The Tim Pierce Overdrive/Boost is a signature overdrive pedal from J. Rockett Audio Designs, built with session guitarist Tim Pierce. It is effectively two pedals in one: an overdrive section and a separate power amp boost section, each with its own footswitch, that can be used independently or cascaded together1. Premier Guitar reported it at launch as a re-creation of one of Pierce's favorite amp tones, the Naylor Super-Drive 602.
The idea behind the pedal is amp tone rather than generic drive. Pedal of the Day's reviewer described it as "an overdrive with big punches and warm overtones, plus a power amp boost switch, making it a killer 2-In-1"3.
What it does: an overdrive and a power amp boost
The two halves of the pedal do different jobs. The overdrive side is the main drive voice: Pedal of the Day's Mike B found the Drive control "isn't overbearing, but meant to emulate a great tube-driven amp," specifically the Naylor SD60 tone the pedal was built around3. On guitar.com, Chris Vinnicombe heard the drive side as "a fat, mid-rich drive with gain levels comparable to a classic distortion stompbox in its upper reaches"1.
The second half is the power amp section. Premier Guitar's launch coverage describes it as supplying "a fat yet harmonically rich boost that emulates the 5881 power tube section" of a Naylor Super-Drive 60 power amp2. In practice it works as a full-range boost that can push an amp harder on its own or sit on top of the overdrive channel. Pedal of the Day's reviewer found the two channels working together "will make an amp sing sing sing, without coloring your signal at all," and that the power amp boost "adds an even shinier sparkle"3.
"I used this in front of my old Sovtek Mig 50, and it pushed it right into the sweet spot I like, with little fussing with the pedals."
The controls and footswitches
The pedal carries five knobs and two footswitches1:
| Control or switch | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Sets the gain of the overdrive section; described as emulating a tube-driven amp rather than an overbearing distortion3 |
| Tone | Shapes the high end of the overdrive3 |
| Bass | Adds or subtracts the low end of the distorted signal3 |
| Level | Sets the output level1 |
| Power Amp | Controls the power amp boost section1 |
| Overdrive footswitch | Turns the overdrive section on and off1 |
| Power Amp footswitch | Turns the power amp boost on and off1 |
The separate Bass control is worth noting for players who have fought thin-sounding drives. Pedal of the Day's reviewer called it out directly: "I love that there's a Bass control as well, not just a Tone knob, as the ability to add and subtract the low end is key"3. Both sides are footswitchable for independent or cascaded operation, which Premier Guitar described as giving "extreme flexibility"2.
Based on the Naylor Super-Drive 60 amp
The pedal's whole reason for existing is one amp. Tim Pierce is a long-time Naylor Super-Drive 60 player, and the pedal is a collaboration between Pierce and J. Rockett Audio Designs to capture that amp in a stompbox2. Guitar.com put it plainly: "His signature Rockett pedal chases the tone of one of his favourite amps, the Naylor Super-Drive 60"1.
Premier Guitar's launch coverage framed the goal as delivering "that rich, smooth tone with articulation and impact just like a Super Drive 60," while maintaining the inherent tone of whatever guitar is plugged into it2. For players who want that flavor without hunting down a Naylor amp, the pedal is the documented route; for players comparing J. Rockett drives, the company's range also includes the Archer, the Blue Note Overdrive and the Guthrie Trapp Overdrive, each chasing a different reference amp or circuit.
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Questions
Does the Tim Pierce Overdrive/Boost take a battery?
Yes. The pedal runs on a 9V battery or a 9V DC adapter, which is not supplied with the pedal. That makes it usable on a board with a standard 9V supply or on its own with a battery installed.
Is the J. Rockett Tim Pierce pedal true bypass?
Yes. Both the guitar.com review and Premier Guitar's launch coverage list true bypass switching for the pedal, so with both sections off the signal passes through without the circuit in the path.
Can the overdrive and boost sections be used separately?
Yes. The pedal is effectively two pedals in one, with separate footswitches for the overdrive and power amp sections. Each side can run on its own, or the two can be cascaded together for a stacked drive and boost sound.
Where is the Tim Pierce Overdrive/Boost made?
The guitar.com review lists its origin as the USA. It is a collaboration pedal design between session guitarist Tim Pierce and J. Rockett Audio Designs.
Sources (3)
- J Rockett Audio Designs Pedal Reviews, guitar.com, 2015-07-14
- Tim Pierce Overdrive by J. Rockett Audio Revealed, Premier Guitar, 2013-09-27
- J. Rockett Audio Designs Tim Pierce Overdrive/Boost, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2015-03-22
Tim Pierce
