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Average Price: $134
Standard/Professional
$50
$176+
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Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Maxon OD808 Overdrive". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Experience the rich heritage of rock sound with the Maxon OD808 Overdrive, a legendary reissue of the iconic overdrive pedal that has played a pivotal role in shaping the classic rock era. Since its inception in 1979, the OD808 has been celebrated for its authentic replication of the warm, creamy crunch of tube-amp overdrive that never fails to resonate with the true spirit of rock 'n roll.
The secret sauce behind this revered tone is the innovative circuit design, that uses a signal-distorting diode in its amplifier stage rather than a separate clipping stage. This approach results in an overdrive that is more akin to a tube amp - smooth, dynamic and retaining the integrity of your original guitar tone. From a subtle boost to pushed tube amp tones, the OD808 Overdrive exhibits the full spectrum of overdriven sounds that continue to define the rock sound.
The OD808 Overdrive is not just about sounding good, it's also about feeling good. Designed to emulate tube amps, it is highly touch-sensitive and responsive. With the ability to dynamically react to changes in your guitar's volume, tone controls and your picking dynamics, the OD808 becomes a natural extension of your rig.
Despite the complex circuitry that lends it its distinct tone, the OD808 Overdrive is remarkably simple to use. It's a straightforward, no-nonsense pedal with overdrive, balance, and tone controls to dial in your desired sound. Built to last, it’s a gig-ready overdrive pedal with a solid metal chassis designed to withstand the rigors of touring.
Key Features:
- Innovative circuit design using a signal-distorting diode
- Highly touch-sensitive and responsive
- Simple and straightforward controls: Overdrive, Balance, Tone
- Roadworthy design with solid metal chassis
- Features the legendary JRC4558 IC chip
- Reissued circuitry identical to the original model
- Hand-assembled all-analog components for pristine, tube-amp style tone
- Can be used as a clean volume boost by keeping the Drive set low
Product specs
| Pedal Type | Overdrive |
| Analog/Digital | Analog |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Outputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| EQ | Tone control |
| Power Source | 9V DC power supply (sold separately) |
| Batteries | 1 x 9V |
| Power Usage | 5mA |
| Height | 2.16" |
| Width | 2.4" |
| Depth | 4.4" |
| Weight | 0.57 lbs. |
FAQs
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What type of power supply does the Maxon OD808 Overdrive Pedal require?
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The Maxon OD808 Overdrive Pedal requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately. It can also operate with one 9V battery.
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Is the Maxon OD808 Overdrive Pedal suitable for use with bass guitars?
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Yes, the Maxon OD808 can be used with bass guitars, providing a warm, smooth overdrive that enhances the midrange frequencies without losing low-end clarity.
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How does the Maxon OD808 Overdrive differ from a Tube Screamer?
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While both are overdrive pedals, the Maxon OD808 is known for its smooth, natural overdrive, closely resembling the classic Tube Screamer sound, as Maxon originally manufactured the Tube Screamer for Ibanez.
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What are the key tonal characteristics of the Maxon OD808 Overdrive Pedal?
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The Maxon OD808 delivers a warm, creamy overdrive with a pronounced midrange boost, making it ideal for blues and rock genres. Its tone control allows for subtle EQ adjustments to suit different playing styles.
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Does the Maxon OD808 Overdrive Pedal have true bypass switching?
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No, the Maxon OD808 does not feature true bypass switching; it uses buffered bypass, which helps maintain signal strength and clarity over long cable runs.
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
Maxon OD-808 Overdrive Pedal
Maxon OD-808 Overdrive Pedal
ProGuitarShopDemos
Maxon Overdrive Metal Shootout (OD808,OD808X,OD9,OD9Pro+,ST9Pro+)
Ola Englund
Maxon OD808 Overdrive Pedal
intheblues
Maxon OD808 - In Depth review (with comparison to other TS pedals)
EytschPi42
Maxon OD808 | The REAL Tube Screamer?
Jack Fossett
Maxon OD808 Overdrive
Mike Hermans
Is The Maxon OD808 the ULTIMATE Overdrive Pedal?
Electric Flamingo
Reviews
PROS
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Enhances sound massively, especially on crunch channels
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Tightens up flubby low-end, perfect for metal guitarists
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Adds warmth and stands out with a mid-range boost
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Versatile across genres from blues to extreme metal
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Sturdy construction, predicted to have a long lifespan
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Works well as a boost without killing original tone
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Transparent boost allows guitar's harmonics to shine
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Boosts amp sounds significantly, ideal for tube amps
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Compresses low end efficiently for heavy rock/metal
CONS
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Not a true bypass, may not suit all signal chain preferences
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Some find it lacks a low-gain range
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May sound harsh to those expecting a creamy overdrive
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Pricey for casual musicians
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Initial bypass switch issue causing brief silence
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Maxon OD808 Overdrive.
Comparisons
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The OD808 is noted as a practical alternative to the TS-808, offering identical sound, a visible LED, and easier switch, at a $50 lower price.
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Owners compare the OD808 favorably to the EQD Palisades and Plumes, noting it as "meaner sounding" despite having fewer options.
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Owners note the Maxon OD808 cuts slightly less low end compared to the TS-9, offering a subtly different tonal profile.
Source
Features and functionality
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The OD808 effectively enhances the gain of Orange amps, providing a tightly controlled tone, especially when paired with high-gain setups like the Orange Dark Terror.
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The volume control on the OD808 is praised for its linearity and precision, avoiding sudden gain changes.
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The OD808's compatibility with both tube amps and digital amp sims is highlighted, broadening its usability across different setups.
Source
User experience
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Multiple owners report that using the OD808 with an Orange amp reveals an impressive amount of gain, highlighting its capability in high-gain settings.
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Users appreciate the OD808's ability to stack well with diverse pedals like the BAT Coven's Pharoah and Fuzzrocious Lil Fella.
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It's noted for its robustness, with some units still performing well after many years of use.
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The pedal's switch is reliable, ensuring consistent engagement without needing excessive force.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The OD808 is favored for pairing with Orange amps, especially for players looking to tighten and focus their high-gain tones.
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The OD808 boosts the Friedman JJ Jr. head effectively, enhancing its tonal range.
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The pedal is praised for making sounds "a bit tighter," particularly when used with high-gain amps like a Triple Rectifier.
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The OD808 excels at adding mid-range crunch to clean tube amps like a Twin Reverb, enhancing their tonal versatility.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 10 Reviews and 76 Ratings
1391
The one and only
I never liked boosts in the first place. Didn’t need it on my Marshall JCM800 2210. Until I started dropping my tunings lower and lower. When getting my 7-string K7, I first experienced muddyness. I steered clear of the TubeScreamer, and got me a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier. Sounds killer, but still struggled with some lack of definition and some muddyness. Years went by and occasionally I’d try an Ibanez TS9 or a TS808, Emma Onomatopoeia and an Xotic RC Booster. Except for the latter, none of them made a lasting impression. I kept learning and reading about the TubeScreamer history and then a used Maxon OD-808 came up for sale locally. I picked it up and fell in love instantly. Unlike the TS9 and TS808, this Maxon sounds full and round. No screechy tones! It’s easy to dial in a tone that you like. All controls work well and it tightens the Triple Rectifier. Even for the 2210 it isn’t overkill. This pedal stays on my board and is always on now, although not true bypass it’s very low noise and doesn’t eat tone at all it makes tone!
Preferred Settings + Usage:
To boost a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier: OD minimal, balance max open, treble 1 o’clock.
267
Magnificent overdrive, absolute must on most pedalboards and rigs
I've had the Maxon OD808 Overdrive for about a month or two now and my tone has improved massively since using it. Prior to having this pedalboard, I used the 'Screamer' overdrive on my POD HD500X and it did the job but could never compare to this.
The transparency is impeccable and it really adds a nice boost to the signal where and when I want it. It works absolute wonders on my crunch channel for just pushing it a little bit more over the edge when I need it for a lead part or something of the like.
All in all, just a great overdrive pedal and would 100% recommend this to any guitarist looking for an overdrive.
164
11/10, very good OD
considering i use this almost exclusively as a boost for my Peavey 5150 and Orange Micro Dark, my review is very one-sided. however, for my uses of the 808, it is by far my favorite Tube Screamer, that i've used. it really tightens up the flubby low-end of my Mico Dark, as well as boosts the mids with the Tone knob as well. great pedal, and i would definitely recommend it to any Metal guitarist trying to get a tighter tone.
110
Top notch od pedal
Especially if you combine it with distortion. A total necessity for that metal tone.
67
Amazing pedal
I love this pedal but I mean what's not to love with it being the original Ibanez tube screamer
58
Very versatile overdrive pedal with love from every profession player
This is a pedal that gives the feel of the original tube screamer from 80's, I haven't played any original made in Japan tube screamer, however I think this on matches over 90% of the description from those who have experience with the original one, especially the mid range boost that adds a lot warmth to the tone and makes you stand out from the crowd.
145
The Original.
As stated, the original "tube screamer" sound. Very warm, but very bright. Boosts much of the mids and treble end of my guitar in a way that I really like when it comes to my 6- and 7-string mahogany solidbody guitars.
838
Original tube screamer
If you want Ibanez TS808, but cheaper and little bit more aggressive. For me, there's not enough low-gain range in these pedals. And also, I don't even have tube amp to use them properly
53
Best Overdrive for Valveking 100
Ein Super Booster für die die einen Valveking 100 Head besitzen, viele wissen das der Head nicht grad die Power hat um mal sagen wir mal etwas Metalartiger zu sein. Der Maxon808 boostet deine Power deutlich hoch, womit man mehr Presents und Spaß daran hat.
237
ppppuussh!!!
Esse pedal só serve pra empurrar o timbre do amp (valvulado, claro), mas a diferença é gritante. O timbre melhora em 200%.
Artist usage
Add artist
In a 2003 performance at the Fillmore, Joe Satriani utilized the Maxon OD808 Overdrive, as shown in the road documentation on his official website.
In this instagram post you can spot the green pedal.
Wes put green tape on top of the knobs to make it easy to see the setting
Misha mentions having an OD808 "Tube Screamer" in his pedalboard in this 2009 video.
This pedal was used for his "1 Guitar, 10 Overdrive Pedals" video. He demonstrates this pedal as his first one.
In a Premier Guitar Rig Rundown, Lee Malia's setup includes the Maxon OD808 Overdrive pedal. The feature highlights its influence on the band's sound, as it was also used by former band member Jona Weinhofen.
The pedal can be seen on this video.
The pedal can be seen in the top row of the pedalboard (first pedal).
Additional link to the picture: https://www.instagram.com/p/B_CdtIIBDaf/?igshid=1bx14ycwxjgw8
At 3:54 in this video, Rabea discusses the Maxon OD808 on this pedalboard build.
The reason that's there is that most modern guitar players that play high-gain amps tend to use a tube screamer in front of them. And more often than not, you find it's usually the Maxon. It's just a great solid overdrive that you never put the drive up past zero but you boost the balance or volume and you just get it to tighten up the high gain tone.
"A little green bastard that tightens it up and compresses it in a way that I personally think is really cool" - Devin Townsend on the Maxon OD808 Overdrive
According to Premier Guitar's rig rundown, Vile uses the Maxon OD808.
Album Usage
The Maxon OD808 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 Maxon OD808 Overdrive, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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The Mid-range Boost and low end cut of the OD808 pairs beautifully with the full bodied, full range overdrive of the Mjolnir. The OD808 can be set very low and then you can simply adjust the gain from the Mjolnir instead so you get a tighter sound whilst not being overly compressed. On its own, the OD808 would sound really compressed if the gain knob is cranked more than half way. You can get a grittier, crispier, brighter and a more blues oriented sound with this combo.
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