Are All Overdrive Pedals Basically The Same?

In this video, I’m addressing a question that often pops up in guitar gear forums and communities: Are all overdrive pedals basically the same? Some folks argue that most overdrives are just variations of the classic Tube Screamer circuit, even pointing to schematics as proof. I thought it would be interesting to dive deep into this topic and see if that’s really the case. Before making this video, I’ve noticed that many people believe that overdrive pedals are just basically tube screamer clones - pedals that are just a plain old tubescreamer circuit. To test this theory, I’ll be comparing several overdrive pedals, including the Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9, Boss OD3, and the Soldano Super Lead Overdrive, as well as the Visual Sound Jekyll and Hyde, Arion tubulator, and Lovepedal Eternity, . I’ll demonstrate how they sound, discuss their circuit designs, and show how even pedals that look similar on paper can produce vastly different tones. It’s always fascinating to see how changes in circuit design can have a significant impact on a pedal’s sound. For me, it’s all about finding gear that inspires creativity and enhances the playing experience. Whether the audience notices the difference or not, having the right pedal can make a big difference for the player. In the video, I’ll also bring out the breadboard to build a custom circuit that resembles a Tube Screamer schematically but is voiced completely and totally differently. This hands-on demonstration will highlight how changing component values in a circuit can result in a pedal that sounds nothing like the original. Let me know in the comments—Do you think most overdrive pedals are basically the same, or do you appreciate the nuances each one brings? ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ Links: 🔗How To Design Guitar Pedals Course:Interested in creating, building and experimenting with your own pedal circuits? Check out my course for newbies here: 🔗Modding the SD1 Video: Learn how to modify the SD1 to sound like a Tube Screamer: ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ Timestamps: 00:00 Are All Overdrive Pedals Basically the Same? 00:37 Pedals that DO sound alike 01:30 Boss OD-3 discussion 02:19 Boss OD-1, OD-2, OD-3 and SD-1 comparison to Tubescreamer 02:34 TS9 circuit discussion 04:12 Analyzing the Boss OD1 Circuit 04:59 Exploring the Boss OD2 Circuit 06:47 Understanding the Boss OD3 Circuit 08:14 The Boss SD1: Similarities to the Tube Screamer 09:30 Soldano Super Lead Overdrive (Audio Demo) 10:07 Looking at the Soldano Super Lead Overdrive Pedal Circuit 11:05 Building a Custom Circuit on a Breadboard (Audio Demo) 12:51 Exploring my custom circuit, discussion 14:17 Conclusion: Are All Overdrives the Same?