The Optimist is a dual overdrive and EQ pedal from Jackson Audio, developed in collaboration with guitarist and producer Cory Wong of Vulfpeck and the Fearless Flyers123. It fuses two of the most revered transparent overdrive circuits: OD1 is based on the Klon Centaur, while OD2 is a transparent, Timmy-inspired circuit with a flat response321. On top of the two drives sits a post-drive, Baxandall-style three-band EQ, and every function can be switched by footswitch or controlled over MIDI45.
Announced on 25 January 2022 and available now, the pedal lists at $34936. Jackson Audio markets the two drives as working together like a complete rhythm section: OD1 for midrange presence and lead articulation, OD2 for even, transparent rhythm gain4.
Two overdrives and an EQ in one pedal
The two overdrive circuits are voiced for low to mid-gain drives3. Each has its own Volume, Tone and Gain controls and its own footswitch, entirely separate from the other channel24.
OD1, the Klon side. OD1 recreates a sought-after germanium overdrive circuit, delivering the familiar midrange presence, smooth clipping and natural response of the original4. Delicious Audio describes it as based on the Klon Centaur, "transparent and dynamic with that classic sparkly higher mids," and notes it uses germanium diodes2. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley sums it up as offering "a little magic in the midrange a la the Klon Centaur"3.
OD2, the Timmy side. OD2 provides a contrasting response with no intentional midrange emphasis4. It was designed to be perfectly flat across the full range, which suits rhythm work, transparent gain, or driving OD1 harder42. MusicRadar calls it "a transparent Timmy-esque affair with a flat response"3.
The EQ. After both drives comes a Baxandall-style three-band EQ with bass, mids and treble controls, offering 12dB of boost or cut per band46. Jackson Audio says it is studio-grade, with high bandwidth and a flat response when the knobs sit at 12:002. It can be used with either drive, with both drives, or on its own4. Delicious Audio quotes the design intent:
"We created an EQ section that focuses on the frequencies that you want more of in single coils, and less of in humbucker."
That makes the EQ useful for matching different guitars to each other, or for dialing in a clean tone straight into an amp2.
Controls
| Section | Controls | How it switches |
|---|---|---|
| OD1 (Klon-based) | Volume, Tone, Gain | OD1 footswitch |
| OD2 (Timmy-inspired) | Volume, Tone, Gain | OD2 footswitch |
| EQ / Boost | Bass, Mids, Treble | Press both footswitches together |
The eight combinations
Because each block switches independently, the pedal offers eight states2:
- Everything off
- EQ only
- OD1 only
- OD2 only
- OD1 + EQ
- OD2 + EQ
- OD1 + OD2
- OD1 + OD2 + EQ
Stacking is a key part of the design. Jackson Audio says combining OD2's balanced response with OD1's focused midrange gives "a larger lead sound that remains controlled and articulate"4.
Power and connections
The Optimist runs on 9V DC maximum, center negative, and requires at least 150mA of current42. All the jacks are top-mounted to save pedalboard space3.
The 150mA minimum current requirement means this pedal needs a proper power supply output, not a battery or a shared daisy-chain tap sized for simple analog drives2.
MIDI control
The Optimist receives MIDI through the ring connection of a compatible TRS MIDI cable, so you need a cable that converts a standard MIDI DIN connector to TRS4. Over MIDI, all functions are controllable1:
| MIDI message | Function |
|---|---|
| CC #1 | OD1 on or off |
| CC #2 | OD2 on or off |
| CC #3 | EQ on or off |
Where it came from
Jackson Audio, based in Texas, is one of the newer boutique pedal builders2. The company teamed up with Cory Wong to launch The Optimist on 25 January 2022 as his signature drive pedal216. Wong's own framing of the pedal:
"The Optimist is the most versatile overdrive pedal I've ever used. Designed to give me a full range of drive levels for punchy rhythm to soaring lead."
Guitar Pedal X notes the pedal is somewhat simpler than typical Jackson Audio designs, since it does without the multiple clipping and voicing options found on most of their other pedals7. There is also an artsy edition with artwork by OH no Type Co2, and a Galaxy Edition appears among the product images on Jackson Audio's page4.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson reviewed the pedal in his Klon clones roundup and was positive, calling it "a very fine pedal, pretty perfect," and saying of the EQ: "The added 3-Band EQ is a superb addition here - the two core voicing are decent - but you can do so much more with the o[verall]"8. In a separate roundup of compact stackable dual overdrives, he described both circuits as "excellent takes on that format," further aided by the independent three-band EQ7.
Gearnews took a value angle, calling it "a pretty useful drive pedal" likely to be popular with players who like boutique tones, and cheaper than buying a Klon and a Timmy separately, plus you get MIDI and a flexible EQ section5.
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Questions
Is The Optimist a Klon clone?
Not on its own. The OD1 channel is based on the Klon Centaur circuit, with germanium diodes and the midrange presence that circuit is known for, but the pedal also contains a second, Timmy-inspired overdrive and a three-band Baxandall EQ. Guitar Pedal X describes it as a Klon and Timmy dual overdrive rather than a straight clone of either.
Can The Optimist be controlled by MIDI?
Yes. The pedal receives MIDI through the ring connection of a compatible TRS MIDI cable, so you need a cable that converts a standard five-pin DIN MIDI connector to TRS. Over MIDI, CC message 1 switches OD1, CC 2 switches OD2 and CC 3 switches the EQ, giving remote control of every function.
How do you turn on the EQ on the Jackson Audio Optimist?
Press both footswitches down at the same time. The EQ sits after both overdrive circuits in the signal path and can be used with either drive, with both drives stacked, or on its own with everything else off. Each of its three bands, bass, mids and treble, offers 12dB of boost or cut.
Can you stack both overdrives on The Optimist?
Yes. The two drives can run together, and Jackson Audio says stacking OD2's even, flat response with OD1's focused midrange gives a larger lead sound that stays controlled and articulate. The pedal offers eight combinations in total, from everything off through each drive alone to both drives plus the EQ.
Is there an artist edition of The Optimist?
Yes. Besides the standard version, an artsy edition with artwork by OH no Type Co was announced, and a Galaxy Edition appears among the product images on Jackson Audio's page. The pedal itself is a Cory Wong signature model, developed in collaboration with the Vulfpeck and Fearless Flyers guitarist.
Is the Jackson Audio Optimist a Klon and a Timmy in one box?
Essentially, plus an EQ. OD1 is a Klon Centaur-based circuit with germanium diodes, and OD2 is a transparent, Timmy-inspired circuit with a flat response. On top of the two drives there is a post-drive Baxandall-style three-band EQ with 12dB of boost or cut per band, and MIDI control over all functions.
Sources (8)
- Jackson Audio and Cory Wong launch the Optimist, MIDI-controllable dual overdrive and EQ that combines a Timmy and a Klon, Guitar.com, 2022-01-25
- Jackson Audio The Optimist Drive, Delicious Audio, 2022-12-16
- Jackson Audio and Cory Wong join forces for The Optimist, MusicRadar, 2022-01-25
- The Optimist Dual Overdrive & EQ, Jackson Audio
- Jackson Audio and Cory Wong team up for The Optimist signature drive pedal, gearnews.com, 2022-01-25
- Jackson Audio and Cory Wong Introduce the Optimist, Premier Guitar, 2022-01-25
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-05-15
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-09-03
Cory Wong
