The Maxon ROD881 is an overdrive and distortion pedal from Maxon, a maker long associated with tube-style drive circuits. What sets it apart from most drive pedals is that it carries a single 12AX7 tube in its circuit, the same preamp tube found in guitar amplifiers, rather than relying only on solid-state clipping1.
The pedal offers two modes. Guitar Player's reviewer described the Overdrive mode as offering "a tube-like simmer", with a Distortion mode alongside it for heavier gain settings1. Shaping the sound is a 3-band EQ covering treble, midrange and bass, which the reviewer singled out for praise: "The 3-band EQ gets major kudos for allowing me to tame my Tele, or spice up the PRS McCarty with a little more sizzle."1
The ROD881 is an Overdrive/Distortion pedal from Maxon, offered at $350 retail ($259 street) at the time of that review1. It gives players two modes, Overdrive and Distortion, plus a 3-band EQ for shaping treble, midrange and bass1.
The review appeared in Guitar Player Magazine's January 2006 issue, which is republished on Maxon's own site1. For players comparing it with other Maxon drive designs, the company's range also includes the Maxon SD-9 Sonic Distortion, the Maxon OSD-9 Overdrive Soft Distortion and the Maxon Distortion Master.
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Sources (1)
- Maxon ROD881 Overdrive/Distortion Review, Guitar Player Magazine, 2006-01
