Guess how many overdrives ?

[richard]

A lot of forums have threads asking for recommendations for overdrive pedals and each time I read one I see references to pedals/manufacturers I've never heard of before. It's like new species of insects being discovered in the rain forest. So, including overdrives, distortions, clean boosts, treble boosters - how many different gain increasing pedals would you guess are available today ?

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I'd say probably close to 10,000. There are tons you have never ever heard of and ever will.

[Elliot]

and all are variations of the TS808 (well, not quite, but a heck of a lot are).

[Plenum n Heather]

and all are variations of the TS808

HA! Truth!

[richard]

There are TONS of o/d pedals that sound nothing like a TS. There are also loads that are just a slight variation of the TS. Sorry, I'm drunk and, if there was a point I was trying to make, I can't remember what it was. Goodnight folks.

[juansolo]

There are shiteloads of OD's out there. The vast majority of which are indeed based around 2-3 basic circuits. But then there are loads of amps out there that are based based around 2-3 basic designs also. Same essentially for guitars.

[Alex]

The overdrive market has mushroomed!
I remember when I was looking for my first one about 15 years ago, there was already a healthy range available, but nothing compared to now.

One thing I learned about overdrive pedals over the years is that the price means nothing. A cheap unit can be just as good as an expensive one.

[juansolo]

The overdrive market has mushroomed!
I remember when I was looking for my first one about 15 years ago, there was already a healthy range available, but nothing compared to now.

One thing I learned about overdrive pedals over the years is that the price means nothing. A cheap unit can be just as good as an expensive one.

Yep. If you can mass produce them, you can make them for peanuts. Proper peanuts. Anything over about £150 for an OD, even a handmade one, is taking the piss. Then again, you'd be daft not to charge what the market was prepared to pay, so I don't begrudge people asking and getting more. Doesn't mean they're not taking the piss though.

[dave_mc]

and all are variations of the TS808 (well, not quite, but a heck of a lot are).

:lol: +1

there are about 50,000 (yep, made that number up, you got me" :oops: ) overdrives currently on the market, and I'm guessing 75% of them (and that's probably a conservative estimate) are based on about 5 basic circuits.

There are shiteeloads of OD's out there. The vast majority of which are indeed based around 2-3 basic circuits. But then there are loads of amps out there that are based based around 2-3 basic designs also. Same essentially for guitars.

true, but at least (normally) with amps and guitars the price plays at least some part in the quality of the thing. As alex said, even cheapo ODs can sound good... you can't really say the same for a £20 guitar or amp (most of the time, anyway).

[richard]

The answer is - there are currently 127,442 overdrive type pedals on the market. Soon, every box of breakfast cereal will contain a free TS clone. Lego versions of the most popular pedals are imminent. By 2016 there will be more overdrive pedals than there are wire coat hangers. O/d pedal design will replace mathematics in the school curriculum. 

[TheyCallMeVolume]

The answer is - there are currently 127,442 overdrive type pedals on the market. Soon, every box of breakfast cereal will contain a free TS clone. Lego versions of the most popular pedals are imminent. By 2016 there will be more overdrive pedals than there are wire coat hangers. O/d pedal design will replace mathematics in the school curriculum.

No....Wire.....Hangers.....EVER

[Mr. Air]

It seems pretty crazy that there's a market for all those OD/distortion pedals out there.

[JDC]

I only know of tubescreamers so what other circuits are these pedals based off?

[JimmyMoorby]

I only know of tubescreamers so what other circuits are these pedals based off?

Boss DS-1.  Satriani and Vai used them all over their first records.  I'm sure Van Halen and Zakk Wylde used them too but theyve all moved on to new stuff.

Malmsteen used the DOD 250 which is said to be similar to the MXR distortion plus which Randy Rhoads used.

I love my Wampler Pinnacle but it was very pricey and in terms of value it shouldnt be that much more expensive than say something by joyo us dream or vintage ovedrive or the digitech bad monkey which you can pick up dirt cheap or free with magazines like I did!

[Philly Q]

I only know of tubescreamers so what other circuits are these pedals based off?

Boss DS-1.  Satriani and Vai used them all over their first records.  I'm sure Van Halen and Zakk Wylde used them too but theyve all moved on to new stuff.

I'm on very shaky ground here, being extremely ignorant about pedals, but...... I'm sure you're right about the DS-1 and who's used it, but isn't that a distortion as opposed to an overdrive? 

I think the old Boss overdrive would be the OD-1?  I don't know if it's regarded as any kind of classic though.