The Black LTD. Power Drive is a limited-edition overdrive pedal from Mr. Black, built as a Jack Deville original design in a run of 40 pieces1. Where most overdrives clip a preamp-style stage, Mr. Black says this one generates its thick, raunchy saturation by pushing an actual power amplifier into overdrive1.
Controls
The pedal keeps things simple with three controls1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Sets the amount of overdrive, from light to seriously saturated1 |
| Level | Delivers loads of output across the drive range1 |
| Tone | A traditional tone control tuning the top-end from dark and brooding to crisp and present1 |
Mr. Black also points out that at all but maximum drive settings, and even there, the Power Drive cleans up gracefully via your guitar's volume control or by softening your pick attack1.
Sound
Mr. Black describes the pedal's voicing as a thick and round low-end, sweet highs and full, forward mids1. Because the saturation comes from a power-amplifier stage being pushed, the character differs from the classic clipped-preamp approach of pedals like the Boss SD-1 or Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer. Mr. Black's wider range includes related drives such as the OD-503, the BB-74x, the JDS-50 and the Black LTD. Classic 88.
Power
The pedal runs on your choice of industry-standard 9VDC pedal power or an internal 9V battery, which is not included1. Current draw is only about 5mA at 9VDC1, a light load by pedal standards.
All limited edition sales are final: no returns, exchanges or refunds1. With only 40 pieces made, availability is limited by design.
Questions
Is the Mr. Black Black LTD. Power Drive true bypass?
Yes. Mr. Black describes the pedal as hand-built with premium components and true-bypass switching, so when it is off, your guitar's signal passes through without the pedal's circuit in the way.
Does the Black LTD. Power Drive take a battery?
Yes. It can run on either an internal 9V battery, which is not included, or industry-standard 9VDC pedal power. The battery compartment is internal, so you would need to supply your own battery.
How much current does the Black LTD. Power Drive draw?
Mr. Black lists the current draw at about 5mA at 9VDC. That is a very light load, so the pedal is easy on any standard 9V power supply and should not strain a daisy-chained setup.
How many Black LTD. Power Drive pedals were made?
It is a limited run of 40 pieces. As a limited edition product, all sales are final, with no returns, exchanges or refunds, according to Mr. Black's product page.
Who designed the Black LTD. Power Drive?
Mr. Black credits the pedal as a Jack Deville original design, built in a limited run of 40 pieces and finished in the company's Black LTD. powder-coat enclosure.
Can you return a Black LTD. Power Drive?
No. Mr. Black states that all limited edition sales are final, with no returns, exchanges or refunds, so a purchase of the Black LTD. Power Drive cannot be sent back.
Sources (1)
- Black LTD. Power Drive, Mr. Black
