The Nordland Electronics ODR-C Custom Overdrive is a six-control overdrive pedal in the ODR-1 style, a field that also includes the Vemuram ODS-1. It was also made in a limited 30th Anniversary Edition, the ODR-C-30A, which Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson called "one of the all-time ultimate overdrives - and the very best version of the ODR-1 you could buy". That edition is discontinued and long sold out, limited to 200 units1.
Controls
The ODR-C carries six controls. Karlsson noted that it "still has one more over the Vemuram OD" in the same comparison field1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Sets the amount of overdrive |
| Level | Sets the output level |
| O.D.C. (Overdrive De-Compress) | Nordland's de-compression control |
| Spectrum EQ | Broad tonal shaping |
| Gain Mode: Hi/Lo | Switches between two gain ranges |
| Mid | Middle frequency control |
| Lo-Cut | Trims low frequencies |
| Internal Presence Switch | Presence setting inside the pedal |
The control list above is the set Guitar Pedal X gave for the 30th Anniversary Edition1.
The 30th Anniversary Edition
The ODR-C-30A was a limited run of 200 units, listed at €249/$269. Karlsson's verdict was that it was "the very best version of the ODR-1 you could buy", better than the Vemuram take and for less money overall1.
"This for me this is one of the all-time ultimate overdrives - and the very best version of the ODR-1 you could buy"
The 30th Anniversary Edition is discontinued. Karlsson wrote that "since that is long sold out - then the second best choice is the regular Nordland ODR-C", which he preferred to the Vemuram ODS-1 overall1.
The regular ODR-C and where it sits
With the anniversary edition gone, the regular ODR-C remains the version players encounter. It was listed at €238/$258 as of December 2023, which Karlsson noted was "significantly lower priced" than the Vemuram alternative1. Nordland has since put a general-release version of the 2022 special edition on sale as the Nordland Electronics ODR-C H/L, and the maker's range also includes the Nordland Electronics MT-11 Mosland, another take on a classic overdrive circuit1. For how pedals like this sit against other gain stages, see Overdrive Pedals and the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer comparison.
Videos
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Questions
How many controls does the Nordland ODR-C have?
The regular Nordland ODR-C Custom Overdrive has six controls. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson noted that this is one more control than the Vemuram ODS-1 offers, in the same ODR-1 style field. The 30th Anniversary Edition carries the same control set: Drive, Level, O.D.C. (Overdrive De-Compress), Spectrum EQ, a Hi/Lo Gain Mode, Mid, Lo-Cut, and an internal Presence switch.
How many 30th Anniversary Edition ODR-C pedals were made?
The ODR-C 30th Anniversary Edition, designated ODR-C-30A, was limited to 200 units. Guitar Pedal X described it as one of the all-time ultimate overdrives and the very best version of the ODR-1 you could buy, and noted that it sold out.
What did the Nordland ODR-C cost in US dollars?
The regular ODR-C was listed at $258 USD (€238) as of December 2023. The 30th Anniversary Edition was listed at $269 USD (€249).
Is the ODR-C 30th Anniversary Edition still available?
No. Guitar Pedal X described the ODR-C-30A as discontinued, limited to 200 units, and long sold out as of December 2023. The regular ODR-C remained the alternative the reviewer pointed to.
What does O.D.C. stand for on the ODR-C?
On the ODR-C's control panel, O.D.C. stands for Overdrive De-Compress, per Guitar Pedal X's listing of the pedal's controls.
Sources (1)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-12-06
