The Jetter JetDrive is a dual-channel overdrive pedal from Jetter, built around two channels called Blue and Green. The names come from the color of their LEDs, not from any sonic relation to Jetter's separate Gain Stage Blue or Green pedals1. The Blue channel is the more American-sounding side, while the Green leans British, and the two can be used together: technically the Blue channel feeds into the Green channel, but either one can be set to drive the other, and which channel is pushed harder shifts the tone American or British1. Premier Guitar's reviewer found that in the range where clean turns into crunch, the JetDrive sounds even more like a real amp than Jetter's GS3 Dual Overdrive, managing to be simultaneously spongier yet less compressed in its amp-like response1.
Controls and channels
Each channel carries three knobs. The Volume and Drive controls are fairly standard level and gain controls, and each channel has a third control alongside them1.
| Channel | Character | Controls | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | American voiced | Volume, Drive, plus a third knob | At its extreme lean setting it works as a clean boost1 |
| Green | British voiced | Volume, Drive, plus a third knob | Receives the Blue channel's signal when cascaded1 |
The channels can be cascaded, and either can drive the other, so the order in which you push them shapes whether the result leans American or British1.
Footswitches and bypass
The JetDrive has two footswitches, one for each channel, and no master on/off switch1. Premier Guitar reported a lot of feedback from players who said they did not have a problem with only two footswitches, with many preferring that configuration1.
With no master bypass switch, turning the pedal off means switching off both channels individually. Plan your switching accordingly if you use it on a large board.
Power and the battery
The pedal runs on a 9-volt battery and also supports a standard A/C adapter1. Unlike Jetter's GS3, the JetDrive lacks a battery compartment: you need to take the pedal apart to change the 9-volt battery1. For regular use, the adapter connection makes that a non-issue.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's review is the main published account of the pedal. Its reviewer's verdict on the pedal's response in the clean-to-crunch range1:
"the Jetdrive sounds even more like a real amp than the GS3. The Jetdrive manages to be simultaneously spongier, yet less compressed"
The same review credited the design to a message from Brad Jeter claiming he had experienced a design breakthrough, and gave the pedal a street price of $2491. Jetter also builds other overdrive and boost pedals, including the Gain Stage Red, Red Square, Helium, Red Shift, Gold Standard and the newer Pedal X, if you want to compare how the JetDrive sits in the maker's range of overdrive pedals.
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Questions
Can you stack the two channels on the Jetter JetDrive?
Yes. The channels can be cascaded: technically the Blue channel feeds into the Green channel, but either one can be set to drive the other. Which channel is pushed harder shifts the tone toward an American or British character, so stacking is a core part of how the pedal is meant to be used rather than an afterthought.
Who designed the Jetter JetDrive?
The JetDrive was designed by Brad Jeter. According to Premier Guitar's review, Brad Jeter wrote to the magazine describing a design breakthrough that led to the pedal.
Does the JetDrive have a master bypass switch?
No. The JetDrive has two footswitches, one for each channel, but no master on/off switch. Premier Guitar noted feedback from players saying they did not have a problem with only two footswitches, and many preferred that configuration.
How do you change the battery in a Jetter JetDrive?
The JetDrive runs on a 9-volt battery, but it has no battery compartment. To change the battery you need to take the pedal apart. It also supports a standard A/C adapter, which avoids the issue entirely.
Can the JetDrive work as a clean boost?
Yes, on the Blue channel. Premier Guitar found that with the Blue channel, the more American-sounding side, set to its extreme lean setting, it served up what the reviewer called a beautiful clean boost.
Sources (1)
- Jetter JetDrive Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2009-11-24
