The Mr. Black Black LTD. Classic 88 is a limited-edition overdrive pedal, described by the maker as a "fully re-engineered classic tube overdrive unit featuring an all new circuit that delivers all that creamy, warm vintage tone of the original"1. It was built as a run of 40 pedals and sold out on October 13, 20151.
The Classic 88 was a one-time limited edition and has been sold out since October 13, 20151. It is not part of Mr. Black's regular lineup.
What it does
The Classic 88 takes the circuit of a classic tube overdrive and re-engineers it. Mr. Black describes the result as an all new circuit aimed at the creamy, warm vintage tone of the original design1. In plain terms, it is a tube-style overdrive: a pedal that pushes an amp into breakup or adds grit of its own, in the broad family of circuits players know from the Tube Screamer lineage (see the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 comparison for how two classics of that type differ).
To give players a sense of its sound, Mr. Black recorded its demo clips with an SM57 microphone into a HIWATT DR504 amp set clean1. That setup, a neutral amp and a standard dynamic mic, lets the pedal's own character carry the clip rather than a driven amp.
Where it sits in Mr. Black's range
Mr. Black has released several limited Black LTD. runs alongside its regular pedals, and the Classic 88 is one of them. Other overdrives in the maker's range include the Black LTD. Power Drive, the OD-503, the BB-74x and the JDS-50. The Classic 88's place in that lineup is as a short-run take on the classic tube overdrive formula, priced at $179.95 when it was offered1.
Questions
Is the Mr. Black Black LTD. Classic 88 still available?
No. Mr. Black built the Classic 88 as a limited run of 40 pedals, and the maker's product page marks it sold out as of October 13, 2015. It was a one-time limited edition rather than a regularly produced pedal, so players looking for one today are dealing with the secondhand market.
What kind of pedal is the Black LTD. Classic 88?
It is an overdrive pedal. Mr. Black describes it as a fully re-engineered classic tube overdrive unit with an all new circuit, built to deliver the creamy, warm vintage tone of the original design. It sits in the same family of tube-style overdrives as other pedals in Mr. Black's range.
Sources (1)
- Black LTD. Classic 88, Mr. Black, 2015-10-13
