The Summer School Electronics Gus-Drive is a boost, preamp and overdrive pedal, and it was the maker's first pedal offering. It runs on just two knobs, Bark and Howl, and Pedal of the Day described it as "a modern take on a classic hard-clipping circuit" that covers "a colorful boost to a bluesy, low-gain overdrive to a full sonic assault"1. If you are new to the territory, it sits between boost pedals and overdrive pedals, doing the work of both from one small box.
Controls
That is the whole panel. Pedal of the Day put it this way:
"With just two controls, Bark (volume) and Howl (gain), gorgeous tones can be dialed in quickly and efficiently1."
Pedal of the Day, 20 July 20221
How it behaves
Beyond the two knobs, the Gus-Drive has one feature Pedal of the Day singled out: it rolls off low frequencies as the gain is increased, which the review said allows a guitar to stand out in a mix. The same review found the pedal "cutting through with ease and boasting a wide range of tonal excellence," and summed it up as having "a surprisingly broad spectrum of overdriven sounds for a seemingly simple 2-knob effect"1.
Where it came from
The Gus-Drive carries one feature its maker highlights as distinctive: it rolls off low frequencies as the gain is increased, which Summer School Electronics says allows your guitar to stand out in a mix1. That design choice shapes how the pedal sits on a pedalboard, since the low end thins as drive is pushed rather than staying constant.
Videos
Summer School Electronics
Pedal of the Day
Matt Dunn
Questions
What do the Bark and Howl knobs do on the Gus-Drive?
The Gus-Drive has just two controls: Bark is the volume knob and Howl is the gain knob. Pedal of the Day noted that with these two controls, tones can be dialed in quickly and efficiently, and that the pedal covers a surprisingly broad spectrum of overdriven sounds for a seemingly simple two-knob effect.
Where is the Summer School Electronics Gus-Drive made?
The Gus-Drive is hand built in Syracuse, NY. According to Pedal of the Day, each piece created by Summer School Electronics is unique, yet they all share a similarity in design.
Is the Gus-Drive a hard-clipping overdrive?
Yes. Pedal of the Day describes the Gus-Drive as a modern take on a classic hard-clipping circuit, covering everything from a colorful boost to a bluesy, low-gain overdrive to a full sonic assault.
Was the Gus-Drive the first pedal from Summer School Electronics?
Yes. Pedal of the Day reported in July 2022 that the Gus-Drive was the first pedal offering from Summer School Electronics.
Sources (1)
- Summer School Electronics Gus-Drive Boost Preamp Overdrive, Pedal of the Day (pedal-of-the-day.com), 2022-07-20