OD-880 Overdrive
The Maxon OD-880 Overdrive/Soft Distortion is a legendary vintage guitar pedal first released in Japan in 1976. Designed by Susumu Tamura, the creator of the iconic TS808 Tube Screamer, it is regarded as a historical "transitional species" between the MXR Distortion+ and the Boss OD-1. Celebrated for its warm, natural, and transparent overdrive, the pedal excels as both a smooth low-gain boost and a rich signal warmer that preserves the instrument's original character. The original 1970s circuit features a passive distortion design based around a 741 Op Amp or a JRC4558D IC chip, providing a touch-sensitive response favored by legendary Japanese guitarists like Char. Its intuitive two-knob interface consists of Sensitivity and Level, offering straightforward control over gain and output. Housed in a signature green enclosure, the OD-880 has seen multiple reissues, particularly in the mid-1990s, and remains a highly sought-after collectible for musicians seeking vintage "soft clipping" tones.
