Jackson Audio launches The Optimist dual overdrive with Cory Wong

December 16, 2022 · 2 sources

Delicious Audio reported the launch on December 16, 2022, describing The Optimist as Jackson Audio's "new overdrive, created in collaboration with guitarist/producer Cory Wong"¹. MusicRadar had covered the pedal earlier, on January 25, 2022, calling it "a MIDI-controllable dual overdrive and EQ based on classic Klon and Timmy stompboxes"².

The pedal has two overdrive channels with separate controls and footswitches, plus some shared ones¹. Each channel has its own volume, tone and gain controls¹². OD1 is based on the Klon Centaur, which Delicious Audio describes as transparent and dynamic with "that classic sparkly higher mids," while OD2 was "designed perfectly flat across the full range"¹. MusicRadar describes OD2 as "a transparent Timmy-esque affair with a flat response" and says both circuits are voiced for low to mid-gain drives². The two can be used independently or stacked².

A three-band EQ sits after both overdrive circuits and is switched on or off by pressing both footswitches at once¹. It offers 12dB of boost or cut per band², and Jackson Audio says the pots have center detents for returning to a flat response¹. Delicious Audio lists eight combinations of the two drives and the EQ¹. MIDI controls OD1, OD2 and EQ on CC numbers 1, 2 and 3, received through the ring connection of a TRS cable, and the pedal ships set to MIDI channel 1¹. All jacks are top-mounted².

Specifications, as listed by Delicious Audio¹:

Delicious Audio also reported that an "artsy" version would follow, with art by OH no Type Co¹. MusicRadar gave the price at launch as $349².