Boss OD-3 vs Nobels ODR-1 - Which is the most 'transparent'?

Hi guys, today we want to show you a comparison between two fantastic drive pedals: the Boss OD-3 and the Nobels ODR-1. The OD-3 has been used by many great players like Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Greenwood, Neil Halstead, Joe Walsh, Gem Archer, William Reid, Norah Jones, and Mdou Moctar, to mention a few. The ODR-1 has become famous as the secret ingredient of the "Nashville sound", thx to session guitarist Tom Bukovac. However, the ODR-1 is very popular among players like Graham Coxon and youtube superstars like Peter Honoré and Tyler Larson.

We don't know if these two pedals share some similarities in the circuit; we leave this kind of analysis to the experts; however, they have definitely the same "flavour". Both of these pedals claim to be "natural" and "transparent". We don't know if these words make any sense, but they both do a great job preserving the unique character of your guitar.

The ODR-1 is maybe a bit flatter in the EQ and has a more pronounced low-end. The OD-3 is perhaps a little more mid-focused. Check this video out, and let us know what do you think in the comments below.

#bosspedals #nobelsodr1 #transparentoverdrive

00:00 What are we doing today?
01:00 Loop #1 - Fender Mustang Kurt Cobain (bridge).
01:20 Back-to-back comparison with tone and gain at noon.
01:54 The ODR-1 has a fatter low-end and the OD-3 is a bit more mids-focused. Do you reckon?
02:44 Checking Tone and Drive on the OD-3.
03:31 Checking Drive and Spectrum on the ODR-1.
04:11 The Spectrum on the ODR-1 is a very peculiar EQ.
04:56 Checking the internal bass-cut switch on the ODR-1.
06:19 Medium gain comparison (back-to-back) - bridge pickup.
07:10 Low gain comparison (back-to-back) - bridge pickup.
08:23 Gain-dimed comparison (back-to-back) - bridge pickup.
11:24 Loop #2 - Fender Mustang Kurt Cobain (neck).
11:48 Low gain comparison (back-to-back) - neck pickup.
12:44 Reducing low-end via the bass-cut switch on the ODR-1. Do they sound more similar now?
14:01 Medium gain comparison (back-to-back) - neck pickup.
15:38 Gain-dimed comparison (back-to-back) - neck pickup.

Here you can find more info about the pedals in this video:

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[WeAsACompany]

So guys, which is the most "transparent" in your opinion?

[luizamusic]

Both are great pedals, I can see where the "similar flavor" comes from. I kinda wish the bass cut switch was incorporated a bit more, especially with everything at noon. Would also be curious how these would behave boosting a dirty amp, I feel like the OD-3 would be better suited for that, and the ODR-1 would be better with clean amps. Or not, they're both great and I can see both having their time and place.

[mattgilbert]

"Transparent" notwithstanding, along with the ProCo RAT the OD-3 is my favourite drive to use with a solid state amp. It has just the right EQ curve for the flatter, quicker response one gets with a transistor (or valve/transistor Hybrid) amp - like rh the old Peavey Bandit or some or the SS Fenders from the early 90s. I used a Fender transistor combo, Ibanez Fat Cat (RAT clone) and an SD-1 for several years - wish the OD-3 had been around in '90-93!

[fernandogalvan]

I am looking to replace a TC Cinders because of the unnatural, fizzy decay of the notes (same thing on the Blues Driver) and everybody seem to speak wonders of the OD-3 as an evolved version of the Blues Driver. I love how raw the Cinders sounds, but I can't stand that noise. Does it happen on the OD-3 too? This is a great channel, keep up the good work!

[silviolutti]

It is clear that the Nobels odr-1 has a much higher depth and sound quality than the boss od-3. The nobels makes you push the picking much more where the boss stops at a certain point, not very dynamic in this sense. However, the Boss has that little bit more in the midrange which makes it very pleasant. In my opinion, if the nobels had had two simple bass and treble controls instead of the spectrum and the switch bass cut, it would have been just perfect! I would like to buy it but its limited controls scare me a little.

[avividbloom]

How well do you think these two stack together?

[mai-friend]

I don't like the ODR-1, just don't. The OD-3 is cool though.

[wolfgangheinrich]

Hm, they sure sound good, but exactly the same