SD-1 or Maxon OD808 for 5150 solo boost...

  • Thread starter Thread starter ChadVanHalen
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ChadVanHalen

ChadVanHalen

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Alright, 2 pedals usually turn up eventually when talking solo boosting an already high gain amp like a 5150, so I wanna hear some opinions on the Boss SD-1 (I'm assuming Keeley modded would be best?) vs the Maxon OD808 to put in front of the amp with the output up and gain down and used to kick on for solos to add a little grit, sustain, mids, etc... Just a little sumtin ya know?...
 
I think its really a toss up. I hope you aren't expecting to get much more volume this way. I haven't ran the od808 and sd1 head to head or played a 5150, but as a long time od808 owner to my ears it is smoother and has more of a mid hump than the sd1. Both are cheap enough on the used market to buy and sell the one you don't like as much.
 
blackba":10hcr2pt said:
I think its really a toss up. I hope you aren't expecting to get much more volume this way. I haven't ran the od808 and sd1 head to head or played a 5150, but as a long time od808 owner to my ears it is smoother and has more of a mid hump than the sd1. Both are cheap enough on the used market to buy and sell the one you don't like as much.
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Ya, no volume bump is alright, my tone can cut through the mix fine enough to be heard (And the other guitar player has a combo next to my 5150...) just something to put little tonal changes for the solo, and smooth mid-hump does sound like what I would be looking for...
 
I've been using a stock SD-1 with my 5150III. I run the blue channel exclusively, with the gain set at about noon. Roll back the vol. knob for cleans and kick in the SD-1 or an Xotic RC Boost for more gain. Boss EQ in the loop for a volume boost.
 
I've never tried a straight up 808.. Can you guys compare it to a sd-1, ts9, bad monkey for me? Does it smooth the highs while cutting the lows? The sd-1 tightens but def adds the bite which I sometimes don't like on leads. These days my core tone is amp- od and a kick from a clean boost (koko) for leads. I'm always striving to improve in the first od spot...
 
I used a old DS-1 with my 5150 and liked it--also ran a 10 band eq
 
I was looking for a OD after a gazillion videos. Picked a Maxon 808.
Not a bad choice
 
MIJ SD-1 for sure. Had the OD808 and OD9. The older SD1's work better as a straight boost. They're much more transparent
 
Oh yeah, i also love a good EQ in the loop as a clean boost
 
Honestly, pretty much every overdrive pedal I can think of will provide a clean boost with debatable difference in tone between one another at those settings.

I prefer the 808 out of the two you mentioned. It's basically a re-issue of the original tube-screamer circuit. It's a quality pedal.

If you're not fussed about the clipping circuit of the pedal, you might also want to look at a clean boost like the ISO Boost or the Koko boost.
 
I recently got an SD-1, and I actually prefer it to any TS style boost I have ever tried...including maxon and ibanez 808s and 9s, Hardwire CM2, Bad Monkey, Green Rhino and a handful of others. Havent tried a keeley one, but the stock one is pretty fucking stellar. ESPECIALLY when you consider that theyre 50 bucks new.
 
I use a Maxon OD9 with my 5150III blue channel but like my Monte Allum modded SD-1 more with my 2204. The Monte Alum mod is the way to go for the SD-1. I liked it more than the Keeley.

I'm a fan of buying multiple pieces of used gear, trying them with my set up, selling off what doesn't work as well.
 
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