Nobels Introduces ODR-1 Bass Cut Edition

January 9, 2020 · 8 sources

Nobels announced the ODR-1 BC, a Bass Cut Edition of its ODR-1 Natural Overdrive. The German maker described it as an analog natural overdrive pedal in a solid metal housing, and the new version's defining feature is a bass cut switch that reduces sub-bass in the signal¹².

The ODR-1 itself is a long-running overdrive: Nobels marked its anniversary with a limited 30th Anniversary edition, a clone of an old 90's unit offering what the maker calls the Classic Sound of the Golden Era³. The ODR-1 BC builds on that circuit rather than replacing it.

What sets the BC apart:

• Bass Cut switch, located under the battery cover, letting the player preselect between the original ODR-1 sound or slightly reduced sub-bass¹
• Reduced sub-bass, which Nobels says is ideal for humbucker-equipped guitars¹
• Power range of 9 to 18 volts⁴
• Analog Natural Overdrive circuit in a solid metal housing¹²

The placement under the battery cover means the switch works as a preset choice rather than a foot control: a player sets it once for their guitar and leaves it. For players running warmer, bass-heavy humbuckers into the pedal, the cut aims to tighten the low end while single-coil players can leave the pedal in its original ODR-1 voicing¹.

Nobels positioned the BC within a broader ODR-1 family at the time, alongside the ODR-1 X, which the maker described as offering the classic sound with new features, including a bass cut control that helps tame and adjust the low frequencies⁵⁶⁷.

Steve Kara, Nobels artist page⁸