The Shnobel Tone Frank Simes Overdrive is an overdrive pedal built as a collaboration between Shnobel Tone and guitarist, songwriter, composer, and record producer Frank Simes1. It is a derivative of Shnobel Tone's own Daily Driver, designed simply to be a versatile overdrive that can serve any player in many situations2. Delicious Audio's Griffin Jennings describes it as having "a transparent and open sound that reacts to your playing dynamics and can go from a slight break up to a fully open cranked tube amp sound"2.
Controls and how it plays
The pedal uses the classic three knob volume, tone, and gain layout2, with the knobs labeled Volume, Gain, and Tone1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the pedal's output level1 |
| Gain | Sets the amount of overdrive1 |
| Tone | Shapes the pedal's treble response1 |
Premier Guitar's news item highlights its response to playing dynamics, stating that its touch sensitivity makes it a good match for guitarists who rely on precise right hand technique, and that it cleans up when rolling back the guitar's volume knob1. In practical terms, that means players who control their gain at the guitar can use the pedal as a light break-up and open it up for a fuller overdriven sound.
Power and connections
The Frank Simes Overdrive runs on standard 9V center negative power and has no battery compartment1. Delicious Audio lists the current draw at 100mA2, which is worth noting when planning a pedalboard power supply: a daisy chain output rated below 100mA will not run it on its own. Switching is by a true bypass foot switch2.
There is no battery compartment, so a 9V DC center negative supply is required to use the pedal at all1.
How it compares to the Daily Driver
Because the Frank Simes Overdrive is derived from the Daily Driver2, the two are close relatives, but they are laid out differently.
| Frank Simes Overdrive | Daily Driver Overdrive | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Volume, Gain, Tone1 | Low and high EQ, plus a three position high cut toggle3 |
| Origin | Collaboration with Frank Simes1 | Shnobel Tone's first non-mod pedal4 |
| Power | 9V DC center negative1 | 9V center negative1 |
The Daily Driver Overdrive, Shnobel Tone's first non-mod pedal according to Pedal of the Day4, is described by Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio as "one of the most versatile overdrives on the market, featuring low and high eq along with a three position high cut toggle"3, giving players EQ controls for matching different amps. The Frank Simes version trims back to the classic three knob layout2. Shnobel Tone's maker page for the Daily Driver lists 9V center negative power requirements for that pedal as well5.
Price and availability
Premier Guitar reported a suggested retail price and MAP of $249 when the pedal was announced in November 20221. Delicious Audio's product page notes the pedal comes with a 30 day money back return policy, so a player can try it out to see if it works for them2.
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Questions
Does the Shnobel Tone Frank Simes Overdrive take a battery?
No. Premier Guitar's news item on the pedal lists standard 9V center negative power and states plainly that there is no battery compartment. You will need a 9V DC center negative power supply, and the pedal draws 100mA according to Delicious Audio's product page.
Is the Frank Simes Overdrive true bypass?
Yes. Premier Guitar lists a true bypass foot switch among the pedal's specifications, so the pedal's circuit is removed from the signal path when it is switched off.
How is the Frank Simes Overdrive different from the Daily Driver?
The Frank Simes Overdrive is a derivative of Shnobel Tone's own Daily Driver pedal, built as a collaboration with Frank Simes. The Daily Driver Overdrive itself is described by Delicious Audio as one of the most versatile overdrives on the market, with low and high EQ along with a three position high cut toggle, while the Frank Simes version uses a classic three knob volume, tone, and gain layout.
Does it clean up with the guitar volume knob?
Premier Guitar says it does. The publication's news item states that its touch sensitivity makes it a good match for players who rely on precise right hand technique, and that it cleans up when rolling back the guitar's volume knob.
How much is the Shnobel Tone Frank Simes Overdrive?
Premier Guitar reports a suggested retail price and MAP of $249, as of the pedal's November 2022 announcement.
Sources (5)
- Frank Simes Signature Overdrive by Shnobel Tone, Premier Guitar, 2022-11-15
- Shnobel Tone Frank Simes Overdrive, Delicious Audio, 2022-06-14
- Shnobel Tone Daily Driver Overdrive, Delicious Audio, 2023-01-26
- Shnobel Tone Daily Driver™ Overdrive, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2020-04-28
- Daily Driver, Shnobel Tone
