Photo of Visual Sound Route 808 and more gear in a pedalboard, studio, and guitar

Photo of Visual Sound Route 808 and more gear in a pedalboard, guitar, and amplifier

Visual Sound Route 808

$73.58 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (6)

1 Critic Review

3 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Visual Sound Route 808

3 community setups

1 wishlisted

14 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (3)

$73.58 3 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $74

Standard/Professional

$50

$176+

Price Tier

In the Overdrive Effects Pedals category, Visual Sound Route 808 is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Discover the essence of blues and rock's raw power with the Visual Sound Route 808 Overdrive Pedal. Designed to elevate your guitar's natural voice with a gritty mid-gain punch, this pedal merges the robustness of a die-cast aluminum chassis with the nuanced control of drive, tone, and volume knobs. Perfect for players seeking to emulate the iconic Stevie Ray Vaughan tone or forge their own sonic signature, the Route 808 offers both versatility and a boutique twist on a classic effect. The addition of a bass boost switch ensures that you can delve into the depths of low-end richness whenever your music demands it. Compact, durable, and with a character that complements any setup, the Route 808 is your gateway to achieving a bluesy attack with precise control.

Key Features:

Robust die-cast aluminum chassis for unmatched durability
Precise control with drive, tone, and volume knobs
Gritty mid-gain punch to boost your guitar’s natural sound
Bass boost switch for enhanced low-end richness
Ideal for achieving the classic Stevie Ray Vaughan tone

Product specs

Brand	Visual Sound
Model	Route 808
Finish	Green
Year	2010s
Made In	United States
Categories	Overdrive and Boost Pedals

FAQs

What type of overdrive sound does the Visual Sound Route 808 provide?: The Visual Sound Route 808 offers a classic, smooth overdrive reminiscent of vintage tube amps, ideal for blues and rock genres. It captures the warm, mid-range boost that is characteristic of the iconic 808 overdrive pedals.
Can the Visual Sound Route 808 be used with both guitar and bass?: Yes, the Visual Sound Route 808 can be used with both guitar and bass, providing a versatile overdrive that enhances the natural tone of either instrument without losing low-end frequencies.
How does the Visual Sound Route 808 compare to other 808-style pedals?: The Visual Sound Route 808 stands out with its unique JRC4558 chip, delivering a classic overdrive sound with enhanced clarity and dynamic response compared to other 808-style pedals.
What power supply does the Visual Sound Route 808 require?: The Visual Sound Route 808 requires a standard 9V DC power supply, and it can also run on a 9V battery for convenience during performances or practice sessions.
Does the Visual Sound Route 808 have true bypass switching?: Yes, the Visual Sound Route 808 features true bypass switching, ensuring that your guitar's signal remains clean and unaffected when the pedal is not engaged.

Videos

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Simon Guitarman

Which Is The Best Green Overdrive Pedal? Tube Screamer, Nobels, Digitech Shootout

Simon Guitarman

Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808 vs Visual Sound Route 808 Les Paul + Strato

Del Rei Rock

Visual Sound Route 808 Overdrive

Truetone

EHX East River Drive vs Visual Sound Route 808

Six-String Samurai

Visual Sound Route 808 - How does it sound?

Audiofanzine in English

Visual Sound - Route 808

WMusicDistribution

Maxon OD808 Vs Visual Sound Route 808 Overdrive Pedal Shootout With Single Coils

Simon Guitarman

Visual Sound Route 808 Overdrive Demo - Harmon Music - HIGH DEFINITION

Harmon Music

Visual Sound Route 808 Overdrive

Pedal Sessions

Reviews

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PROS

Enhances electric bass with grit without losing low end
More affordable alternative to a Tubescreamer
Offers tonal flexibility and a sweet spot as a boost for dirty amps
Provides quintessential rock and blues tones with the right amount of bite
Bass boost switch enhances low end punch
Built like a tank, very durable
Lighter than it looks, adding minimal weight to pedalboards

CONS

Sound quality slightly inferior to Jekyll and Hyde's overdrive
Bulkier design may be an issue for limited pedalboard space

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Visual Sound Route 808.

Features and functionality

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The Route 808 is praised as one of the best Tube Screamers, noted for its strong bass and midrange response which enhances its versatility.
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Visual Sound pedals, including the Route 808, come with lifetime warranties, adding long-term value and peace of mind for users.
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The Route 808 provides a clean blend feature, allowing users to mix their clean signal with the overdriven tone, offering more control over their sound dynamics.
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User experience

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Owners appreciate the Visual Sound pedals' foot switches, highlighting their durability and reliability during performances.
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Visual Sound's customer service is highly regarded, with reports of receiving replacement parts like foot switches even two decades post-purchase.
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Owners mention that the Route 808's tonal versatility and robust construction make it a reliable choice for gigging musicians who require consistent performance.
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Comparisons

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The Route 808 is often compared to the Tube Screamer for its tonal qualities, with users noting its superior bass and midrange presence.
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The Jekyll and Hyde is described as having a TS 808 circuit paired with a Shredmaster, while the Route 808 is seen as the Jekyll side, making it a strong TS style pedal.
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The Jekyll and Hyde is compared to the Open Road, which is a clone of the Nobels ODR-1, suggesting tonal similarities among these models.
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The Visual Sound Route 808 is highlighted for its strong bass retention, which is particularly beneficial for bass players, unlike many traditional Tube Screamers that may cut low frequencies.
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Use cases and applications

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The Route 808 is versatile, frequently used for low gain overdrive, offering significant tonal range due to its EQ and clean blend features.
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Some users report that the Route 808 excels in high-gain settings, making it suitable for heavier music genres while maintaining clarity and articulation.
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Value and pricing

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The Route 808 can be found for approximately $80-$100 in the U.S., making it an affordable option for those seeking quality overdrive.
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Mods and upgrades

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Users suggest experimenting with different op-amp chips within the Route 808 to tailor the pedal’s tonal characteristics further, catering to specific personal preferences.
Source

Critic Reviews

Visual Sound Route 808 review on musicradar.com

musicradar.com

The Visual Sound Route 808 is a modern twist on the classic TS808 Tube Screamer, offering a crisper, more alive tone and enhanced bass response thanks to its bass boost switch. While it nails the signature TS808 sound, it provides more tonal balance and output, making it a versatile option for those seeking a more expansive tonal range. Despite its strengths, the pedal may not appeal to everyone due to subjective taste preferences. Overall, it's a standout in the crowded field of Tube Screamer clones and earns its place among the top alternatives.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 6 Ratings

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tobias_christ

354

over 9 years ago

The better TS-808

Baught it from a musicstore during their renovation, the bottom side was completely destroyed and bent, because it was glued to a wall. I paid about 10 € or something like that, when it was really exotic in europe (used price about 150€) Played it at home and really loved it. In comparison to the TS-808, the sound is almost similar, but I like this one more.

Really a good alternative

Roles:

Guitarist Audio Engineer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Pop