Boss OD-1 VS Boss OD-3

[Thurisarz]

Is the OD-3 a "reissue" of the classic OD-1 or are they two different things? What is the difference? Are the Boss OD pedals "clones" of another OD pedal?

*EDIT:* I just read this at another site about the OD-1 "That's basically the case. It's exactly like an SD-1 except the second opamp stage is a fixed frequency stage (no tone control.)", any truth in this?

 

[adrian]

Re: Boss OD-1 VS Boss OD-3

I have an OD3. Can´t say anything about the circuit, but compared to the OD1 the OD3 is smoother and have a jazzier tone. Reminds me very much about the tube distorsion I had in the 70s with my old Fender Bassman (made in the mid-60s). Skitbra, helt enkelt.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Boss OD-1 VS Boss OD-3

I don't know the exact circuit or chip change, but the original Boss OD-1 with 2 knobs (volume and gain) was the best sounding one. That's why they're the only Boss overdrive that's become a collectors item, fetching around $130.

I remember using one in the late 80's with my Marshalls, and then I decided I wanted the new SD-1 with the additional tone knob. As soon as I plugged it in, I knew it sucked compared to the OD-1 I'd just traded away. All the Boss OD's after the OD-1 didn't have quite the tone the original had. I have a feeling it had a lot to do with a microchip, so I think John Spina would be able to mod the later ones to sound like the original.

 

[Marinblues]

Re: Boss OD-1 VS Boss OD-3

I liked the OD-1, but it sucked out too much bass of my tone. I got a OD-3 to replace it (the OD-1 wasn't mine in the first place) and it doesn't bite as well as the OD-1 but is works better on the bass side, has a warmer gain and the 3rd knob is really usefull.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Boss OD-1 VS Boss OD-3

I liked the OD-1, but it sucked out too much bass of my tone. I got a OD-3 to replace it (the OD-1 wasn't mine in the first place) and it doesn't bite as well as the OD-1 but is works better on the bass side, has a warmer gain and the 3rd knob is really usefull.

That was the reason I parted with the OD-1. It was a neutral sounding OD, but the bass wasnt' boosted enough. Honestly, there was a point where I said "no more budget overdrives." You don't get anything good till you're paying over $150.....it's arguable, but you get what you pay for with stompboxes.

 

[Marinblues]

Re: Boss OD-1 VS Boss OD-3

That was the reason I parted with the OD-1. It was a neutral sounding OD, but the bass wasnt' boosted enough. Honestly, there was a point where I said "no more budget overdrives." You don't get anything good till you're paying over $150.....it's arguable, but you get what you pay for with stompboxes.

I would tend to agree with you but I recently noticed that the cheapo overdrives like the Sd-1 really work well with some "tubey" amps like the Fender Vibrolux. I guess that they are too chimey and "tube-like" so they need a bit of those cheapo transistors in the signal chain....

I did use the OD-1 a few times when recording since it was possible to pump up the bass, but it was a bit unusable with a band, also due to the noise. However, it's screams more the the Tube Screamer.

 

[saladin]

Re: Boss OD-1 VS Boss OD-3

OD-3 sounds better!