Post by lesblues on Dec 16, 2010 8:28:02 GMT -5
Having had a chance to try out HJ's Sparkle Drive and TS9 I knew I wanted to buy another OD pedal and had decided on either a ts9 or 808, just depending on which one came up at the right price on the 2nd hand market.
Well would you believe it a Maxon Rod881 appeared on another well known forum at the right price (after a little negotiation). Maxon are the original manufacturers of the Tube Screamer pedals which were then badged up as Ibanez; or Maxon Licensed Ibanez to produce the pedals depending on which story you hear.
This is the blurb from the Maxon web site:
"A tricked-out version of the ROD880, the ROD881 Real Overdrive/Distortion offers even more tone shaping control than its older cousin. Powered by a hand-selected 12AY7EH preamp tube, the ROD881 takes all the great overdriven tube sounds of the ROD880 and turbo charges them by adding a switchable Distortion mode for searing, super-saturated guitar tones that rival the biggest of the big rigs in the amp world. In addition, the ROD881 features a Footswitchable Boost mode that effectively adds another channel to your amplifier.
The ROD881's switchable Distortion mode adds a secondary, cascaded gain stage into the signal path for even more extreme tube punishment than the ROD880. In addition to simply adding more Gain, the selectable OD/Distortion modes greatly increase the versatility of the ROD881, allowing it to function in a variety of roles from semi-clean booster to ultra-high gain preamp.
The ROD881's Footswitchable Boost function then allows the user to take full advantage of these sounds by creating an additional channel for quick changes between solos and rhythms. When combined with the various clean and drive settings on your amplifier, these two unique features create a multitude of easily accessible tone settings at the touch of your foot, effectively turning your amplifier into a two- or three-channel "uber" amp.
The tones of the ROD881 can be fine tuned using via its large, easy-to adjust control panel. Gain and Master Volume provide complete and precise command of the ROD881's output level and amount of Drive. Bass, Treble, and Mid Boost controls with extended operation ranges offer a limitless array of tonal options, from the classic "808" tone to extremely beefy low end chunk.
All of these sounds are then kept clean and noise-free via the rear mounted, switchable Noise Reduction circuitry with variable Threshold control and a 1:2 noise reduction ratio. Powered via a standard 9-volt DC adaptor that allows easy integration into your pedalboard or rack setup, the ROD881 offers the maximum amount of options for the distortion connoisseur."
The bottom Line, it is incredible. I can have creamy overdrive at volume settings that even Lady Ann approves of and when I use the "must only be played at when Lady Ann is in another country” volume setting the pedal screams like a banshee!
Using it with my Sheraton and Vox AC4tv head and cab I can go from, Free All Right Now to Albert King Born under a Bad sign at really low volumes. I can't wait for Lady Ann to go out so I can try this pedal at volumes it deserves to be used at.
Well would you believe it a Maxon Rod881 appeared on another well known forum at the right price (after a little negotiation). Maxon are the original manufacturers of the Tube Screamer pedals which were then badged up as Ibanez; or Maxon Licensed Ibanez to produce the pedals depending on which story you hear.
This is the blurb from the Maxon web site:
"A tricked-out version of the ROD880, the ROD881 Real Overdrive/Distortion offers even more tone shaping control than its older cousin. Powered by a hand-selected 12AY7EH preamp tube, the ROD881 takes all the great overdriven tube sounds of the ROD880 and turbo charges them by adding a switchable Distortion mode for searing, super-saturated guitar tones that rival the biggest of the big rigs in the amp world. In addition, the ROD881 features a Footswitchable Boost mode that effectively adds another channel to your amplifier.
The ROD881's switchable Distortion mode adds a secondary, cascaded gain stage into the signal path for even more extreme tube punishment than the ROD880. In addition to simply adding more Gain, the selectable OD/Distortion modes greatly increase the versatility of the ROD881, allowing it to function in a variety of roles from semi-clean booster to ultra-high gain preamp.
The ROD881's Footswitchable Boost function then allows the user to take full advantage of these sounds by creating an additional channel for quick changes between solos and rhythms. When combined with the various clean and drive settings on your amplifier, these two unique features create a multitude of easily accessible tone settings at the touch of your foot, effectively turning your amplifier into a two- or three-channel "uber" amp.
The tones of the ROD881 can be fine tuned using via its large, easy-to adjust control panel. Gain and Master Volume provide complete and precise command of the ROD881's output level and amount of Drive. Bass, Treble, and Mid Boost controls with extended operation ranges offer a limitless array of tonal options, from the classic "808" tone to extremely beefy low end chunk.
All of these sounds are then kept clean and noise-free via the rear mounted, switchable Noise Reduction circuitry with variable Threshold control and a 1:2 noise reduction ratio. Powered via a standard 9-volt DC adaptor that allows easy integration into your pedalboard or rack setup, the ROD881 offers the maximum amount of options for the distortion connoisseur."
The bottom Line, it is incredible. I can have creamy overdrive at volume settings that even Lady Ann approves of and when I use the "must only be played at when Lady Ann is in another country” volume setting the pedal screams like a banshee!
Using it with my Sheraton and Vox AC4tv head and cab I can go from, Free All Right Now to Albert King Born under a Bad sign at really low volumes. I can't wait for Lady Ann to go out so I can try this pedal at volumes it deserves to be used at.
