JHS Overdrive Preamp

Description

  • Versatile overdrive and preamp: Get both overdrive and preamp functionalities in a single pedal for a wide range of tonal options.
  • Powerful EQ controls: Shape your sound with the Treble, Middle, Bass, and Presence controls, allowing precise control over your tone.
  • Amp-like response: Experience the dynamic and responsive feel of a cranked tube amp, with the JHS Overdrive Preamp pedal.
  • Stackable tone: Use it as a standalone overdrive or stack it with other pedals or your amp's drive channel for enhanced gain and saturation.
  • Premium build quality: Built with high-quality components and sturdy construction, ensuring reliability and longevity.

In 2019 I stumbled across a pedal that didn’t exist.

Yeah, cue the Twilight Zone theme song.

It was a DOD Overdrive / Preamp that predated the “Gray Box” 250 pedals that everyone– myself included –had assumed were the first version ever made. The pedal was encased in a large gray folded metal enclosure that resembled Electro-Harmonix more than DOD, and it was conspicuously lacking the “250” model number. The typeset and DOD logo were different, but it still had the same charm and quirky feel of the vintage 1970s DOD. The sticker on the pedal’s backplate said “DOD Electronics Company” and listed the home address of founder David Oreste Di Francesco, as well as a number: 75. According to my interview with David himself a year later, I had found the 75th DOD pedal ever made and one of the first ten DOD Overdrive / Preamps (250) ever sold. This stompbox represented the genesis of “America’s Pedal.” For a pedal historian, it was the equivalent of uncovering the Dead Sea Scrolls. 

The internals featured a floating/loose hand-etched PCB and the same DOD 250 circuit, but with a few changes. The internal parts dated as early as 1972 and, according to David, were harvested from old radios and electronics he scavenged when he started building his first effects. 

The JHS Overdrive Preamp is a faithful replication of this unobtainable V1 of DOD’s most loved pedal. The controls are simple. The Level control adjusts the overall output of the circuit and lets you cut or boost the signal. The level control of this version has been modified (corrected) from the original wiring of the #75 unit, giving this pedal much more volume on tap. The Gain control adjusts the amount of gain inside the overdrive circuit. Turning up “Gain” creates more clipping as it pushes the op-amp and hard clipping into overdrive. We’ve also added a slider switch to this production version, which wasn’t included with the original DOD 250. While researching the #75 “Big Box” pedal, I acquired a second early big-box unit which used a completely different clipping arrangement. It only seemed fair to offer this switch so that you could explore these two variations for yourself. 

This “Big Box V1” DOD 250 circuit definitely feels like a 250, but with a few changes: more gain/grit overall and more unique low/mids. This is a must-have addition to any DOD collector’s lineup, or for anyone who's curious about how it all started. 

The standard Overdrive / Preamp will be part of our normal JHS lineup. Buy yours today and experience the history of one of the greatest overdrive/preamp circuits ever made.

Related Collections:

Product form

SKU: JHS-ODPRE
Barcode: 650415212460

In stock

£179.00 Incl. VAT

    Delivery informationDelivery information

    There is a free standard delivery option for most UK orders as well as a £2.99 option which means your order will arrive faster than normal.

    For standard delivery your order should arrive within 2-5 working days. For the faster option it should be 1-3 working days.

    If you're from Northern Ireland there will be a £5 surcharge for heavier items. If you're buying a light item (under 2kg) please let us know as we may be able to refund your postage after the purchase.

    Buy now pay laterBuy now pay later

    Paypal Pay in 3 lets you spread your purchase interest free over 3 separate payments.

    If you'd like to use Paypal Pay in 3, please perform the following steps.

    1. Add the item to your cart as normal.

    2. Check out with Paypal.

    3. Log into Paypal.

    4. You should see a screen detailing the item costs. Scroll down and you should see an option for "Pay in 3".

    5. Continue the checkout process.

    1/3 of the purchase price will be taken immediately and then the rest over the next 2 months the rest of the payment will be taken.

    Please see more info about the service here.

    As with any sort of buy now pay later, please only use this service for added convenience when making a bigger purchase. It should only be used if you're 100% sure you can make all of the payments on time.

    Description

    • Versatile overdrive and preamp: Get both overdrive and preamp functionalities in a single pedal for a wide range of tonal options.
    • Powerful EQ controls: Shape your sound with the Treble, Middle, Bass, and Presence controls, allowing precise control over your tone.
    • Amp-like response: Experience the dynamic and responsive feel of a cranked tube amp, with the JHS Overdrive Preamp pedal.
    • Stackable tone: Use it as a standalone overdrive or stack it with other pedals or your amp's drive channel for enhanced gain and saturation.
    • Premium build quality: Built with high-quality components and sturdy construction, ensuring reliability and longevity.

    In 2019 I stumbled across a pedal that didn’t exist.

    Yeah, cue the Twilight Zone theme song.

    It was a DOD Overdrive / Preamp that predated the “Gray Box” 250 pedals that everyone– myself included –had assumed were the first version ever made. The pedal was encased in a large gray folded metal enclosure that resembled Electro-Harmonix more than DOD, and it was conspicuously lacking the “250” model number. The typeset and DOD logo were different, but it still had the same charm and quirky feel of the vintage 1970s DOD. The sticker on the pedal’s backplate said “DOD Electronics Company” and listed the home address of founder David Oreste Di Francesco, as well as a number: 75. According to my interview with David himself a year later, I had found the 75th DOD pedal ever made and one of the first ten DOD Overdrive / Preamps (250) ever sold. This stompbox represented the genesis of “America’s Pedal.” For a pedal historian, it was the equivalent of uncovering the Dead Sea Scrolls. 

    The internals featured a floating/loose hand-etched PCB and the same DOD 250 circuit, but with a few changes. The internal parts dated as early as 1972 and, according to David, were harvested from old radios and electronics he scavenged when he started building his first effects. 

    The JHS Overdrive Preamp is a faithful replication of this unobtainable V1 of DOD’s most loved pedal. The controls are simple. The Level control adjusts the overall output of the circuit and lets you cut or boost the signal. The level control of this version has been modified (corrected) from the original wiring of the #75 unit, giving this pedal much more volume on tap. The Gain control adjusts the amount of gain inside the overdrive circuit. Turning up “Gain” creates more clipping as it pushes the op-amp and hard clipping into overdrive. We’ve also added a slider switch to this production version, which wasn’t included with the original DOD 250. While researching the #75 “Big Box” pedal, I acquired a second early big-box unit which used a completely different clipping arrangement. It only seemed fair to offer this switch so that you could explore these two variations for yourself. 

    This “Big Box V1” DOD 250 circuit definitely feels like a 250, but with a few changes: more gain/grit overall and more unique low/mids. This is a must-have addition to any DOD collector’s lineup, or for anyone who's curious about how it all started. 

    The standard Overdrive / Preamp will be part of our normal JHS lineup. Buy yours today and experience the history of one of the greatest overdrive/preamp circuits ever made.

    Recently viewed products

    Login

    Forgot your password?

    Don't have an account yet?
    Create account