Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
JSA Effects LNS Overdrive is a superb extended range modified take on the venerable original 14-Pin Boss OD-1 OverDrive
I only discovered the existence of the LNS Overdrive pedal a day or two before the recent Leeds Pedal Show - which both I and JSA Effects were attending. I had read that Simon had managed to get his hands on 3 super rare original NOS RC3403 quad opamp chips - where his mods included really unique active Treble and Bass controls, along with improved / louder output.
I was determined to arrive at Leeds super early to be in with a chance of snagging one of these. In fact the other 2 had been pre-sold - so there was only one up for grabs on the day. Needless to say - I was successful - or else I would not be writing this!
With a show discount I think it was priced at £253 - which qualified it for the snazziest of boxes - the dividing line for one of those is £250 - you can see how cool those are in the second visual below.
In any case I was by far and away the first onto the JSA Stand - just a little after 09:30 - and I picked up both this LNS Overdrive - and I dare say the even better JSA Show Pedal - the Fuzztronought - which I will cover in a later post
It was my first time encountering Simon - here with his good friend Aaron.
This was always on the cards - as Simon is connected to so many of the same people as I. It was only a matter of time - and that time was the Leeds Pedal Show.
Said experience off to a brilliant start with the double hit of the LNS Overdrive and Fuzztronought - both of which are superb!
Many of my fine pedals arrived in a beautiful wooden box - obviously Chase Bliss originally, I have a Tsakalis AudioWorks one or two, and several from Tru-Fi that spring to mind. While there's something that really tickles me about this wood and leather mini trunk! I did after all go to boarding school - while I'm not sure that reflects necessarily the happiest of times.
It does though massively add to the unboxing experience. So if you want to make a strong first impression - then this is the way!
"This is how we got to the 'LNS Overdrive' - the OD-1 gain stage (inc. RC3403 quad opamp) with asymmetrical clipping, merged with the active tone stage of the Korg OVD-1, with an additional active bass control and more output volume (because both the OD-1 and OVD-1 are notoriously quiet)"
Note that 'LSN' stands for 'Late Night Simon' - Simon's more experimental alter-ego!
Controls - Level, Drive, Treble, Bass.
This LNS Overdrive fully completes my intended Boss OD-1 Modified Quartet / Quadfecta!
Funnily I have had people try to sell me some straight up 2-knob replicas essentially. While that was never the point of this exercise. I always felt the Boss OD-1 was missing a Tone Stack - and that was one of the key reasons that the Ibanez TS808 outsold it.
I've always preferred the Boss / Roland Asymmetrical Clipping Profile - so I will always take an OD-1 / SD-1 over and above any Ibanez variant. While I always believed the Boss OD-1 could be modified into something better - which is exactly what Simon has done here.
You can hear on my PastFX OG-1 how much quieter the OD-1 circuit is compared to the SD-1 - so that was obviously a flaw with the original. And it really helps to have a tone stack - particularly an active one - to further shape and push the output.
This is a beautifully engineered circuit - while one pot is somewhat looser than the others - that has no detrimental impact on its performance though - it's just a minor oddity that I noticed in during my various sessions!
There's a clue in the above Box / Trunk picture as to my favourite settings!
Essentially - Level on Max, Drive @ 3 o'c, Treble @ 2 o'c, Bass @ 2 o'c.
You need to safecracker-tweak the Treble by ear as there is a really cool micro setting where the harmonics ring out in the most wonderful fashion - we're talking about the tiniest of micro-movement or you will miss it!
I would ideally like even a little bit more volume - but it's close enough for full satisfaction as is - although noting left in reserve in that departmen!
Simon has engineered the circuit such that the added EQ's don't change the core timbre and character of the voicing.
This is a perfect evolution of the circuit - and in particular for those who value core authenticity. I don't mind a little modernisation - if it gets me more out of the circuit! And I will always be a fan of extended range. I like those core vintage textures you get with the original circuits - while I will still always want more typically!
This is one of those rare times I'm not posting a product link - as these are all gone now. Perhaps Simon might get his hands on further RC3403's in the future - it pays to keep an eye on Simon's JSA Effects Instagram - for just in case!
Original OD-1 Sound Samples
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