The PB&J Pedals Malibu Drive is an overdrive pedal built around a simple, familiar formula: Gain, Volume and Tone, which Pedal of the Day called "the classic and oft-used control section of the Malibu Drive"1. The same review placed its character firmly in the Tube Screamer camp, saying "it has a great 808-type feel to its sound, capable of getting some spot-on SRV tones when paired with a great amp"1. For players looking at the wider field, it sits alongside other overdrives covered on the site's Overdrive Pedals page, and the green-circuit comparison is explored further in Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer.
What it does
The Malibu Drive keeps its control set to the classic and oft-used trio1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive |
| Volume | Sets the pedal's output level |
| Tone | Shapes the treble character |
Pedal of the Day described the sound as having "a great 808-type feel to its sound, capable of getting some spot-on SRV tones when paired with a great amp," putting it firmly in the transparent-to-midfocused overdrive territory players associate with that circuit family1.
The reviewer's overall verdict leaned on the pedal's restraint:
"Not too flashy, or overloaded with too many options, this overdrive fits perfectly on any board, and will add sparkle to a perhaps lackluster sound you’ve been settling for."
Where it sits in PB&J Pedals' range
The Malibu Drive is one of several overdrive-type pedals Pedal of the Day has featured from the maker. Others include the PB&J Pedals Viper Drive, the PB&J Pedals Surf Drive, the PB&J Pedals Sweet Clarity Junior, and the PB&J Pedals Boost Factory, which the same review teased as a forthcoming write-up1.
Videos
Jack Fossett Guitar
Pedal of the Day
Jack Fossett Guitar
Questions
What kind of pedal is the PB&J Pedals Malibu Drive?
It is an overdrive pedal with a simple three-knob control layout of Gain, Volume and Tone. Pedal of the Day described it as a simple, straight-to-the-point overdrive, and noted that its sound has an 808-type feel, meaning it sits in the same family as the well-known green overdrive circuit, capable of SRV-style tones when paired with a good amp.
What does the Malibu Drive sound like?
Pedal of the Day's review said the Malibu Drive has a great 808-type feel to its sound and is capable of getting spot-on SRV tones when paired with a great amp. The reviewer also described it as not too flashy or overloaded with options, saying it fits perfectly on any board and will add sparkle to a perhaps lackluster sound overall.
Sources (1)
- PB&J Pedals Malibu Drive, Pedal of the Day, 2016-04-25
