Free the Tone ODL-1-CS OVERDRIVELAND Custom Overdrive Pedal

Presenting the all new Free the Tone ODL-1-CS OVERDRIVELAND Custom Overdrive Pedal from their Custom Shop.

"OVERDRIVELAND was born to be as lustrous and distinctive as the elusive DUMBLE amps that are now hard to come by, allowing players to express their unique personalities."

FREE THE TONE's founder and designer, Yuki Hayashi, amassed over 20 years of experience in maintaining and repairing DUMBLE amplifiers and was a proud owner of multiple DUMBLE amps himself. DUMBLE amplifiers are known for their distinctive harmonics, which can make even clean sounds seem slightly distorted. Furthermore, the drive sound of a DUMBLE amp responds to a guitarist's playing as if the amplifier itself possesses intention. It was this desire to capture this unique feel and translate it into a pedal-sized overdrive pedal that sparked the development process.

The DUMBLE amplifier has been a beloved choice for numerous renowned guitarists such as Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and John Mayer. They have been captivated by its exceptional sensitivity to the signal level from the guitar and the distinctive, thick, and rich harmonics that are unique to DUMBLE amplifiers. Through an American guitar tech intermediary, I've had several exchanges with Mr. DUMBLE himself. He inquired about my primary guitar and the type of music I mainly played when crafting an amp, emphasizing that he used the guitarist's main instrument to fine-tune each amp. It truly showcases the craftsmanship of DUMBLE.

"For the development of OVERDRIVELAND, I drew inspiration from the later model of the OVERDRIVE SPECIAL. In this model, the 'OVERDRIVE SPECIAL' label features digital-style characters. I find this model to be the most fitting for contemporary music, offering a robust rock-oriented sound.

In order to imbue pedal-style overdrive with DUMBLE amplifier-like characteristics, I translated various ideas into circuitry and conducted numerous experiments. For the fundamental circuit (the NORMAL channel of OVERDRIVELAND), I decided not to use clipping diodes or LEDs. The reason for this choice was that using clipping diodes or LEDs made it challenging to achieve the intended harmonic components.

When I increase the 'GAIN' on the NORMAL channel, the sound gradually starts to distort. However, even if I lower the 'GAIN' knob below the 12 o'clock position, I can still sense the presence of rich harmonic components within the clean sound. This is what allows OVERDRIVELAND's harmonics to be the secret to enjoying clean sounds while playing.

After creating the basic normal channel circuit, I developed a dedicated drive circuit module to finely respond to the signal output from the guitar. It took me some time to complete this module, but it turned out to be a highly refined one. In the custom shop version and the standard version, different modules are used to bring out their respective sound characters."

For the custom shop version, custom modules are used with different components than the standard version in order to respond more sensitively to input signals.

Features of the OVERDRIVELAND at a Glance:

• The unit features a solid die-cast case with laser engraving. Each unit has a unique, rugged surface finish for you to appreciate.
• For the custom shop version, custom modules are used with different components than the standard version in order to respond more sensitively to input signals.
• Equipped with a ROCK/JAZZ switch for toggling gain and frequency characteristics (Normal Channel).
• Features a "GLASS" switch to bypass the TONE circuit and achieve a glass-like sound (Normal Channel).
• Independent output level adjustments for Normal Channel and Drive Channel.
• Incorporates the HTS (Holistic Tonal Solution) circuit, which differs from traditional buffer circuits. It maximizes the sound characteristics of the guitar while performing impedance conversion, achieving a balance between "sound" and "low noise." The HTS circuit prevents sound quality degradation even when the effect is turned off. Additionally, the output signal is in phase with the input signal, eliminating concerns about phase inversion.

The OVERDRIVELAND consists of two main sections. The first is the Normal Channel circuit, through which the signal passes when the Normal Channel is selected. This circuit includes the Tone circuit (including the EQ ON/GLASS switch) and Gain characteristics adjustment with the ROCK/JAZZ switch.

The second section is the Drive circuit. When the Drive Channel is selected, the signal passes through this Drive circuit before flowing into the Normal Channel circuit.

The Normal Channel features the "EQ ON/GLASS" and "ROCK/JAZZ" switches to help set the foundation for your sound.

The "EQ ON/GLASS" switch controls the equalization function of the Normal Channel. When set to "EQ ON," the "TONE" circuit is activated, allowing you to shape your tone. Selecting "GLASS" bypasses the "TONE" circuit, giving you a glassy tone reminiscent of turning on the Bright switch on a Blackface Fender Vibroverb.

The "ROCK/JAZZ" switch adjusts the frequency response and gain settings of the Normal Channel. The "ROCK" side is designed for shaping your sound with increased gain, while slightly reducing the gain in the low-frequency range to prevent excessive low-end volume that can cause the amp's input stage to distort. The "JAZZ" side, on the other hand, lowers the overall gain and is designed to bring out the richness in the low-frequency range.

When you select the Drive Channel in OVERDRIVELAND, the Drive circuit is added in front of the Normal Channel circuit. In other words, from the input side, the signal flows in the following order: Drive circuit, Normal Channel circuit, and then the output circuit. The Drive circuit is equipped with a "HI-CUT" filter circuit, making it easy to adjust the high-frequency characteristics. Additionally, the "PUSH" control adjusts the signal level sent from the Drive circuit to the Normal Channel, allowing you to control the perceived volume level. You can also adjust the volume when the Drive Channel is selected using the "DRV LEVEL" knob.

OVERDRIVELAND is equipped with a power supply switching feature. When you select DC9V, power is supplied to the audio circuit from the power supply connected to the DC jack. When you select "Int.PS (STANDARD)" or "VARI (CUSTOM SHOP)," the power supply is connected to the internal boost circuit, and power is supplied to OVERDRIVELAND's audio circuit through this boost circuit. The specifications differ between the STANDARD version and the CUSTOM version.

You can smoothly adjust the voltage supplied to the audio circuit from DC10V to 19V. By altering the power supply voltage, the clipping point changes, resulting in dramatic variations in the drive sound. While enjoying the changes in sound, try finding the voltage that matches your personal preference.

OVERDRIVELAND can be powered using a 9V battery. Since the internal boost circuit consumes more power, when using a 9V battery, please set the power switch to the DC9V side. Be aware that if you use it in the "Int.PS (STANDARD)" or "VARI (CUSTOM SHOP)" settings, the battery may deplete more quickly, so exercise caution.