The Gearmanndude Luther Drive is an overdrive pedal built around the Tube Screamer circuit, inspired by the earlier 808 and 9 versions of the Ibanez design. It is the first pedal from Gearmanndude, a maker better known as a videographer, and it first appeared around 2007. The current Version III, reported in May 2017, is listed at $145.1
What sets it apart from the many Tube Screamer style pedals is a two-way toggle that turns it into a 2-in-1 design: the original circuit and a LoudMod version in one box.2
A brighter Tube Screamer with a LoudMod boost
Delicious Audio describes the design rationale this way:
"[they] always seemed to have a little more top end and sparkle, without quite as much of the heavy mids you get from the modern reissue Ibanez versions"
In Classic mode, marked with a Sun+Tube logo on the toggle's top position, the pedal aims to maintain the integrity of the vintage TS808 style, mild and tasty overdrive, yet gives it a little more clarity and brighter response while still keeping the smooth drive and just the right amount of compression.1
Flip the toggle down to LoudMod, marked with a headphone logo, and the character changes. Delicious Audio describes LoudMod as "a more non-compressed overdriven boost with lots of extra volume on tap to push your tube amp," while Pedal of the Day's reviewer, Mike B, put it more simply: "The LoudMod just gives the pedal a little extra boost in volume."12
In Version III the LoudMod side changed: Delicious Audio reports "the LoudMod is no longer asymmetrical…its now symmetrical clipping and is less compressed…and more LOUD!" Earlier versions used asymmetrical clipping in this mode.1
The controls
| Control | Marking | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | "V" (top left) | Output level |
| Drive | "D" (top right) | Amount of overdrive |
| Tone | "Q" (bottom) | Tone knob, not an equalization bell as some may assume |
| Mode toggle | Sun+Tube / Headphone | Classic (brighter Tube Screamer) or LoudMod (louder, less compressed boost) |
Delicious Audio notes that the top two knobs, marked with a "V" and a "D," are simply Volume and Drive, and that the bottom knob, marked with a "Q," is just a tone knob, not an equalization bell.1 Pedal of the Day's reviewer found the "Volume, Tone and Gain controls are easy to use, and sound phenomenal."2
Version III and what reviewers said
The pedal was recently updated to Mk III, and Version III features higher quality components and an improved circuit board.1
Pedal of the Day's 2014 review of the earlier version praised the build: "the craftsmanship on the [Luther] is excellent: everything looks great, the enclosure is about as sturdy as they come," with clean inside wiring and a simple cursive "L" marking. The same review describes the pedal as more of a tone shaper, very subtle and slick, with no distortion, just enough bite and slight crunch, clarity and presence, and concludes it is "a great additional to any pedalboard, especially if you need a pedal that will boost your tone but not color it."2
Videos
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Questions
What chip does the Gearmanndude Luther Drive use?
The Luther Drive is built with a classic RC4885P chip, the same operational amplifier associated with vintage Tube Screamer style circuits. Pedal of the Day's review notes the chip alongside the pedal's Volume, Tone and Gain controls, which the reviewer found easy to use and described as sounding phenomenal.
What is the difference between Classic and LoudMod on the Luther Drive?
Classic mode, marked with a Sun+Tube logo, is the brighter Tube Screamer side of the pedal: Delicious Audio describes it as keeping the vintage TS808 character while adding clarity and a brighter response. LoudMod, marked with a headphone logo, is a louder, less compressed overdriven boost with extra volume on tap to push a tube amp. In Version III the LoudMod clipping is symmetrical rather than asymmetrical.
What changed in the Luther Drive Version III?
Delicious Audio reported in May 2017 that the pedal had been updated to Mk III with higher quality components and an improved circuit board. In this version the LoudMod mode's clipping changed from asymmetrical to symmetrical, making it less compressed and louder than before.
How much does the Gearmanndude Luther Drive cost?
Delicious Audio's May 2017 product page listed the Luther Drive Version III at $145.
Sources (3)
- New Pedals: Gearmanndude Luther Drive V.3, Delicious Audio, 2017-05-16
- Gearmanndude Luther Drive, Pedal of the Day, 2014-12-14
- Gearmanndude Disco Bush Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2017-11-13
