The Chicago Stompworks Gray Speck OD250 Overdrive is a compact overdrive pedal from the boutique builder Chicago Stompworks. It is a clone of the DOD OD250 "1979 Gray Spec", the classic two-knob drive from the late seventies, and it keeps that circuit's simple approach: one knob for volume, one for gain, nothing else to get in the way. Pedal of the Day reviewed it in June 2025 and listed it at $601.
Loud and Grrr!: the two knobs
The pedal has just two controls, and they cover everything:
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Loud | Volume |
| Grrr! | Gain |
That is the whole layout. Pedal of the Day's reviewer found that the simplicity works in the pedal's favor: "With just a couple of knobs, it isn't an effect that takes a ton of time to figure out, but you get great tone instantly"1.
On the sound, the same review describes the pedal as "very full and open sounding- big lows and highs, a bit like fuzz like if you go full growl"1. In other words, low gain settings keep things open and full range, while pushing Grrr! toward maximum brings in a growl that edges toward fuzz territory. For players weighing it against other drives, it sits apart from the midrange-focused character of pedals like the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer comparison, though the review does not make that comparison itself.
Build and power
The Gray Speck is built with what Pedal of the Day calls "Best in class Neutrik brand jacks, Alpha brand pots"1, and the wiring is done point-to-point with true bypass switching1.
Power is straightforward:
- Standard center negative "Boss style" 9V jack for pedalboard power supplies1
- Internal battery option for running without a supply1
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's June 2025 review is the published verdict on record. The reviewer's summary of the pedal's appeal1:
"With just a couple of knobs, it isn't an effect that takes a ton of time to figure out, but you get great tone instantly"
The same review credits the pedal with "ease of use and sound range", pairing a quick setup with a wide spread of drive tones to explore1.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
John Aselin
Questions
What pedal is the Gray Speck OD250 based on?
The Gray Speck is a clone of the DOD OD250 '1979 Gray Spec' overdrive, built by the boutique maker Chicago Stompworks. It follows the original circuit's simple two-knob layout, with Loud for volume and Grrr! for gain, and adds modern hardware such as Neutrik jacks and Alpha pots.
Does the Chicago Stompworks Gray Speck take a battery?
Yes. The pedal runs on a standard center negative 'Boss style' 9V jack or on an internal battery, so it can sit on a pedalboard with a normal power supply or be used without one.
Is the Gray Speck OD250 true bypass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review lists the pedal as True Bypass with point-to-point wiring, so your guitar's signal passes through untouched when the pedal is off.
What do the Loud and Grrr! knobs do?
Loud is the volume control and Grrr! is the gain control. With just those two knobs, the pedal is quick to dial in: the review describes a full and open sound with big lows and highs, turning a bit like fuzz at full gain.
How much does the Gray Speck OD250 cost?
Pedal of the Day's June 2025 review lists the pedal at $60.
Sources (1)
- Chicago Stompworks Gray Speck OD250™ Overdrive, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2025-06-15