NPD: Boss OD-3 Overdrive
- Thread starter ErikH
- Start date
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: NPD: Boss OD-3 Overdrive
Last night at rehearsal I decided to use the OD-3 with the JMP setting on my amp instead of the JCM 800. The JMP model is a little cleaner, clearer and more crunch comparatively. The gain is set around 10 o' clock so it's a nice mid-gain sound that cleans up real nice. The OD-3 shines here. The level and tone are at noon and the drive at 1 o'clock. I'm getting plenty of push, great sustain, and even a little volume boost from it.
This is the kind of overdrive where you want to have a couple of them and keep one in the box locked up somewhere. And I might do that because if this one ever got lost, I would want another immediately.
Last night at rehearsal I decided to use the OD-3 with the JMP setting on my amp instead of the JCM 800. The JMP model is a little cleaner, clearer and more crunch comparatively. The gain is set around 10 o' clock so it's a nice mid-gain sound that cleans up real nice. The OD-3 shines here. The level and tone are at noon and the drive at 1 o'clock. I'm getting plenty of push, great sustain, and even a little volume boost from it.
This is the kind of overdrive where you want to have a couple of them and keep one in the box locked up somewhere. And I might do that because if this one ever got lost, I would want another immediately.
SirJackdeFuzz
New member
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: NPD: Boss OD-3 Overdrive
From what I remember it was very cool. Essentially a Rangemaster clone. Come to think of it, one of the pedals I built some years back is a Java Boost, complete with the 3-way voicing toggle. I haven't used it in so long I almost forgot I had it.
From what I remember it was very cool. Essentially a Rangemaster clone. Come to think of it, one of the pedals I built some years back is a Java Boost, complete with the 3-way voicing toggle. I haven't used it in so long I almost forgot I had it.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: NPD: Boss OD-3 Overdrive
This morning I ended up following up on my post about having one in the box locked up in case the one I use gets lost. Sure enough, a steal came across my Reverb feed. It's used in very good condition at a local shop. I've paid for it and my wife is going to pick it up for me. I might take the newer one I have (came in a black box instead of yellow) and put that one away and use this one with my rig. I'm glad I've starting using this OD. Don't know why I didn't try it years ago. It's great overdrive.
Edit: I should add that the one I just got was made December 2007, and through-hole components, while the one I first bought was made January 2019, also through-hole components. I guess they changed the boxes sometime between the two "eras".
This morning I ended up following up on my post about having one in the box locked up in case the one I use gets lost. Sure enough, a steal came across my Reverb feed. It's used in very good condition at a local shop. I've paid for it and my wife is going to pick it up for me. I might take the newer one I have (came in a black box instead of yellow) and put that one away and use this one with my rig. I'm glad I've starting using this OD. Don't know why I didn't try it years ago. It's great overdrive.
Edit: I should add that the one I just got was made December 2007, and through-hole components, while the one I first bought was made January 2019, also through-hole components. I guess they changed the boxes sometime between the two "eras".
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Re: NPD: Boss OD-3 Overdrive
I'll second that. Is very under the radar when it comes to Overdrive pedals.
I'll second that. Is very under the radar when it comes to Overdrive pedals.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: NPD: Boss OD-3 Overdrive
VERY underrated. Crazy.
This thing is really good with the drive all the way down and the level all the way up. I set the tone on my rig to about 10 o'clock. A kick-ass boost. There is no problem on many settings cutting through the mix with this thing. I love the diversity.
VERY underrated. Crazy.
This thing is really good with the drive all the way down and the level all the way up. I set the tone on my rig to about 10 o'clock. A kick-ass boost. There is no problem on many settings cutting through the mix with this thing. I love the diversity.
devastone
Well-known member
Re: NPD: Boss OD-3 Overdrive
I think part of the problem with this pedal is that it's more than 2X the cost of a SD-1 new and they both say overdrive, so most people think "I can have the super version for less than 1/2 the cost of the regular". But, they are 2 very different pedals, so maybe the OD-3 should be the "Ultra Deluxe Overdrive" or something.
I think part of the problem with this pedal is that it's more than 2X the cost of a SD-1 new and they both say overdrive, so most people think "I can have the super version for less than 1/2 the cost of the regular". But, they are 2 very different pedals, so maybe the OD-3 should be the "Ultra Deluxe Overdrive" or something.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: NPD: Boss OD-3 Overdrive
Yes, they are. The circuit of the SD-1 and the original OD-1 are quite similar. The addition of the tone control changed which out of the opamp is used for the signal and a few parts differences but overall, pretty simple circuit. I've modded the SD-1 to OD-1 specs before (at least the 8-pin chip version, not the original 14-pin chip version). The OD-3 is a completely different beast. I opened mine up and it is through-hole components and I did see a couple 1N4001's in there as clippers. Good stuff. Those are great clipping diodes. More headroom and a warmer clip, more natural sounding.
"Stunning Overdrive"
Yes, they are. The circuit of the SD-1 and the original OD-1 are quite similar. The addition of the tone control changed which out of the opamp is used for the signal and a few parts differences but overall, pretty simple circuit. I've modded the SD-1 to OD-1 specs before (at least the 8-pin chip version, not the original 14-pin chip version). The OD-3 is a completely different beast. I opened mine up and it is through-hole components and I did see a couple 1N4001's in there as clippers. Good stuff. Those are great clipping diodes. More headroom and a warmer clip, more natural sounding.
"Stunning Overdrive"
devastone
Well-known member
Re: NPD: Boss OD-3 Overdrive
The OD-3 is like neither of them, it's closer to the BD-2 than the SD or OD-1.
The OD-3 is like neither of them, it's closer to the BD-2 than the SD or OD-1.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: NPD: Boss OD-3 Overdrive
Well, yeah. I meant the SD-1 and OD-1 are quite similar to one another. I've seen the schematics of the OD-3 and it is vastly different.
Well, yeah. I meant the SD-1 and OD-1 are quite similar to one another. I've seen the schematics of the OD-3 and it is vastly different.
Diego
New member
Re: NPD: Boss OD-3 Overdrive
I tried an OD3 next to a BD2 and at times it was hard to tell one from another.
The OD3 has a bit more low-end and has thicker mids, the BD2 is a bit more raspy and has a bit more high-end. I preferred the BD2 for low gain since it's a bit more open sounding.
The OD3 for thicker high-gain sounds. Both sound great. I'd have a happy life boosting things with any of them.
I tried an OD3 next to a BD2 and at times it was hard to tell one from another.
The OD3 has a bit more low-end and has thicker mids, the BD2 is a bit more raspy and has a bit more high-end. I preferred the BD2 for low gain since it's a bit more open sounding.
The OD3 for thicker high-gain sounds. Both sound great. I'd have a happy life boosting things with any of them.
