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Average Price: $367

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$176+

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Description

Unleash the power of your blues and classic rock tones with the Way Huge Overrated Special. This overdrive pedal, crafted in collaboration with the legendary Joe Bonamassa, delivers a sonic punch that’s hard to ignore. With its intuitive controls, including volume, drive, and tone, this pedal is designed to add depth and character to your sound. But what truly sets it apart is the 500Hz EQ knob, a unique feature that allows you to fine-tune the low-end frequencies, ensuring your guitar cuts through the mix with clarity and presence.

The Overrated Special is more than just an overdrive pedal; it's a tool for expression. Its mid-range focus allows for a warm, creamy drive that's perfect for both the stage and the studio. Whether you're laying down tracks or performing live, this pedal will help you achieve a rich, dynamic sound that resonates with your audience.

Key Features:

  • Collaboration with Joe Bonamassa
  • Volume, drive, and tone controls
  • 500Hz EQ knob for low-end frequency adjustment
  • Mid-range focused overdrive
  • Ideal for blues and classic rock styles

Product specs

Brand Way Huge
Model WHE208 Overrated Special Overdrive
Finish Silver
Year 2016
Made In United States
Categories Overdrive and Boost Pedals
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

What kind of tone can I expect from the Way Huge Overrated Special Overdrive pedal?

The Way Huge Overrated Special Overdrive pedal delivers a warm, mid-focused overdrive tone, ideal for blues and rock styles. It enhances your guitar's natural sound while providing a smooth, dynamic overdrive.

Is the Way Huge Overrated Special suitable for use with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?

Yes, the Way Huge Overrated Special is designed to work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups, offering versatility in tonal shaping for different guitar types.

Does the Way Huge Overrated Special Overdrive pedal require a specific power supply?

The Way Huge Overrated Special Overdrive pedal operates on a standard 9V DC power supply, which is typical for most effects pedals, ensuring easy integration into your existing pedalboard setup.

How does the Way Huge Overrated Special differ from other overdrive pedals in the market?

The Way Huge Overrated Special is known for its unique midrange emphasis and smooth overdrive, setting it apart by adding a distinctive character to your tone that is particularly favored by blues and rock guitarists.

Can the Way Huge Overrated Special be used as a clean boost?

While primarily an overdrive pedal, the Way Huge Overrated Special can be dialed back to function as a clean boost, providing a subtle enhancement to your signal without significant distortion.

JoeBonamassaTV

JoeBonamassaTV

Bona-Scope Rewind - Joe Demonstrates the new Way Huge Overrated Special Pedal

Video thumbnail for Bona-Scope Rewind - Joe Demonstrates the new Way Huge Overrated Special Pedal by JoeBonamassaTV

Bona-Scope Rewind - Joe Demonstrates the new Way Huge Overrated Special Pedal

JoeBonamassaTV

JoeBonamassaTV

Video thumbnail for Way Huge Overrated Special Demo by shnobel

Way Huge Overrated Special Demo

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for Way Huge Overrated Special vs Vertex Steel String by shnobel

Way Huge Overrated Special vs Vertex Steel String

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for Way Huge Overrated Special vs Klon Centaur by shnobel

Way Huge Overrated Special vs Klon Centaur

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for Way Huge Overrated Special demo by Max Guitar B.V.

Way Huge Overrated Special demo

Max Guitar B.V.

Max Guitar B.V.

Video thumbnail for Way Huge - Overrated, Doubleland & Smalls for Joe Bonamassa - Review by Blues Guitar World

Way Huge - Overrated, Doubleland & Smalls for Joe Bonamassa - Review

Blues Guitar World

Blues Guitar World

Video thumbnail for Way Huge Overrated Special by Guitarsenal

Way Huge Overrated Special

Guitarsenal

Guitarsenal

Video thumbnail for Overdrive Quest Part 2 : Way Huge Overrated Special & Wampler Sovereign by Psionic Audio

Overdrive Quest Part 2 : Way Huge Overrated Special & Wampler Sovereign

Psionic Audio

Psionic Audio

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional transparent punch enhances amp dynamics

  • Limited edition rarity with only 1000 units made

  • Wide tonal range from rich and creamy to dynamic and sustaining

  • Midrange control for distinctive growl and tone shaping

  • Boosts and enhances driven amps without overly coloring the tone

  • Comparable to Dumble-like tones for Fender-style amps

  • Versatile for slide guitar, providing excellent sustain and dynamics

  • Effective as both a boost and a drive pedal

  • Highly recommended for amps on the verge of breakup

  • Comes with unique case candy and memorabilia

CONS

  • Less effective when used with a clean amp channel

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Way Huge Overrated Special.

Features and functionality

  • The Overrated Special features 100 Hz and 500 Hz controls, allowing for enhanced low-mid punch, tailored for Joe Bonamassa's distinctive blues style.

    Source
  • The pedal includes Bonamassa signature picks and a pick tin with a serial number, adding to its collector's appeal.

    Source
  • The tone knob offers a huge sweep, while the Hz knob allows for adding crunch or scooping mids, providing versatile tonal options.

    Source

Comparisons

  • It's noted that the Overrated Special sounds nearly identical to the Way Huge Green Rhino OD, which is a Tubescreamer derivative.

    Source
  • The Overrated Special shares similar circuit DNA with the EHX Soul Food, both being Klon-based, making it effective for saturated, midrangey solo tones when stacked.

    Source
  • Compared to the Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808 Tamura Mod, the Overrated Special offers a similar tonal clarity but with a distinctive midrange emphasis.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners appreciate the pedal's ability to provide a bold, punchy overdrive when used in front of a clean amp, emulating Joe Bonamassa's sound.

    Source
  • The Overrated Special, when placed in front of the entire pedal chain, delivers a sweet, sustaining, and singing tone ideal for solos.

    Source
  • Initially found thin and unsatisfactory with just a clean amp, the pedal's potential is unlocked when integrated into a full setup.

    Source
  • Owners find pushing volume and midrange into the Overrated Special creates a lovely saturated tone, particularly useful for solo work in rock and blues genres.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The pedal is considered a collector's item due to its limited run of 1000 units, with appeal to Way Huge and Bonamassa fans.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • When stacked with an EHX Soul Food and used with a neck pickup, the Overrated Special delivers a saturated, midrangey tone ideal for soloing.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Way Huge Overrated Special review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Way Huge's Overrated Special is a limited-run pedal that reimagines the Green Rhino overdrive, adding superb definition and a unique 500Hz control. While it shines when pushing an already overdriven amp, it also offers a natural-sounding boost with clean setups. Designed with Joe Bonamassa in mind, it enhances midrange tones making it a versatile tool for any guitarist. Though the review mentions very few cons, it’s clear this pedal is a valuable addition for those seeking to elevate their sound. It's a well-rated pedal, overrated in name only.

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Based on 2 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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michaelpole

Underrated special!!

Amazing. Picked it up for £70 and it is incredible. I can’t see myself ever parting with it

From Gear Setup
ilovegibson20

Perfect Boost

Perfect boost for either amp or boosting another overdrive. Works best when being ran into a dirty amplifier or an overdrive creating overdrive.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Joe Bonamassa uses Way Huge Overrated Special

Joe Bonamassa

Guitarist, Singer

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Premierguitar

On the Three Kings tour, Bonamassa is using a stripped down setup with this custom pedal (modelled after the Way Huge Green Rhino) made as a joke by Jeorge Tripps. It's meant to emulate a Dumble Overdrive Special amplifier.

According to his Instagram he also said, "Thank you @way.huge.electronics for making these reverse color ( black with silver fonts instead of silver with black fonts) Overrated Specials for the fall tour.. They sound awesome! @jtripps".

See how James Duke uses Way Huge Overrated Special

James Duke

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via Photo

James Duke features the Way Huge Overrated Special overdrive pedal in a post on his Instagram account, @thejamesduke, captioned "look what I saw."

See how Paul Jackson uses Way Huge Overrated Special

Paul Jackson

Guitarist

Blackberry Smoke

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

Paul Jackson uses the Way Huge Overrated Special Overdrive pedal as part of his setup, as confirmed in the Premier Guitar video "Rig Rundown: Blackberry Smoke's Charlie Starr & Paul Jackson [2023]" by John Bohlinger.

See how Igor Gribov uses Way Huge Overrated Special

Igor Gribov

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified via Photo

Igor Gribov uses the Way Huge Overrated Special, as evidenced by the image available on Equipboard.

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 Way Huge Overrated Special, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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michaelpole

michaelpole

Gear IQ 566

michaelpole

michaelpole

Gear IQ 566

michaelpole

michaelpole

Gear IQ 566

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The overrated special is a green rhino that was specially made for Joe Bonamassa

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