Best Overdrive to build?

[joejoe]

Wondering which OD to build.  I love the ROG stuff but didn't like the Tube Reamer.  

Son of Screamer?

TS 808?

Maxon 820?

any suggestions?  (i have a tele and a strat and a Yamaha thr10c.)

thanks

[Blackboarcult]

Best Overdrive to build -> the question for which a thousand forum threads burned

Best overdrive is entirely subjective. There are better overdrives, worse overdrives, but best... it's a matter of taste.
What kind of music do you play?
Or, what kind of tones are you after?
Maybe with this we can help you better. My fav overdrives are currently the TS9 and the SD-1 (and derivatives), and I play mostly traditional heavy metal/hard rock. The Maxon ones have a really solid reputation, but I haven't built them yet.
It's always good to remember that 90% of the tone is in your fingers (and ears...).

Cheers!

[Mulekicker]

I'm currently LOVING the vfe distortion 3 that sphere80 put up in contributions. It's a dod250/distortion +/micro amp in one. If you like tubescreamers I recommend the eqd Dunes.

[Frank_NH]

Build all 374 overdrives on this site then decide which one you like best...

Or you can build a TS-9 tube screamer...

[joejoe]

Exactly!  totally subjective with far too many options.  

I'm leaning towards the Maxon OD820...  

thanks for your thoughts.  I'll probably build a TSx version and a Boss OD before it's all said and done anyway so I should just get on with it

[Marbles]

What kind of music or guitarsound are you into?

[balazs.bencs]

Yeah I agree with all the guys here, it's impossible to say what's the "best". Like some sort of unicorn gear exists :)

From my point of view, it's a never-ending journey. For instance I never took the Lovepedal Kalamazoo off from my board, so I guess that's my favourite. But there are 3 other drives on it too, because they give me different sounds and I love all of them for different reasons. You just have to build some and listen. Then you'll know the answer!

[Marbles]

I do agree about the Kalamazoo. That was the first overdrive I built where I was floored by the sound. It can be subtle, glassy, smooth, hairy. Plug a Strat in and you're good to go.

Another I love is the Timmy. Just makes everything sounds so much better.

They don't have that many parts either compared to, let's say, a Boss. But sound better in my opinion.

But that's what it is, what is your taste. I like them to not be overly coloring. A bit subtle, but powerful. To boost and make it rounder with a little hair.  I don't like them too smooth either (Can't get a long with a Zendrive). Too grainy/ruffish like the Formula5 hasn't worked for me either. A balance.

If you ask 6 people, 2 are going to mention the Kalamazoo, 2 are going to mention the OD820, 2 the Zendrive.

So yeah, if you have a certain artist in mind what sound you love, I'm sure people here who have built tons have a good idea what would work with your gear. But yeah, it's totally subjective.  

[BlackDeathsquad]

This is entirely subjective as others have said...but you forgot one...lol. Fairfield Circuitry the barbershop!

[Mulekicker]

Yep, the Barbershop has a permanent place at the end of my dirt chain. Another GREAT circuit is the ss/bs mini.

[traktop]

Put a hot cake in front of a twin and you'll get a beautiful tinnitus...
Do the same on a hiwatt/vox amp and you won't look back.
Last thing I built was a Buffalo td-x with a clipping switch and a modded nagaviper boost in front.
The td-x works well as low to high overdrive, has a nice dinamic feeling and sounds good on every amplifier I tried.

[Gabi Smith]

 I Believe that a good way to start is to spend 2 days to read everything on the net about the MXR distortion+, to breadboard it and to change everything you can until you have the thing you like, and after that, to do the same with the tube screamer. By this way, you will have the knowledge to build all the od's you need.

[Muadzin]

I've tried many things, but I always come back to the TS-9, you can't really beat it. Similarly with the Boss SD-1, if only because its almost virtually identical to the TS-9, and because 2nd hand SD-1's cost next to nothing they're very easy to mod. Honorable mention go the Klon.

[Sphere80]

I like the Xotic AC,RC & BB as they have similarities to the Tube Screamers you like, but far more adjustable EQ to fit your amps.

I also agree with the bread boarding the Dist+.  You'll quickly see how small changes affect the sound, from clipping diodes, to caps.  

[HamishR]

I can't suggest a "best OD" as I struggle to have one favourite for myself.  I have favourites depending on which guitar and amp I'm using and also depending on what sound I'm chasing.  Some ODs work well in most settings but I haven't yet found an OD which works in every single situation.  Some ODs have a distinct mid-boost which works well with Fender Blackface amps because they tend to be mid-scooped.  For example the Tube Screamer and say Super Reverb combination.

So many players love Tube Screamers - I can't stand them.  Too compressed, too little low end, too much like every other wannabe face-making "blues" player sounding.  I don't really care for the Klon either, but lots of folks love 'em.  Tube Screamers work best (IMO) with the gain set low and level high as you use them to boost an already dirty sound.  They sound nothing like a real amp breaking up if you put them in front of a clean amp.

Do you want your guitar to twang?  Do you want it to sound fat?  What do you want it to sound like?  What guitar do you have??

[ξεναγος νεκροπολης]

http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2012/03/paul-cochrane-timmy.html

http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2013/09/mxr-custom-badass-modified-od.html

http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2015/09/keeley-oxblood.html

i've build A LOT of overdrives...and for ME those are the best..
(i mostly play post metal)

[kuzieem]

I've built over a dozen of them. Some diode-based, some JFETs. Also Amp-in-a-box types... My favourite and the only one I'm using is 18-volt version King Of Tone (Rullywow PCB Queen of Bone). Stays for good. Boxed together with Roland JC120 preamp to emulate Amp-in-a-box if necessary.
Keeps the guitar and amp tone most natural, no mid hump, no highs hursh. Very articulate and warm sounding.

[BlackDeathsquad]

Mulekicker upon further investigation, I am going to build me one of those ss/bs mini’s. I love the design! Thnx...

[Mulekicker]

Right on, do it, it's super versatile.

[kuzieem]

I built only about a dozen. If you love the sound of your guitar and amp, the King Of Tone is the only device that preserves it at acceptable level. Mine is with 18v charge pump and stays in my pedalboard forever.