The Rodenberg TB DRIVE is a dual overdrive pedal: two full, independent effect units in one enclosure, built for blues rock tones in front of a clean or slightly overdriven amp. Rodenberg positions it as a low gain overdrive on one side and a low to high gain overdrive on the other, with sound design credited to guitarist Tyler Bryant and Uli Rodenberg1.
According to Rodenberg, the pedal produces an open blues rock overdrive sound in front of a clean or slightly overdriven amp, with a tone that stays clear and structured. In front of an already overdriven amp, the maker says it pushes the amp organically with more gain without changing the existing sound much1. Guitar.com's review describes the TB Drive as essentially two independent Rodenberg GAS-808 overdrive pedals in one compact box, plus a few clever extras2.
Two overdrives in one box
The core idea of the TB DRIVE is stacking. Rodenberg says two custom overdrive sounds in one enclosure, combined with a slightly overdriven amp, are all Tyler Bryant needs for his characteristic tone, and Bryant is quoted on the maker's page: "I've used this pedal at every session and every show since I got it."1
The two sides are labeled by their gain range and their jewel LEDs: a blue LED marks the low gain overdrive side, and a red LED marks the low to high gain overdrive side1. Rodenberg describes Bryant's own setup as a practical example of how the two sides work together:
- The left overdrive runs in high gain mode, with the 909 toggle activated, for rhythm parts.
- For solos, the right overdrive is switched in series on top of the left1.
Guitar.com's review of the related TB Drive Shakedown Special notes that the left-hand 808 circuit carries a micro-switch marked "909", which significantly ups the gain from the standard mode2.
The controls and footswitches
Each side of the pedal has its own control set, so the two overdrives can be dialed in independently. Based on the control layout described in Guitar.com's review2:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive (2x) | Sets the amount of overdrive on each side |
| Volume (2x) | Sets the output level of each side |
| Tone (2x) | Shapes the brightness of each side |
| Bass boost mini-toggle (2x) | Thickens the low end; the review found it useful for quickly fattening weak single-coils or adding closed-back heft to an open-back combo |
| 909 mini-toggle (left side only) | Significantly ups the gain from the standard mode |
Each side also has its own mechanical true bypass footswitch, so the two overdrives can be engaged independently or together1.
Power and bypass
The TB DRIVE runs on a 9 to 18V DC power supply, with 9V DC as the standard and 18V DC as the maximum, drawing 50 to 80 mA1. Guitar.com's review likewise lists 9 to 18V DC mains power only2.
There is no battery operation, so the pedal needs a power supply from the start. The 50 to 80 mA draw is modest enough for most isolated pedalboard supplies, but plan a dedicated output rather than a battery.
Rodenberg describes the switching as a special mechanical true bypass circuit with optimized interference suppression, with switching that is nearly click-free1. Guitar.com's review confirms true-bypass switching among the pedal's features2.
Where it came from and how it was received
The TB DRIVE comes out of Rodenberg's artist-driven design work: the pedal is credited to Tyler Bryant and Uli Rodenberg, and the maker's page frames it around Bryant's session and live use1. Rodenberg builds the pedal by hand in small numbers in Germany1, a point Guitar.com's review also makes in its description of the pedal2.
Guitar.com reviewed the TB Drive Shakedown Special, a pedal from the same family, in December 2019 and rated it 9 out of 102:
"I've used this pedal at every session and every show since I got it."
How it fits with other Rodenberg overdrives
The TB DRIVE sits alongside other overdrives in the Rodenberg range, including the SL-OD, the SL-OD DELUXE, the SL-OD DLX DRIVE, the LUKE Overdrive MK II associated with Steve Lukather, and the Daphne High Voltage Overdrive. What distinguishes the TB DRIVE within that range is its two-in-one format: rather than a single overdrive circuit, it pairs two independent circuits that can be run separately or stacked in series1.
Videos
Tyler Bryant
Tyler Bryant
Tom Roger Thu
Questions
Does the Rodenberg TB Drive take a battery?
No. The pedal runs on a 9 to 18V DC power supply only, drawing 50 to 80 mA, and Rodenberg states there is no battery operation. You will need a pedalboard power supply or a dedicated adapter to run it.
Is the Rodenberg TB Drive true bypass?
Yes. Rodenberg describes a special mechanical true bypass circuit with optimized interference suppression, and says switching is nearly click-free. Guitar.com's review also lists true-bypass switching among the pedal's features.
Where is the Rodenberg TB Drive made?
Germany. Rodenberg says the TB Drive is hand-built in small numbers in Germany, and Guitar.com's review describes it as a dual overdrive pedal made in Germany.
Can both sides of the TB Drive be used together?
Yes. The two overdrives are independent, and Rodenberg describes Tyler Bryant running the left overdrive in high gain 909 mode for rhythm parts, then switching the right overdrive in series for solos. Guitar.com notes the right side can be stacked in front of the left.
Sources (2)
- TB DRIVE, rodenberg-amplification.com
- Review: Rodenberg TB Drive Shakedown Special, Guitar.com, 2019-12-06
