Overdrive is a type of guitar effect that simulates the natural distortion that occurs when a tube amplifier is pushed beyond its clean limit. Overdrive pedals achieve this by boosting the input signal of the guitar, causing the amplifier to saturate and produce a warm, saturated, and crunchy sound.
Overdrive pedals are commonly used in various styles of music, including rock, blues, and punk, to add grit, sustain, and harmonic richness to the guitar’s sound. They are versatile tools that can be used to achieve a wide range of tones, from subtle breakup to full-on distortion, depending on the settings and the amplifier being used. Some classic examples of overdrive pedals include the Ibanez Tube Screamer, the Boss OD-1, and the Fulltone OCD, among others
A pedal is a compact device that guitarists use to alter their instrument’s sound by shaping effects such as distortion, delay, reverb, and modulation. Typically housed in a rugged enclosure and controlled by footswitches, pedals are designed to be placed on the floor for hands-free operation during playing. They can be analogue or digital, true bypass or buffered, and come in countless varieties to suit different styles and preferences. Pedals are essential tools for creating signature tones and adding colour and texture to a guitarist’s sound.
A preamp (preamplifier) is the first stage in your guitar signal chain that takes the weak signal from your guitar and boosts it to a usable level for shaping tone and driving the power amp.
It’s where much of your tone is formed—controlling gain, EQ, and character. In valve (tube) amps, the preamp stage is what gives you that classic warmth and breakup when pushed. In modern rigs, standalone preamp pedals or rack units can mimic classic amp tones or create entirely new ones. Whether in a studio or live setup, a good preamp is the heart of your sound.
We have new and used DOD musical equipment available on our website for fast direct delivery from sellers across the UK & Europe.
DOD, which stands for “David Oreste Di Francesco” and “Overdrive Distortion,” is a sister brand to DigiTech and has a long history of producing analog effects pedals. DOD pedals are celebrated for their simplicity, robust construction, and classic tones that appeal to traditionalists and modern players alike.
Popular DOD pedals include:
- DOD 250 Overdrive Preamp: This pedal is a classic, known for its simple yet effective design that delivers a wide range of overdrive tones, from mild boost to full-on distortion. It’s prized for its transparency and dynamic response.
- Rubberneck Analog Delay: The Rubberneck combines vintage analog delay tones with modern features like tap tempo, modulation, and adjustable feedback, offering a blend of old-school charm and contemporary functionality.
- Phasor 201: The Phasor 201 is celebrated for its warm, vintage phase-shifting effects, providing a smooth, musical modulation that enhances both clean and overdriven tones.
Both DigiTech and DOD have made significant contributions to the world of guitar effects, with their pedals being used by countless musicians across different genres. DigiTech is often preferred for its digital innovation and versatility, while DOD is cherished for its analog warmth and straightforward design.
£215.00
50th Anniversary Limited Edition Hand-built in the USA! The most versatile and expressive 250 in history Instant collector’s item Includes a limited-edition 50th Anniversary custom laser-etched aluminum pedal topper with hex wrench
£89.00
Based on original DOD 250 circuit design with updated components and functionality True Bypass and new crisp blue LED status indicator Lighter aluminum chassis Modern 9V DC power supply input New yellow metallic flake paint with flat black bottom
£73.00 £69.00
Since 1981, the SD-1 Super Overdrive has been a go-to gain pedal for generations of players—trusted across genres for its reliable tone and performance. Built on the groundbreaking asymmetrical clipping circuit of the iconic 1977 OD-1—one of the first-ever BOSS compacts—the SD-1 carries forward a true overdrive legacy. The SD-1 delivers rich, smoot…
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£34.99 £27.99
🎸[2 overdrive modes] Warm: The classic TS overdrive sound replica. Hot: More powerful, a louder, tightened sound. 🎸[Style-type] Combining iconic vintage tube overdrive sound with wide dynamic range, Donner overdrive pedal gives you a wide tonal range from smooth whispers to searing leads. 🎸[Easy to use]Flexible knobs for tone control: LEVEL (output…
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£26.26 £21.83
Guitar overdrive/ boost effect pedal, with 2 modes of voice to choose(Normal/ Soft). 3 functional knobs(TREBLE/OUTPUT/GAIN) for adjusting the performance of the overdrive effect. True bypass footswitch for switching between overdrive effect and bypass status. LED light for indicating effects or bypass status. Full metal shell and compact size, dura…
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