The Nunu Devices Tweedy Bird is a two-knob overdrive pedal built to let a player dial in a sweet spot just north or south of a medium overdrive. Nunu Devices voiced it to sound great with solid-state amps as well as tube amps, which sets it apart from overdrives aimed only at tube rigs. With the Volume cranked and the Gain low, it also works as a clean boost, making it a flexible addition to a board built around overdrive pedals.1
Controls and how it works
The Tweedy Bird keeps things simple with only two knobs:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the output level; cranked with the Gain low, it turns the pedal into a clean boost |
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive |
Guitar World's reviewer summed up the layout plainly: "With only two knobs, Volume and Gain, there's not much to explain."1
As a clean boost
The boost side of the pedal drew particular attention in the review. Billy Voight, writing for Guitar World, found that with the Volume cranked and the Gain kept low, the Tweedy Bird doubles as a clean boost pushing out a good 10 or 12dB. He described this as useful for setting apart rhythm and lead tone on a single-channel tube amp, which matters for players who run one clean channel and need a lift for solos. Players looking specifically for that role may also want to compare it with dedicated boost pedals.1
Circuit, power and options
The pedal uses true-bypass switching and hand-wired circuitry built around a Germanium diode, a component choice that shapes the pedal's clipping character. It runs on a 9-volt battery or an external power supply, so it can sit on a board or be used standalone.1
Paint costs extra on the Tweedy Bird, so a custom finish adds to the $139 MSRP.1
What reviewers said
The pedal was reviewed by Guitar World in September 2016, at an MSRP of $139. The reviewer's verdict on the pedal's range1:
"Nunu Devices built the Tweedy Bird to let you really dial in that sweet spot just north or south of a medium [overdrive]"
Questions
Can the Nunu Devices Tweedy Bird be used as a clean boost?
Yes. Guitar World's reviewer found that cranking the Volume knob and keeping the Gain low lets the Tweedy Bird double as a clean boost pushing out a good 10 or 12dB, which he described as useful for setting apart rhythm and lead tone on a single-channel tube amp.
Is the Tweedy Bird true bypass?
Yes. According to Guitar World's review, the Tweedy Bird includes true-bypass switching, along with hand-wired circuitry built around a Germanium diode.
What diode does the Tweedy Bird use?
The Tweedy Bird's hand-wired circuitry uses a Germanium diode, as noted in Guitar World's review of the pedal.
How much does the Nunu Devices Tweedy Bird cost?
Guitar World's 2016 review listed the Tweedy Bird at an MSRP of $139.
Does custom paint cost extra on the Tweedy Bird?
Yes. Guitar World's review noted that paint costs extra on the Tweedy Bird, so a custom finish adds to the pedal's price.
Sources (1)
- Gear Review: Nunu Devices Tweedy Bird Overdrive Pedal, Guitar World, 2016-09-12