The first pedal on the world market to call itself an “overdrive,” the OD-1 was a departure from the fuzz pedals that had been commonplace since the late 1960s. By employing op amps to create asymmetric clipping, the OD-1 produces both odd and even harmonics, which more closely emulates the sound of a tube amp being pushed into overdrive, as compared to the discrete transistor designs of most fuzz pedals.
The OD-1 was released at the same time as the PH-1 and SP-1, forming the trio of pedals later referred to as the “traffic light” series. An instant success, the OD-1 was the first in a long line of yellow-colored BOSS overdrive pedals, a branding lineage which continues to this day. Its immediate successor was the SD-1 Super Over Drive.
Version Differences
The OD-1 went through a number of changes over its product lifetime. The different versions were named OD-1A, OD-1B, and so on. The version letter is printed on the main PCB at the end of the part number, e.g. 052-281A is version “A.” There are at least 4 different versions available, each with minor differences such as op amps from different manufacturers. As with all early BOSS compact pedals, a 4-digit number is ink stamped inside the battery compartment. These numbers are not serial numbers but instead batch numbers indicating the date of manufacture. Thus all pedals from the same batch will have the same number. It is unknown how many pedals there were in a batch. The section below lists the major differences between different versions of the OD-1.
- OD-1A
- Screw: Silver
- Numbering: batch numbers 6400 – 6500
- Switch: Transparent (“skeleton”)
- PCB code: 052-281A
- Op amp: RC3403ADB (Raytheon)
- OD-1B
- Screw: Silver
- Numbering: batch numbers 6600-8800
- Switch:
- Batch numbers 6600-8400: Transparent (“skeleton”)
- Batch numbers 8600-8800: Black
- PCB code: 052-281B
- Op amps:
- Batch numbers 6600-8400: RC3403ADB (Raytheon)
- Batch numbers 8600-8800: µPC4741C (NEC)
- OD-1D
- Screw:
- Batch numbers 8900-0300: Silver
- Batch numbers 0500 and up, and 6-digit sticker: Black
- Numbering: batch numbers: 8900 and up, and 6-digit sticker
- Switch: Black
- PCB code: 052-281D
- Op amps:
- Batch number 9900: NJM4558D (JRC)
- Batch numbers 9300, 0300: µPC4558C (NEC)
- Batch number 0000: TL4558P (TI)
- Screw:
- OD-1E
- Screw: Black
- Numbering: 6-digit sticker
- Switch: Black
- PCB code: 052-281E
- Op amps:
- uPC4558C (NEC)
- JRC4558D (JRC)
- JRC4558DD (JRC)
- JRC4558DX (JRC)
- C4558C (NEC)
Specifications
- Controls: Level, Overdrive
- Connectors: Input, Output, AC Adaptor
- Current Draw: 3.5mA at 9V DC
- Weight: 400g
- Input Impedance: 220kΩ
- Output Impedance: Over 600Ω
- S/N Ratio: Over 80dB
- Recommended AC Adaptor: ACA Series
Labels
- Black – Made In Japan
Production
The OD-1 was sold from November 1977 to July 1985.
In 2017, the OD-1, along with the PH-1 and SP-1, was reissued as part of the 40th Anniversary Box set.
Documentation
Service Notes (April 1978 & December 1980)
Video
