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Average Price: $652

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$176+

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Description

The Maxon OD-808 is a vintage overdrive pedal that has been a favorite among guitarists for decades, known for its warm, natural-sounding overdrive that enhances your guitar's tone without overshadowing it. This pedal is a staple in the world of overdrive effects, designed to add rich, harmonic texture to your playing. Whether you're pushing the front end of your amp or looking to add a little bite to your solos, the OD-808 delivers a smooth, creamy overdrive that's responsive to your dynamics.

At the heart of its legendary sound is the iconic JRC4558D op-amp, ensuring that the OD-808 retains the original analog warmth that players love. With its simple three-knob interface, you can easily dial in the right amount of drive, tone, and level to suit any style of music. The pedal's true bypass switching ensures that your signal remains pristine when the pedal is not in use, making it an essential tool for both live performances and studio sessions.

Perfect for beginners and seasoned professionals alike, the Maxon OD-808 is a versatile overdrive pedal that can adapt to a wide range of musical environments. Its rugged construction means it's built to withstand the rigors of the road, while its compact size makes it a convenient addition to any pedalboard.

Key Features:

  • Classic overdrive tone with smooth, natural-sounding distortion
  • Iconic JRC4558D op-amp for authentic analog warmth
  • True bypass switching for uncolored signal when bypassed
  • Simple three-knob interface (Drive, Tone, Level)
  • Durable construction suitable for live and studio use
  • Compact size for easy pedalboard integration

Product specs

Brand Maxon
Model OD-808
Year 1979 - 1980
Made In Japan
Categories Overdrive and Boost Pedals
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

What makes the Maxon OD-808 different from other overdrive pedals?

The Maxon OD-808 is known for its warm, smooth overdrive that enhances your guitar's natural tone without excessive coloration. Its unique circuit design, which inspired the iconic Tubescreamer, provides a balanced midrange boost that suits various music styles.

Can the Maxon OD-808 be used with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?

Yes, the Maxon OD-808 works well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups, offering a versatile overdrive sound that complements different guitar types and playing styles.

Is the Maxon OD-808 suitable for live performances?

The Maxon OD-808 is an excellent choice for live performances due to its robust build and reliable, consistent overdrive tone that cuts through the mix without overpowering other elements.

Does the Maxon OD-808 work well with other pedals?

Yes, the Maxon OD-808 integrates smoothly with other pedals, making it a versatile addition to any pedalboard setup. Its transparent overdrive allows it to stack well with other effects for more complex tones.

What power supply does the Maxon OD-808 require?

The Maxon OD-808 requires a standard 9V DC power supply or a 9V battery, making it easy to incorporate into most pedalboard power setups.

Ola Englund

Ola Englund

Maxon Overdrive Metal Shootout (OD808,OD808X,OD9,OD9Pro+,ST9Pro+)

Video thumbnail for Maxon Overdrive Metal Shootout (OD808,OD808X,OD9,OD9Pro+,ST9Pro+) by Ola Englund

Maxon Overdrive Metal Shootout (OD808,OD808X,OD9,OD9Pro+,ST9Pro+)

Ola Englund

Ola Englund

Video thumbnail for Maxon OD808 Overdrive Pedal by intheblues

Maxon OD808 Overdrive Pedal

intheblues

intheblues

Video thumbnail for MAXON OD808 Overdrive by session

MAXON OD808 Overdrive

session

session

Video thumbnail for Tube Screamer shootout: Maxon OD808 & OD-9 versus a vintage Ibanez TS9 by Guitar

Tube Screamer shootout: Maxon OD808 & OD-9 versus a vintage Ibanez TS9

Guitar

Guitar

Video thumbnail for Maxon OD808 | The REAL Tube Screamer? by Jack Fossett

Maxon OD808 | The REAL Tube Screamer?

Jack Fossett

Jack Fossett

Video thumbnail for Maxon OD808 Overdrive by Mike Hermans

Maxon OD808 Overdrive

Mike Hermans

Mike Hermans

Video thumbnail for Maxon OD808 Overdrive Pedal with Humbuckers by intheblues

Maxon OD808 Overdrive Pedal with Humbuckers

intheblues

intheblues

Video thumbnail for Using the Maxon OD808 for Rock by Godlyke Inc.

Using the Maxon OD808 for Rock

Godlyke Inc.

Godlyke Inc.

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Maxon OD-808 (1979).

Comparisons

  • The Maxon OD808 is noted for being a practical version of the TS-808, with easier power compatibility, a visible LED, and a user-friendly switch, while maintaining identical sound.

    Source
  • Some owners find the Maxon OD808 and Ibanez TS808 sound differences negligible, attributing perceived differences to component tolerances.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The OD808 effectively tightens the sound of Orange amps, enhancing their natural tone and providing substantial gain, making it ideal for heavy tones.

    Source
  • The Maxon OD808 is highly effective when stacked with fuzz pedals like the Pharoah (Big Muff circuit) from Black Arts Toneworks, enhancing tonal versatility.

    Source
  • Works exceptionally well with high-gain amps like the Friedman JJ Jr. and Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier, tightening the sound and adding punch.

    Source
  • The Maxon OD808 is favored as a benchmark overdrive/boost for metal, especially thrash, due to its classic sound.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The Maxon OD808 is approximately $50 cheaper than the TS-808, offering similar performance at a more affordable price point.

    Source

User experience

  • The pedal is praised for its impact on amp tone, with owners saying it unlocks a lot of gain potential, described as "sort of ridiculous" in its output.

    Source
  • Owners note that the pedal consistently delivers a massive sound in front of both clean and high-gain amplifiers, making it versatile for various setups.

    Source
  • A buyer opted for a new EHX East River Drive over a used Maxon OD808 due to the latter's smoke odor, highlighting resale considerations.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Known for its simplicity, the OD808 provides a "meaner" sound compared to the EQD Palisades and Way Huge Green Rhino, despite fewer options.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • One user plans to compare a modded TS808 by "Pete’s Pedals" using original components to a Maxon OD808 for tonal differences.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how Issei Noro uses Maxon OD-808 (1979)

Issei Noro

Guitarist

Casiopea

...
Verified via Instagram

According to a post on noroism's Instagram, the Maxon Overdrive appears in the signal chain from the Eyes of the Mind (1981) era. The exact model isn't specified, but the design in the illustration seems to point to the Maxon OD-808, which Noro had been using since 1979.

Genre Usage

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Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Maxon OD-808 (1979), it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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