The Supro 1305 Drive is an analog overdrive pedal designed to deliver the distinctive sounds of an overdriven Supro amp. Rather than borrowing from an existing pedal circuit, it emulates a Class-A Supro amplifier from end to end, using an actual output transformer and re-creating the real circuitry of a Supro amp1. MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen calls it "an original design that offers a different and welcome slant from the large number of drives" on the market2.
The Supro 1305 Drive is an analog overdrive pedal from Supro, built in a small blue enclosure that measures 3.2″ x 3.2″ x 4.9″ and weighs only 1.1 lbs, which Supro says makes it "a perfect fit on any pedalboard"21. Guitar.com priced it at £169 and its reviewer gave it a favorable write-up, with the magazine's verdict appearing alongside its "Price £169" listing3.
The controls
The 1305 Drive carries the usual overdrive layout of Volume, Tone and Gain, plus a toggle switch that sets it apart1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume and Gain | Juxtaposition of the two takes you from a clean-ish boost through loads of breaking-up tones to low-wattage amp-at-full-throttle drive2 |
| Tone | Serves to focus the raggedy top-end presence2 |
| Bold/Rich toggle | Bold offers a less-gainy take on things; Rich is the higher gain setting, upping the compression and offering denser, harmonically richer tones2 |
The Bold/Rich switch works through the transformer itself: each mode provides different windings of the custom, multi-tapped output transformer inside the pedal1.
Two extras extend the control set:
- An Expression Pedal input jack gives complete, hands-free control over the Gain parameter1.
- An internal trimmer lets you set the minimum gain setting1.
Power and on the board
The pedal takes AC power via a top-mounted AC power jack, and there is even a battery compartment built into the side of the pedal, so you do not have to take the whole thing apart to change the battery1. MusicRadar's Curwen lists both the easy battery access and the 18-volt capability among the pedal's plus points2.
The small enclosure (3.2" x 3.2" x 4.9") and light weight (only 1.1 lbs) make it a perfect fit on any pedalboard, especially with the top-mounted jacks and AC power jack1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's verdict was positive: "This is vibrant overdrive with a raw Supro flavour and we like it a lot," with the pedal judged "definitely worth a listen." Curwen's plus points were the solid build, the easy battery access and the 18-volt capability; his one criticism was that the knob design could be better, as the white position markers are hard to see2.
"This is vibrant overdrive with a raw Supro flavour and we like it a lot"
Guitar.com reviewed the pedal in its December 2016 issue (Vol 27 No 10, priced at £169), and reviewer Richard Purvis went further, making it his pick of the year3.
Where it sits
The 1305 Drive belongs to the amp-in-a-box corner of overdrive pedals: a pedal built to sound like a specific amplifier pushed into breakup, here a Class-A Supro amp with its output transformer on board1. Supro's first pedal range also included a Fuzz and a Boost alongside the Drive2, and the company later released a Supro Tremolo.
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Questions
Does the Supro 1305 Drive have a real transformer in it?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review describes the 1305 Drive as emulating a Class-A Supro amp from end to end, using an actual output transformer and re-creating the real circuitry of a Supro amp. The Bold/Rich toggle switch selects between different windings of that custom, multi-tapped output transformer, which is how the pedal changes character between its two modes.
Can the Supro 1305 Drive run on 18 volts?
MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen lists 18-volt capability among the pedal's plus points, so the pedal can be run at 18 volts as well as its standard power. The review does not give a figure for what the higher voltage changes, only that the capability is there and counts as a reason to buy.
What does the expression pedal control on the Supro 1305 Drive?
The Expression Pedal input jack gives hands-free control over the Gain parameter, according to Pedal of the Day's review. Plug an expression pedal in and you can sweep the gain while playing, which is unusual on an overdrive and lets you move from cleaner tones into fuller drive without bending down to turn a knob.
What does the internal trimmer do on the Supro 1305 Drive?
An internal trimmer sets the minimum gain setting. Pedal of the Day notes that you can set it yourself, so the lowest point of the Gain knob's travel can be tailored to taste, whether you want the pedal to clean up further or to sit closer to its breaking-up range at the bottom of the control.
Is the Supro 1305 Drive a clone of another overdrive?
No. MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen calls it an original design that offers a different and welcome slant from the large number of drives on the market. Rather than copying an existing pedal circuit, it re-creates the circuitry of a Supro amplifier, including an actual output transformer.
Sources (3)
- Supro 1305 Drive Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2017-05-31
- Supro 1305 Drive review, MusicRadar, 2017-05-20
- Gear Of The Year 2016, Guitar.com, 2016-12-16
