Maxon Soft Overdrive OD-880

My valve amp is a Fender Super Twin and although most of my playing is clean, I do occasionally pine for a little bit of overdrive - not humanly possible with this amp. This pedal caught my eye, and on paper it looks pretty good but I cannot find much about these. Any users with opinions on these?

I couldn't find much info either. The USA Maxon site doesn't seem to have it listed, unless I just can't find it.

It looks a lot like the OD 820, which right now is my favorite overdrive pedal.

I couldn't find much info either. The USA Maxon site doesn't seem to have it listed, unless I just can't find it.

It looks a lot like the OD 820, which right now is my favorite overdrive pedal.

Its not much like the 820 I have discovered - it was a MIJ only model from the 1970s - one of Maxon's first OD pedals, which was subsequently reissued from 1994 - 1999 as best I can tell. These are apparently quite popular with Japanese R&B players. They are big on mellow sounds in Japan.

In USA models, it is the basis for the OSD 9 pedal. If you can find an original 880 apparently it will set you back about $800 these days. I found a RI model so I'll try it out. The page in Japanese shows the differences in the circuitry: http://sound.jp/char/od880.html

They did some really nice circuit board work in the 70s.

the OSD9 is here:
http://d1058730.i105.quadrahosting.com.au/shop/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=28&products_id=948&Global-Vintage=mepodnenj2a3tpjlfiiv2ljmf6

I found the schematics on a German page:
http://analogguru.an.ohost.de/193/schematics/Maxon_OD-880_OverDrive.gif

i can tell you that i have yet to hear a modern maxon effect that doesn't totally rule. they are like what BOSS was 20 years ago. easy to find and replace, but innovative and top-shelf quality. i wouldn't hesitate buying any of their pedals. i find maxon and boss (more old boss than current boss) to be the best in the market.

Well it finally arrived yesterday and I can report that with my Fender Super Twin it is pretty useless, How-e-ver - - -

with my Roland JC 120 it is amazing. As the description states, it is 'Soft Overdrive' so cranking it to max with the output at 12 o'clock I get a really sparkling Vox sound with my G&L ASAT. I just turn it on and off - no other adjustments needed.

The Roland settings with the Maxon 880 are Treble - 6; Mids - 6; and Bass - 4 1/2, and depending on where I set the Roland's Reverb, from 2-5, I can get all the 60's sounds from 50-s and 60s Classic Rock & Roll to Surf.

So with my Fender I will stick with my H&K Tubeman, nothing else I have tried comes close for blues and harder stuff, thus its Tube to Tube and SS to SS.

I can play just about anything now with these combinations.

My Epiphone Casino, an early 70s MIJ model, arrives in a few weeks now from the USA and I am betting I will be able to cover the Beatles and other late 60s material with the Roland/Maxon combo as well.

So if any one has a clean SS amp they want to add some sparkly spank to I recommend this pedal highly.