OD round-up/ recommendations

Someone asked me just a couple of days ago if I have a list of recommendations for guitars/ amps/ effects & 'yes' was the answer. However, the fact that those recommendations were a distant memory is a little embarrassing. So here it is a 'current' recommendation of OD pedals & this discussion is based on the following ground rules: 1. Available here (in SG) 2. Within reach (price-wise)

1. BOSS: OD-3 Over Drive

Yes, it remains the standard- BOSS is indeed the standard to beat when it comes to overdrives simply because they did a good one & it withstood the test of time. I won't go into those mod territories but if you are looking at something affordable, with a good re-sale value & more importantly, an over drive tone that's most likely appealing, the OD-3 is it. They are so likable that they got away with being non-true bypass units.

2. Maxon: OD808 Overdrive

But isn't Maxon the real standard to beat? In my books, the Maxon drives, regardless of the incarnations, are sitting a little above the industry standard. As such, some people might not deem it a little too coloured for good ol'  plain drive & I couldn't agree more. In any case, majority of the Maxon offerings are refinements of the Tube Screamer & some of us simply do not wish to waddle in this territory. However, I've not come across a Maxon drive I dislike & I'd recommend them to you if you wish for something 'extra' in this aspect but not going over-board; more saturation & pick sensitivity.

3. Fuchs: Plush Drive

Ladies & gentlemen, the Fuchs camp is an amplifier camp but the fact that they churn out drive pedals goes to show that they are a bunch of jolly tone people. From my experience, pedals with an amp association would list for a little more than the rest of their counterparts & that's the case here. So is it just another hype OD pedal isn't it? Absolutely NO. The Fuchs name, in this drive domain, would appeal to players looking for that extra smooth tone with lots of saturation in tact. It's could get addictive, mind you.

4. CMatmods: Signa Drive

OK, I'm pushing it a little too far when it comes to affordability but the Signa Drive is something the over drive fan should check out. This is one of those much overlooked pedals that works great as a stand alone unit or something used to push your amp's drive channel. In fact, they cascade well into each other but buying a pair in a single receipt is a little too excessive.

5. MXR: GT-OD

MXR makes good stuff & they are much in the shadows of those other brand names that offer more value for less money. Nevertheless, the GT-OD is a variation of a familiar theme but what I like about it is its thumping tone at higher volume/ level settings. Other that that, the GT-OD could sound ordinary for some of us without any extras to look forward to.

6. Pro-tone: Dead Horse OD

And then there's the Pro-tone territory. It's the most expensive in this list but it's something different (yes, that's right, 'different' is subjective). If you are a high gain proponent but still into overdrive for that super saturated experience, you simply need to hear the Dead Horse in action. It's not for simple applications so the traditionalists are the wrong pool of people to refer to for appraisals. I'd dare say it's the only brand name out there for gain-crazy players, it's currently in Ver. 3 & there's even a Jeff Loomis variation to check out.