The following article is a Nobels ODR-1 review discussing the features and performance of a very popular overdrive pedal.
Nobels ODR-1 Review
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After much time away from the hands of us guitarist, the Nobel ODR-1 Overdrive is back on the market and finding it’s way on many pedalboards across the world. The original ODR-1 was released back in 1985 and has developed a cult following since it’s omission from guitar stores. Now it’s back its’s with great please here at Guitar Effects Pedalz that we visit the new ODR-1 and see if it’s the best overdrive pedal on the market.
Features and controls
The Nobels ODR-1 follows a fairly classic style with three controllable knobs for volume, drive and spectrum. The Spectrum control dictates the tone of the overdrive whilst the drive control allows for a wide vary of overdrive to your guitar tone. The volume control gives you more capability with the pedal by allowing you to clean up the overdrive or unleash it’s maximum gain.
Much like a classic Boss pedal, the metal housing is solid and durable making it an excellent live guitar overdrive that can be stomped on and off all day long. The ODR-1 uses a 9 volt battery and will work with any guitar pedal power supply that you use.
Here’s the spec for the Nobels ODR-1:
- True Bypass
- Three controls (volume, spectrum and drive
- Small and compact (very similar to classic Boss pedals)
- Connections – Input (6.3 mm jack)
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 41 x 92 x 47 mm
- Runs off a 9v battery
Check out this video demonstrating the Nobels ODR-1 overdrive
Tone and Performance
When you first plug in the ODR-1, the first thing you notice is how natural the overdrive is. This is perhaps the most natural sounding overdrive pedal that I have used. The Spectrum control is extremely responsive and can really brighten up the tone if that what you require.
With the Spectrum control set between 0-5, a loverly mid-range tone comes into play with additional base and treble when the control is set between 5-10. As earlier mentioned, the volume control plays a pivotal role in how clean or dirty the overdrive will be. In terms of musical genre, the Nobels ODR-1 will work perfectly for blues, rock and indie genres due to its wide range of tone and gain.
Due to the versatility in overdrive gain that the ODR-1 provides, at low levels you could quite capably use this pedal as a boost pedal with a hint of colour added. This will work delightfully if you’re running this pedal through a tube amplifier.
Whats striking about this pedal is that the quality of overdrive you get is amazing for a pedal under $100, it sounds like what you would expect from a pedal double the price. We highly recommend that you get your hands on this wonderful green machine and test it’s natural glory for yourself.
Nobels ODR-Mini
Available On Amazon – Check Current Price
New the Nobels very small range of products is the ODR-1 mini. This compact mini pedal delivers a natural, creamy overdrive with the same tone identity as it’s big brother. If you’re tight for space on your pedalboard, you can now get the Nobels tone in a pocket size pedal. It’s like a dream come true! You can get you hands on this delightful mini pedal by Clicking Here.Â
Customer Review Rating
The Nobels ODR-1 Overdrive pedal has an average rating of 4.5* out of 5* – Check Reviews Here
For reviews on all pedals Click here
This pedal features on our complete guide of the best overdrive pedals on the market today.
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