G2D Classic Overdrive

Nice crunchy sound, I like the second channel having just a bit more gain, mids and volume then the first.

Very nice, sounds great with my PRS McCarty. I have had all 4 G2D peals and this is by far the best. It has plenty of gain, but if I need more a Keeley Compressor is always first in my chain and that's a great way to increase gain and sustain of a pedal.

Yes seems very dependable, even though there are a lot of components inside the pedal.

They seem friendly and easy to deal with

A very nice pedal, very natural sounding, nice upper mid sizzle, not as much gain as my beloved Barber Direct Drive SS, but enough for blues and rock. I always have Keeley and Barber pedals in my chain, this one will be a nice compliment. I don't do the mega metal, 7 string dropped stuff, but for classic rock and blues this is a killer pedal. Compared to the Barber Direct Drive SS this is a little pricy.

Four knobs: Level, Mid, Top, Drive 2 buttons: Left (on/off), right (rhythm crunch/more drive) Very similar to the functions of their Standard/Custom minus the volume pot for the red side of the pedal.

Again, now that I've owned and gigged with all 4 of their pedals I will say it is very easy to get a great sound out of the Classic right out of the box. I thought the Standard was easy, but this pedal is as easy if not easier.

True bypass construction and classic styling, very nice to look at as are all their pedals.

I used the classic alongside a Tonebone Hot British, and Pedalworx Texas Two Step, into a custom designed head (6L6 Based) and cabinet with celestions. Guitars are a stock Les Paul Classic 1960 Reissue, and a Tom Anderson Drop Top.

The Classic is extremely quiet with my setup it seems. I was quiet pleased, and I was running the drive around 1:00 o'clock and level up at noon.


The Classic was designed to emulate that Marshall plexi overdrive tone (I'm thinkin' AC/DC, and other old school Marshall grinders). I would say the rhythm side of the pedal is very very close, and I'd really like to have some Marshall playin' friends over to compare it to their amps, but it is pretty darn convincing. Nice thump as if running through a 4x12 cab, even through my practice amp (Fender Blues Jr.).

I would totally agree with Martin below (have corresponded several times before I bought this pedal) in the comment that the Classic is not especially a high gain pedal, though the boost channel has enough gain for non-metal leads, and it has that real Marshall midrange push to it. There is a nice top end slice to the pedal which doesn't sound fizzy, like the new breed of Marshall amps. The low gain channel gives a great all around usable tone, and could cover a blues tune if coaxed properly. It responds best to humbuckers, but doesn't lose any bite and rawness with singles - excellent.

Overall, the Classic has a bitrawer tone than their Standard, but not by much in my opinion. It is different though and I think both could exist on the same board nicely.

Since the Standard is, and will remain, my desert island overdrive pedal, the Classic needed to do something different for my particular application. Although the Standard does have a great bluesy and classic rock sound all in one pedal and is very transparent, and is very versatile, the Classic's Marshall rawness is the difference it adds to one's Classic rock tone. It is appropriately named indeed.

I do hear now why Martin (below) felt the Classic was much more "amp like" - I would tend to agree. So, hear's my veridict, the Standard is my take with me anywhere pedal, but the Classic will probably be my medium gain Classic rock pedal, coexisting with the high gain of the Tonebone, and the low to medium blues sound of the Texas Two Step.

The Classic works and plays well with other pedals when stacking is desired in some cases.

The only reason I'm giving a 9 is due to the fact I feel the Standard is a bit more versatile in the end, but the tone of the Classic sounds much more amp like than the Standard in my opinion. Very hard to draw any kind of lines because they both sound incredible!

As with their other pedals, these things are built to last and well put together. I've owned the Standard for almost a year now and no problems whatsover.

Again, I've corresponded with Dave Manning mainly on all my purchases and he has answered my questions openly and given suggestions on how to mod their pedals. Great guys to work with over the ocean and email lines.

I play lots of different styles so I am looking for versatility on my pedalboard, but I'd like each pedal to cover it's own territory very well. As stated above, I will never get rid of the G2D STandard due to it's versatility, plug and play capability, but I feel the Classic has a bit more of the raw rock and roll sound I'm looking for in the medium gain territory. I really only want to have 3 drive pedals for low/medium/high gain tones and I can see the Classic filling that spot on the gigging board.

I love the Marshall crunch tone you can get with this pedal, I still need to apply it in an extended lead situation, but I don't anticipate being disappointed.

All 4 of the G2D pedals are very good at preserving the tone of your guitar and amp, you are really deciding on the versatility for your situation, and the type of gain you desire. You will not be disappointed in any of them, just know what you are looking for and what you want to hear.

Rock on Grant and Dave, thanks for the experience of all your pedals, the Standard and the Classic are my definite keepers for my medium gain needs!

Four knobs, two buttons. Rythm, boost, and off. Simple.

I use the classic alongside a G2D cream-tone, into a mesa Blue Angel Head and recto duo cab with celestions. Guitars are a stockish fender 62 reissue strat, a japanese parts strat with Lindy Fralins, a custom dinky strat with Bartolinis and a dimarzio humbucker and a mexican 72 tele custom reissue.

As far as noise goes, the classic is no noisier than any other overdrive in it's gain range, but isn't super quiet, either.

The Classic is apparently designed to go after the Marshall plexi overdrive tone. I haven't compared it to an overdriven plexi (my hearing is shot enough), but it does sound very much like an older Marshall tone to me. It's not especially high gain, though the boost channel has enough gain for non-metal leads, and it has that real Marshall midrange push to it. There is a nice top end slice to the pedal which doesn't sound fizzy, like recent marshalls I've tried. The low gain channel gives a superb rythm tone, especially on the bridge pickup of my strat.

Overall, compared to my cream-tone, the classic is a bit more raw, and great to use when the Cream-tone would be a little too fat and smooth. I tried the classic against the custom, and although the custom has a very cool transparent low gain mode and more versatility, I kept going back to the classic. I felt the higher gain settings were much more like a real amp.

Several gigs and no problems. I have owned a cream-tone for almost a year, and no breakdowns. I could use it without a backup, but for my current gig I'd take the cream-tone. If I had to do lots of power chords, this would be the choice.

I've known Grant through bumping into him at guitar shops over the years. He's always very helpful when called upon for advice and suggestions.

I play funk and afrobeat, and mainly use pedals for lead parts. The classic is useful for overdriven lines that need a bit less fatness and a bit more slice to them than the Cream-tone (my main overdrive) provides.

I love the crunch rythm tone I get with this pedal, which is far superior to my previous tone and much less hassle than carrying around another amp.

If stolen, I'd replace it.