The Gold Label Overdrive is a boutique overdrive pedal from Pro Tone pedals, announced in September 2009 as the first offering in the company's new Premium Overdrive line1. Its distinguishing feature is power: it runs from a standard 9 volt supply but uses an internal voltage converter to raise that to 18 volts, which the maker says gives the circuit the headroom for both lush overdrive and a rich clean boost1.
Power: 9 volts in, 18 volts inside
The Gold Label operates on a 9 volt power supply, with an internal voltage converter converting that 9 into 18 volts1. MusicRadar's review notes that the pedal is mains powered only, so there is no battery option, and that it raises the 9 volt supply to 18 volts internally2.
The Gold Label Overdrive has no battery option: it is mains powered only, taking a 9 volt supply and raising it to 18 volts inside the pedal2.
Pro Tone says the 18 volt circuit was designed to deliver lush overdrive with the headroom to provide a rich clean boost1. MusicRadar adds that this extra power provides more headroom, a real benefit especially when wanting a single coil tone optimized for dynamic playing2.
Controls and what they do
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Output level, one of the three dials on the pedal2 |
| Tone | Tone shaping, one of the three dials on the pedal2 |
| Gain | Gain amount, one of the three dials on the pedal2 |
| Drive | Adjusts the amount of gain and the mix of clean signal; with the drive set low the pedal acts as a clean boost1 |
The pedal sits on a white metal chassis with the three black dials (volume, tone and gain) situated on top2.
How it sounds and what reviewers said
Pro Tone's own description leans on responsiveness: the company says the Gold Label Overdrive's touch sensitivity will astound you as the subtleties of your technique are audible like never before1.
MusicRadar's reviewer, writing in February 2010 after sessions and gigs with the pedal, framed its appeal this way2:
MusicRadar reviewed the pedal, with the review dated 19 February 20102.
The same review found the pedal works as a clean boost into a just-breaking-up amp or adds gain for crunchier solos and riffs, with outstanding tone even into a clean amp at considerable gain2. On the maker's bold marketing claim, the reviewer concluded that for many blues and rock guitarists, Pro Tone is right on the money despite the bold sell line2, and placed the pedal in the outstanding group after a few sessions and gigs with it2.
The Premium Overdrive line
The Gold Label Overdrive was announced as the first offering in Pro Tone's Premium Overdrive line1. Pro Tone also makes other overdrive pedals, including the Pro Tone Pedals Dead Horse Overdrive and the Pro Tone Pedals Unknown Hinson Signature Overdrive. For more on the effect type, see the site's guide to Overdrive Pedals, or compare two of the genre's standards in Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer.
Questions
Can the Gold Label Overdrive be used as a clean boost?
Yes. Pro Tone says the Drive knob adjusts the amount of gain and the mix of clean signal, and with the drive set low the pedal acts as a clean boost. MusicRadar's reviewer found its primary appeal was either adding a clean boost to an amp's just-breaking-up tone or adding gain for crunchier solos and riffs, with strong tone even into a clean amp at considerable gain.
How much does the Pro Tone Gold Label Overdrive cost?
The pedal retailed for $349 when it was announced in September 2009, a figure Premier Guitar reported in its press coverage and MusicRadar repeated in its 2010 review.
What is the Premium Overdrive line from Pro Tone?
The Premium Overdrive line is a range of overdrive pedals from Pro Tone pedals, and the Gold Label Overdrive was announced as the first offering in that line in September 2009.
Where can the Gold Label Overdrive be bought?
At launch, Premier Guitar reported that the pedal was available on Pro Tone's website.
Sources (2)
- Gold Label Premium Overdrive: Pro Tone Pedals Launch, Premier Guitar, 2009-09-25
- Protones Gold Label Premium Overdrive, MusicRadar, 2010-02-19
