Maxon OD-808

Doesn't get much easier than 3 knobs.

First off I'd like to say, I use this to saturate my amps current gain. That being said, in my opinion, this is THE overdrive pedal to go with, if you're using it the way I do. I play heavy 7 string death metal, but I'm obsessed with clarity when it comes to high gain. My rig right now is, Agile Interceptor 7 string > EMG 707's > Dunlop DC brick > Maxon OD808 > ISP Decimator > Peavey JSX head > 2 Carvin cabinets > stock speakers.
I use this pedal with the Overdrive on 0, Tone a little higher than half way, Balance on 10. In my opinion those are the best settings when using it with your amps distortion. I advise using a noise gate with this, because like all overdrive pedals, this is going to create a tiny bit of noise.

I haven't had it for long, but it hasn't given me any problems. Although, I try to be as careful as I can be with all of my gear. It's a pretty light pedal, so I wouldn't doubt if a good drop from a few feet would damage something internally.

I wouldn't know, I never had to deal with them

After playing this pedal, I honestly don't think I could play without it and be satisfied with my sound. It's a must have for anyone playing metal who needs to push their gain to 11. It I were to lose this pedal, I'd definitely get another. Either that or get a vintage Ibanez TS-808. They're essentially the same pedal, because Maxon designed the Tube Screamer then licensed the design to Ibanez to be sold in America. Maxon still makes these pedals with the same original design and parts, Ibanez however uses cheap parts on their reissue Tube Screamers. Don't ever buy an Ibanez Tube Screamer unless it's an original. Chances are you'll be able to find a Maxon OD808 for a lot cheaper though.

3 Knobs ,couldnt be easier, if you cant understand this you probably don't know how to plug in an electric guitar.

American standard telecaster and a 1970's strat-Crybaby 535Q -OD808- Boogie MK4 with EHX Small Stone Phaser, Electric Mistress, and Deluxe Memory Man in effects loop. Bought it for 60 quid on ebay after reading all the hype about tube screamers, best 60 quid ever spent, this thing just brings an extra dimension to my clean channel, the sound is still there but with extra grit and punch perfect for rock and roll and 1970's rock. Doesnt add much to lead channel just tightens it a little as i have this running on max gain anyway so wouldnt expext it to.

Dont know only had it a few weeks but looks solid enough

Not needed it

When used as intended its brilliant, this is not meant to be a distortion pedal if this is what you want buy a big muff or something. It brings something extra to the clean channel on a good tube amp, i can imagine it being really good with a fender amp. Also tried it with a POD which i use for practice at homeand it just sounds like a crappy overdrive pedal, but again i didnt expect it to sound good in this situation. Rating it 9 only because i think some people might expect it to make them sound like SRV etc through any set up.

Pretty easy.

Well, i tried this Maxon with a Vox AC4TV and an DA5 for a while, and it just sounded phatastically bad. Just like very cheap solid state distortion. No chance to get a good tone out of it. I wonder if it is damaged or so, although it is absolutely new. Even the fuzz from the DA5 is better.
Will send it back.

Don't know.

Quiet terrible.

Three knobs, pretty straight forward.

Phenomenal. Produces gorgeous, full sounds. Rig: American Fender Strat > Bridge Pickup: Seymore Duncan Hotrail Humbucker > Boss-CS2 (junk, but gets the job done) > OD808 > Marshall Valve-State. This pedal really warmed the tone from my guitar. Leads are soaring, full of character and sound, sustain is nice as well. My tone, and even guitar playing was significantly improved by this pedal. Boosts the mids very cleanly, and makes my leads cut through the mix like chain saw into human flesh.... or like warm butter, your choice. I wouldn't go anywhere without this pedal, actually have two of them for different tones. Great pedal, by the original manufacturer of the Tube Screamer. Great for blues, and rock alike.

Never had a problem, had it for two years.

Never had in issue.

A must have to anyone who plays rock and roll, and is looking to add a smooth, rich, warm OD to their rig. Not sure how people here could get such bad sound out of it... perhaps they don't know how to move their fingers right, or are expecting this to sound like ozzy.... cause it wont. Completely recommend it. Influences stem from Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix, Trey Anastasio, Eric Clapton, etc.

No easier pedal than this - overdrive, level & tone knobs.

Pure gold. The only time i turn this pedal off is for absolutely clean, like the intro to more than a feeling. Otherwise this pedal is always on in my rig. Every guitar i use sounds better with this - smoother tone and more sparkle and punch. my usual axes are a Gibson L6-S, Fender Lead II, Eric Clapton strat, and G&L ASAT semihollow tele. i go through a whammy pedal, then the OD808, into a Boss ME-50, which also has a tubescreamer effect that i throw on for more sustain/bass punch. I also own the Ibanez TS-808 and TS-9, a Fulltone Fulldrive 2, a Boss overdrive, and a Fulltone Soul Bender. None of these comes even close to the Maxon. i just bought a second one as a backup. that being said the maxon works great w/ a second overdrive or compression pedal. i always have the OD808 set to 9 o'clock overdrive, 3 o'clock level, 4 o'clock tone, that way if you dial your guitar volume down to 3 or 4 you'll get a clean tone that still sounds solid, full of sustain, and really cuts through the mix. the Boss ME-50's tubescreamer at the end of the chain yields gobs better tone than either of the ibanez tubescreamers or the other fulltone pedals. the boss overdrive pedal comes in third. don't leave home w/o your maxon

Gigged with it for the last three years w/o problem, now sometimes when i setup for a show it might be shorting out but i nudge it slightly and it resolves, just a loose jack probably.

haven't needed to do anything to this pedal except plug it in

I play all kinds of music with all kinds of gear. The Maxon OD-808 is my most indispensable pedal, the only constant in my rig over the last three years. Whether i'm using my mesa lonestar, 1964 bassman, or peavey valveking, this pedal makes everything better. the only real no brainer i've come across.

Very easy to use. 3 knobs. :)

Amazing. i play metal and blues and rock. ive used it on a marshall, my old framus cobra and now my splawn quickrod. every amp i use it on, im totally blown away by the metal tones i can get. it makes your medium gain amp a metal machine! tightens palm mutes and give them a thick "dig". very much a killswitch engage sound. very rich on harmonics. its my favorite piece of gear.

no problems at all

no experience need so far here

i wouldnt play metal without one. the only thing it does that i dont like is that it compresses your tone a bit, but most Overdrive pedals will. but it is a small price to pay for the quality of sound you get. i cant stress enough how much this thing makes any amp with a decent amount of distortion into a metal amp. amazing!

Very simple to use. Generic manual that covers all Maxon products, but gives you the essentials to get going with the unit.

Did what I wanted--until I really needed it in a gig (more under reliability). A great unit for adding some kick for solos, and a really singing sustain.

I played live with it twice in four years. In between, I removed the 9 volt battery and it rested. Second gig, 10 songs in, it died--I was out of play for the entire song. So I would not recommend the Maxon OD808 as gig worthy.

Oh, at $179CDN, I will be calling them. The gig failure happened two weeks ago.

I hedge here. Maybe I just got a bad unit. When it worked, it sounded great. But to cack out on the second gig--well, very vexing. Especially, because at the price, I consider it a premium effect.

Simple, plug it in...

My TS-9 Reissue has a harsher tone to it The OD 808 is smooth and creamy...It's the winner...

Works fine...ultra light too...

Haven't needed it...but maxon's fantastic...visit their site...

I a hard Rock, Blues Lovin Fool I been at it 30+ years and like the music WICKED. Professional Luthier and Musician The pedal is great for any music you want to play (if it requires a pedal effect)

First, I am suprised at how many people refer to this pedal as a "tube screamer" clone. Maxon built the TS 808 for Ibanez, and is building the same re-issue with the same parts and specs. So I guess you can call the "Tube Screamer" a Maxon clone.
That said, I own to Tube Screamers, (one the DX verson) one a regular TS 9, the Maxon, a snarling dogs Blue Doo, A visual sound OD,
and a visual sound Jeckyll and Hyde, and I think a couple of more, I'd have to dig through the closet. The Maxon is by far the most transparent of them all, seeming to have no unwanted coloration. It's my go to pedal, although I like the Jeckyll and Hyde when used with heavy distortion because both overdrive and distortion are in one pedal, and easier to manipulate and tweak on the go. The TS 9's are cool, but do add some coloration of their own, and the Blue Doo has a sound all it's own, and I use it occasionaly. That said, the Maxon makes me a little nervous because it seems to be built a little on the light side, however, I've had no problems with it at all. I'm using 2 guitars, an American Strat, fully shielded but otherwise stock except for locking tuners, and a Hagstrom with a Seth Lover in the neck and a Dime Bucker in the bridge into a Fender Blues DeVille, and a Blues Jr. I get my best and cleanest overdrive with the Maxon, hands down. Three Knobs, easy to use.

I don't usually try to emulate other players, but I do like to cop a little Eric Clapton blues tone, SRV, Albert King, and a little Hendrix. Although it takes more than just the Maxxon to do this, It's a big help. As above, I'm using an American Strat with the Delta Tone pickup system and a Hagstrom with a Seth Lover in the neck. The effect isn't overly noisy, just slightly, and I'm playing through 2 Fender Amps, a 4X10 Fender Blues DeVille, and a Blues Jr. (mostly for recording) Other common pedals are a Dunlop 535Q - Maxon or other OD, A Visual Sound Chorus Echo, A MXR 10 band EQ, and an occasional phaser, flanger, or whatever, just to mix things up a bit. The Maxon always shines through, but can get a bit much with the 15 DB boost from the Wah, and 15 DB boost from the EQ. Requires tweaking and your set-up probably isn't the same as mine, but the Maxon plays well with the other bunch of pedals I've got. I also use a Decimator Noise reduction pedal which helps in any situation.

Has been totally dependable so far, however as stated above, it seems to be built a little on the light side, while my other OD's are built like tanks. I would bring a TS or Visual Sound OD pedal as a back-up, but I usually have them in the chain anyway.

Never dealt with them.

Now Days, just primarily blues, and I like to take Zepplin's, and Others Jammed up blues, and try to find a mix between and the origional versions. This also goes for SRV, Hendrix, and others, et. al. Yes I would replace it. Yes I compared it with other models and own several of them. Wish it was a little more (solidly) built.
Yes it helps me make music. And again, I think half of the people rating this, and comparing it to a TS, that Maxon actually built, need to do a little homework, and give that Maxon and TS another listen.

As easy as a any tube screamer obviously

Easily a 10, here's why:

I A/B'd it with my TS9, the difference is that the TS9's distortion has a very high treble to it that the OD808 doesn't have regardless of how you set the tone knob, making the distortion less focused, more scattered and harsh. The OD808 is smoother and more focused regardless of which knob is turned to what.

I A/B'd it with my Full Drive 2, and the FD2 has the same smooth and focused sound, partly because they use the same JRC-4558 op amp, but the OD808 has a realy nice upper mid range, sort of nasaly snarl to it that the FD2 doesn't have. The FD2 has a more transparent middle-of-the-road distortion. That upper mid nasaly voicing the OD808 adds realy makes a strat stand out and sound powerfull no matter whether you use it as a clean boost or if you dime it.

Other tuber screamerish clones I've tried such as the Sparkle Drive are similar to the FD2 in that they sound like a tube screamer in general but they don't have that realy nice kick in the upper mid range. I can't find that nice mid tone in any other pedal.

Comparing it to a Blues Driver type overdrive is apples and oranges. They are both called overdrive but they are a different effect in reality.

Great, but the knobs need tightening after being brushed by your feet so many times.

don't know, don't need to know

Definately try it if you see one, and listen for that upper mid range.