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Best Overdrive Pedals for Guitar Guide

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Nathan Thompson

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Introduction

Overdrive pedals are effects pedals used by electric guitarists to add warmth, character and distortion to their tone. They work by softly clipping or distorting the guitar’s signal, which adds subtle to moderate amounts of pleasing harmonic overdrive. This helps push tube amps into their sweet spot, while also allowing solid-state amps to mimic the natural tube amp-like overdrive.

The first dedicated overdrive pedals emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s as musicians looked to add more grit and saturation to their guitar tone. Notable early overdrive pedals included the Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster used by Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple, and the Colorsound Overdriver used by Brian May of Queen. However, the overdrive pedal explosion really began in the late 1970s and 1980s with the release of pedals like the Ibanez Tube Screamer, Boss SD-1, and ProCo RAT.

Today, overdrive pedals are considered an essential pedalboard staple for guitarists of all genres. The benefits of using an overdrive include:

  • Warming up and fattening the guitar tone
  • Pushing a tube amp further into a smooth, natural overdrive
  • Adding sustain and touch sensitivity to the guitar
  • Tightening up the low end and adding clarity
  • Boosting the guitar signal to cut through a live mix
  • Adding character and color to a guitar’s native tone

With so many options now on the market, every guitarist can find an overdrive pedal that perfectly suits their rig and musical needs. Overdrives are useful for playing any genre, whether it’s blues, rock, metal or beyond. Let’s explore the many types and options further.

Types of Overdrive Pedals

Overdrive pedals come in many flavors, but generally fall into a few main categories:

Transparent vs Colored Overdrives

Transparent overdrives aim to boost and push your existing guitar tone without significantly altering it. They have a relatively flat EQ response, allowing the natural tone of your guitar and amp to shine through. Popular transparent overdrives include the Klon Centaur and many of its clones.

Colored overdrives actively shape and color your tone, often with a midrange hump around 800Hz. This results in a very amp-like overdriven tone. The Ibanez Tube Screamer is the classic example of a colored overdrive.

Tube Screamer-Style Overdrives

The Ibanez Tube Screamer, introduced in the late 1970s, set the template for what many consider the perfect overdrive tone. TS pedals employ JRC4558 op-amps to gently clip the signal and create rich, warm overdrive with enhanced mids and compression. This results in excellent sustain and an organic, amp-like tone.

The Maxon OD808 (used by Stevie Ray Vaughan) and reissue TS808 remain in-demand vintage classics, while the TS9 and TS Mini offer more affordable options. Almost every pedal company offers a Tube Screamer variant.

Dual Overdrive Pedals

Dual overdrive pedals offer two overdrive circuits in one box. This allows you to blend between a lower gain "clean" boost sound and higher gain overdrive. Having both available simultaneously enables more flexibility in stacking and shaping tones.

The Fulltone OCD and Way Huge Green Rhino are classic examples of dual overdrive pedals. Their different overdrive modes can act as separate pedals when used together.

Boutique vs Mass-Produced

Boutique overdrives are hand-made in small batches, often with premium components and curious tweaks by the builders. This results in unique tones, but limited availability and higher prices. The Klon Centaur is the most iconic boutique overdrive.

Mass-produced overdrives like the Boss BD-2 and MXR GT-OD offer consistency and affordability. Although not unique, these pedals deliver classic overdrive tones that work reliably in any rig. Their lower prices make it easier to try different options.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Overdrive Pedal

When selecting an overdrive pedal, there are a few key factors to take into consideration to ensure you find the right one for your needs:

Your Guitar and Amp Setup

The type of guitar and amp you use will impact the overdrive pedal that works best for you. For example, single coil pickups like those found on Stratocasters tend to be brighter and benefit from overdrives that add warmth like a Tube Screamer. Humbuckers on guitars like Les Pauls can handle more gain before getting muddy. The amp is also crucial – tube amps react uniquely to overdrives compared to solid state.

Music Genre

Blues, rock, and metal guitarists have very different gain requirements from their overdrive pedals. Blues emphasizes dynamics and touch sensitivity. Rock needs enough gain to push the front end of a tube amp. Metal demands high gain saturation. Select a pedal suited for your genre.

Amount of Gain/Distortion

There is a wide spectrum – from transparent clean boosts to high gain distortion. Consider how much drive you need and choose accordingly. Transparent boosts like a Klon work well to tighten up an already overdriven amp. Higher gain pedals add more preamp saturation for metal soloing.

True Bypass

True bypass ensures no loss of tone when the pedal is off. Poor buffers can suck tone and dynamics. True bypass is essential for overdrive purists, especially when stacking multiple drives.

Size and Placement

Make sure the pedal’s size fits your existing board. Nano pedals save space while larger enclosures allow more knobs and switches. Also consider where the pedal will go in your signal chain – generally before modulation, delay and reverb.

Budget

Overdrive pedals range from $30 budget models to $500+ boutique options. Set a budget and consider what features are most important – vintage voicing, flexibility, brand reputation, etc. Affordable clones can get you close to elite boutique tones.

Best Overdrive Pedals by Category

Best Overall

For an all-around versatile overdrive pedal that works great for any genre, the Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer is a top choice. This iconic overdrive has been used by countless guitarists since the late 1970s, including Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer. The TS808 provides a smooth, amp-like overdrive with a touch of compression and a characteristic midrange bump. It stacks well with other pedals and plays nicely with single coils or humbuckers. The reissue TS808HW hand-wired version offers premium components for ultimate tone.

The Fulltone OCD Obsessive Compulsive Drive Overdrive Pedal is another excellent all-purpose overdrive that works for blues, rock, and even metal. Its wide gain range can go from clean boost to full distortion. With the Low/High peak switch, it’s like having two overdrive pedals in one. The OCD has tons of output volume on tap while retaining dynamics and note clarity.

Best for Blues

For killer blues tones, the Boss BD-2 Blues Driver is a long-time favorite. It has a transparent, tube-amp-like overdrive character with smooth sustain. The Blues Driver responds beautifully to playing dynamics and guitar volume knob changes. With the gain low and level high, it also makes an excellent clean boost pedal.

The Electro-Harmonix Soul Food is an affordable option well-suited for blues and classic rock. It’s known for its transparency and is not as mid-humpy as a Tube Screamer. The Soul Food has just the right amount of grit and fatness to give that cranked vintage amp tone. It stacks nicely with other overdrives too.

Best for Metal/Hard Rock

For heavy genres, the Maxon OD808 Overdrive provides a lot of gain on tap and tightens up the low end nicely. It has more saturation and bite than a stock TS808 but retains note definition even at extreme settings. The OD808 cuts through a metal mix while still sounding musical.

Another favorite for high gain tones is the Friedman BE-OD Overdrive Pedal. Inspired by Friedman’s BE-100 signature amp, this pedal has a tight, amp-like distortion and rich harmonics. It’s voiced optimally for humbuckers and hot-rodded Marshall tones. The BE-OD excels at everything from classic rock to modern metal.

Best Transparent Overdrives

For a clean, transparent boost, the legendary Klon Centaur Overdrive is tops. It preserves the natural tone of your guitar and amp while adding some fatness, dynamics, and touch-sensitivity. The Centaur has an ultra clear sound with a wide range that goes from clean boost to a hint of grit. Original Klons are rare and expensive, but J. Rockett and other builders make quality clones.

The J. Rockett Archer Overdrive is an excellent Klone-style pedal that provides a transparent clean boost and some warmth. It retains your core guitar tone without excessive coloration. The Archer has plenty of volume on tap for pushing an already overdriven amp into more saturation.

Best Budget Overdrives

If you’re on a tight budget, the Joyo Ultimate Drive provides a solid Tube Screamer-style overdrive for under $30. It nails the classic midrange hump tone while adding warmth and compression. The Ultimate Drive is an extremely affordable way to get timeless overdriven tones.

For just $50, the TC Electronic MojoMojo Overdrive gives you natural sounding tube-amp style breakup and excellent EQ shaping controls. It has plenty of gain on tap while retaining dynamics and clarity. The MojoMojo is an excellent value for an amp-voiced overdrive pedal.

Popular Overdrive Pedal Shootouts and Comparisons

Overdrive pedals come in many flavors, from classic models that have stood the test of time to new boutique pedals that aim to capture specific tones. Guitarists love to debate which overdrive reigns supreme, leading to many shootouts that compare popular pedals side-by-side. Here are some of the most notable overdrive shootouts and comparisons:

Ibanez Tube Screamer vs Boss SD-1

Two of the most popular overdrives go head-to-head. The Ibanez Tube Screamer is known for its smooth, mid-boosted tone perfect for blues and rock. The Boss SD-1 provides a more transparent drive with a wider gain range. Guitarists argue over which pedal has the most pleasing overdrive character and responsiveness.

Boutique Klones vs Budget Klones

The legendary Klon Centaur overdrive is one of the holy grails of tone, with originals selling for thousands. This has spawned a market for Klones – pedals that aim to replicate the Klon’s transparent drive and clipping characteristics. High-end boutique Klones like the J. Rockett Archer and Wampler Tumnus are compared to more affordable Klones from brands like Mooer and Joyo.

Transparent Overdrives: Klon Centaur vs Timmy vs Blues Breaker

For players who want added gain without coloring their tone too much, a debate rages over which transparent overdrive truly retains a guitar’s natural sound the best. The rare Klon Centaur faces off against pedals like the Paul Cochrane Timmy and various Marshall Blues Breaker inspired designs. The shootout looks at clean boost applications as well as medium overdrive.

High Gain Pedal Shootout: EVH 5150 vs Revv G3 vs Friedman BE-OD

When it comes to searing modern high gain tones, overdrives modeled after famous amps dominate. This comparison looks at pedals like the EVH 5150 Overdrive replicating Eddie Van Halen’s amp, the Revv G3 copying the crushing Revv Generator amp, and the Friedman BE-OD with its Brown Eye circuit modeled after Friedman’s popular amps.

Budget Overdrive Pedal Shootout Under $50

Great overdrive doesn’t have to cost big bucks. This shootout explores sub-$50 options like the Joyo Vintage Overdrive, Mooer Black Secret, NuX Morning Star, and Donner Stylish Fuzz to find surprising quality overdrive tones on a budget. While not as robust sounding as pricier pedals, these budget drives can still add usable grit and character.

By comparing popular overdrive pedal models side-by-side, guitarists can zero in on their perfect sound. The many shootouts available help narrow down the choices to find your ideal overdrive in terms of tone, responsiveness, and price.

Getting the Most Out of Your Overdrive Pedal

One of the keys to getting those iconic overdriven guitar tones is learning how to properly use your overdrive pedal. While each overdrive pedal is unique, there are some common techniques and tips that can help you maximize their potential.

Stacking Overdrives

One of the most powerful ways to use overdrive pedals is to stack two or more together. This allows you to blend different overdrive flavors and achieve everything from subtle boosts to heavily saturated distortion. A common stacking technique is to put a transparent, low-gain overdrive before a more colored, mid-humped overdrive. The first pedal adds clarity while the second shapes the tone. You can also stack overdrives to boost into higher gain pedals like fuzz and distortion. Experiment with different orders and gain levels to find your perfect recipe.

Using an Overdrive as a Clean Boost

Many overdrive pedals can also function as transparent clean boosts when the gain knob is set low. This can be useful for pushing the front end of an already overdriven tube amp to make it break up faster and harder. It also allows you to boost the signal level for solos without altering the EQ. Set the gain below 9 o’clock and the level above noon for the loudest clean boost.

Dialing in the Perfect Overdrive Tone

The three main knobs on overdrive pedals are gain, tone, and level/volume. Here are some starting points for dialing in genres:

  • Blues: Gain around 9 o’clock, tone at noon or slightly boosted, and level to match the bypassed volume. This provides a smooth, warm overdrive with singing sustain.

  • Rock: Gain at noon or slightly higher, tone to taste (boosted for humbuckers, cut for single coils), and higher output level. Gives you that classic crunchy rock rhythm and searing lead tone.

  • Metal: Maxed out gain, scooped tone, and very high output level. This gets you the saturated distortion and tight low end chug needed for heavy riffing.

Overdrive Placement in Your Signal Chain

Where you place your overdrive pedal in your signal chain can significantly impact its sound. Here are some options:

  • First pedal: Gives the most direct signal into the overdrive circuit for clearer tone. Useful as a clean boost or transparent overdrive.

  • Before distortion/fuzz: Lets you boost and shape the tone going into the higher gain pedals. A common rock setup.

  • After distortion/fuzz: Allows overdrives to add warmth and tone to an already distorted signal. Works well for metal sounds.

  • In the effects loop: Keeps overdrives out of the preamp section for a more amp-like tone. Preferred by some blues and rock players.

Experiment with placement to find what sounds best for your rig and playing style. There are no wrong answers!

Overdrive Pedal Mods and Upgrades

One of the great things about overdrive pedals is that many of them can be modified and upgraded to provide even more tonal options. Here are some of the most popular mods and upgrades for classic overdrive pedals:

Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer Mods

The TS808 Tube Screamer is one of the most iconic and modded overdrive pedals of all time. Some popular mods include:

  • Mid hump mod – Exaggerates the midrange bump that the TS808 is known for. This makes it cut through the mix even more.

  • Smooth mod – Does the opposite, reducing the mid hump for a smoother overdrive. Improves performance with humbuckers.

  • More gain mod – Increases the overall gain for a more saturated overdrive tone.

  • True bypass – Converts it to true bypass instead of buffered bypass for no tone loss when off.

Boss BD-2 Blues Driver Mods

The trusty BD-2 is another overdrive ripe for modifications:

  • Keeley Blues Driver mod – Perhaps the most famous, it adds bass response and a hotter signal.

  • Monte Allums mod – Boosts mids and output for more of a TS808 flavor. Great for stacking.

  • Mosfet mod – Swaps clipping diodes for mosfets. Adds note articulation and clarity.

DIY Overdrive Kits

For the adventurous, DIY overdrive kits allow you to build your own pedal from scratch. Popular options include:

  • Tube Screamer clones – Create your own TS808-style overdrive. Change components to customize the tone.

  • Klon Centaur clones – Get the famous "transparent overdrive" sound in a DIY package.

  • Distortion kits – Build a unique distortion pedal to your specs. Design the clipping and tone shaping.

Boutique Overdrive Clones

Boutique pedal builders are experts at cloning classic overdrive circuits with upgraded components. Some examples:

  • Klon KTR – Bill Finnegan’s own reissue of the legendary Klon Centaur overdrive.

  • J. Rockett Archer – Highly regarded clone of the Klon Centaur circuit.

  • Vick Audio Overdriver – Boutique recreation of the Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer’s famous tone.

With these mods and upgrades, you can take a classic overdrive pedal and make it your own. The options are endless for customizing your tone.

Overdrive Sounds by Genre

Getting the perfect overdrive tone for your genre of music requires dialing in the right settings and using genre-appropriate playing techniques. Here are some tips:

Blues

Set your overdrive gain lower, around 9 o’clock. Focus on dynamics – play softly then dig in harder to push the amp. Use the volume knob on your guitar to control breakup. For solos, kick in a boost or second overdrive with the gain up halfway. Employ bluesy phrasing and vibratos.

Rock

Crank the gain up to around noon or 1 o’clock for a nice crunchy rhythm tone. Scoop the mids and boost treble for cut and chime. For leads, max the gain and boost mids slightly. Use palm muting, power chords, and dramatic whammy techniques.

Metal

Max out the gain and mids, keep bass low. Scoop the mids for a tight modern tone or boost them for old school metal. Use very aggressive pick attack and dense palm muting. Employ techniques like dive bombs, pinch harmonics, and tapping.

Country

Run your overdrive low for a sweet breakup to complement your Tele twang. Add a hint of reverb. Chicken’ pickin’ and hybrid picking lend themselves well to overdrive.

Funk

Keep gain low and boost the output for breakup just on the transients. Pop and slap the strings to take advantage of the dynamic response. Wah filters complement overdrives nicely.

Jazz

Opt for the most transparent overdrive you can find. Low gain gives your guitar a warm jazz club sound. Use the neck pickup and play with the volume knob for smoother phrasing.

The key is to match your overdrive pedal’s gain structure and EQ to your guitar, amp, and the needs of the genre for optimal tone. Experiment with different settings and playing styles to discover your perfect overdriven sounds.

Notable Overdrive Pedal Users

Overdrive pedals have been used by countless famous guitarists over the years. Here are some notable overdrive users and how they dial in their signature tones:

Eric Clapton

  • Pedal: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808
  • Settings: Drive at 10 o’clock, Tone at 1 o’clock, Level at 1 o’clock
  • Tone Tips: Clapton stacks the TS808 into a cranked Marshall for his legendary warm overdrive tone. He keeps the gain low and level high.

Stevie Ray Vaughan

  • Pedal: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9
  • Settings: Drive at noon, Tone at 11 o’clock, Level at 3 o’clock
  • Tone Tips: SRV used his TS9 to push his Fender Vibroverb amps into smooth overdrive. He kept the drive low and boosted the midrange.

David Gilmour

  • Pedal: Colorsound Power Boost
  • Settings: Volume at maximum, Tone off
  • Tone Tips: Gilmour used the Power Boost as a clean volume boost to push his Hiwatt amps into a singing lead tone.

Kirk Hammett

  • Pedal: Maxon OD808
  • Settings: Drive at 3 o’clock, Level at 2 o’clock
  • Tone Tips: Hammett stacks the OD808 with a Big Muff fuzz for Metallica’s heavy rhythm tones. He keeps the gain moderate and boosts the output.

John Mayer

  • Pedal: Klon Centaur
  • Settings: Gain at 9 o’clock, Treble at noon, Bass at 3 o’clock
  • Tone Tips: Mayer uses the Centaur for transparent boosts and low gain overdrive. He keeps the gain low and boosts the bass and treble.

Joe Bonamassa

  • Pedal: Fulltone OCD
  • Settings: Drive at noon, Tone at 11 o’clock, Volume at 2 o’clock
  • Tone Tips: Bonamassa adds the OCD in front of his amps for a bit of grit and bite. He keeps the gain moderate and boosts the volume.

Conclusion

When choosing an overdrive pedal for your guitar rig, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. First, consider your guitar, amp setup, and the genres you play. Certain overdrives work better for single coils vs humbuckers, and tube amps vs solid state. Blues players may want a different overdrive than metal shredder.

Next, determine how much gain and distortion you need. Do you want a clean boost, moderate breakup, or high gain saturation? Transparent overdrives retain your core tone while colored pedals shape your sound more. Also factor in true bypass, size/space on your board, and your budget.

For versatile overdrives that work across many styles, the Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer, Fulltone OCD, and Klon style pedals are hard to beat. These provide great tone shaping options without excessive coloring. Boutique builders make incredible overdrives, but more affordable options from Boss and EHX also get the job done.

The most important thing is to experiment with different overdrive pedals. Tweak the settings and try different combinations. There are so many great options, it’s about finding your own signature sound. An overdrive that works perfectly for one player may not be the best choice for another. The journey to tone is a lifelong quest, so enjoy exploring the wonderful world of overdrive pedals!