The SviSound Overdrive OverZoid oz01 is an overdrive pedal from the workshop of Bulgarian manufacturer SviSound, listed at $165 as of the September 2023 Premier Guitar review roundup1. Vintage Guitar's June 2015 review described it as matching "a very natural-sounding gain with a distinctive steampunk design," in a pedal built with true bypass and point-to-point wiring2.
What it does to your sound
The OverZoid is aimed at players who want an overdrive that works with the tone of their guitar and amp rather than reshaping it. Premier Guitar's reviewers found it "tends to have a very high-fidelity feel, and at times seems to work like a magnifying glass for your guitar-and-amp tone"1. Vintage Guitar placed it in the same camp, framing it as a quality overdrive that capitalizes on the natural tone of a guitar and amp2.
"The OverZoid succeeds tonally where few others do (especially at this price), and its design is a cut above."
The controls
The pedal keeps its control set small, with the tone and bass boost controls doing most of the work2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tone | Sweeps something like a presence control, which Vintage Guitar found more effective than a traditional tone adjustment for tailoring a setup2 |
| Bass Boost toggle | A very subtle bump of mid-low frequencies, foot-switchable at the front of the pedal for fattening a lead then drawing back the low end2 |
Premier Guitar's reviewers called the tone knob very effective and said it works exceptionally well with the bass boost, which lends extra heaviness when single coils or a bright amplifier are in the mix1.
Design and build
The enclosure is handmade, with an LED peeking out from behind copper staples, gold knobs, and labeling that Premier Guitar said communicates a Jules Verne sci-fi aesthetic1. Vintage Guitar made a similar observation, noting the blue indicator glowing behind a little copper cage2.
The OverZoid cannot use a battery and requires external power, which is not included with the pedal12. Premier Guitar also noted that the handmade enclosure shows a few quality control issues, and that the lateral orientation of the controls may fit some pedalboards less well1.
How it compares
Vintage Guitar suggested that players preferring higher-gain distortion or fuzz to an overdrive would do well to check other SviSound boxes like the MetalZoid and Ge Fuzz2. For a look at how more conventional overdrives differ, see Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer, or the site's pages on distortion and fuzz for higher-gain alternatives.
Videos
Premier Guitar
SviSound
SviSound
Questions
Can the OverZoid oz01 run on a battery?
No. Premier Guitar's review notes the pedal cannot use a battery, and Vintage Guitar likewise found you need to provide external power. Plan for a power supply on your board, and note that the pedal does not ship with one included.
Is the SviSound OverZoid true bypass?
Yes. Vintage Guitar's June 2015 review describes the OverZoid as a true-bypass pedal with point-to-point wiring, so the pedal should stay out of your signal path when it is switched off.
Where are SviSound pedals made?
SviSound is a Bulgarian manufacturer, according to Premier Guitar's review of the OverZoid oz01. The pedal's handmade enclosure is part of its character, though the same review noted a few quality control issues in the build.
Is the OverZoid point-to-point wired?
Yes. Vintage Guitar's review describes the OverZoid as a true-bypass pedal with point-to-point wiring, a construction approach more often associated with boutique and handmade builds than with mass-produced pedals.
Sources (2)
- Overdrive Overload: 6-Pedal Review Roundup, Premier Guitar, 2015-05-13
- Svi Sound’s Overdrive OverZoid oz01, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2016-03-09