Boss Od-1

[jerryjg]

I bought a Boss OD-1 awhile back off EBAY. It wasnt cheap- I think about 175.00. Also, I found out its the revision model which isnt the original one with the 14 leg chip. Also the later OD-1's had some different compononts. So I am about to send the unoit to Analogman, who does a conversion of the pedal to original specs for about 85.00 all total shipping included. I thought i might just sell the OD-1 , cause i hate modyfying vintage gear, and get a Botique Clone...but then I went to looking and it seems that there really arent any clones of the OD-1! This is perplexing. The OD-1 is the original mother of all overdrives as far as I can tell . Its circuit is similar to a Tube screamer I think, but it uses A-symmetrical clipping -whatever that translates into- it produces a different sound than the TS-808. Well, The original vintage issues OD-1's are very highly regarded , quite apparently, if you notice the stiff bidding competition on Ebay. I wonder why noone clones theses things, unless I am missing something or I dont know about a certain unit being made.

 

[Usurper666]

Re: Boss Od-1

I'm in the same boat as you. I asked around and apparently there isn't a clone of this pedal, which perplexed me. A friend of mine has an original with the 14 pin chip and it sounds AMAZING as a boost into a cranked Marshall. As much as I love Tube Screamers, I think I like the OD-1 better for boosting an amp, it's "The Sound" I heard on all my favorite Metal albums growing up. Someone needs to clone this pedal!

Cheers,

CJ

 

[ErikH]

Re: Boss Od-1

The OD-1 with the JRC4558 chip is essentially the same as a Super Overdrive, only no tone control. There's a cap difference (C2), C4 is in a different location, and another resistor and cap difference. This is all in the main circuit that actually affects the sound. The flip/flop bypass circuit is identical. A SD-1 could be made in to an OD-1 fairly easily, but it would be the OD-1 with the 4558, not the 14-pin chip.

The Taxi Driver is supposedly a clone of the original but uses a different 14-pin chip.

Edit: one other difference I noticed, one uses the inverting input on the second stage of the chip, the other uses the non-inverting input. Can't recall which does which right off but I remember seeing that on the schematic.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Boss Od-1

the original OD1's have had my eye for years but i never see them for a good price.. vintage market hype has them sky high prices on these puppies...

i saw a photo of Pete Townshend back stage in 2002 sitting on a couch with various strats and a bunch of old OD1's... he had maybe 6 of them... lucky bugger.... but he has used them since 79 or so that i know of...

 

[baritone]

Re: Boss Od-1

I have one with the 4558 chip (1981, I think), but the older ones with the 14-pin chip go for $3x as much on eBay.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Boss Od-1

The original OD-1 sounds great with Marshalls. I think if you don't love it, you should just sell it. You'll get top dollar on Ebay for those.....no matter what you say in the ad.

If you want to upgrade to the same sort of sound, the Maxon OD820 might be a good choice. I can't wait to try the new Fulltone GT500. That's the next pedal I might pick up.