The Maxon Apex-40 Mod Overdrive is a modified version of the Maxon OD808 Overdrive, the Tube Screamer-style overdrive in Maxon's lineup. It is not a standard production pedal: it is a one-off B-stock unit in which two separate mods, the Apex808 mod and the 40th Anniversary mod, are combined into a single overdrive pedal. Godlyke Distributing, Maxon's longtime US distributor, listed and sold it1.
What it does
The pedal takes the OD808 overdrive circuit and adds both of Godlyke's mods at once. Godlyke describes the intent plainly: "In a way combining both mods increases the overall top-end clarity of the overdriven signal."1 In practice, that means a player gets the familiar OD808 overdrive character with the two mods' changes working together in one box, rather than running two modified pedals.
The same combination appears in the closely related Maxon APEX808 Red-Eye Mod Overdrive (B-Stock), which Godlyke describes as a "modded OD808 [that] combines the Apex808 and 40th Anniversary mod into one overdrive pedal." That listing was also marked sold out2.
Where it came from
The mod idea was originally brought to Godlyke by Ryan "Fluff" Bruce of Dragged Under and Riffs, Beards & Gear. Godlyke notes that "To this day he is the only one with this unique mod," which is why the Apex-40 Mod exists as a single B-stock unit rather than a production run1.
This is a B-stock pedal: Godlyke's listing states it "shows signs of use and very minor cosmetic damages," with the box included. The listing was marked sold out1.
How it relates to other Maxon overdrives
The Apex-40 Mod sits within a family of Maxon overdrive circuits:
- The stock Maxon OD808 Overdrive, the unmodified overdrive the Apex-40 Mod is built from31
- The Maxon APEX808, the Apex808 mod on its own, listed by Godlyke as the "Apex808 overdrive"4
- The Maxon APEX808 Red-Eye Mod Overdrive (B-Stock), which combines the same two mods into one pedal2
The Maxon Apex-40 Mod came out of a suggestion from outside the company: Godlyke says the mod idea was originally brought to them by Ryan "Fluff" Bruce of Dragged Under and Riffs Beards & Gear1. Players weighing the Apex-40 Mod against other options in the same territory can compare it with the rest of the overdrive pedal field, including Maxon's 9-series models such as the Maxon 9-Series Overdrive.
Questions
Is the Maxon Apex-40 Mod Overdrive still available?
No. Godlyke's listing for the pedal, sold as B-stock, showed it as sold out. Godlyke also noted that the person behind the mod idea is the only one with this unique mod, so it is not a pedal that was made in open quantity. Players looking for related circuits can look at the standard Maxon OD808 or the APEX808.
What is the difference between the Apex-40 Mod and a standard OD808?
The Apex-40 Mod is a modified OD808: it combines the Apex808 mod and the 40th Anniversary mod into one overdrive pedal. According to Godlyke, combining both mods increases the overall top-end clarity of the overdriven signal compared with the stock circuit.
Sources (4)
- Maxon Apex808 overdrive, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Maxon Apex808 overdrive, Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- OVERDRIVE (OD808), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Apex808 overdrive, Godlyke, Inc. (maxonfx.com)
