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Average Price: $241
High-end/Boutique
$50
$176+
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Budget
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High-end
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Description
Enter the remarkable world of vintage sound with the Boss OD-1 Overdrive, a creation that marked the dawn of the Boss dynasty. As an original pioneer in the realm of overdrive pedals, the Boss OD-1 delivers a warmth that encapsulates the true essence of tube-like overdrive tones. Crafted with a quad op-amp chip, this pedal is as durable as it is iconic, offering a simple yet effective two-knob interface for easy sound adjustments. Experience the timeless character of the Boss OD-1 Overdrive today and let your musical journey soar to new heights.
Key Features:
- Founding pedal of the Boss dynasty
- One of the first overdrive pedals ever made
- Delivers warm, vintage, tube-like overdrive tones
- Built with a robust quad op-amp chip
- Simple two-knob interface for easy operation
Product specs
| Brand | Boss |
| Model | OD-1 Over Drive (Black Label) |
| Finish | Yellow |
| Year | 1977 - 1985 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Overdrive and Boost Pedals |
FAQs
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What makes the Boss OD-1 OverDrive unique compared to other overdrive pedals?
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The Boss OD-1 OverDrive is known for its simple two-knob design and its ability to produce a warm, natural overdrive tone that emulates the sound of an overdriven tube amplifier, making it a classic choice for guitarists seeking vintage tones.
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Is the Boss OD-1 OverDrive suitable for both rhythm and lead guitar playing?
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Yes, the Boss OD-1 OverDrive is versatile enough to enhance both rhythm and lead playing by providing a smooth, dynamic overdrive that responds well to picking dynamics.
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Can the Boss OD-1 OverDrive be used with a bass guitar?
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While primarily designed for electric guitars, the Boss OD-1 OverDrive can also be used with a bass guitar, though it may result in some loss of low-end frequencies.
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What power supply does the Boss OD-1 OverDrive require?
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The Boss OD-1 OverDrive originally requires a 12V ACA power adapter; however, it can also be powered using a standard 9V power supply with a daisy chain or adapter to match modern pedalboard setups.
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How does the Boss OD-1 OverDrive affect the tone of an amplifier?
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The Boss OD-1 OverDrive enhances the natural tone of an amplifier by adding warmth and smooth overdrive, ideal for blues and classic rock styles, without drastically altering the amp's inherent sound.
Videos
TheToneShack
Boss OD-1 Overdrive Pedal Demo
Boss OD-1 Overdrive Pedal Demo
TheToneShack
What makes this pedal great? Boss OD-1
Wampler Pedals
Vintage Boss OD-1 Overdrive Pedal Demo
Mythos Pedals
Review of a 1979 Boss OD-1 Overdrive pedal!!!l
DutchGuitarDude
Demos in the Dark // My High School Boss OD-1 Overdrive Pedal
Demos In The Dark
Boss OD-1 Overdrive Demo
Cameron Johnson
Reviews
PROS
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Unique, gritty sound compared to smoother overdrives
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Offers significant tonal range; not transparent, pairs well with EQ
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Absence of tone control surprisingly not a detriment
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Versatile: from blues to classic rock tones
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Can push both clean and dirty amps effectively
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Warmer, more dynamic than Tube Screamer with less compression
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Excellent for punching leads through dense mixes
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Performs well in front of a cranked amp for a tight tone
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First soft-clipping overdrive pedal, pioneering sound
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More open sounding and dynamic under the fingers
CONS
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Some versions (82-85) can be more shrill with bass-cut
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Cuts a lot of low end, which might not suit all styles
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Not the most versatile, especially for blues
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Expensive, especially for vintage models
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Limited by two-knob design for some users
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Input impedance may affect volume pot curve on guitar
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss OD-1 OverDrive.
Comparisons
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OD-1 and SD-1 circuits are nearly identical, except for the tone control; both have asymmetrical clipping, unlike the symmetrical clipping of a Tube Screamer.
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The OD-3 and BD-2 share circuit similarities but differ in voicing; OD-3 offers a smooth rock/country vibe, while BD-2 provides a crunchy, harsh tone suitable for aggressive blues/rock.
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The OD-1x integrates a digital circuit for enhanced processing and compression, distinguishing it from the analog OD-1 and OD-3 models.
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The SD-1 and OD-1 share similar circuits, but the SD-1 includes an active tone control, allowing for more tonal versatility.
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The OD-1 has a lower input impedance (220k) than the SD-1 (450), leading to a darker tone similar to rolling off your guitar's tone knob.
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The OD-1 is characterized by a significant mid hump and lower gain when maxed, altering its response away from bass-heavy tones and making it ideal in a mix but potentially tinny solo.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The OD-1 is cherished as a collector's piece with a preset tone that's not a "secret weapon" but appreciated for its unique sound profile.
Source
Build quality
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Boss pedals, including vintage models, are praised for their durability, with some owners noting they remain reliable despite cosmetic wear and tear like chipped paint.
Source
Features and functionality
Value and pricing
4.5 out of 5
Based on 8 Reviews and 42 Ratings
984
Classic overdrive for rock n'roll
I have the 14 pin chip, reissue version, sounds really good, very warm mid hump. I recommend it to anyone who finds the regular Tube Screamer too compressed, this one has gnarlier character, more open sounding and dynamic, or at least it feels like so under the fingers. Lots of drive available, I like to set the drive to less than 9 o'clock and level above 2 o'clock to get those valves cooking. The lowest setting on Drive knob provides almost no distortion at all, which is handy to use as mid hump boost, although it cuts a lot of low end, much more than a TS808. I prefer more transparent overdrives for what I play, like the OD-3 or even a klon at low gain settings. I believe this overdrive is more oriented to rock n'roll rather than blues. I was skeptical about the 220Kohm input impedance, but it's fine, it only changes you volume pot curve a bit, so at 7 on guitar volume pot it sounds a bit warmer and lower volume than a pedal with 1Mega input, which might actually be handy to clean up sooner. Only reason I give it 4 stars is because I found it too expensive and not much versatile, cuts way to much low end. I prefer the OD3.
Have owned a few of these
The world's first soft-clipping overdrive pedal, released a good year before the Tubescreamer. Earlier ones (77-79) are the most prized. Later ones (82-85) are a bit more shrill, with more obvious bass-cut/upper-mid surge. Great pedal. Raunchier and ruder sounding than a TS. For punching your leads through a dense mix it still has few rivals, though the SD-1 is close. Best used into a Marshall or similar.
Preferred Settings + Usage:
Level high, drive low
514
Best Boss dirt pedal!
I've always found old, two-knob Boss stuff as a better sounding units. This also refers to OD-1 which I've aquired few days ago. As most pedals like these, OD-1 works best in front of an already cranked amp to tighten your tone up. It's quite gritty, has tons of mids and sounds very warm and natural (NOT transparent). In my opinion best dirt pedal Boss ever made. However we have one problem here - price. Better look in a pawn shops, unless you are ready to spend some serious dollar.
984
amazing od pedal
this is my first pedal after using basically only digital effects for years, and oh my god this absolutely destroys digital effects. please, just save yourself the headache of software and just get this if you respect yourself
984
amazing od pedal
this is my first pedal after using basically only digital effects for years, and oh my god this absolutely destroys digital effects. please, just save yourself the headache of software and just get this if you respect yourself
Artist usage
Add artist
"I'm using the old Boss pedals now."
(Trace your signal from the guitar to the amp.)
"It goes through three Boss pedals, the little ones that have got noiseless switches. They come in pretty colors. I’ve got a blue one, a green one [laughs]. I’ve got a chorus, an overdrive, and a compressor. I don’t have a harmonizer, but I think I’ll get one."
According to The Devil Wears Prada's rig rundown, by Premier Guitar, Jeremy DePoyster uses a Boss OD-1 Overdrive pedal.
(5:40 minute mark) - Boorer praised the pedal for being so simple-made, yet the pedal "does what it's said to do". He has one of those in his pedalboard.
5:33 - Sergey talks about his equipment, on which he made solo demo recordings for the album "Playing with Fire" in her then-team Aria. Sergey has long used and continues to use this pedal. Which made it clear in the question-answer rubric on his official website http://www.mavrick.ru/interactive/int-mavrin/
"Yep. Over my span of playing, I can’t count how many different ones I’ve run across. I used the [GE-7] graphic EQ pedal a lot. You’d turn the thing up and it’d give you the perfect overdrive, if you needed an extra boost. I [also] used the yellow OD-1 Overdrive. The DS-1 [Distortion], I have one of the original ones. It’s interesting…in 2007, I got to re-team up with Paul and go on a G3 tour. For me, that was pretty phenomenal, because it’s a Holy Grail tour for guitar, and I was just coming off of 10 years of not playing."
In an interview on That Pedal Show, published on December 5, 2025, Matt Berry confirms his use of the original Boss OD-1. At 44:11 of the link below, he states, "...I'm as much focused on the overdrives. And I know there's a lot of Boss there... and I've been listening to a lot of pedals, and I've auditioned a lot of pedals over the years, and the Boss First Overdrive is still one that I can't get rid of because it has exactly what I want." This statement from the video provides direct evidence of Berry's use of this specific gear.
See the full rundown here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYQfpe4mEDc
Guitarist Ronni Le Tekrø uses the Boss OD-1 OverDrive pedal, as shown in a photo shared by his technician on Facebook.
As seen in the band's 2009 AOL Sessions.
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In a photo posted on Instagram by Taylor Young, the Boss OD-1 OverDrive pedal is visible on his workstation.
In the video there is a Boss OD-1 being used
You can see this effect at 1:43 next to the Phase 90.
"I’m using a Yamaha G100. It’s a 1×12 and it’s super loud and very clean, which I need when I play jazz. I also use an old Boss OD-1 that’s very smooth-sounding. I recently got a Zendrive, which is very cool, and a J. Rocket Blue Note."
Album Usage
The Boss OD-1 OverDrive has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Boss OD-1 OverDrive, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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