How alike are the Boss OD-3 and Nobels ODR-1?

[bluesholyman]

Both pedals are known for having that low-end, but how much alike are they? Its been a long time since I've had an OD-3 (2015?) but had the ODR-1 most recently. For pushing my amp in a similar fashion, I found other pedals that give me essentially the same tone (note that the amps sound overcomes the pedal in this scenario) as the ODR-1, but I haven't had a chance to try the OD-3 again with my current setup.

for those that have or have tried/compared both, what are your thoughts on similarities/differences?

Thanks,
BHM

 

[cousinpaul]

The OD-3 circuit is more like the BD-2 than the ODR-1. 11 Gauge has often quipped that Boss would have made a killing if they'd called it the BD-3 and put it in a blue enclosure. Differences include a stronger tone control on the OD-3.

 

[RetroTeleRod]

My Nobels clone (VS Open Road) is fatter sounding due to more bass on tap, but that’s also a drawback because it only works well with my Tele bridge pickup. The Boss OD-3 sounds good on any pickup position and I think it cuts through the mix a little better. They’re both great pedals depending on your needs. My OD-3 is currently on my board along with my new SD-1 and my Jet Driver.

 

[telekaster1999]

Wampler Belle, nobles clone, has quickly become my favorite drive.

 

[11 Gauge]

From the circuit level, the OD-3 and ODR-1 are completely different.

The ODR-1 is like a much more complex version of an OD that uses op amps and clipping diodes for everything. It has both hard and soft clipping, and way more EQ & filtering stuff happening than something like a TS does. The tone circuit is also a bit more sophisticated than either a TS or just the passive type that you'll find in many OD pedals.

The OD-3 only uses op amps for its hardwired bass/mid/treble EQ characteristics, and that all falls after the pair of clipping stages. The clipping stages themselves use jFETs, with the primary stage having them arranged as a 'differential'. The tone circuit in the OD-3 is just a simple passive affair that rolls off treble, and it falls after all of the op amp EQ shaping stuff (at the tail end of the circuit).

The OD-3 also differs from many OD designs in that it has what is a pre-gain notch filter of sorts, which attenuates mids at a corner freq of ~400Hz (IIRC, could be wrong about the specific freq).

...As cool as the ODR-1 is, I personally find myself fighting to get the tone control set to where I'm happy with the resulting sound. OTOH, I can dial in the OD-3's tone knob within seconds. And if I adjust the drive on the OD-3 on the fly, I can tweak the tone knob again in just a few seconds.

I think that both ODs are great when used with really clean amps, since they basically have circuits that kind of mimic the complexities of multiple gain stages in an actual amp, both WRT EQ and clipping. IMO it's also preferable to use them with a clean amp because of their bass response, which tends to sound like garbage if you try to have a dirty amp then further clip all of that low end material. I know that a popular mod for the ODR-1 is to make the bass adjustable, but IMO when that's done, you might as well just use some other type of OD that liberally removes the bass. But that's admittedly IMO/IME.

 

[Whoa Tele]

Wampler Belle, nobles clone, has quickly become my favorite drive.

I’m a fan too especially with a tele

 

[JoeNeri]

My OD-3 is currently on my board along with my new SD-1 and my Jet Driver.

Hey Rod, do you find the SD-1 and JD9 similar?

Also, to the general discussion, the newest version of the ODR has an internal bass control switch or knob, so no need to modify.

 

[bluesholyman]

I think that both ODs are great when used with really clean amps, since they basically have circuits that kind of mimic the complexities of multiple gain stages in an actual amp, both WRT EQ and clipping. IMO it's also preferable to use them with a clean amp because of their bass response, which tends to sound like garbage if you try to have a dirty amp then further clip all of that low end material.

I was wondering about this. I questioned whether or not both would have a similar [negative] effect on an amp at the edge of breakup because of that low end. I didn't find the ODR-1 bad pushing my California Tweed over, it seemed to handle it quite well, I just found another pedal that could do basically the same thing and felt it a duplication. Into a clean amp the two pedals are nothing alike, but into a driven amp, both pedals tend to disappear at some point as the amps power section overtakes them, but especially the ODR-1.

Now that I think about it, the disappearing act is what caused me to move on from it w/r/t my current amp. The other pedal that did better is an OCD, rev 1.6 specifically. It can be made to stand out more, if needed.

So I guess I am wondering if the OD-3 could suffer the same fate - based on your description of the tone control, I am thinking it would cut through better while the ODR-1 is known for getting lost in a mix - I have heard that a few times about the Nobels.

 

[RetroTeleRod]

Hey Rod, do you find the SD-1 and JD9 similar?

Both are mid forward. The Jet Driver has more mids and gain but the mid control allows you to dial some out.

 

[DeepDangler]

The only common denominator is they are overdrives designed to work with a clean amp. Both work in a sort of amp like way and have enough bass in the sound to work on their own. I’d personally go with the Boss and see if you like that. Can’t go wrong with Boss gear and it’s easy to sell if you don’t like it.

 

[cousinpaul]

I was wondering about this. I questioned whether or not both would have a similar [negative] effect on an amp at the edge of breakup because of that low end. I didn't find the ODR-1 bad pushing my California Tweed over, it seemed to handle it quite well, I just found another pedal that could do basically the same thing and felt it a duplication. Into a clean amp the two pedals are nothing alike, but into a driven amp, both pedals tend to disappear at some point as the amps power section overtakes them, but especially the ODR-1.

Now that I think about it, the disappearing act is what caused me to move on from it w/r/t my current amp. The other pedal that did better is an OCD, rev 1.6 specifically. It can be made to stand out more, if needed.

So I guess I am wondering if the OD-3 could suffer the same fate - based on your description of the tone control, I am thinking it would cut through better while the ODR-1 is known for getting lost in a mix - I have heard that a few times about the Nobels.

I think the "cutting through" issue is usually more about the mix than the pedal. If you're playing at tasteful levels, a lot more overdrive options will be open to you. My problem with the ODR-1 is getting it to sound good in all three switch positions. If I EQ it for the bridge pickup, the neck will be too dark. Visa versa with the neck EQ. I've owned several OD-3's. Nice pedals but I like a SD-1 or Blues Breaker v1 better. My klone can also sound very good at low to medium gain into a clean amp.

 

[Grenville]

I used to use a Boss OD3 always on to get that 'amp turned up' sound at reasonable volume levels with my old Mesa Mark IIC+.

I also briefly had an ODR1 when I owned the Mesa and it was fantastic with that amp.

Bought an ODR1-mini when they were released 3(?) or so years ago. I'd switched to a 20w Marshall and found the pedal to be very neutral sounding in that context, to the point of being bland.

I also tried the OD3 again with the Marshall and didn't keep it either. Not as bland but too fat, not defined enough... maybe it's just my ears have changed over the years.

Currently using a Timmy in place of the OD3, dial some of the low end away. A different kettle of fish.