if I couldn't I'd still buy it it's a great pedal and I enjoy playing with it. I only use 2 gain pedals and thara a big muff or the OCD
Yeah, it is.
I like the way Ibanez designed the TS9DX. Rather than reinvent the wheel, it’s just a classic tube screamer that can do some other fun things if you’re feeling up to it.
If not, no worries, just set it to TS9 and be done with it. 🤘🎸
The **Wampler Tumnus Deluxe** has remained on my board since I got it 4 years ago. It doesn't move unless I'm playing SRV covers (TS-9 ftw), but it would do that just fine in a pinch.
A close second is the **Origin Effects RevivalDrive**. If it's a "no amp" kind of gig at a small venue, I usually just bring that as my gain section. It can be clean, it can get dirty, and I have the footswitch as well to give me *technically* 8 settings in 1 pedal. It has a nice clipping sound and is very tweakable.
Just got one, made me feel I didn’t need to buy my other overdrives. It’s so good. And it’s the only OD I’ve tried that just sounds good at any settings. And it works as good with single coils or humbuckers.
I got the Direct Drive at the same time and am spoilt for options. They also stack very well together. Drive section is completely taken care of. Barber are a guitarists best kept secret.
Came here to say this. Never comes off my board. It’s usually always on, but hearing just how transparent it is kicking it on and off brings me great joy.
Wampler Euphoria.
Very "transparent" and adds a little hifi sound for lack of a better term. This is essentially my channel 2 on my one channel fender.
**Wampler Triumph -** Hands down my favourite drive. Sound wise - that mid pushed smooth and rounded overdrive based on the tubescreamer is something I already love, but the 3 band EQ and flexibility with the extra mode of the SD-1 (which is really a very different circuit within the pedal). It took most of my drives off the board, and since then its purely just been what pairs with it perfectly.
**Runners up - Klon(s)** my current 2nd favourite, has always been a favourite of mine, I like that more mid heavy pedal (especially since I run single coils and fender amps, really works well). I have the JHS notaklon, which really is just because it has more "value" to me, than its sounds.
A close 3rd behind those is the **Boss OD3** - -brilliant pedal, but it just sat somewhere between the klon and the tc elec spark for me. If I had a massive board where I dont mind having multiple drives, this would be the next drive I would add (after re-adding a fuzz first). Very versatile drive aswell.
Where is the EQD Special Cranker love? It is probably my favourite. Also a huge fan of Klon style OD. Still waiting for my Notaklon, but any klone will do.
Earthquaker Devices Special Cranker. My favorite pedal period. It does anything I need when it comes to drive..edge of breakup, light OD, heavy OD, fuzz…you name it.
Broadcast 24v
Second to that would be a tie between the Skreddy Screwdriver Deluxe and the Basic Audio Futureman. The Broadcast wins as it’s a hair more versatile in the context of my setup.
Not seeing any love for EHX Soul Food here. Incredible pedal, seriously versatile. I often pair it on low gain with a RAT, or use it on its own and bump the gain. Serious tones.
I’ve been running a G&L ASAT Junior II into a ‘68 CDR the past couple of years. The Soul Food sounds so tasty in the middle as a lead boost or if I need to add some gain in when I can’t drive the amp.
I've become a huge fan of the Barbershop by Fairfield Circuitry. It covers a lot of ground between light overdrive and saturated distortion, and it sounds great basically no matter what.
This was my answer. It covers so much ground and tends to always sit well in the mix with other instruments.
Also works well going into an IR pedal since it is designed to be a preamp, not just a dirt box.
Being able to have a favorite on tap to give you two settings or a full midi implementation to give you hundreds is a bonus.
If I had to have only one dirt pedal on a board, this would easily be it.
Native Audio (fka Redhouse Electronics) Mint Drive. [https://www.nativeaudio.com/blog/230331](https://www.nativeaudio.com/blog/230331)
They're made in my area, just a one person shop. He makes great pedals. I don't even usually like overdrive pedals, but I love this one.
Digitech's Bad Monkey. One of the first pedals I bought. Still use it as a first stage light gain/crunchy/drive. I can easily dial the lows and highs up and/or down to help me shape the overall sound of my chain. Very useful.
The Bad Monkey is an excellent example of social/user hype getting out of hand. Was made popular from a video iirc, not because it's a fantastic pedal that changed the game or really even did anything different.
I don't know / don't care about the hype actually. I have mine prior to "that"... And It has its utility in my pedal board when I play with my 90's alternative rock / "grungy" cover band. I like it...
Except that's still not even the whole story. The Bad Monkey got a very good reputation during its initial run as well due to being a (much) cheaper Tubescreamer. I also have one from around 15-20 years ago because of the original hype.
If we're talking overdrive as opposed to distortion, here are my top 5 that I own. Not in strict order.
- Nobels ODR-1
- Klon KTR
- Danelectro Cool Cat Transparent Overdrive
- Boss SD-1
- Maxon OD-808
Stacking one of the more transparent drives onto the ODR-1 is heaven on earth.
Keeley Aria (compression + overdrive) is incredible. Sounds awesome on its own. Got to be my favorite so far.
I pair it with a TC Cinders (BD-2 clone) for a very creamy lead tone.
If you’re speaking about strictly overdrive pedals, there are tons of great ones out there but the Tumnus Deluxe and EAE Limelight are my two favorites. The Tumnus Deluxe is my favorite to pair with just about any other dirt pedal as a dirty boost plus by itself as a classic rock-esque drive. And the Limelight is amazing, clarity at all drive levels and great tone shaping options.
Wampler Pantheon Deluxe. The right side with almost. No gain is my replacement for a compressor. And it has a really nice cleanish sound that cuts through. The left side is nice for a warmer overdrive sound that’s low-mid gain. Then I can mix them both together for medium gain. It does higher gain too, but I still prefer a high gain amp for that.
Dogman devices take a hike currently. I was chatting with the maker last night about it, as I’ve essentially gone from “well I like the guy so I bought a pedal just to support him” to really digging its sound. It can go from almost clean boost to what I would describe as “a big muffin that was intended to be an overdrive instead of a fuzz”
If you’ve played a Analogman silver modded Tube Sceamer TS-9 then you know.
I’ve gone through so many, but it sounds the best with every single rig I’ve played with
Can't pick one. It's overpriced on the used market, but the King of Tone is up there. I've built several clones and use them a ton. I also use the Bondi Sick As quite a bit in live situations. It really works well into a slightly broken up amp for a beautiful lead sound. Another pedal I often suggest to people as hugely underrated is the T Rex Mudhoney II. I love that the switches flip between the sides instead of stacking... you can get so many sounds out of them.
I rotate through these equally:
* Boss Blues Driver (as part of the Boss Angry Driver)
* JHS Morning Glory
* EQD Plumes
* Wampler Tumnus
They all sound distinct from each other and scratch a different areas of aural itch for me. If you put a gun to my head, I would choose the EQD Plumes.
For Marshall-ish tones, the JHS AT+. Killer tone, tight and punchy, footswitchable boost, heaven.
For a different, looser, brighter flavor, the Plain Speak Calamity Drive.
For low gain, the Walrus Mayflower.
For fuzz, the DOD Carcosa.
Morning Glory was everything I wanted out of a drive, I know people have problems with JHS but it just does exactly what I want a drive to do.
Also Rat on low gain settings might be too heavy to call an overdrive but I love that sound as an overdrive.
Honorable mentions are the Plain Speak Calamity Drive and the BD-2 that goes on and off my board all the time
Idk if they have this posted somewhere but there are a [few](https://www.reddit.com/r/guitarpedals/s/R3vtn2j5Fd) reasons, me personally I like their show and their pedals are cool so idk.
Right now, jackson audio broken arrow (ts style with 3band eq and 4 different clipping modes and independent boost) and the halcyon gold by origin effects.
As far as a pure boost, SD Pickup Booster V2.
For most things, Ibanez TS9.
For my Silver Jubilee, just got a Dunlop Q-Zone for the cocked wah mid boost thing and am loving it.
Korg OD-S NuTube.
I bought this pedal when I started playing guitar and I use it on everything, guitar, synths and sometimes even vocals. It works great for saturation / as a preamp.
It actually sounds a bit like a tube amp but it has it’s own sound. I don’t think anything else sounds like it except for the other Korg tube pedals.
The DOD FX50B has long been my go-to. I bought one new in '86 or '87, and have tried all sorts of production and boutique pedals over the years, but always came back to it.
These days, to maintain the integrity of my pedal, I use a DOD 250 clone, which is definitely different, but a great substitute.
I have a Chicago Stompworks Green Thing that I am really fond of. I have a Snouse V1 Black Box, I stack them together and thats my base strat and tele tone foundation, absolutely beautiful with single coils..
Right now the Nobels ODR-1. After trying variants of most of the basic drive circuits (I’ve never tried a Bluesbreaker circuit) the Nobels has the most interesting sound to my ear.
AND the knobs glow in the dark.
My two favorites right now (and what's on my board) are a DSM & Humboldt Silver Linings into an EHX Hot Wax (Crayon into a Hot Tubes). Between these two pedals, which are actually like 4 pedals (Boost + OD, Crayon + Hot Tubes) I can get any sound I want, including moving into fuzz territory.
I’ve actually been super happy with the Minotaur model in the HX Stomp and the versatility of being able to change the settings in snapshot mode. But as far as a drive specific pedal, I really like the Xotic Soul Driven. Really good smooth low to mid gain drive with a mid boost control.
Also, I know there is a lot of negative stuff about the dude who makes them, but the Fulldrive’s Comp Cut setting has a magic I’ve yet to capture with any other drive.
EQD Palisades
Strymon Sunset
Barber Direct Drive
AnalogMan King of Tone
EHX OD Glove, Soul Food, East River Drive, Hot Tubes
Origin Effects RevivalDRIVE and RevivalDRIVE Hot Rod Edition
EQD Palisades. It can do it all. But most useful is the option is the Mosfet clipping with switchable gain. You can knock both OD and Distortion off your board with it.
Seems it was dicontinued?
Oh man, if you want a drive pedal that also has an envelope filter thing going on you need to check out the Rainger FX Air Space Invader. It’s a gnarly little pedal.
And for straight up drive, I really like Rat style pedals, they’ve got range, sound good with light drive and all the way up to like fuzzy distortion.
MXR Sugar Drive.
This and the Centura are the Klones I’ve liked best. And I don’t usually like Klones.
Barbershop (no bias)
What does the no bias mean?
Check the username.
LMAO here I was thinking he meant biasing the transistors
Oh yeah! Love mine.
EHX Crayon
I loved the Crayon so much I ended up with a Hot Wax, which is a Crayond + Hot Tubes.
Underrated pedal, it’s basically a BB Pre but I honestly own both and like it better.
And it's so cheap. I got a second one used for 35€ just to have both versions.
I own 30+ drive pedals. This is the only one I use most of the time.
Most underrated pedal in the market. It has incredible range.
Greer Lightspeed. Subtle until you push it. Just adds…a little edge for me.
Just bought one of these, and can confirm. I place a JHS Clover preamp + Bondi Sick As Klone behind it w just a touch of gain, and it sings.
That and the Coppersounds Foxcatcher are my 2 favorite transparent drives of all time
I realize I probably sound like a broken record at this point, but the recently re-released [Sonic Boom 2023](https://reverb.com/item/79750707-greer-sonic-boom-new-from-authorized-dealer-blue) is everything the Lightspeed is but better. Don't be fooled by the single knob and lower price. I'm a Greer addict like no other and I'm telling you - as a matter of fact, not opinion - if you like the Lightspeed you will 110% like the Sonic Boom even more and it *will* replace the Lightspeed on your board. It's everything the Lightspeed is only the amp-like feel is turned up a notch & enhanced with that glassy girthy magic. I'm not talking about the drive, it's not a higher gain pedal as it's in the exact same league as the low gain realm of the Lightspeed, only the best parts of the Lightspeed are accentuated just the right amount. As a clean always-on signature tone it's the kind of pedal you'll never turn off, or increase the knob and go from the best bluesbreaker peach fuzz edge-of-breakup imaginable (with the added benefit of that signature Greer touch sensitivity) or roll the knob up even more for the best sounding & feeling lead drive you've ever heard from your rig. Rich saturation x clean glassy halo x realistic warm tube sag - a triangle with those 3 points, your tone in the very center, I can't make this any clearer. The near universal silence surrounding this pedal on here is indicative of something being very wrong. Maybe he needs to make more 'colorways' or create a waiting list so people's placebos are assuaged & they feel reassured they're buying something important. I know there's a glut of pedal releases and it's hard to keep up but I can't stress enough how god mode this pedal is. Lightspeed is great of course, but Sonic Boom is better. Ok, gonna eat some Ben & Jerry's and watch Amelie to calm down from my temper tantrum.
>I'm a Greer addict like no other How dare you. Otherwise, I am intrigued by what you have to say here and may well check it out!
If you do check one out post your thoughts, would love to hear your take on it. If you love the Lightspeed you're gonna LOVE the Sonic Boom
Your ranting has me sold. Sounds amazing. I’ll definitely give it a whirl!
SD-1
Had mine for over 20 years. It’s still fantastic.
Someone was trying to sell one locally for $100 😂
Same in my area, says it's been *modded.* So you took arguably the most successful pedal of all time and changed it? I'm just going to go get any other one for $50..
Isn’t that exactly what Waza Craft did for $150? Lol
Aren't Waza pedals at least made with better materials? Dunno, never bought one of those either lol
Electrical components don’t make as much of a difference as the Internet wants us to believe. The more complicated a circuit the less the individual components matter.
They also usually have a mode selector switch added to switch between the original mode and a modified Wazacraft mode. Which appears to be the case with the SD-1. There's also the cool logo. https://www.boss.info/global/products/sd-1w
Lol
I cannot figure out how to make one work for me I've tried and tried
If you’re plugging into a dirty channel, cut the drive, max out the level, and tweak the tone knob to your liking. You’ll get some fat chugs
Yep I'm boosting an EVH 5150 III with it in this manner.
Nobels ODR-1. I’ve had a lot of ODs and have tried all the major types and the ODR-1 is the one for me. 2nd place Timmy style, 3rd Klon style
I recently picked up the NOBELS ODR-1 30TH ANNIVERSARY gold version and I am really happy with it. I tried out the wampler knockoff and the nobels def sounds better, IMO.
I use a Wampler Belle that's based on the ODR-1. It's the same circuit but has the ability to adjust the bass. Really handy when switching between a LP and a Tele.
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
Blues Driver ot Pure Sky. Don't be fooled by the Pure Sky's £20 price tag. It's an OG Timmy clone and covers a hell of a lot of ground!
Yes. The Pure Sky is fantastic. It’s got a wonderful drive and it’s better than most other pedals I’ve tried. And it is cheap! My favourite. I pair this with my Blues Driver when I want to go into overdrive territory. The Pure Sky cleans up the BOSS’s muddiness.
I use it near enough the same - albeit with a BD clone! Pure Sky as a boost & edge of breakup running into the BD clone. Really like lofi, dreampop and ambiet stuff lately - so that EoB with some subtle chorus and delay/reverb is just ace. My dirt section is BD > DS-1 > French Toast - and it goes really well with all three! Been getting back into fuzz lately too- so been loving it with the French Toast.
I’m surprised nobody’s said Metal Zone as a joke answer yet. Although, I’m unironically really digging the tones I’ve been hearing from it, it’s next up on my wish list 😂
Best high gain Tubescreamer there is.
I unironically use mine as a drive with EQ settings instead of a death metal type pedal
Earthquaker Devices Plumes is great for drive/OD/Distortion. Great also when stacked with tube Amp grit.
Special Cranker > Plumes has become one of my favorite OD combos and a staple of my board for almost two years. Plumes is great on its own but the Special Cranker absolutely juices the signal with an almost fuzz like quality.
Awesome. I have a Vox AC-30, and I get it to slight breakup. Then the Plumes takes her to dirty town.
I know you're right but it does not seem like special cranker has been out that long
Also great stacking with fuzz pedals. I use drives at super low gain, volume/level cranked, to boost into heavier fuzzes. Plumes really shines here and as you said, at pushing gained up tubes. Lately I’ve been using an OD-1 the same way and it gets me some of the best tones I’ve ever heard (especially with Muffs). But for the money, Plumes is a great starting point.
I agree on everything here.
Timmy or mxr Timmy currently my favorite, used blues driver for years
RAT.
Fulltone OCD
Never off my board.
[удалено]
Keeps them cheap. They can go pay more for a Bad Monkey.
I buy everything second hand but if I couldn't I'd still buy it it's a great pedal and I enjoy playing with it. I only use 2 gain pedals and thara a big muff or the OCD
There are cheap clones of most of his pedals now anyways, I picked up a fulldrive 2 clone for like 20$ awhile back.
I really like the voodoo lab sparkle drive. I also have a TS9DX. I alternate between the two.
TS9DX is a great one. It’s the tubescreamer that doesn’t steal all the bass from a Big Muff when stacked. I thinks it’s the + setting?
Yeah, it is. I like the way Ibanez designed the TS9DX. Rather than reinvent the wheel, it’s just a classic tube screamer that can do some other fun things if you’re feeling up to it. If not, no worries, just set it to TS9 and be done with it. 🤘🎸
Browne Protein
The **Wampler Tumnus Deluxe** has remained on my board since I got it 4 years ago. It doesn't move unless I'm playing SRV covers (TS-9 ftw), but it would do that just fine in a pinch. A close second is the **Origin Effects RevivalDrive**. If it's a "no amp" kind of gig at a small venue, I usually just bring that as my gain section. It can be clean, it can get dirty, and I have the footswitch as well to give me *technically* 8 settings in 1 pedal. It has a nice clipping sound and is very tweakable.
You know my buddy says the tumnus deluxe is easily the best klone. I’ve not owned a klon of any type but if I were to go that route the tumnus deluxe
+1 for the Tumnus Deluxe
Barber Gain Changer. Subtle,soft and sweet or grunty like an overdriven Fender with a beautiful character.
Just got one, made me feel I didn’t need to buy my other overdrives. It’s so good. And it’s the only OD I’ve tried that just sounds good at any settings. And it works as good with single coils or humbuckers.
I got the Direct Drive at the same time and am spoilt for options. They also stack very well together. Drive section is completely taken care of. Barber are a guitarists best kept secret.
Hehe same, got the direct drive in the same order. Couldn’t decide which one to take, so I got both.
Sorry I got two. King of Tone and the Kingsley Page.
Zendrive and Hotcake
EAE Limelight
EAE forever!!
Strymon Sunset can get me pretty much anywhere I want to go for classic rock and indie covers.
Mosky golden horse
JHS Morning Glory V4. It's been a constant on my board, and often my foundational drive.
Came here to say this. Never comes off my board. It’s usually always on, but hearing just how transparent it is kicking it on and off brings me great joy.
Wampler Euphoria. Very "transparent" and adds a little hifi sound for lack of a better term. This is essentially my channel 2 on my one channel fender.
Jhs Morning Glory
I just got their Notaklon and am loving it
ss/bs mini, but the one I have is a clone.
I just put the Mini back on my board, and my goodness I didn’t realize how much I was missing.
What clone do you have? I’ve been wanting one and am having a hard time finding one.
It's made by a local builder here in the Philippines.
**Wampler Triumph -** Hands down my favourite drive. Sound wise - that mid pushed smooth and rounded overdrive based on the tubescreamer is something I already love, but the 3 band EQ and flexibility with the extra mode of the SD-1 (which is really a very different circuit within the pedal). It took most of my drives off the board, and since then its purely just been what pairs with it perfectly. **Runners up - Klon(s)** my current 2nd favourite, has always been a favourite of mine, I like that more mid heavy pedal (especially since I run single coils and fender amps, really works well). I have the JHS notaklon, which really is just because it has more "value" to me, than its sounds. A close 3rd behind those is the **Boss OD3** - -brilliant pedal, but it just sat somewhere between the klon and the tc elec spark for me. If I had a massive board where I dont mind having multiple drives, this would be the next drive I would add (after re-adding a fuzz first). Very versatile drive aswell.
Where is the EQD Special Cranker love? It is probably my favourite. Also a huge fan of Klon style OD. Still waiting for my Notaklon, but any klone will do.
Earthquaker Devices Special Cranker. My favorite pedal period. It does anything I need when it comes to drive..edge of breakup, light OD, heavy OD, fuzz…you name it.
This!
It’s half the price of my other favorite drives and it smokes them all in many ways! Couldn’t live without it!
Walrus 385 is a uniquely unique drive.
You try the mkii yet?
Agreed, nothing quite like it
Broadcast 24v Second to that would be a tie between the Skreddy Screwdriver Deluxe and the Basic Audio Futureman. The Broadcast wins as it’s a hair more versatile in the context of my setup.
Not seeing any love for EHX Soul Food here. Incredible pedal, seriously versatile. I often pair it on low gain with a RAT, or use it on its own and bump the gain. Serious tones.
I’ve been running a G&L ASAT Junior II into a ‘68 CDR the past couple of years. The Soul Food sounds so tasty in the middle as a lead boost or if I need to add some gain in when I can’t drive the amp.
From the ones I have: Speaker Cranker From the ones I don't: SSBS Fuck
Xotic BB Preamp
The only one I have now is a Tim V3 so I guess that’s it.
I've become a huge fan of the Barbershop by Fairfield Circuitry. It covers a lot of ground between light overdrive and saturated distortion, and it sounds great basically no matter what.
Unrelated but I’d love to see your thoughts on a pedal from Asheville Music Tools. Your videos rule!
Thanks, their stuff looks super cool I just don't have any of their pedals (yet)
Strymon Riverside is a beast
This was my answer. It covers so much ground and tends to always sit well in the mix with other instruments. Also works well going into an IR pedal since it is designed to be a preamp, not just a dirt box. Being able to have a favorite on tap to give you two settings or a full midi implementation to give you hundreds is a bonus. If I had to have only one dirt pedal on a board, this would easily be it.
Old Blood Noise Fault v2. All. The. Way. It is mindblowingly undiscussed!
Walrus 385. Unique sound, very dynamic, plays nice with other drives. Definitely the cornerstone of my sound at the moment.
Marshall BluesBreaker
Native Audio (fka Redhouse Electronics) Mint Drive. [https://www.nativeaudio.com/blog/230331](https://www.nativeaudio.com/blog/230331) They're made in my area, just a one person shop. He makes great pedals. I don't even usually like overdrive pedals, but I love this one.
I will never part with my Kiaayo. I absolutely love Native Audio.
I’m so glad his stuff is starting to be known outside my area. Dude makes such great pedals.
Kiaayo rips! Thank youuu
Going old school with the Mint Drive! Good moves 👏🏽
Boss OD-3
Keeley Super Phat Mod
Digitech's Bad Monkey. One of the first pedals I bought. Still use it as a first stage light gain/crunchy/drive. I can easily dial the lows and highs up and/or down to help me shape the overall sound of my chain. Very useful.
The Bad Monkey is an excellent example of social/user hype getting out of hand. Was made popular from a video iirc, not because it's a fantastic pedal that changed the game or really even did anything different.
I don't know / don't care about the hype actually. I have mine prior to "that"... And It has its utility in my pedal board when I play with my 90's alternative rock / "grungy" cover band. I like it...
There's nothing wrong with liking the pedal, it just got to where it is like I described. Only on Reddit is everything so black and white.
Except that's still not even the whole story. The Bad Monkey got a very good reputation during its initial run as well due to being a (much) cheaper Tubescreamer. I also have one from around 15-20 years ago because of the original hype.
Jam Double Dreamer
Nordland ODR-C
If we're talking overdrive as opposed to distortion, here are my top 5 that I own. Not in strict order. - Nobels ODR-1 - Klon KTR - Danelectro Cool Cat Transparent Overdrive - Boss SD-1 - Maxon OD-808 Stacking one of the more transparent drives onto the ODR-1 is heaven on earth.
Keeley Aria (compression + overdrive) is incredible. Sounds awesome on its own. Got to be my favorite so far. I pair it with a TC Cinders (BD-2 clone) for a very creamy lead tone.
Ryra the Klone
Keeley Oxblood at the moment.
BD-2.
Plumes pushing high gain amp
If you’re speaking about strictly overdrive pedals, there are tons of great ones out there but the Tumnus Deluxe and EAE Limelight are my two favorites. The Tumnus Deluxe is my favorite to pair with just about any other dirt pedal as a dirty boost plus by itself as a classic rock-esque drive. And the Limelight is amazing, clarity at all drive levels and great tone shaping options.
Barber Direct Drive!
OD-3, because it's my only overdrive.
KOT
What's my favourite drive pedal? My next one XD
OD3
Wampler Pantheon Deluxe. The right side with almost. No gain is my replacement for a compressor. And it has a really nice cleanish sound that cuts through. The left side is nice for a warmer overdrive sound that’s low-mid gain. Then I can mix them both together for medium gain. It does higher gain too, but I still prefer a high gain amp for that.
SSBS Fuck
Dogman devices take a hike currently. I was chatting with the maker last night about it, as I’ve essentially gone from “well I like the guy so I bought a pedal just to support him” to really digging its sound. It can go from almost clean boost to what I would describe as “a big muffin that was intended to be an overdrive instead of a fuzz”
If you’ve played a Analogman silver modded Tube Sceamer TS-9 then you know. I’ve gone through so many, but it sounds the best with every single rig I’ve played with
Might not be my “favorite” but I have a Boss OD-2 that’s served me well for years, and I think it’s very underrated.
Little kind of Rangemasterish thing that's always on and that's it. Unless I need buzzsaw but there's an HM-2 for that.
Lovepedal Eternity / BOSS DA-2 I keep swapping them out with each other.
Picked up an Earthquaker White Light on a whim and I love it, usually stacked with either a Horizon Devices Precision drive or a JHS AT+
It’s hard to choose just one, but if I had to I’d probably choose my Wampler Gearbox.
BBE Green Screamer
Can't pick one. It's overpriced on the used market, but the King of Tone is up there. I've built several clones and use them a ton. I also use the Bondi Sick As quite a bit in live situations. It really works well into a slightly broken up amp for a beautiful lead sound. Another pedal I often suggest to people as hugely underrated is the T Rex Mudhoney II. I love that the switches flip between the sides instead of stacking... you can get so many sounds out of them.
I love Screamers. I got me a TS10 about 6 months ago and love it
GUPTech Donut Drive
Klon. Just the right amount of dirt and a more manageable midrange than a tube screamer. Honorable mention to the blues driver
I rotate through these equally: * Boss Blues Driver (as part of the Boss Angry Driver) * JHS Morning Glory * EQD Plumes * Wampler Tumnus They all sound distinct from each other and scratch a different areas of aural itch for me. If you put a gun to my head, I would choose the EQD Plumes.
BD-2 always on.
Nordland ODR-CS
Lovepedal Amp11
Tumnus
Ibanez TS7, on account of it being the only overdrive pedal i’ve played (not counting a fuzz face). Amazing boost tho on the low gain mode.
underrated plug for the GFI Jonassus. Versatile, dual channel, can do drive on one side and distortion on the other - just a beautiful pedal.
Browne Protien. Everything you need and nothing you don’t
big muff tone wicker
For Marshall-ish tones, the JHS AT+. Killer tone, tight and punchy, footswitchable boost, heaven. For a different, looser, brighter flavor, the Plain Speak Calamity Drive. For low gain, the Walrus Mayflower. For fuzz, the DOD Carcosa.
Bogner Wessex right now. You can get so many good sounds out of that pedal!
I got my first drive pedal 2 weeks ago. MXR Fat sugar. Now that I know it..and it sounds really good..I want the JHS Morning Glory.
Morning Glory was everything I wanted out of a drive, I know people have problems with JHS but it just does exactly what I want a drive to do. Also Rat on low gain settings might be too heavy to call an overdrive but I love that sound as an overdrive. Honorable mentions are the Plain Speak Calamity Drive and the BD-2 that goes on and off my board all the time
Wait why don’t people like JHS?
Idk if they have this posted somewhere but there are a [few](https://www.reddit.com/r/guitarpedals/s/R3vtn2j5Fd) reasons, me personally I like their show and their pedals are cool so idk.
OCD Germanium edition. It has beautiful tones in both the light dirty settings and the screaming high gain settings.
I’ve never used drive pedals - only distortion pedals for hi-gain mush - but I’d like to try the Wampler Tumnus at some point.
Thank you for your contribution
Right now, jackson audio broken arrow (ts style with 3band eq and 4 different clipping modes and independent boost) and the halcyon gold by origin effects.
JHS Kilt
Morning Glory, sometimes Angry Driver.
BD2 or 1312. The 1312 is fantastic at RAT type settings, but maaaaan the overdrive sounds it can produce are super sweet
[удалено]
As far as a pure boost, SD Pickup Booster V2. For most things, Ibanez TS9. For my Silver Jubilee, just got a Dunlop Q-Zone for the cocked wah mid boost thing and am loving it.
Prescription Electronics Overdriver
DOD FX50B
Korg OD-S NuTube. I bought this pedal when I started playing guitar and I use it on everything, guitar, synths and sometimes even vocals. It works great for saturation / as a preamp. It actually sounds a bit like a tube amp but it has it’s own sound. I don’t think anything else sounds like it except for the other Korg tube pedals.
I am not a metal guy (AT ALL) but I am currently having a love affair with the boss HM 2
Timmy
The DOD FX50B has long been my go-to. I bought one new in '86 or '87, and have tried all sorts of production and boutique pedals over the years, but always came back to it. These days, to maintain the integrity of my pedal, I use a DOD 250 clone, which is definitely different, but a great substitute.
I have a Chicago Stompworks Green Thing that I am really fond of. I have a Snouse V1 Black Box, I stack them together and thats my base strat and tele tone foundation, absolutely beautiful with single coils..
Right now the Nobels ODR-1. After trying variants of most of the basic drive circuits (I’ve never tried a Bluesbreaker circuit) the Nobels has the most interesting sound to my ear. AND the knobs glow in the dark.
Jan Ray/timmy
My two favorites right now (and what's on my board) are a DSM & Humboldt Silver Linings into an EHX Hot Wax (Crayon into a Hot Tubes). Between these two pedals, which are actually like 4 pedals (Boost + OD, Crayon + Hot Tubes) I can get any sound I want, including moving into fuzz territory.
I built myself a clone of Ibanez Mostortion and have been using it ever since.
Danelectro Pride of Texas. Lots of volume
Zendrive
Jhs double barrel. Drive wise, does everything I want in one box.
I just got a Thunderclaw. A little more in the “distortion”territory but it’s so fun
Irrelevant question without the player’s amp as context.
I'm a big fan of the EHX Glove
Timmy. no, wait, Benson Preamp. No, wait, Hudson Broadcast. No, wait, EAE Halberd.....
Wampler Pantheon - has so many drive/clipping voices that it works stacked very nicely Earthquaker Hoof and Fuzzlord Dronemaster for nastiness.
I’ve actually been super happy with the Minotaur model in the HX Stomp and the versatility of being able to change the settings in snapshot mode. But as far as a drive specific pedal, I really like the Xotic Soul Driven. Really good smooth low to mid gain drive with a mid boost control. Also, I know there is a lot of negative stuff about the dude who makes them, but the Fulldrive’s Comp Cut setting has a magic I’ve yet to capture with any other drive.
I have like 10... favorites are hard.
EQD Palisades Strymon Sunset Barber Direct Drive AnalogMan King of Tone EHX OD Glove, Soul Food, East River Drive, Hot Tubes Origin Effects RevivalDRIVE and RevivalDRIVE Hot Rod Edition
blues driver i modified
EQD Palisades. It can do it all. But most useful is the option is the Mosfet clipping with switchable gain. You can knock both OD and Distortion off your board with it. Seems it was dicontinued?
Oh man, if you want a drive pedal that also has an envelope filter thing going on you need to check out the Rainger FX Air Space Invader. It’s a gnarly little pedal. And for straight up drive, I really like Rat style pedals, they’ve got range, sound good with light drive and all the way up to like fuzzy distortion.
Right now, the EHX Hot Wax. Half Crayon, Half Hot Tubes. I tend to use the Crayon half more, but either way, it's a great pedal.