Overdrive Pedals: Top 6 For Worship Guitar 2023

An overdrive that features a wide range of tone possibilities and dynamics so you can express yourself through your sound

Many iconic guitarists have used the TC Electronic MojoMojo pedal, including John Petrucci of Dream Theater, Alex Lifeson of Rush, and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. They all praised its ability to produce a wide range of sounds and an intuitive interface.

Equipped with a voice switch, it allows you to choose between a warm or bright tone by changing the character of the overdrive produced by the pedal, giving you even more control over your sound.

Appreciated for its versatility and dynamic response, the MojoMojo can generate everything from subtle overdrive to full-on distortion. At the same time, its built-in Active EQ circuit ensures that the pedal retains its clarity and punch even when used with a high-gain amplifier.

Key Features:

Analog-Dry-Through Circuitry
The MojoMojo is built with high-quality analog circuitry, including the popular 4558 op-amps, which have existed since the ’70s. It has a simple internal structure, with two op-amps with a common power supply and ground, each with a differential input stage and a Class AB output stage.
Asymmetrical Clipping Circuit
Another important aspect of the MojoMojo’s circuit design is its asymmetrical clipping circuit, which is responsible for the pedal’s natural and dynamic overdrive sound. This circuit clips only one side of the guitar’s signal, producing a more natural and organic distortion while responding well to the player’s picking dynamics.
True Bypass Circuitry
It also features True Bypass circuitry, which ensures that the pedal does not color the guitar’s tone when it is not in use. This is particularly important for maintaining a clean and transparent signal chain, especially in recording or live performance situations where signal degradation can be a concern.
Drive and Level Controls
This pedal has a Drive control that allows for precise adjustment of the overdrive gain that can be adjusted from subtle and transparent to thick and saturated, allowing for a wide range of overdrive tones. It also features a Level control, which allows for fine adjustment of the pedal volume.
Dual EQ
One of its key features is its two-band EQ, which allows for a wide range of tonal options. The Bass knob allows you to adjust the pedal’s low-end response and can be used to dial in the perfect balance of bass and midrange. In contrast, the Treble knob is a high-frequency boost that can be adjusted to boost or cut frequencies in the high range, enabling the pedal to go from a classic mid-boosted overdrive to a more modern and cutting tone.

Pros:

Many guitarists appreciate the MojoMojo pedal for its ability to add overdrive without coloring or altering the natural tone of their guitar.

This can be especially helpful for players who want to maintain the character of their instrument while adding some extra crunch or sustain.

The MojoMojo also has a low signal-to-noise ratio, producing little unwanted noise or interference. This can be especially important for players who want to record their guitar signal without any background hum or hiss.

Despite its high-quality construction and versatile tone-shaping capabilities, the MojoMojo pedal is relatively affordable compared to other overdrive pedals. This makes it a great choice for players who want a great sound without exceeding the budget.

Cons:

While the MojoMojo pedal can produce a wide range of overdrive tones, some players may find that the maximum gain level is insufficient for their needs.

Players looking for a more heavily distorted sound may need to pair the pedal with another overdrive or distortion pedal. Also, while it has a Bass EQ control, some users have found that it doesn’t dramatically affect the pedal’s overall tone.

2. Ibanez TS9

A modern approach to the classic Ibanez TS808, the TS9 delivers all the sauce that made the Tube Screamer pedal such a legend.

The Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9 is one of the most iconic guitar pedals of all time, and for a good reason. It was designed to replicate the sound of the original Ibanez TS808 overdrive pedal, which was used by legendary guitarists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Johnson.

Featuring the same JRC4558D op-amp as the TS808, it can be used for everything from blues and rock to metal and jazz. Its versatile wide range of tone capabilities makes this pedal an essential tool in the worship guitarist pedalboard.

This pedal is designed to add warmth and saturation to a guitar signal, and it can be used to push an amp into overdrive or to add some extra bite to a clean sound.

Key Features:

Iconic JRC4558D chip
One of the key features of the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer is its JRC4558D op-amp chip. This chip is known for its ability to deliver a dynamic, touch-sensitive response that allows the player to control the pedal’s sound with their playing intensity. It is responsible for the pedal’s distinctive overdrive tone, characterized by its smooth and natural sound.
Symmetrical Clipping Circuit
Another important aspect of the TS9’s circuit design is its symmetrical clipping circuit, responsible for the pedal’s smooth and creamy overdrive sound. This circuit clips the positive and negative portions of the guitar’s signal, resulting in a more even and balanced distortion than other overdrive pedals.
True Bypass Switch
The TS9 also features a true bypass switch, which ensures that the pedal does not color the guitar’s tone when it is not in use. This is important for maintaining a clean and transparent signal chain, particularly in recording or live performance situations where signal degradation can be a concern.
Intuitive Controls
TS9 also features a classic 3-knob design with controls for Drive, Tone, and Level, which makes it easy to dial in the preferred overdrive sound setting. The Drive knob controls the amount of overdrive input to the signal, while the Tone knob adjusts the overall EQ of the pedal.

Pros:

One of the biggest pros of the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer is its Gain control versatility. It can be used to add a subtle overdrive to a clean signal or to push an already overdriven signal into distortion.

The JRC4558D op-amp chip and high-end Toshiba transistors are known for their warm, musical tone and contribute directly to the pedal’s classic sound.

Additionally, the TS9 is incredibly responsive to a player’s dynamics, allowing for a truly expressive playing experience.

Cons:

While the TS9’s overdrive sound is beloved by many guitarists, its inherent coloration may not work well with certain types of pickups or amps and may require additional EQ adjustments to fit into a mix.

And only having one Tone control that adjusts the overall tone of the pedal may not be enough for players looking for a more nuanced and complex sound.

Also, the TS9 features true bypass switching; some players may prefer additional options, such as buffered bypass, which can provide different tonal and practical advantages.

3. MXR Custom Shop Timmy CSP027

Designed with renowned guitar pedal designer Paul Cochrane, the Timmy has gained immense popularity among musicians due to its ability to produce high-quality tones with precision and clarity.

The story of MXR Custom Shop company dates back to ’72 when Keith Barr and Terry Sherwood founded it. It started by producing high-quality effects pedals for guitarists and soon became one of the most popular brands in the industry. They have been collaborating with iconic guitarists such as Zakk Wylde and Eddie Van Halen over the years.

This pedal is a collaborative effort between MXR and pedal designer Paul Cochrane, who designed the original Timmy pedal in ’05 and had its Custom Shop version released in ’16. It has been a popular choice among guitarists ever since.

Key Features:

LF353 Op-Amp Circuitry
This pedal is built with high-performance analog circuitry, boasting an LF353 op-amp, ensuring a clean and transparent signal with no added noise. It is a reliable choice with wide bandwidth and low distortion, even at high output levels.
Three Selectable Clipping Modes
The MXR Timmy boasts both clipping options, symmetrical and asymmetrical, that are selectable via a three-way switch. Using two identical diodes that clip the positive and negative halves of the guitar signal in the same way, the symmetrical clipping of the Standard mode results in a balanced and harmonically rich distortion sound, producing an even and smooth tone.
On the other hand, the Classic Mode’s asymmetrical clipping produces a more complex and nuanced distortion tone, achieved by using two different diodes that clip the positive and negative halves of the guitar signal in different ways.
Drive and Level Controls
It boasts four control knobs that allow you to shape your overdrive sound: Volume, Gain, Bass, and Treble.
The Gain knob adjusts the amount of overdrive and distortion in the signal. Depending on your sound’s demand, you can dial in anything from a light, barely perceptible amount of crunch to full-on thick and saturated distortion. On the other hand, the Volume control allows you to adjust the overall loudness of the effect, and it can be used to boost your guitar’s signal or to match the volume of your overdriven sound to your clean sound.
Two-Band EQ
The Bass control is particularly useful for guitarists who want to add more weight to their sound or who want to balance out a brighter-sounding guitar or amp, as it adjusts the low-end frequency response of the pedal, allowing you to add more or less low-end to your sound, depending on your preferences and the characteristics of your rig.
Internal Dip Switches
This pedal features a set of internal dip switches inside the pedal’s enclosure that can be accessed by removing the back plate. This allows for additional fine-tuning customization of its tone and response. By adjusting the bass, gain, and voice settings, you can add more low-end to the tone, reduces the gain level for subtle overdrive tones, and boost the midrange frequencies for a more focused and aggressive sound that’s ideal for cutting through a mix.

Pros:

The Timmy features a true bypass switch, ensuring no tone loss when the pedal is not used. Along with its low noise floor, it ensures minimal interference, making it an ideal choice for recording and live performances.

The pedal’s high-quality components, such as metal film resistors and capacitors, contribute to its transparent and clean sound, enhancing the guitar’s natural sound.

Cons:

Some users have reported that the Timmy pedal can be sensitive to changes in power supply. If the pedal is not receiving consistent power, it can produce unwanted noise or change the guitar’s overall tone.

It also can take some time to dial in the perfect sound. While this is true of most pedals, some guitarists have reported that the Timmy requires more tweaking than other overdrive pedals to achieve their desired sound.

4. JHS Pedals Morning Glory V4

On its fourth version, JHS delivers a powerful overdrive tool that lives up to the Morning Glory’s high standards of components quality and tone-shaping capabilities.

Josh Scott founded JHS Pedals in 2007 in Kansas City, Missouri. The company’s mission is to create pedals that inspire creativity and push the boundaries of what is possible in the guitar tone, and since its inception, it has been at the forefront of the boutique pedal industry,

The Morning Glory V4 is the fourth iteration of JHS Pedals’ flagship overdrive pedal and is named after the iconic song by Jeff Buckley. Known for its ability to provide warm, transparent overdrive has been used by brilliant guitarists like Andy Timmons and Brad Paisley.

One of its key features is its headroom switch, which allows you to choose between two different levels of headroom. The high headroom setting provides more clarity and definition, while the low headroom setting adds more compression and sustain.

Key Features:

Burr-Brown OPA2134 Op-Amp
The OPA2134 op-amp chip is known for its low distortion and self-noise, high speed, and high output drive capability, and its internal structure consists of two independent op-amps, each with a differential input stage. One of its key features is its Class-AB output stage which enables it to deliver high output power while maintaining low distortion.
JFET-Based Design
One of the key features of this pedal is its JFET input stage, which is responsible for its low noise and high headroom. This input stage also allows the pedal to respond well to different guitars and pickups, making it a versatile choice for its dynamic response and smooth and natural tone.
Unique Clipping Switch
It also features a unique clipping circuit, which can be switched between two modes through its toggle switch, located below the Volume knob. One is a smooth and transparent overdrive that is perfect for adding warmth and character to clean tones, and the other mode is a more aggressive overdrive with a tighter and more focused sound that is perfect for rock and blues playing.
True Bypass and Soft-Touch Relay Switches
The Morning Glory V4 also features a true bypass switch, which ensures that the pedal does not color the guitar’s tone when it is not in use. Additionally, the pedal has a soft-touch relay switch, which provides a smooth and quiet operation when turning the pedal on and off.
Class A preamp
Another important aspect of the Morning Glory V4’s circuit design is its Class A preamp. This provides a clean and transparent boost to the guitar’s signal, which helps to enhance the pedal’s overdrive sound while also ensuring that the pedal is responsive to the player’s dynamics, allowing for expressive and nuanced playing.
Three-Knob Control
The pedal also features a simple 3-knob design with controls for volume, drive, and tone, which is a high-pass filter that can be adjusted to boost or cut frequencies above a certain point. This allows for many tonal options, from bright and articulate to warm and mellow.
Internal Dip Switches
The Morning Glory V4 also includes four internal dip switches that allow you to customize the pedal’s sound and behavior by adjusting the bass response, presence, clipping diodes, and overall gain. These can be accessed by removing the back plate of the pedal.

Pros:

The Morning Glory V4 is known for its transparency, meaning it preserves your guitar’s natural tone and amplifier while adding a touch of overdrive. This makes it ideal for players who want to enhance their sound without drastically altering it.

It is also highly touch-sensitive, responding well to the player’s dynamics and picking technique. This allows for a greater degree of expressiveness and control over the sound.

JHS Pedals are known for boasting only high-quality components in its pedals, and the Morning Glory V4 is no exception. Each component is carefully chosen for its sound and reliability from the JFET input stage to the buffered output.

Cons:

While many find the pedal’s controls intuitive and easy to use, others may find the interactive EQ and other features to be a bit overwhelming or complex. It may take some time to dial in the perfect tone fully.

Its headroom switch can be a great feature for adjusting the pedal’s response, yet some users report that the high headroom setting can be a bit too bright or harsh for their tastes.

5. Boss SD-1 Overdrive

One of the most iconic overdrive pedals, the SD-1 gave voice to many classic songs over 40 years of history.

The Boss company was founded in 1973 by engineer and musician Ikutaro Kakehashi and has been a leading manufacturer of guitar effects pedals and audio equipment ever since. The company is known for its innovative designs and high-end products, and the SD-1 Overdrive is no exception, being an iconic pedal that has been a favorite for over 40 years.

First introduced in 1981 as an improved version of the popular OD-1 pedal, it quickly became an essential tool for guitarists worldwide.

Many legendary musicians, such as Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons, and John Mayer, found its warm, creamy overdrive tone and capability of fine-tuning the ideal amount of adding a touch of grit to the guitar tone, their expression.

Key Features:

Analog Circuitry
It uses a JRC4558 op-amp chip in many classic overdrive pedals and is a key factor in the SD-1’s distinctive sound. It also uses high-quality physical components throughout its build, including metal film resistors and polypropylene capacitors, which contribute to the pedal’s warm, natural sound that many prefer over digital alternatives.
Asymmetrical Clipping Circuit
The SD-1’s asymmetrical circuit produces a more natural and organic overdrive sound that responds well to players’ picking dynamics. This allows guitarists to achieve a wide range of sounds simply by adjusting their playing style, from clean, clear sounds at lower volumes and thick, overdriven sounds at higher volumes, making it an ideal pedal for those who like to experiment with different tones and textures.
Buffered Bypass
This pedal features a buffer circuit that helps to maintain the guitar’s signal integrity, ensuring a clean and transparent signal when the pedal is not engaged. Its low noise level helps you achieve a clean and clear tone even in high-gain settings.
Simple Controls
The SD1 features intuitive yet highly versatile tone-shaping controls. The Tone knob allows you to adjust the amount of high-end frequencies in your tone, allowing you to dial in a range of sounds from smooth and creamy to bright and cutting. The Drive control lets you adjust the signal’s distortion and saturation while the Level knob controls the pedal’s overall volume.

Pros:

One of the key pros of the Boss SD-1 Overdrive pedal is its versatility; from subtle boosts to full-on distortions, the pedal can produce a wide range of overdrive tones.

Additionally, its asymmetrical clipping and dual-stage overdrive circuit give the pedal a dynamic and responsive feel, allowing players to control the tone and level of the overdrive easily.

Many users have praised the pedal’s simplicity and ease of use, noting that it is easy to dial in a great tone with just a few adjustments to the knobs. Another praised aspect of this pedal is its durability and reliability, enabling it to withstand years of use on the road.

Cons:

Its single tone-shaping option offers limited control over the frequency response of the overdrive tone. It has a narrower range of action by having only a Tone control that works by adjusting the high-end frequencies of the tone.

Also, some users have reported experiencing unwanted noise or hum when using the pedal, especially when cranking up higher gain settings. This can be a problem for guitarists who need a clean, noise-free signal for recording or live performance.

However, it should be noted that noise is a common issue with many overdrive and distortion pedals and can often be mitigated through careful placement and noise-reduction pedals.

6. Harley Benton Vintage Overdrive