Maxon OD-808 Overdrive Pedal

Originally released in 1979, the Maxon OD808 was one of the first tube-amp overdrive simulators to hit the market. Its smooth, creamy crunch tone caught on quickly, and helped to launch a long line of predecessors as well as imitators. Today, the OD808 design is without a doubt the most used, most imitated and most lauded overdrive circuit of all time. The reason for this is simple - tone - the OD808 provides the natural, mild overdrive of a tube amp without sacrificing your guitar's original tone. In addition, it can be used as a clean booster to provide increased gain without compromising the sound of your amplifier. The secret behind the legendary "808 tone" lies in the amplifier section of its circuit. Rather than having an amplifier stage followed by a clipping stage, the Maxon OD808 uses a signal-distorting diode (Panasonic #MA150) that is located in the amplifier stage's negative feedback loop (which also contains the JRC4558 IC chip). Therefore, the Maxon OD808 distorts signal in the amplifier circuit itself which yields a smoother, milder, more natural sounding distortion than a separate clipping stage. This is also the reason that the IC type used in the circuit has such a large impact on the unit's tone. It should be noted that the Reissue Series OD808 uses different output resistors than the original version. After the unit's initial release it was discovered to have a high susceptibility to noise due to static electricity buildup. To improve performance, the positions of the output resistors on the reissue OD808 were reversed and their values increased in order to reduce noise levels. This circuit change has no audible affect on the sound of the unit, save for reducing the noise levels. Whether it's used as an overdrive or a booster, the Maxon OD808 is the closest you can get to the classic sounds of 1970's rock guitar in a compact effect pedal.

Compatible with Maxon OD808 OVERDRIVE / OD820 OVERDRIVE Guitar Effects pedals.

Maxon set the standard for overdrives with the OD808 - now they raise the bar with the OD820! Unique voltage-doubling circuitry offers increased headroom, yielding the smoothest, warmest, most transparent overdrive ever! The OD820's specially designed circuit reacts precisely to every picking nuance and playing dynamic, making any instrument or amplifier come alive! Features true bypass switching and 9-volt battery or AC adapter operation (included).

Updated version of very first Maxon overdrive, OD880. Overdrive sound from post-integration circuit smoothly changes according to input level, offering highly dynamic response to picking technique. Creates mild and warm overdrive like that of a tube amplifier. Industry-standard op-amp, JRC NJM4558D offers low-noise overdrive sound. Employs a passive type overdrive circuit which differs from OD808/OD9. OOD9 is most effective with tube amp, using like a booster. True Bypass Switching with 4PDT mechanical switch. No tone changes when switching bypass/effect. Two-way power operation, using 9V alkaline battery or optional AC adaptor. (9V alkaline battery: more than 23 hours, 9V alkaline battery: more than 10.5 hours) Easy-access, tool-free battery compartment. OOD9 uses a stabilized DC to DC voltage converter to bump up to 9V (plus and minus 4.5V). Battery voltage drop and fluctuation of AC power source do not affect the tone and function.

It's back! And it's the real thing: same factory, same components, same housing, same famous seasick green paint. Most important, the same great warm overdrive that made the originals famous. Plug in and crank it up. You'll hear what all the fuss is about.

It’s with great pride that Maxon introduces the OD-9 Pro+ Overdrive. At long last, an overdrive unit that meets and exceeds the demands of the market and deservedly takes its place beside the legendary 808. While developing the OD-9 Pro+, Maxon enlisted the help of an advisory board of professional guitarists to create a new classic overdrive pedal. Starting with the basic OD-9 circuit, the OD-9 Pro+ adds a low-noise NEC uPC4570 OP-Amp in the output stage that allows for less compression and a more balanced frequency response. Increased Output level and true undistorted signal at zero Drive are further benefits of this component swap. The OD-9 Pro+ offers a switchable Boost feature that bumps the midrange by +3dB, and the overdrive level by +10dB, creating a thicker, slightly compressed overdrive tone. Bright, Singing sustained notes and improved harmonic response are further benefits of this new feature. If you always felt that the OD-9 was a bit anemic, the Pro+ Boost Mode is just what the doctor ordered. The Pro+ also features the addition of a stabilized DC-DC voltage converter in the power circuit of the Pro+. This voltage converter bumps 9 volts up to 18 volts, offering a much wider dynamic range and increased head room. Operating voltage is switchable between 9 and 18 volts, offering a choice between the classic OD-9 tone and this newer, full-frequency tone. The OD-9 Pro+ features True Mechanical Bypass switching courtesy of a 4PDT switch. With the combination of these new features and circuitry, the Maxon OD-9 Pro+ effectively functions as a 4-voiced monster, offering everything from the classic, bluesy tones of the original 808 to the searing saturated chunk demanded by today’s extreme metal music.