The Hagerman Overdrive 12AX7 Tube Pedal is a boutique, hand-built, all-analog vacuum tube overdrive, conceived primarily as a studio tool. It runs a single classic 12AX7 tube, visible under a protective metal arch on the enclosure, fed by an internal 180V tube supply. Hagerman describes it as delivering warm, fat, crunchy and rich tones, and at lower gain settings it doubles as a clean boost, buffer or EQ pedal1. It was announced in November 2019 alongside the Hagerman Boost EF86 Tube Pedal, a companion boost built around the EF86 tube, at a list price of $279 USD2.
Controls
The pedal carries four controls: level, treble, bass and drive2. A useful design detail: with the controls set to center, equalization and gain are flat, which Hagerman says allows a wide range of operation and tonality1. In practice that means the pedal can be dialed to a neutral starting point and shaped from there, whether it is being pushed into overdrive or used as a boost and tone shaper.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Output level |
| Treble | Treble equalization, flat at center |
| Bass | Bass equalization, flat at center |
| Drive | Gain, flat at center |
The tube and how it works
The 12AX7 is the classic high-gain preamp tube, and here it delivers a fair amount of gain: 30dB maximum, with the onset of clipping listed at a 35mV input1. The circuit is Hagerman's own design, constructed from metal film resistors and polypropylene capacitors2. The pedal has a non-inverting polarity and a 220k ohm input impedance1.
The tube can be swapped. For lower gain, other tubes can be substituted, such as the 5751, 12AT7, or 12AY71. MusicRadar reported the same options when the pedal launched: "the 12AX7 can be switched out for 5751, 12AT7, or 12AY7 valves if a lower gain pedal is preferred"2.
Bypass, power and what is in the box
The pedal implements true bypass and also provides a buffered output capable of driving long cables or other pedals, with what Delicious Audio calls superb signal-to-noise performance1. Power comes from a 9V supply that is included in the box; internally, the tube runs from a 180V tube supply1. Also included are the tube itself and a 10-year warranty1.
What reviewers said
Delicious Audio's page carries a user testimonial describing how the pedal sits with different amps: "within the first few minutes of using this one, it enriches incredibly well… solid state and tube amps… clean, crunch and hi-gain"1. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley covered the launch as part of Hagerman's first pedal line, noting that both the Overdrive and the Boost were available direct from Hagerman2.
For context on where this pedal sits, see the site's pages on Overdrive Pedals and Boost Pedals.
Videos
intheblues
TL Toneworks
Joe Perkins
Questions
Does the Hagerman Overdrive pedal use a real vacuum tube?
Yes. It is an all-analog pedal built around a single 12AX7 vacuum tube, visible under a protective metal arch. The tube runs from an internal 180V tube supply, and the circuit is Hagerman's own design. The pedal was conceived primarily for studio use and is hand-built in the USA in a custom metal enclosure12.
Can I use other tubes in the Hagerman Overdrive?
Yes. The 12AX7 can be replaced with lower gain tubes such as the 5751, 12AT7 or 12AY7 if a lower gain pedal is preferred12. Swapping tubes changes the gain character of the pedal, so it is a simple way to tailor it to a cleaner or hotter amp.
Is the Hagerman Overdrive true bypass?
Yes. The pedal implements true bypass and also provides a buffered output capable of driving long cables or other pedals, with superb signal-to-noise performance according to Delicious Audio1.
Does the Hagerman Overdrive come with a power supply?
Yes. The box includes a 9V supply along with the tube, and the pedal carries a 10-year warranty1. The 9V input feeds the internal 180V tube supply, so no separate high-voltage source is needed.
How much gain does the Hagerman Overdrive have?
The pedal offers 30dB of maximum gain, with the onset of clipping at a 35mV input1. At lower gains it doubles as a clean boost, buffer or EQ pedal, and with the controls centered, equalization and gain are flat1.
Where is the Hagerman Overdrive made?
It is hand-built in the USA by Hagerman Amplification, in a custom metal enclosure12. At launch it was available direct from Hagerman2.
Sources (2)
- Hagerman Overdrive 12AX7 Tube Pedal, Delicious Audio, 2021-12-16
- Hagerman Amplification unveils boutique valve-driven overdrive and boost pedals, MusicRadar, 2019-11-04
