Overdrive

Overdrive pedal
Overdriven tube amplifier
An overdrive pedal is often the first effect pedal a guitarist purchases. All overdrives imitate the effect of an overdriven tube amplifier, but without the high noise level that often accompanies it. Additionally, overdrives give your signal a boost that gives your amplifier a nice gritty edge.
Wide SelectionThese days, every reputable brand has one or more overdrive pedals in its lineup. This often makes it difficult to choose. Some overdrive pedals have a neutral character without emphasizing specific frequencies. These pedals are known as “transparent.” However, many pedals feature a boost in the midrange; the most famous example of this is the Tube Screamer. In addition, there are many pedals modeled after well-known tube amplifier brands, such as Dumble, Fender, and Marshalltube amplifiers. Andthere are pedals based on or replicas of iconic pedals such as the Klon, Bluesbreaker, and Tube Screamer.
Pleasant Overtones
The pedal has been around for about 70 years now and can be heard on the radio every day. It’s suitable for a wide variety of musical styles. Compared to distortion and fuzz, overdrive is the least aggressive and the mildest effect. The pedal produces plenty of pleasant harmonics and also provides compression for your signal. Depending on the pedal you choose, that compression can range from very subtle to quite significant.

Almost every brand has one or more overdrives in its line-up. Whatever type of distortion you are looking for there are often dozens of them. This page is a good starting point for your search for the perfect one but als check these articles Comparing the 10 most popular overdrive pedals and 10 Classic Overdrive Pedals & Their Modern Successors.

Also check our buying guide for overdrive pedals, our page about guitar pedals and our page about boutique effects pedals.