The Electro-Harmonix Lumberjack Log Overdriver is an overdrive pedal built around a logarithmic response circuit. When Electro-Harmonix introduced it in January 2014, the company said it set out to rethink overdrive pedal design, aiming to deliver distortion with a character that's uniquely EHX1. It sits alongside the maker's other drive pedals such as the Soul Food, East River Drive and Crayon in the broader field of overdrive pedals.
What a logarithmic response means for your sound
Most overdrive pedals, including designs like the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer family, work with a linear response. The Lumberjack takes a different approach. As Premier Guitar reported at the announcement: "The Lumberjack's response is logarithmic and the change between two values is perceived as a ratio of those values."1
In practice, that means the way the distortion builds as you dig in follows a different curve than a conventional overdrive circuit. Electro-Harmonix describes the result as distortion with a character that's uniquely EHX1.
Controls
The pedal keeps things simple with three knobs1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Boost | Adjusts the input signal of the instrument1 |
| Log Factor | Controls the amount of logarithmic distortion1 |
| Volume | Sets the overall output level of the pedal1 |
The Boost knob works like an input drive control, pushing the signal into the logarithmic stage, while Log Factor sets how much of that characteristically curved distortion you hear. Volume then balances the pedal against your clean tone1.
Bypass, enclosure and power
The Lumberjack features true bypass for maximum signal chain integrity, so the circuit is removed from your signal path when the pedal is off1. It is housed in a compact die-cast package1.
The pedal comes equipped with a 9.6-Volt/DC200mA AC adapter, so a power supply is included in the box1.
Price and availability
At its January 2014 announcement, the Lumberjack Log Overdriver carried a U.S. list price of $77.381. Electro-Harmonix has since released other drives with related wood-themed names, including the Lumberjack and the Lumberjack Logarithmic Overdrive, and more recently the Spruce Goose Bluesbreaker-style overdrive.
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Questions
What does Log Factor do on the Lumberjack Log Overdriver?
The Log Factor knob controls the amount of logarithmic distortion the pedal applies. Because the circuit responds logarithmically rather than linearly, the change between two values is perceived as a ratio of those values, which is what sets the Lumberjack apart from a standard overdrive pedal.
Is the Lumberjack Log Overdriver true bypass?
Yes. Electro-Harmonix states the pedal features true bypass for maximum signal chain integrity, so when it is switched off your guitar's signal passes through without the circuit loading it.
Does the Lumberjack Log Overdriver come with a power adapter?
Yes. The pedal comes equipped with a 9.6-Volt/DC200mA AC adapter, so it can be powered out of the box without buying a separate supply.
How is a logarithmic overdrive different from a standard overdrive?
A standard overdrive pedal has a linear response, while the Lumberjack's response is logarithmic. Electro-Harmonix explains that with a logarithmic response, the change between two values is perceived as a ratio of those values, which changes how the distortion builds as you play harder.
How much does the Lumberjack Log Overdriver cost?
At its January 2014 announcement, the Lumberjack Log Overdriver carried a U.S. list price of $77.38.
Sources (1)
- Electro-Harmonix Unveils the Lumberjack Log Overdriver, Premier Guitar, 2014-01-09
