Delivers 1970s-era, 250-style Overdrive Tones
The JHS Overdrive Preamp is a faithful re-creation of an unobtainable prototype of a coveted '70s-era overdrive. This guitar effects pedal boasts a simple 2-knob control set consisting of Gain and Level knobs. The Gain knob dials in everything from subtle grit to all-out grind. Level varies between a subtle "always on" sweetening effect and an arena-worthy solo boost. This stompbox also includes a slider switch that alters its clipping arrangement, unlocking a whole alternate set of tones. The Overdrive Preamp sounds great with a clean or slightly overdriven amplifier. That said, parking it in front of a British-voiced high-gain amp is a great way to achieve snarling, Yngwie-esque textures. If you appreciate golden-era "America's Pedal" overdrive tones, the JHS Overdrive Preamp delivers those sounds in a big way. Plug in, and we're sure you'll agree.
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Another lucky find from Josh Scott
JHS founder Josh Scott is always on the hunt for rare, collectable pedals. One of his favorite finds was a proto-250-style overdrive. The stompbox was housed in a large, gray, folded-metal enclosure with the original manufacturer's logo on it, as well as the original founder's home address. Josh interviewed the pedal's creator, David Oreste Di Francesco, who confirmed that Josh's acquisition was the 75th pedal his company ever made, and it was one of the first 10 of that specific model to be sold. Internally, the pedal included a floating, hand-etched printed circuit board, along with a slightly modified 250-style circuit. These internal parts dated as early as 1972, and according to Mr. Di Francesco, the parts were harvested from old radios and scavenged electronics.
A faithful re-creation of a well-loved OD
The JHS Overdrive Preamp is a meticulous re-creation of Josh's #75. It boasts the same Gain and Level controls. The Gain knob pushes the pedal's op-amp into hard clipping, while the Level knob adjusts your overall output. Josh modified the Overdrive Preamp's Level control from the original, netting you much more output volume. The JHS pedal also includes a slider switch that toggles a completely different clipping arrangement based on a second early "big box" stomp Josh had acquired. The guitarists here at Sweetwater have found the JHS Overdrive Preamp to be a close match to the vintage gray 250-style pedals we've played through; albeit, with more gain on tap and a slightly different low-midrange voicing.
JHS Overdrive Preamp Pedal Features:
- Overdrive stompbox based on a '70s-era prototype of a well-loved classic
- Boasts a simple 2-knob control layout
- Gain knob dials in everything from subtle grit to all-out grind
- Level varies between a subtle "always on" sweetening effect and an arena-worthy solo boost
- Slider switch alters the pedal's clipping arrangement, unlocking a whole alternate set of tones
- Use it to front load a British-voiced high-gain amps for instant Yngwie-esque textures
- Sounds like a vintage gray 250-style stomp with more gain and different low-mid voicing
