The Maxon OD808-40E is a limited-edition version of the Maxon OD808 Overdrive, built to mark the 40th anniversary of the OD808 circuit and modified by Jamie Stillman of EarthQuaker Devices. Where the stock OD808 is a low-to-medium-gain overdrive with a fat midrange, the 40E applies Stillman's "Signal Shredder" mod, which Godlyke describes as lending "a more open feel to the classic OD808 sound" with "more clarity and punch thanks to an enhanced upper midrange, alternate clipping diodes, and increased output volume"1.
It was one of four anniversary OD808s released in 2019, each pairing the circuit with a different builder: Robert Keeley, Catalinbread, Pigtronix and EarthQuaker Devices2. The run is now sold out1.
What it does to your sound
The starting point is the OD808 itself, an overdrive designed to emulate the warm, natural sound of an overdriven tube amp, with Overdrive, Output and Tone controls4. A Guitar Player review of the reissue summed up the stock pedal as delivering "everything you expect from a choice 70's Tube Screamer: Fat midrange, rich grind, and preservation of bottom-end punch"5.
The Signal Shredder mod changes that character in three ways, as Godlyke describes it1:
- an enhanced upper midrange, for more clarity and punch
- alternate clipping diodes
- increased output volume
For a player used to the stock OD808's mid-focused, low-to-medium-gain voice, the 40E pushes in the direction of openness and cut, with more level on tap to drive an amp harder1.
The two versions: serial numbers 1 to 40 and 41 to 400
The 400-unit run was split into two variants, and which one a pedal is matters to what's inside it1.
| Serial numbers | Mod | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 40 | MOSFET Signal Shredder Mod | Hand-signed by Jamie Stillman1 |
| 41 to 400 | Signal Shredder Mod | Standard version1 |
Godlyke describes the MOSFET version as a further step from the stock circuit: "It features higher gain, more low end and a different EQ curve which focuses more on the midrange while leaving the lows and highs intact"1. The first 40 units of each anniversary pedal were hand-signed by the relevant builder and included additional aesthetic or circuit tweaks, at $400 each versus $199 for the standard version3.
The maker's pages state that all sales were final on serial numbers 1 to 40, with no cancellations or returns, and that a 25% restocking fee applied to canceled orders for serial numbers 41 to 4006. The pedal is sold out, so these terms now matter mainly on the secondhand market.
How it differs from the OD808-40K and OD808-40C
The OD808-40E sits alongside three sibling pedals from the same anniversary series, each limited to 400 units1:
- Maxon OD808-40K: modded by Robert Keeley. Keeley described his take as "a very hot, stacked gain sounding overdrive. It is everything a classic OD808 is, just Maxed out"7. The first 40 units added a mini-toggle to switch between the stock OD808 sound and the Max Gain mod4. Now discontinued8.
- Maxon OD808-40C: modded by Catalinbread with its "ODin808" mod3. Now discontinued9.
- Maxon OD808-40E: the EarthQuaker Devices take, with the Signal Shredder mod's upper-midrange push, alternate clipping diodes and increased output1.
The practical difference between them is the modder's agenda: Keeley's version goes for maximum stacked gain, Catalinbread's for its own ODin808 voicing, and Stillman's for openness, clarity and output level on the classic circuit731.
Where it came from
The OD808-40E was announced in October 2019 as part of Maxon's 40th-anniversary celebration of the 808 overdrive circuit, for which the company, via its US distributor Godlyke, recruited four builders to modify the pedal21. The Keeley version was available immediately at announcement; the others, including the 40E, followed in late November 2019 at $199 each3. The first 40 units of each pedal, hand-signed with additional aesthetic or circuit tweaks, carried the $400 price3.
Godlyke's product page also lists a price of £191.00 GBP for the 40E1.
Videos
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Godlyke Inc.
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Questions
How many Maxon OD808-40E pedals were made?
The OD808-40E was limited to a production run of 400 individually numbered units, each shipped with its own signed certificate of authenticity. It was one of four 40th-anniversary OD808 variants built with outside modders, and each of those pedals was limited to 400 units. The run is now sold out.
What is the difference between the OD808-40E, OD808-40K and OD808-40C?
All three are limited-edition OD808s built for the circuit's 40th anniversary, each capped at 400 numbered units. The OD808-40K was modded by Robert Keeley with a Max Gain mod, the OD808-40C by Catalinbread with its ODin808 mod, and the OD808-40E by Jamie Stillman of EarthQuaker Devices with the Signal Shredder mod, which adds an upper-midrange push, alternate clipping diodes and increased output volume.
What is the EarthQuaker Signal Shredder mod?
It is Jamie Stillman's modification of the OD808 circuit, built for the 40th anniversary OD808-40E. Godlyke describes it as lending a more open feel to the classic OD808 sound, with more clarity and punch from an enhanced upper midrange, alternate clipping diodes, and increased output volume.
Which OD808-40E serial numbers have the MOSFET mod?
Serial numbers 1 through 40 carry the MOSFET Signal Shredder mod and are hand-signed by Jamie Stillman. Those units were described as having higher gain, more low end and a different EQ curve focused on the midrange while leaving the lows and highs intact. Serial numbers 41 through 400 have the standard Signal Shredder mod.
How much did the Maxon OD808-40E cost?
The standard OD808-40E listed at $199 when it shipped in late November 2019. The first 40 units of each anniversary pedal, hand-signed by the relevant builder with additional aesthetic or circuit tweaks, listed at $400. Godlyke's product page also showed a price of £191.00 GBP.
Sources (9)
- 40th ANNIVERSARY EARTHQUAKER DEVICES MODIFIED OVERDRIVE (OD808-40E), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- Maxon 40th Anniversary Catalinbread Modded OD808-40C, Delicious Audio, 2019-11-18
- Maxon recruits EarthQuaker Devices, Catalinbread, Pigtronix and Keeley for 40th Anniversary Tube Screamers, Guitar World, 2019-10-15
- Maxon & Keeley Unveil OD808-40K for 40th Anniv., Premier Guitar, 2019-10-09
- Maxon Reissue Series Effects Review, Guitar Player Magazine, 2000-05
- 40th ANNIVERSARY EARTHQUAKER DEVICES MODIFIED OVERDRIVE (OD808-40E), Godlyke, Inc. (maxonfx.com)
- Maxon 40th Anniversary Keeley Modded OD808-40K, Delicious Audio, 2020-01-12
- 40th ANNIVERSARY KEELEY MODIFIED OVERDRIVE (OD808-40K), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
- 40th ANNIVERSARY CATALINBREAD MODIFIED OVERDRIVE (OD808-40C), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
