Welcome to my guitar effects review website; my name’s Shane. This review covers my favorite overdrive from the new G-Series pedals from Caline called the Green Mamba. The Green Mamba is a vintage overdrive pedal reminiscent of the classic Maxon OD808 or Ibanez Tubescreamer. 

How to use the Green Mamba Overdrive Pedal

The Green Mamba pedal can be used as a standalone overdrive or in conjunction with another overdrive or distortion pedal in the signal chain. The beauty of this effect is it works great for country, blues, classic rock, or higher gain tones in various scenarios. I know a lot of higher-gain players who love a vintage overdrive into the front end of their already high-gain amplifier. 

The results will be great whether you are using it on a clean channel, into another pedal, or a dirty-channel amplifier. If you plan to stack the Green Mamba with another overdrive, I highly recommend the Caline Shark Boost. These two overdrive pedals complement each other beautifully, as showcased in my review videos below. 

Compact Design

Caline has designed the Green Mamba and the rest of the G-Series to be a space-saving pedal range without being too small.  This pedal is larger than your standard mini-pedal but not as tall as a typical Maxon, Wampler, or Boss Pedal.  I am a fan of this new mid-sized effect pedal, and it will no doubt appeal to players who don’t have much real estate left on their pedal board. 

Green Mamba Overdrive Pedal Review Video

Hear the potential of the Caline Green Mamba in this review video I shot on my intheblues channel. 

If you like the tones, check it out worldwide here:

Artist Guitars AU | Walmart USA| Amazon De | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada

Green Mamba Overdrive Controls

The Green Mamba is loaded with three simple controls. The gain control on the top right controls how much drive the pedal produces. The Volume control is the output volume control, and the tone control shapes the pedal’s brightness or warmth. With the Tone, volume, or gain control to the right, you will get more of each in contrast to having them set to the left (or lower). 

Power Requirements

The Caline Green Mamba Overdrive pedal can only run on 9vDC power. Therefore, power can only be provided from a 9v DC power supply. I highly recommend this one-spot power supply if you consider buying pedals (Sweetwater Link). This power supply will be able to power multiple effects pedals from this series or others safely and effectively. This is the same power supply I use personally. 

Power is supplied thanks to the 9v input on the top portion of the pedal, as you can see from the photo of the controls above. The Green Mamba pedal only draws 50mA of power, which makes it very efficient in the signal chain.

Build Quality

Usually, when a pedal is inexpensive, it has build-quality compromises. This quality drop was the case back in the day with some brands. I’ve said for years that Caline makes great stuff, and this series of effects, including the Shark Boost, are built like tanks.  

The enclosure is metal, we get proper metal shaft potentiometers, and the pots feel great to move. The jacks on the side are excellent quality, and the footswitch is the real deal.  

My only critique about the build quality is the laminated decal on the front. While the decal looks fine, it’s not the highest resolution. I would love to see this improved in the future. However, regarding physical build quality, I have no complaints regarding this effect. 

What’s in the Box?

Each pedal from this series comes boxed with a strip of velcro included and an instruction manual/brochure. 

Is the Caline G-002 Green Mamba Overdrive worth it?

When it comes to affordable pedals, Caline is hard to beat. Not only is the Green Mamba robust and built extremely well, but it is also functional and flexible, depending on where you have it in your signal chain.

While the visual styling might not be for everyone, this pedal offers a massive bang for the buck without the larger footprint of many other brands.   This is my favorite dirt pedal from the Caline G series offering great tones in a wide range of use cases.  It also pairs excellently with the Killer Shark Boost, which I can also highly recommend as a 2 punch combination. 

Caline Green Mamba Pedal Best Prices

Find the best deals by shopping through my affiliate links below. 

Artist Guitars AU | Walmart USA| Amazon De | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada

Welcome to my website; my name’s Shane. We are reviewing the Caline G-013 Shark Boost overdrive and boost pedal in today’s review. At first glance, you might think this overdrive circuit is a Klon Clone, but it’s not. Caline has done great with this new range of effects pedals, offering a great price-to-performance ratio. 

How to use the Caline Killer Shark Boost Pedal

The Killer Shark boost by Caline can be used as a standalone overdrive or in conjunction with another overdrive or distortion pedal in the signal chain. 

Compact Design

Caline has designed the G-Series to be a space-saving pedal range without being too small.  This pedal is larger than your standard mini-pedal but not as tall as a typical Maxon, Wampler, or Boss Pedal.  I am a fan of this new mid-sized effect pedal and it will no doubt appeal to players who don’t have much real estate left on their pedal board. 

Killer Shark Boost Review Video

Hear the potential of the Caline Killer Shark Boost/Overdrive pedal through my Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue Amplifier below. 

Buy it online:

Artist Guitars AU | Walmart USA| Amazon De | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada

What does the Killer Shark Boost Do?

The “Boost” in “Killer Shark Boost” does what you expect. It will drastically boost the front end of your amplifier or another effects pedal in the chain. Better yet, it offers an off-clean transparent overdrive tone that will get you more overdrive without the excessive coloration you might find with other effects. 

Also, suppose you already use an amplifier or higher gain sound on the overdrive. In that case, this pedal can get you more volume and sustain by cranking up the volume and gain control. 

Killer Shark Boost Controls

The Shark Boost is loaded with three simple controls. The gain control in the center controls how much drive the pedal produces. The Master control is the output volume control, and the tone control shapes the pedal’s brightness or warmth. With the Tone, volume, or gain control to the right, you will get more of each in contrast to having them set to the left (or lower). 

Power Requirements

The Caline Killer Shark Boost pedal can only run on 9vDC power. Therefore, power can only be provided from a 9v DC power supply. I highly recommend this one-spot power supply if you consider buying pedals (Sweetwater Link). This power supply will be able to power multiple effects pedals from this series or others safely and effectively. This is the same power supply I use personally. 

Power is supplied thanks to the 9v input on the top portion of the pedal, as you can see from the photo of the controls above. The Caline Killer Shark Boost pedal only draws 50mA of power, which makes it very efficient in the signal chain.

Build Quality

Usually, when a pedal is inexpensive, it has build-quality compromises. This quality drop was the case back in the day with some brands. I’ve said for years that Caline makes great stuff, and this series of effects, including the Shark Boost, are built like tanks.  

The enclosure is metal, we get proper metal shaft potentiometers, and the pots feel great to move. The jacks on the side are excellent quality, and the footswitch is the real deal.  

My only critique about the build quality is the laminated decal on the front. While the decal looks fine, it’s not the highest resolution. I would love to see this improved in the future. However, regarding physical build quality, I have no complaints regarding this effect. 

What’s in the Box?

Each pedal from this series comes boxed with a strip of velcro included and an instruction manual/brochure. 

Is the Caline G-013 Killer Shark Boost worth it?

When it comes to affordable pedals, Caline is hard to beat. Not only is the Shark Boost robust and built extremely well, but it is also functional and flexible, depending on where you have it in your signal chain.

While the visual styling might not be for everyone, this pedal offers a massive bang for the buck without the larger footprint of many other brands.   This is one of my favorite pedals from the Caline G series offering great tones in a wide range of use cases.  if you want a great companion overdrive pedal, check out my Caline Green Mamba review. 

Caline Shark Boost Pedal Best Prices

Find the best deals by shopping through my affiliate links below. 

Artist Guitars AU | Walmart USA| Amazon De | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada

This is a list of the best overdrive pedals I have ever used.  I have reviewed each of these units on the intheblues YouTube channel and had extensive live playing experience. If you’ve been wondering what the best overdrives are of all time, consider this my definitive list!

Finding the best overdrive is all personal choice based on your own needs.  I encourage you to check out my video reviews below to find out which pedal best suits your tone. Check out my effects pedals buyers guide listing for more information. 

1. VS Audio Royal Flush

The Royal Flush is my favorite dual overdrive of all time.  If I had to pick one pedal to gig with, it would be the Royal Flush.  VS Audio makes their pedals in Greece, and they are among the best 10 pedals in the world.

The left side of the Royal Flush is one of the best overdrive tones I have ever heard.  The tones are musical and clear, without ever sounding thin.  This left channel is my “always-on” side, and then I use the right side as a boost.

The right side of the pedal is a much lower-gain version of the left side.  The result is that the right side can be used as a boost channel into the left.

VS Audio pedals are handmade in Greece and include great designs and robust build quality.  If the dual pedal is a little too large for your pedalboard, check out their single version called the Straight Flush. 

Below is a video I shot of the Royal Flush Dual Overdrive Pedal (Limited Edition version).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNgAnX6Q_ao

Buy it Worldwide on Thomann | Sweetwater Alternatives (USA)

2. Nordvang Gravity

The Nordvang is one of the best overdrive pedals of all time! This combines two of my favorite pedals in one.  The left side is based on the Ibanez TS10 and the right side on a Klon Centaur.  

I’ve tried so many dual overdrive pedals that try and do this circuit, and none of them come close to the Nordvang.  The Gravity is heavily inspired by the “good” John Mayer’s tone of days gone by.  

I have used a Klon KTR and a Maxon Overdrive Pro OD820 extensively for live shows. The Nordvang Gravity saves space over that combination of pedals, and it sounds just as musical as the real pedals.

Additionally, Nordvang kept it pretty simple.  I worked as a consultant with a few pedal companies over the years, giving them ideas on making this exact pedal, and they never hit it out of the park as Nordvang has. 

This top-loaded overdrive pedal allows you to select the signal path from right to left or vice versa. Furthermore, Gravity has some additional tone-shaping options thanks to the toggle switches on the top.  

Overall, the Nordvang Gravity is as good as the Royal Flush, only vastly different in its tonality.  Much like the VS Audio Royal Flush, the Nordvang will stack beautifully with your other effects pedals. 

Here is my video of the Nordvang Gravity as shown on the intheblues YouTube channel. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCrTpfMCO54

Buy it Worldwide on Nordvang Website | Thomann Alternatives | Sweetwater Alternatives (USA)

3. Maxon Apex 808

The Maxon Apex 808, where do I begin? This modern take on the famous Vintage overdrive circuit seems to offend so many, and yet, I love it. 

There are so many variations on the Tube Screamer circuit.  For those unaware, the Maxon OD808 is the circuit that Ibanez rebranded as “Tube Screamer.”  

This limited edition overdrive pedal has a little magic under the hood, making it, in my experience, a modern classic. 

Susumu Tamura was the creator of this legendary circuit, and he’s back making a run of these new APEX 808 pedals. 

What separates this from many of the other Tube Screamer variants is that it contains a variant IC chip that gives the pedal a different sound.

How different is the APEX 808 over an OD808, I hear you ask? This new APEX 808 has more headroom and top-end clarity than a stock OD808.  Does this make it better? While this is all personal choice, the APEX stacks far better as a boost thanks to the extended high-frequencies available.  

In conclusion, the Maxon APEX 808 is one of the best overdrive pedals I have ever used, and it’s going to be part of my live rig for years to come.  I wrote a full review on the Maxon APEX 808 that you can find on my website if you are interested. 

Below is my review video and sound sample of the Maxon Apex 808 overdrive pedal.

Buy it Worldwide on Thomann | Sweetwater Tube Screamer Pedals (USA)

4. Buffalo FX Carrera Overdrive

The Buffalo FX Carrera Overdrive pedal is a beast! I believe this to be arguably the best always-on pedal I have ever used.  This is very similar to a classic vintage overdrive circuit expect it has a few advantages.

The first advantage Carrera has is the two-band EQ.  This two-band EQ allows you to dial in more or less bass and treble, giving it a huge advantage over many other pedals.  One common complaint with any Tube Screamer circuit is that it rolls out your low-frequencies.  

This pedal has all of your amplifier’s full and round low-end sounds while still having a very familiar tone.

The second huge advantage to the Carrera overdrive is that it stacks fantastically with other effects pedals.  While you can run the Carrera into another pedal, but it shines best as the always-on pedal.  There’s not much to dislike about this effects pedal making it one of the best overdrive pedals.  

I have been using this as part of my live rig for several years, and I have no plans on moving or selling it.  Check it out of you are looking for a modern take on a classic tone. 

Below is my review video featuring the Buffalo FX Carrera Overdrive pedal. Sadly, this pedal has been discontinued, and your best bet is to find this on the used market.  Click the links under the video for my best alternatives. 

Buy it Worldwide on Thomann Alternatives | Sweetwater Alternatives (USA)

5. Maxon OD-820 Overdrive Pro

Earlier I mentioned that there are a lot of Tube Screamer-type pedals available.  The Maxon OD820 has been a favorite of mine for many years now.  This is more than just a one-trick Pony.

What separates the Maxon OD820 Overdrive Pro as one of the best overdrives of all time is that it is a two-in-one, with a twist! The overdrive pro is a more premium tone over that of the OD808.  This overdrive effect has some internal voltage-doubling that gives the pedal a similar headroom range to the Klon.  Reading some reviews and comments online, people seem to think this also sounds like a Klon; it does not.  It couldn’t sound further from a Klon Centaur or Klon KTR.  This is a Tube Screamer (vintage OD) through and through. 

The difference with the 820 over the 808 is that the “drive” kicks in once you gain control over 9 O’Clock.  With the gain under nine o’clock, the OD-820 is a clean boost with tone and volume control. 

Having these two effects in one can be great, depending on your signal chain. If you ever tire of the vintage overdrive sound, you can turn it into a clean boost.  This versatility makes the OD-820 a great addition to any pedalboard.

The only downside of the Maxon OD-820 overdrive pro is that it is HUGE. If you have enough space for this fantastic pedal, give it a shot.  I put this on an even level with the APEX 808, but this has a similar sound to a classic Tube Screamer.  If you can’t live with the size, then get the Maxon Apex 808 instead.

Below is my most recent review of the Maxon Overdrive Pro OD-820 pedal. 

Buy it Worldwide on Thomann | Sweetwater Alternatives (USA)

6. Boss OD-3 Overdrive Pedal

The Boss OD-3 overdrive is one of the best-sounding overdrive pedals ever.  This simple effects pedal does exactly what you want it to do.  Boss got it right back in the day, and this pedal still stands as one of the most functional pedals in overdrive history.

Loaded with three simple controls, the BOSS overdrive will give you anything from great rhythm tones to killer lead tones.  The Boss OD-3 stacks beautifully with other pedals, making it a great and compact solution for a single-stage dirt pedal for many players.

When I purchased my OD-3, I had no idea it would be as great as it was. I much prefer this over the Blues Driver BD-2 pedal because it sounds far better in a live mix, thanks to the additional mid-frequencies. 

Unlike a Tube Screamer, the OD-3 has a wider frequency of sound, allowing it to sound fuller and brighter when compared with a TS9, for example. 

In conclusion, for players wanting a great all-in-one for blues country, rock, and more, give the Boss OD-3 overdrive a shot. This might look like a bit of a bland pedal visually, but it’s all about tone, and the Boss OD-3 delivers the goods!

Below is my original review video of the Boss Overdrive OD-3 pedal. 

Buy it Worldwide on Thomann | Sweetwater (USA)

7. J Rockett Audio Designs Blue Note OD

The J Rockett Audio Designs Blue Note Overdrive is one of the most undiscovered pedals on the market.  The Blue Note offers a great ‘woody’ tone that allows you to get rich sound overdrive without much compression.  

The Blue Note features a two-band EQ section that includes a bass and treble control.  These controls allow you to shape the tone for more or less bass or treble, depending on your desired tone.

This pedal has slightly more gain than a Tube Screamer, for example.  This is not a Tubescreamer clone in any way, so don’t expect that.  The Blue Note can handle anything from an off-clean boost to moderate gain. 

In the center of the pedal is a two-way toggle switch. This switch controls the gain structure of the pedal from “standard” to “hot.”  This pedal is versatile and has a more open tone, allowing it to pop out of the mix in a band situation.

This is one of the best pedals I have ever purchased, and I can highly recommend it even all these years later. 

Below is my review of the Blue Note overdrive from J Rockett Audio Designs. 

Buy it Worldwide on Thomann | Sweetwater (USA)

8. Chellee Pony Boy V3

The Chellee Ponyboy V3 is handmade in Orange City, Florida. This pedal is unashamedly a Klon clone but with some key upgrades over the Klon KTR or Centaur.  That’s right, I like this more than my old Klon KTR, and I will explain why. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love the tones of the Klon Centaur, but some players find the pedal very limiting or a little nasty when it’s the only pedal in the chain. The idea of a Klon is to cut the mix with that classic upper mids and high-frequency boost, but that is clearly not for everyone.

The Chellee Ponyboy V3 takes this to the next level by adding in the classic tones of the Klon while adding in some EQ and tone-shaping options.  Included is a two-band EQ allowing you to fully shape the low and high frequencies of the overdrive pedal.  This means you can dial in a ‘modified’ Klon tone that works better when it’s your only dirt pedal in the chain. 

Additionally, a two-way toggle switch in the center gives us both a Modern and Vintage option. The Vintage option subtlely rolls out the high-frequencies, whereas the modern option gives the pedal its classic high-end. 

Below is my review video of the Chellee Pony Boy V3 Overdrive Pedal. 

Find it on Chellee Guitars Website | Thomann Alternatives | Sweetwater Alternatives

9. Rockfabrik Effects Aqua Lung Overdrive

The Aqua Lung from Rockfabrik effects made my best of 2017 list for a reason – it’s awesome! This lower-gain overdrive pedal is still in my top 10 of all time and features some of all time when it comes to great overdrive tones.  This truly is a wonder for both rhythm and lead guitar parts.

Rockfabrik effects are made in Turkey, and they designed the Aqua Lung to be as simple as possible while still sounding great. On the top of the pedal, we get three controls: Level, Tone, and Gain.  As a starting point, these three controls sound great with everything set around 1 O’clock.  

Additionally, we get two toggle switches that control the low cut and high cut options.  These two options allow you to keep or roll out some low or high-end (think high/low-pass filter), giving you more sound-shaping flexibility.

Furthermore, the Rockfabrik Effects Aqua Lung pedal stacks really well with other pedals.  If you wanted to run a boost pedal into the Aqua Lung, it works great.

Below is my original review video of the Rockfabrik Effects Aqua Lung overdrive pedal.  

Find it on RockFabrik Effects Website | Thomann Alternatives | Sweetwater Alternatives

10. Danelectro Pride of Texas

Do you like Texas Blues? If so, you’ll love the Pride of Texas by Danelectro.  When Danelectro released this range of ‘Billionaire’ pedals, it was refreshing to see.  Danelectro was known for cheap plastic pedals that were average at best, but then this range of pedals came out and surprised us all.

The best of the Danelectro Billionaire series is the Pride of Texas.  This power-house of an overdrive pedal gives you everything from classic blues tones all the way through to screaming blues-rock tones. 

Additionally, this pedal is loud! The Pride of Texas has no issue pushing the preamp on any good tube amp into total saturation while also working great on a clean pedal platform amp. 

The tonality of the Pride of Texas is very Marshall in its design, but this not a JCM800 or DSL clone.  The pedal is fitted out with a Gain, Volume for controlling the pedal’s output gain and volume structure.  The Pride of Texas also features a two-band EQ system allowing full EQ shaping of the high and low frequencies. 

As of writing this post, the Danelectro Pride of Texas brings a smile to my face thanks to the great tones available at a very affordable price point.  To my knowledge, this is not a direct clone of anything else, so it was a welcomed addition to the pedal market that is flooded with clones and copies.  Well done, Danelectro, for making a monster of an overdrive pedal!

Hear it for yourself by clicking on my review video of the Pride of Texas overdrive located below. 

Buy it Worldwide on Thomann | Sweetwater (USA)

11. PedalPalFX PAL800 (Marshall in a Box)

The PedalPalFX is the best Marshall JCM800 amp in a box ever.  I’ve tested so many different Marshall in a box pedal, and none of them do it better than PedalPalFX.  This pedal borders distortion territory, but it also works as a fantastic overdrive depending on your gain structure and signal chain. 

This pedal is made to replicate the tone-stack and feel of the legendary JCM800.  This means the gain and tone controls interact in a very familiar way for those who love Marshall amplifiers. 

Luis & Alvaro from PedalPalFX make a great mix of Marshall-style pedals and continue to add to their inventory over time without ever rushing out anything not up to their standards. 

Onboard is a three control EQ system that allows full shaping of the Low, Middle, and Treble frequencies.  There is also a dedicated presence control on the front of the pedal.  This presence control helps fine-tune the higher frequencies of the Pal800.  An Internal trim control allows a way to adjust the high frequencies for a brighter or warmer tone depending on your taste.

Since reviewing the PedalPalFX Pal800 pedal, it has become my go-to recommendation for anyone looking for a Marshall in a Box that replicates the tones and characteristics of the legendary JCM800 amplifier.  While this exact model can only be (rarely) found on the second-hand market, there are some new models available from the PedalPalFx website. 

Find it on PedalPalFX Website | Thomann Alternatives | Sweetwater Alternatives

12. The Timmy Overdrive Pedal

The Timmy overdrive was designed by Paul Cochrane and released in 2004. This extremely versatile and popular overdrive pedal is on many pro and enthusiast boards around the world. 

The Timmy overdrive pedal is best known for its lack of saturation and compression.  This characteristic gives the Timmy far more oomph and headroom when pushing an amplifier.  The Timmy is not a high-gain pedal, so this will appeal to those interested in a fantastic transparent overdrive. 

Much like the Tube Screamer and Klon, the Timmy has also been cloned a million times. Maybe the most famous overpriced example of this is the Vemuram Jan Ray, which looks really cool, but is not worth it over the Timmy. 

Additionally, the Timmy features a two-band EQ system, including Treble and Bass.  These two EQ options allow you to shape the low-frequencies to match your amplifier or beyond.  Furthermore, the Treble control can be set according to your use case.  For those wanting a vintage tone, you can roll out the high-frequencies.  Guitarists who want bell-like tones can adjust it brighter to suit their tones. 

In the center of the pedal is a two-way toggle switch.  This switch allows you to set the pedal up for more or less compression and gain.  In the lower gain position, the pedal is far more transparent and ‘open’ sounding.  This also sounds louder to the ear as well.  Those who need more gain can switch it into the second position at the expense of a little volume drop.  This volume drop can also be compensated for by using the output volume control. 

The Timmy is a favorite amongst many guitarists around the world with good reason – it rocks.  This is an original circuit and was not based on a Tube Screamer or Klon, for example. 

Below is my original review video for the Timmy Overdrive pedal.

Buy it Worldwide on Thomann (New Version) | Sweetwater (USA)

13. SviSound OverZoid OZ-01 Overdrive Pedal

The SviSound OverZoid OZ-01 pedal is a fantastic overdrive designed by Mark in Bulgaria.  I first had a chance to test the OverZoid out in 2014, and it was the best overdrive of the year for me, hands down.  This great-sounding overdrive pedal is decked out with an artistic ‘steampunked’ look that is as unique as you’ll find. 

Additionally, the SviSound OverZoid OZ-01 is very simple to use. Looking at the pedal top-down, we get three main controls: volume, tone, and gain.  Simplicity is a key feature of any great pedal, and SviSound nails it with its approach to pedal making. 

The two-way toggle switch very subtly shapes the low frequencies of the pedal.  I never really noticed a huge difference with this control, so leave it wherever and the tones will be fantastic either way. Unlike many pedals in the overdrive space, the SviSound OverZoid OZ-01 is not a clone of anything else. 

The SviSound OverZoid OZ-01 is very close to a full-range overdrive, making it feel great to play.  An advantage to this full-range sound is that it doesn’t feel like it reduces the overall fatness of any given amplifier.

Furthermore, the SviSound OverZoid OZ-01 stacks well with a boost or any other overdrive pedal before or after.  Mark builds some amazing pedals, and even when writing this article, the OverZoid is still a favorite.

Find it on SviSound Website | Thomann Alternatives | Sweetwater Alternatives

Ethics Disclaimer

This list is a compilation of pedals I have purchased, on loan from friends, or was sent in for video reviews. I am under no obligation to mention any companies on this list. Additionally, if you follow the intheblues YouTube channel, you will know I use many of these to this day. 

This article will cover my experience testing and reviewing the Maxon Apex 808 Tubescreamer pedal.  I recently had the pleasure of testing the Maxon APEX 808 overdrive pedal.  I currently own several Maxon overdrive pedals and was very interested in testing the APEX 808.

For transparency, Maxon sent this out for review on my YouTube channel. They have not paid me in addition to letting me keep the effects pedal. No pedal companies or manufacturers have any say in my reviews and opinions presented online.

About the Maxon APEX 808

On the 40th anniversary of the original Tubescreamer, Maxon teamed up with Tubescreamer creator Susumu Tamura to create the APEX 808.  Susumu Tamura tested and compared over 100 current and vintage Tube screamer pedals and found that one pedal from the 1980s was by far the most dynamic.

This standout pedal invoked a deep-dive study on what made this pedal shine in terms of tone, headroom, and note clarity.  Mr. Tamura found that this one pedal used a specific brand of IC from a particular company at one particular point in time.  This discovery led Susumu Tamura to source as many new old stock parts as possible, and then the Maxon APEX 808 was born.

Sound Quality

This pedal sounds like a premium Tubescreamer.  The difference between a premium Tubescreamer and a regular release is very little.  This difference means that you might not even hear a difference if you don’t have a finely tuned ear.  I can confirm from my testing that the APEX 808 is different from the regular OD808.  There’s a slightly enhanced high-end and low-end frequency response.  Interestingly, even with this added EQ, the mid-hump is still prominent.  The result is that the APEX 808 gives you the impression that the pedal sounds fatter overall, which it does.

The Maxon APEX808 will appeal to blues and classic rock players first and foremost.  Additionally, Metal players will love the added mid-frequency boost to their higher-gain amplifiers. I was surprised to find out several years ago that these pedals aren’t for dad-rockers and blues players.

Build Quality

First impressions

My first impression of the Maxon APEX 808 was that it sounds like a Tubescreamer! No kidding, right? Initially, I thought it sounds precisely like the regular Maxon 808, but it is different.  After a few moments, I started to realize that the pedal had a thicker tonality about it as well as an extended high-frequency response. I’ll talk about that more in a moment.

I am a massive fan of the Maxon Overdrive pedals and have been using them live and on recordings for years. If you have ever picked up a regular Maxon OD808, the APEX feels like a slightly more premium pedal in hand. While the build quality won’t be too different, the APEX 808 features a fancy faceplate to separate it from the OD808.

How different is the Maxon APEX 808 to the OD808?

The APEX 808 will appeal to fans of Vintage Tubescreamers and will appeal to buyers at the higher end of the market. The reason why is because the APEX 808 has new old stock parts initially found in the 1980s.

With this in mind, how different does it sound? While any guitar one is hard to quantify in terms of numbers, you’ll hear about a 10% difference in terms of treble. The APEX 808 also has a slight boost in the low-end frequencies than the regular OD808.

There’s not a lot of difference overall. When it comes to what works for you, these slight differences can mean a world of difference. To other players, these small differences do not justify the price.

Not everyone will need a Tubescreamer with a more extensive EQ range. If you already own a Tubescreamer and you love it, you might want to give the APEX 808 a miss. If you have some cash to splurge on a boutique overdrive that will provide you with a unique tone signature, this is worth a look.

Is the APEX 808 different from the Maxon Overdrive Pro?

Yes! The Maxon Overdrive Pro OD-820 and APEX 808 are very different. They both do the classic overdrive tone, but the OD-820 is quite different.  The first thing that makes the OD-820 different is that it doubles as a clean boost.  With the gain control on the Overdrive Pro down under 3, the pedal changes from overdrive into a pure, clean boost.  This feature allows flexibility that isn’t possible on the Overdrive Pro OD-820.

An advantage to the APEX is that it has more high-frequencies and is also far smaller.  This compact size will appeal to players where room on a pedalboard is minimal.  The Overdrive Pro is one of the most massive pedals ever, and some players will find the size a turn-off.

Below is my video review of the Maxon APEX 808 Overdrive Pedal. 

Is the Maxon Apex 808 worth it?

While Maxon mentioned that the APEX 808 is not a limited run, it won’t be around forever either. With Susumu Tamura back on board for this effect will appeal to collectors and fans of the original circuits.

For guitarists who already own a Maxon or Ibanez Tubescreamer, it’s a hard sale. The difference is noticeable, but it’s not a night and day type difference. Unsurprisingly, if you are on a budget, you will want to give this pedal a miss. The APEX 808 pedal sells for quite a lot more than the regular Maxon OD808.

The Maxon APEX 808 isn’t breaking any new ground sonically. What it does do, though, is taking the classic tones of the OD808 and enhancing them ever so slightly.  If you never loved the classic Tubescreamer sound or found them too rolled out in the hight and low frequencies, this might be the go-to!

Maxon APEX 808 Price

The Maxon APEX 808 sells for $300 at the time of this article. For the best deals shop using the links below:

Sweetwater | Thomann | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada

The Final Verdict

Would I add this to my list of best Tubescreamer pedals? Yes, but only just.  I wouldn’t add it in terms of value, but the tone and build quality speak for themselves.  While I understand that the price will only appeal to a selective crowd, the quality of Maxon pedals is some of the best in the Word. If you always wished your Tubescreamer had a little more highs and lows, then give this a look.   

Coming up soon, I will post a massive comparison video between all of the Tubescreamer pedals I own.  This should help guitarists know how each compares and which is the best.

I’ve had a chance to test hundreds of overdrive pedals over the years.  I’ve also owned and tested many dual overdrive pedals but many of them fall short for several reasons.  Either they are too complicated, they feature weird and unnecessary switching, they have a noise gate that doesn’t always work, or they simply don’t sound very good stacked.  I wonder sometimes if people put enough thought and real world testing goes into these dual pedals sometimes.

Take all the issues mentioned above and reverse it.  The VS Audio Royal Flush pedal is a dream for folks like me who believe simple is better.  The pedal features two channels which are in theory very similar to each other.  The right side of the pedal is where the “off-clean” tone lives.  It reminds me somewhat of a Tubescreamer without the high end roll off but with a lot less overdrive.  The right side makes it very, very easy to get the off-clean tone that you can’t get usually without cranking your tube amp to 8.

The Right channel kind of takes off where channel one ends.  You get a very similar tonality but with more gain.  If you’re like me then you’ll probably want to start with a great clean tone and have an overdrive pedal that doesn’t re-eq your amp.  You can literally get a great off-clean tone without having to modify the settings on your amp.  This is one thing I can’t say for a lot of other pedals on the market.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvmEXHdkXf4

The left channel then kicks your tone into overdrive (literally!). You’ll get more gain, more sustain, and overall a lead tone that is perfect for blues, classic rock, and also some modern rock sounds at higher gain settings.

The tone controls are musical without being shrill or weird.  Trust me, you’ll get a killer tone with everything set to even 12 O’Clock on the Royal Flush overdrive and then you can shape your top end with the tone controls depending if you use humbuckers or single coils.

Overall

This a very easy to use, versatile, and great sounding dual overdrive pedal.  The attention to detail in the gain staging, build quality, and overall design is amazing.  This pedal is in my top 5 favorite pedals of 2016 without question.

The JLD MOSFET Overdrive is a breath of fresh air when in a World flooded with overdrive pedals.  Not only is the build quality of the JLD top notch you also get tones that are unique which is a rare thing these days.  To sum up the tone it’s very, very amp like.  Imagine cranking your favorite black face up till it starts clipping – that’s what you get.  This isn’t a Fender voiced pedal by any means but for my money, the overdrive it produces is better than an amp pushed to the max.

Tone:
In terms of gain I would put this as a low to medium gain transparent overdrive.  What this pedal does extremely well is it doesn’t change the voicing of your amp.  With the pedal on you don’t lose any low end that I could notice and it doesn’t boost your mids like a Tubescreamer.  That said, it feels familiar like a Tubescreamer without the rolled out highs making this much more usable for humbucker guitars.   For those who play a Stratocaster and Telecaster, you’ll be able to get the chug you’ve always wanted without it getting too over the top.  The JLD MOSFET Overdrive also stacks really well. I ran a Maxon OD808 in front of it at a gig and it sounded great.  Due to the voicing of the JLD I’m sure it would stack in front of another pedal perfectly as well.

The JLD MOSFET Overdrive also stacks really well. I ran a Maxon OD808 in front of it at a gig and it sounded great.  Due to the voicing of the JLD I’m sure it would stack in from of another pedal perfectly as well.

A striking feature of this pedal is its dynamic, which means that the drive depends directly on your picking (footprint). Lines run with less force you grant a light drive, and employing more force, the drive will be distorted and incisive.

Controls:

The three main controls take care of the volume, tone, and gain settings.  The two selection toggle switch changes the pedal from “Low Gain” mode with the switch down to “High Gain” mode with the switch up.  Both modes sound great and depending on if it’s your only pedal in your chain you can decide which setting you like best.  High gain mode with your guitar volume controls down still cleans up really well so it’s win-win.  Another thing to mention too is if you run the gain control all the way down it will work as a true clean boost pedal.

Looks:

The JLD MOSFET Overdrive looks the business!  It’s slightly larger than your regular enclosure but it definitely has a great look and feel, without being over the top large.  It’s roughly 10-15% larger (mostly in the width) than your regular Boss pedal for example.

Overall

This is a great pedal for the price.  It sells in Brazil for $149 USD which is well worth the price.  I have this hooked up to my smaller pedalboard right now alongside my Maxon OD808 and it’s a pleasure to use.