John Landgraff Dynamic Overdrive

Extremely easy to use, and produces amazing tones!

Comes with hand-written instructions from John.

This review will focus on sound quality.

I was recently presented with the following assignment:
"Find the most articulate and dynamic overdrive pedal, currently in production, for use with a clean amp and/or direct to console. The pedal must work perfectly in both live and studio environments. Cost is no object."

Tough assignment huh?

The following overdrive pedals were purchased, and tested using a Mesa Boogie TriAxis and ENGL E580 Pre-Amp, using only clean channels, and recorded directly to disk:

- BK Butler Tube Driver
- Blackstone Mosfet Overdrive 2SV3
- EMMA OnoMATOpoeia
- Fuchs Plush Valve Job
- Fulltone Fat-Boost 2
- Fulltone Full-Drive 2 MOSFET
- Fulltone GT-500
- Fulltone OCD (Version 4)
- Fulltone Robin Trower Overdrive
- Hermida Mosferatu
- Hermida Zendrive 2
- Ibanez TS-808
- Jersey Girl Fulltender
- John Landgraff Dynamic Overdrive
- Klon Centaur
- Lovepedal Eternity
- Maxon ROD881
- Menatone Kar Krash
- MI Audio Crunch Box
- Paul Cochrane Tim & Timmy
- T-Rex Mudhoney
- Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive
- Wampler Ecstasy Drive
- Xotic Effects BB Preamp

Guitars used included Fender, Fernandes, Gibson, Godin, Jackson, Music Man, Parker and Steinberger.

Pickups included passive, active and piezo.

In addition to my ears, a spectrum analyzer was used to examine the audio signal (cool!).

In addition to examining individual note and chord articulation and dynamics, I was particularly focused on "attack" characteristics.

Findings:
- Most, if not all, the pedals tested produced a bigger, more complex sound when a clean boost pedal was placed immediately in front of them. An Xotic Effects RC Booster with Gain set to 11:00am and Volume set to 1:00pm was used.
- Many of the pedals were sensitive to their location in the signal chain: several pedals performed better when connected directly to the guitar. Impedance and buffering have a dramatic affect on overdrive pedals - check to see if a pedal has an impedance/buffer switch.
- The impedance/buffer issue is most noticeable when placing a wah pedal between the guitar and overdrive pedal.
- Every pedal reacted differently to attack transients (picking/plucking the strings).
- All the pedals listed above are very good, with each having their own unique personality.
I would not hesitate to recommend any of them. Check the individual reviews at http://reviews.harmony-central.com for more information.

The winner:
- The John Landgraff Dynamic Overdrive
* Best overall dynamics
* Best individual note and chord articulation
* Best "attack" characteristics - pick attack is enhanced and articulate
* Multiple usable settings
* Quiet
* Not thin or fizzy
* Works well with other pedals

Completely reliable.

Lifetime warranty.

John can be reached at 850-341-2310

One of the best overdrive pedals available.

I just wanted to share a few quick thoughts about my recent experience (briefly) owning an LDO. I hope to share the kind of insights that I would have found useful before purchasing.

Guitars are PRS McCarty Braz and 57 RI strat with Fralins into Top Hat Club Royale with a Celestion blue. During the time I owned the LDO, I put it head to head with a Fulltone OCD (v4) and a Mad Professor Little Green Wonder.

The Good: This is an unabashed TS-808 clone. I completely see what tubescreamer afficiandos love about it. It's very articulate and really nails THAT tone. I should probably mention that I once owned an original TS-808. With the prices of vintage TS-808s sky high, I would buy the LDO instead of the TS-808.

The Bad: This is an unabashed TS-808 clone, complete with all the quirks, loss of low-end, nasalnes, etc. for which tubescreamers are (in)famous.

The Shootout: In the head-to-head-to shootout with the OCD and LGW, for my tastes the LDO came in dead last (I actually laughed at it at one point). It was really hard to dial in a sound that didn't have some amount of annoying nasalness, and all settings had an appalling loss of low end. The winner: the OCD. Warm, inspiring. The LGW finished in the middle. I found it really phoning sounding at times, but still more musical than the LDO.

Executive Summary: IT'S A TUBSCREAMER. DON'T BUY IT EXPECTING SOMETHING ELSE. YOU WON'T BE HAPPY.

I give it a 10 here because for what it tries to be, it is undoubtedly the best. The fact that it didn't meet my personal needs should not matter.

Build quality is excellent

No experience; no rating.

I can see why this pedal might be useful in the studio or as an always-on pedal on a performance board because one could EQ the amp to get some very (VERY) good tones. However, if you ever want to switch it off or use it with another non-Landgraff pedal, fahgeddaboudit. Look elsewhere.

I think most modern guitar tones have evolved to embrace a somewhat cushy girty lower mid tonality. The LDO would have been much more workable for me 10 or 15 years ago. Now, I just can't get past how small it sounds compared to other ODs.

I looked at these when i was thinking about adding to my pedal board so this review is based on that demo. It's about as easy as any other overdrive pedal to use. The one i tried had the selection of either germanium or silicon clipping diodes or clipping diode bypass altogether. That was a pretty neat feature. But keep in mind Langraffs designs are designs that he got from other pedal designers and then added something to the circuit and then calls it his own. I just can't justify the price.

This is where i was disappointed. The thing that drove me crazy was that high end sizzle from the clipping diodes. With the switch in clipping diode bypass mode it sounded a little better but not worth the price in my opinion as said before.It is a quite pedal from what i could tell. A tubescreamer sounds 100 times better for a lot less money.

I don't know. I just tried it out.

Don't know

I play progressive rock/fusion/classic rock and i have been playing for 30 + years. These do have a unique paint scheme but for me i just don't think they are anything special. Certainly not worth the askig price. I would buy a cheaper pedal and then send off to Indyguitarist or whoever,have it modded and have that done for a fraction of the cost of a Langraff pedal and have a pedal that sound's just as good if not better. And still have a couple a hundred bucks in your pocket.

Easy to use. 3 knobs.

Well this is the part i love! talk about tone! this thing screams! I Play a 1956 strat through a 1973 AC30 and far out! this thing squeels! Im not to sure how this would go going through a non-vlve amp because it wouldnt have the natural depth. All I can say for this is unbelievable....seriously. I bought it from blues angel couple of weeks ago...luckily i didnt have to wait long! They have just caught up with there orders so if your gonna get one get one now! I read a few reviews here about ppl saying its just like an 808....well i have an 808, i can see where they are coming from but honestly the landgraff owns it! I love the statement "Its what a tubecreamer should be." So true! Ill finish by saying if you have a decent amp and guitar! get one cause this thing is unbelievable!

Yep brick ****house!

John Landgraff always takes time to speak to his custumers which I think is brilliant! Hes always keen for a chat about tone and is so damn friendly! top Bloke!

Well I understand the pedal is very expensive...living in australia I forked out $500 (including shipping)and i have no regrets...cant seak highly enough about this pedal. If you have decant gear than get one!

It could be no easier..... Drive, Volume and Tone pots.... with a 3/way selector switch. I took it out of the box plugged it in.... sounded great.
Just to prove a point I let my drummer tweak the knobs while I was playing ...with positive results.

I am a 100% "Road dawg" .... and have blessed with the good fortune of making a living doing what I love. Tone has never been a problem (low volume....that can be a pain) I have (2) 1987 Marshall 2558's (2-12" 50 watt) that I run in stereo through (2) 4-12" cabinets. One cabinet has 30 watt and the other 75 watt Vintage Celestians. For smaller venues I also use a (1-12") JCM 800, or a (4-10") Pritchard "Sword of Satire" loaded with 50 watt Celestials..... (I used this amp at "Sun Studio" in Memphis and the reviews are on Mr Pritchard's website and elsewhere from James at Sun)..... none from me...I more of a player than typer.

I now only use 3 guitars for everything..1983 flametop Les Paul (refretted stainless), a left handed '73 Strat strung ala Jimi, and a PRS Semihollow.... all stock other than fret jobs. I am the token rocker for many a session here in Nashville.... by hiring me you will get a wall of Marshall tone.... I have been known to bring the wall. Some engineers need that kind of stimulation occasionally.

As a professional I understand there are tools ... and toys. Tools are necessary to work.... and toys (talkbox, violin bow, lighter fluid) are for fun. This pedal is tool all the way.... albeit a fun one. I made money with it day one...

The first 72 hours I put this baby to work. Monday we went to Nashville for a session where I added some chunky rhythms, 2 solo's and tags to a country project (name withheld because they are drunken asses who pay well but do not want their name mentioned) . I plugged into the overdrive and direct to the house amp. (PRS Semihollow- Fender Pro Reverb)

Tuesday I was recording with "Love, Peace and Happiness"..... a Motown cover band doing their first CD. For this the PRS-Landgraff L'DO- into the Pritchard " amp. I backed off the drive a bit ..... 10 seconds to great tone.

Tuesday night I velcroed it to the board that I call "Ground Control" and played at Georgia Tech in Atlanta with a writers group we call "Redneck Voodoo Child". During the sound check I played through one Jubilee on the lead channel, and the other clean with the L'OD in the center position drive on 2-3 o'clock. This pedal captures my tone perfectly. I used this pedal on many tunes I normally use my lead channel on with awesome results.... I am the only one who knew I had done something different.

I have several vintage (CE-2,MXR Flanger and Envelope Filter) effects in Radial Big Shot True bypass loop... and several newer ones in line (Teese Picture Wah, FK-1 Compressor, Retro-Sonic Phaser, RS Eight o Eight, Fulltone OCD, MXR Smart Gate, TC Nova Delay)
The modulation pedals all sounded pretty much the same way they do through my amp on the lead channel........ sweet. I would say I had a little less noise than normal, and the touch of this pedal is perfect. It reacts just like my amps. I would accept no less.

Other than low volume rehearsals....The only problems I ever have with tone is on the occasion that I fly in to a gig with a promoter provided back line.... for some strange reason, some believe the rider is a suggestion list. They give me a "Peavey" or "Crate" and expect me to get "Marshall" out of it. I am only human.... that would take "Divine Intervention"..... fortunately one of my prayers has been answered with this unit (by the way my OCD and RS 808 will be appearing on eBay later this week) ...... who knows maybe world peace is next.

This pedal seems to be as solid as any I've ever trod upon..... and it does have a lifetime warranty..... and a money back guarantee...... no brainer !!
I am using it with out a backup..... but I am going to buy another. I insure my cars and house.

I ordered the pedal from Blues Angel Music in Pensacola, Florida... where all my questions were answered so well, I placed the order while still on the phone.

When the pedal arrived I had one follow up... so I called the number on the pedal.

Mr Landgraff returned my call..... very informative .... I feel very comfortable with his follow up support.... did you know he is a Christian ? I've read a couple of reviews where some had a problem with this..... I have always loved doing business with Christians.... there isn't enough honesty in the music biz.

There seem to be maybe different human origins.... those of us who descended from Adam...... and those who feel their ancestors lived in trees. (I do live 25 miles from where the Scopes trial took place) When given a choice, I will always purchase from someone who I feel will stand behind their product. This pedal is so good.... I would buy it...... no matter who created it. Fortunately.... I feel the pedals creator (Mr Landgraff) is a good man , takes pride in what he does.... and will stand behind it.

I am a rocker, even though I do Country, R & B, and Gospel sessions. I've been playing professionally for over 30 years. I played with Humble Pie in the early 80's, Danny Shirley of Confederate Railroad (1st Album), and The Impressions (Rock Hall of Famers) just to give an idea of the different types of music.

I mentioned all the gear above..... I would definitely replace this if lost..... in fact I am ordering another as soon as I finish this review. (The only one I have ever done)
The features are great as is..... the toggle switch down is not as useful to me as the other two..... but the middle and up positions are full of wonderful tones I can use.

The only improvement I can thin of maybe a socket so I could trade out op-amps in the toggle down position .... but then again why... the other two have so much good tone.... and if it ain't broke....don't fix it.

THIS PEDAL ROCKS !!

This pedal works well right out of the box. You have a three position toggle switch. Down is high compression with a Santana Sound. Middle is a clean tone with a little break up and up is my favorite. A Robben Ford tone that most guitarist love.

The pedal works great at getting a blues tone similar to SRV or Robben Ford. I add a analogman king of tone with the volume boost on in front of this pedal for an amazing tone. I play this through a 70's Musicman RD210 and it rocks. It works well with any fender amp.
I have used tube screamers, blue tube, zen drive and boss od1 and this beats them all.

This is a reliable pedal and you can count on it to work well. It is build in a protective medal box that can withstand much abuse.

Never had any problems with this pedal.

I play funk, blues, jazz and latin jazz, salsa. I have been playing for over 35 years. I love the ease of operation with this pedal.If this pedal was stolen I would buy another

super easy to use 3 knobs volume, tone, gain doesn't get any easier
than this folks!

sound quality is where it really shines, providing you plug into
a good quality tube amp, there should be no problem getting great tone. This sounds better than any TS that i've ever owned or heard
and that includes an original 808, Silver modded TS-9 to name a few.
Alot of bs out there that this isn't any better than some modded Ts,
all my overdrives are allready up for sale.

Time will tell, but looks like it will last & built like a tank

Have heard nothing but great stuff about John

I've been playing for 30 years now (yikes) play Classic rock, blues
some funk & get a little jazzy sometimes. And have had more gear than
i would care to talk about, and this one is a keeper! if it was stolen i would definately get another. I like it so much that i ordered a MO'D that should be here in a couple of days

Well, it goes without saying that this three knob, totally handmade pedal isn't too far removed from the rest of it's kind in ease of functionality. If you've EVER used a similar unit in your life it'll be pretty clear as to what you need to do in order to get things done...

My initial reaction wasn't too dissimilar to what many have already posted: See also: Tube Screamer. There is a semblance of hum when used with single coil pickups (like those in my AMAZING Eric Johnson Strat) but almost invisible when used with my Gibson SG, so I'm assuming that most of the people complaining of said noise aren't too terribly accustomed to using much gain with their Strats. That being said, I was pretty damned impressed with the range of sounds available in such a tiny box. The three what voice switch affords a multitude of different sounds, all useful with different guitars, amps, and accompanying effects. The BOTTOM line: Much better than the (sorry to sound like a total snob) uninformed and tone-deaf ears of the nay-sayers. Again, sorry, but I think you didn't give this pedal enough of a chance to fully understand it. It sounds GREAT through both the clean and dirty channels of my Bogner, it makes a Classic 30 sound truly CLASSIC, and it makes a Fender proud to be an American. While the different modes are decidedly somewhat subtle, anyone with ears can tell the difference. This is without a doubt one of the prime examples of high end, custom built pedal board genius if I've ever seen it.

I don't know, I haven't had it long enough for it to be an issue...

Well, upon buying the pedal and then paying for it over the phone I was overwhelmed with the friendly, personable customer service I recieved. Michael Fuller, Klon, and multitudes of other could learn from this.

I love it out of the box, although curiosity may lead me to investigate into the "tone kit" module, and I'm definitely curious as to Landgraff's other offerings as well. While people continue to make issue with John's integration of his spirituality into his work (which I for one find simultaneously mildly amusing and entirely appropriate and refreshing) consider this: Man has, throughout the ages quested for a better understanding and closer relationship with something we collectively have a complete LACK of understanding called "God". His is equally revered but secularly worshipped in countless cultures, and "his" collective influence is the basis of numerous wars, disagreements, assumptions, and complete misunderstandings. That being said, God has also been the subject of COUNTLESS works of art, and this pedal, to me at least, could definitely be classified as the latter. Put your stupid, ego-centric and stubborn beliefs aside and try a truly amazing pedal. If nothing else gets you interested, the fact that John's spiritual beliefs are etched into each individual pedal make it a complete anomoly and a future collectable. While that may be shallow, it's also quite true.

I had a chance to borrow one from a buddy who was out of the country for a whole month. Typical tubescreamer controls, with a three-way switch that changes the gain, I guess it does something with the diodes.

Honestly? I was underwhelmed. I mean, it was good and all, but this sucker is expensive for what it does. I used to have a Keeley moded TS, and I liked it a little better than this one. There is way too much low end fart. You can dial it out but then you're just left with a normal tube screamer sound, for the most part. I mean, especially when your using it what its made for, to push a dirty amp. It sounds good, but not special.

The paint job is real pretty though. I ain't payin' $400 for a paint job, though.

Looks real solid so no worries there

Again, its a pretty good little Tubescreamer, but its not all that special. I didnt have any problem returning it to my bud. I would go elsewhere and get the same thing for less cash.

My style of music is blues and rock. My main guitar is an American Dlx Strat into a reissue twin reverb. This might be a good choice for my sound at $200, but not for how much theyre charging. Sheesh.

3 Knobs, 3 position toggle switch. Easy to get nice tones out of.

I waited a long to get this pedal, and it was worth the wait. I played this using a custom shop strat(w/texas special p/u's) through a 65 and 67 black face vibrolux. I own two of them, the 65 is original, and the 67 has a replaced output trans.(Aren't these amps are in the dictionary under "TONE"?)

This was A/B'd with a reissue TS808 and Analogman KOT.

I have to say that this is my favorite pedal. Before ordering this from John, I had spoken to the guy who makes Pedal Train pedal boards. He had gotten one of these a long time ago and said that it was his favorite and called it his "desert island pedal". Meaning if he only had one pedal and was stuck on an island... you get it.

Well after having played this, at the time the KOT was my #1, The Landgraff DO IS my "desert island pedal". Now don't get me wrong, the KOT is amazing and deserves all it's due. I just get that nice edge, and push with the DO. I love the way it responds when I dig in. Very nice stuff.

KOT is sweeter, mellow, bluesy. Landgraff is agressive, vibrant, more expressive. I like the toggle set to the down position with my strat, which is more distortion, compressed, but a bit lower output. You just need to push the output up a little.

This thing has excessive push, and gain. More boost, comparable to the Banzai Cold Fusion. Klon has a nice boost, but I use it for clean chimey stuff.

I haven't tried this with any other amps, but I know that to truly appreciate the DO, or any high priced botique pedal for that matter, you need a good amp and guitar.

I also tried my PRS through this and it just is "right". I prefer the middle or up position on the toggle for humbuckers I think.

Yes, well built, hand wired,immaculate, and should be still here after I am long gone.

I have spoken with John several times he is easy to deal with and accessable. I know people knock him for his beliefs. I won't. Look past his religion if only to see him as a great tech, designer, and builder.

I play blues, alternative rock. Playing for 20 years and still learning new tricks. Other distortion/fuzz pedals I own are Klon, Banzai Cold Fusion, DAM 66 fuzz, Rams Head Big Muff, Baja Tech, Da Moaf, Paul Cochrane TIM,reissue Fuzz Face by Cornell, Analogman Sunlion, Analogman Sunface,Analogman Bi Comp. and Keely Java Boost.

I was thinking of trying a zvex super duper, or the box of rock and always was interested in the Lovepedal Eternity. I have stayed away from fulltone, I see too many on eBay, wonder why? I did hear the OCD in person and it sounded nice. But I sold my '69 long ago.

It's hard to see using anything else at this point, and I am really pleased with this pedal. I will always keep the KOT on my board though.

I took the time to write this review because I feel it's a great pedal. It doesn't deserve the knocks it's gotten. It is expensive, but worth it.