The Nobels ODR-1BC is an overdrive pedal, a revised version of the Nobels ODR-1 that adds an internal bass cut switch to the original circuit. Nobels released the update at the end of 2019, and Guitar World reported it as available in January 2020 for £99 (approx $129)12. The original ODR-1 first released in 1992, according to Aion FX's circuit analysis3.
What the bass cut switch does
The ODR-1BC's reason for existing is its internal bass cut switch. Because it sits inside the enclosure, you set it before a gig or a session rather than stomping it mid-song. In standard mode you get the full original ODR-1 sound; with bass cut engaged, the pedal trims low end for a tighter drive tone7.
MusicRadar described the pedal's core character this way:
"midrange stays untouched in either direction to offer transparency with a pinch of warmth"
The controls
The front panel carries over unchanged from the original. As Nobels' Bernhard Kurzke put it in the company's history, the Drive, Spectrum and Level knobs remain, controlling the amount of gain, the tonal characteristics and the output of the pedal respectively2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Amount of gain2 |
| Spectrum | Tonal characteristics2 |
| Level | Output of the pedal2 |
| Bass cut switch | Internal; trims low end, standard mode gives the full original sound27 |
Power and bypass
The ODR-1BC runs on an operating voltage between 9 and 18 volts, with higher voltages offering more headroom, according to Kurzke2. For bypass, Guitar World reports that the pedal works as per the original, with buffered bypass1.
The bass cut switch is internal, so changing it means opening the pedal's solid metal housing5. Set it where you plan to leave it.
How it compares in the ODR family
The ODR-1BC is one step in a line that has kept growing. Nobels later introduced the ODR-1X as the next generation overdrive, adding an external bass cut pot, switchable true or buffered bypass, and a switchable hi-gain boost2. The compact ODR-mini2 also adds a bass cut control in a smaller enclosure2. If you want the original circuit with no bass cut at all, that is the ODR-1 itself.
Videos
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Questions
Is the Nobels ODR-1BC true bypass?
No. According to Guitar World, the ODR-1BC works as per the original ODR-1, with buffered bypass. If you want switchable true or buffered bypass in the same family, Nobels later introduced the ODR-1X, which adds that option along with an external bass cut control.
What does the bass cut switch on the ODR-1BC do?
The ODR-1BC carries an internal bass cut switch. In standard mode you get the full original ODR-1 sound; engaging the bass cut trims low end, which is aimed at players who want a tighter, clearer drive tone. Because the switch is internal, you set it with the pedal open rather than from the top panel.
How is the ODR-1BC different from the original ODR-1?
Guitar World reports that the ODR-1BC hosts two major changes over the original, the headline one being the internal bass cut switch. The Drive, Spectrum and Level knobs remain, controlling gain, tonal character and output as before, and the pedal still runs with buffered bypass.
Can I run the Nobels ODR-1BC at 18V?
Yes. Nobels' Bernhard Kurzke notes the option to run the pedal on an operating voltage between 9 and 18 volts, with higher voltages offering more headroom. More headroom means the pedal clips later and stays cleaner before it breaks up.
Where is the Nobels ODR-1BC made?
According to Guitar World's review, the ODR-1BC's origin is China. The pedal is made by Nobels, the German company behind the original ODR-1, which first appeared in 1992.
Sources (7)
- NAMM 2020: The Nobels ODR-1, one of the most revered overdrive pedals of all time, just got an upgrade for 2020, Guitar World, 2020-01-09
- Die Nobels Geschichte zeigt viele Innovationen, nobels.de, 2017-02-16
- Tracing Journal: Nordland ODR-C Custom Overdrive, Aion FX, 2021-10-22
- NAMM 2020: Nobels announces the ODR-1BC, Guitar.com, 2020-01-08
- ODR-1 BC, Nobels, 2026-08-17
- Nobels ODR-1 BC & ODR-mini review, Guitar World, 2020-10-23
- NAMM 2020: Nobels' highly-rated ODR-1 overdrive gets a new Bass Cut edition, MusicRadar, 2020-01-08
