The Maxon ROD880 Real Tube Overdrive is an overdrive pedal built around an actual preamp tube: a hand-selected 12AY7EH. It is the first offering in Maxon's Real Tube Series, and its circuit is based on the vintage TK999 Tube King. Maxon describes it as working very much like an additional preamp for your amplifier, adding warmth and sustain with what the company calls realistic tube amp tones1.
What it does to your sound
Because the ROD880 runs a real 12AY7EH preamp tube, Maxon positions it less like a conventional dirt box and more like a second preamp stage for your amp. The company says players will be surprised at how realistic its tube tones are, and that the pedal adds warmth and incredible sustain to any rig1.
In front of a clean amplifier, Maxon says the ROD880 covers everything from subtle crunch to full-bore metal distortion, which makes it a fit for Class A amps when they cannot be cranked loud enough to break up on their own1. At the low end of its Gain control, the same range runs from clean boost up to searing, saturated sag1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the drive amount, from clean boost to searing, saturated sag1 |
| Master Volume | Sets output level alongside the Gain control1 |
| Bass | Tone shaping, with an extended operation range1 |
| Treble | Tone shaping, with an extended operation range1 |
| Mid Boost | Midrange lift, with an extended operation range1 |
Maxon says the Bass, Treble, and Mid Boost controls together offer what it calls a limitless array of tonal options, from the classic "808" overdrive tone to beefy, full-frequency chunk suited to heavy metal1. For context on that 808 lineage, see the Maxon OD808 Overdrive and the Maxon 9-Series Overdrive, or the site's wider Overdrive Pedals page.
Power
The ROD880 is powered via a standard 9-volt DC adaptor, which Maxon says allows easy integration into a pedalboard or rack setup1.
Availability
The unit listed by Godlyke Distributing is a B-stock pedal: it shows signs of use and some cosmetic damage, and the box and power supply are included1.
The listing prices the B-stock ROD880 at £131.00 GBP1. Godlyke Distributing was long Maxon's North American distributor, and the ROD880 appears on its product page1. Players interested in Maxon's tube-flavored overdrives may also want to compare the Maxon TOD-9 True Tube Overdrive and the Maxon RTO700 Real Tube Overdrive.
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Questions
What tube does the Maxon ROD880 use?
The ROD880 is powered by a hand-selected 12AY7EH preamp tube. Maxon describes the pedal as working very much like an additional preamp for your amplifier, producing realistic tube amp tones with added warmth and sustain.
Is the ROD880 a real tube pedal?
Yes. It is the first offering in the Maxon Real Tube Series, and its circuit is built around an actual 12AY7EH preamp tube rather than solid-state tube emulation. Maxon based the circuit on the vintage TK999 Tube King.
What power supply does the Maxon ROD880 need?
The ROD880 runs on a standard 9-volt DC adaptor, which Maxon says allows easy integration into a pedalboard or rack setup.
What is the Mid Boost control on the ROD880?
The Mid Boost is one of three tone controls on the ROD880, alongside Bass and Treble. Maxon says all three have extended operation ranges, covering tones from the classic 808 overdrive sound to beefy, full-frequency chunk.
What is the TK999 Tube King?
The TK999 Tube King is a vintage overdrive pedal on which Maxon based the ROD880's circuit. According to Maxon, the ROD880 adds warmth and incredible sustain to any guitar rig, in the tradition of that design.
Can the ROD880 work as a clean boost?
Yes. Maxon says the Gain and Master Volume controls cover everything from clean boost to searing, saturated sag, and that in front of a clean amplifier the pedal can go from subtle crunch to full-bore metal distortion, making it useful with Class A amps that cannot be cranked.
Sources (1)
- Maxon ROD880 Real Tube Overdrive(B-STOCK), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
