Boss OD-3 vs SD-1 (Battle of the Boss Overdrives)

[@MrPolevaulter]

For more Boss pedal reviews, check out this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLNaLwTdlpQNH25G8vg0YCJuhWmpQakiZa

[@voxpathfinder15r]

Depends on the guitar and amp, if your amp naturally lacks bass, use the OD-3. Guitar has single coils - you need a mids booster, use the SD-1. Many different pedals built differently to solve different issues. Use a 10 band eq after the pedal to solve even more issues. Use humbuckers into bass strong amp. Use the OD3, turn down the bass frequencies on the eq.

[@squirelova1815]

Hey! You just showed everyone why they don't really need like 15 guitars! You ruined everything! Very Smart though, of course.

[@voxpathfinder15r]

@@squirelova1815 yes, but you still need like 15 pedals and 15 amps!!

[@squirelova1815]

@@voxpathfinder15r Aha! The Silver Lining! Pedals and Amps are FAR more exciting and interesting than just another guitar anyways. Sadly, it took me a while to find that out. You've single-handedly saved the day for Gear Heads everywhere with your thoughtful and wise reply. Good show ol' chap! (Or young Chap, whichever it is.)

[@voxpathfinder15r]

@@squirelova1815 guitars are still cool, but my Squire SE that I have lovingly setup, string height, pickups height, installed new nut, and gave a fret job is every bit as fun and good sounding as the American standard my nephew bought.

[@squirelova1815]

@@voxpathfinder15r Tell me about it! I almost stupidly sold a beautiful 2011 Jetstream blue color and feather weight Squire Classic Vibe 50's Strat that came with a perfectly Quartersawn STOCK maple neck (?!). I ended up putting Lace Senor R.W.B. pups on it, upgraded electronics with a "920D Custom Shop" loaded pickguard also and put in a 'BladeRunner' trem brigdge on there too and NOW it's just... weeehooo, as SWEET or sweeter than my 2013 American Standard Strat- no kidding at all. The lightweight Alder is so comfortable as are the 50's deep body contours and the frets were flawless from the factory. I always wanted Lace Sensors anyway since they perform like EMG's but..NO BATTERIES required! Yes! That's right! They have less magnetic string interference but they don't need any active preamp boost and so no batteries are needed. They let the strings ring truer (just like EMG's do) only by their unique design. Those pups definitely sound clear full and smooooth. The 'Blue' neck pup has the power of a P90 too and the Red bridge pup is pretty hot which makes it thicker than the usually rather thin Strat bridge pup.

[@bigtastyben5119]

The OD3 sounds nastier and more aggressive while the SD1 sounds smooth & more versatile.

[@RezaKhan2024]

SD1 for Marshalls all day long.

[@jammy3662]

unlike most comparisons this is REALLY useful! thanks for actually playing and giving a generous amount of sound sampling in a variety of settings. this is how all sound comparisons and samples should be done. you give your thoughts in between playing in a way thats not intrusive or distracting from the sound comparisons

[@MrPolevaulter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Ebadd9]

Just tried them both and went with the od-3 :) They sound really similar but the od-3 seems to color the sound less and is louder.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cool :)

[@deancrist621]

I use an OD-3 set at 10 o’clock along with moderate gain of my tube amp. It provides a fantastic hard rock tone

[@christopherhansford6876]

Elmo, you’re bloody hilarious. This is the video I needed. Thanks mate. May your day be filled with as much joy as your mug is with good coffee.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks :)

[@dogslobbergardens-hv2wf]

You can get good tones out of either one. It really gets fun when you have both and play around with stacking them.

[@joeljukus9129]

I like the SD-1. It sounds brighter (which I like) and clearer.

[@mikedenkinger9570]

Same here. I still like my old Blues Driver better than either one of these.

[@JoeFic9997]

I feed my SD-1 into a DS-1 and it’s magical

[@albertorincon3686]

It’s crap

[@paulkreeft2091]

😂

[@Thomas_Geist]

Does the SD-1 seem to cut the bass a bit more? I use one for slide, but it sounds thin to me. I’m wondering if I should get the OD-3 for my purpose. What do you thing?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Not sure. Can't actually remember what the OD-3 sounded like anymore.

[@Wism0r]

Had both, always liked the OD-3 at home, but not in a Band or Mixed context. The SD-1 is a cheap staple in a Boss enclosure that does the job of a Tube Screamer due to the very similar circuitry. Great Demo, cheers.

[@austinfailz]

I’m curious what they’d sound like stacked.

[@natethagod2426]

What are your amp settings and what gauge strings do you use?

[@MrPolevaulter]

9-46. 7-8-6-4-10 from bass to volume

[@andybungert]

Solid vid. Newer to the wide world of classic stompboxes. Someone just offered me an OD-3 but I already have an SD-1. Think I'll just stick with what I've got for now :)

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@billtice5057]

The more pronounced mid-range of the SD1 gives it greater clarity and focus. Both pedals sound great and have their place. It’s all about application.

[@OzJazrok]

Nice. You must have clipped the bright cap out of that sv20?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Nope. Haven't touched it.

[@george.kollaros]

OD-3 is heavier sounding but it's flubbier in the bass. SD-1 has more clarity and more mids for singing solos, like a Tube Screamer but not as much, it's a bit smoother. And less bass helps when playing with overdriven amps. SD-1 is a good all around overdrive.

[@MrPolevaulter]

I like both :)

[@bradfordstring65]

@@MrPolevaulter Which has more sustain?

[@MrPolevaulter]

@@bradfordstring65 Dunno.

[@tbader20]

Excellent tone, excellent playing. Subscribed!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thank you very much :)

[@2078H]

Great playing, great review. Love them both and really enjoyed watching!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Glad to hear it!

[@kyle9maloney]

Have you tried the boss DA-2 ?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Nope. Should I?

[@kyle9maloney]

@@MrPolevaulter you will probably love it or hate it so it’s bound to be entertaining

[@michaelmoore1419]

sd-1 for playing Live. Gives cut and character across the stage. ( tube screamer, fender Y.M., and other mid humpers work great too.) Everything else gets lost. Sd-1 was designed for exactly that.-Hence the bass cut.

[@georgefromgreece4119]

Agreed

[@stratcat7162]

Od-3 will always make a great boost by keeping the drive all the way down and the volume and tone at 11 specifically through Fender amps like Blues Juniors or Princeton's Deluxe Reverb etc... preferably with a strat.

[@miettoisdev]

maybe the gain is too high on the amp to really notice the differences

[@MrPolevaulter]

You don't notice the difference?

[@bradleestone5344]

I just bought a SD 1 without watching this first , didn't know about it , so I held my breath . Good thing there's not much difference . I'm only using it as a booster anyway , Incredible shreding as usual Elmo !

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@jamesgarfield9592]

SD-1 is fantastic OD … probably second only to TS as most recorded.

[@Martin_Tudela_Orsi]

Great videos, but it's time to show us the settings pedals on screen.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks Martin!

[@furryz666]

Still got my old OD-1 but I’ve been loving the Mosky D250x all $32 (Amazon) of it through all tube Marshall’s 800, 900 and DSL respectively

[@lostgroovemusic8494]

Did you keep the boss od3

[@MrPolevaulter]

No. Sold it.

[@lostgroovemusic8494]

@@MrPolevaulter I am guessing you liked your sd1 better then

[@MrPolevaulter]

@@lostgroovemusic8494 Yep.

[@JayBeBerg]

To me, the SD-1 sounds tighter and slightly boxier in the mids, OD-3 is more natural and amp-like but a bit bassy. Both good though. What noise gate do you use?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Boss NS-2

[@JayBeBerg]

@@MrPolevaulter Thanks!

[@HollisCKoon]

Elmo Karjalainen , help ! I have the same gate. Do you have the gate & sd1 & od3 in the front of the amp or loop ? Much appreciated from N. E.Texas.

[@MrPolevaulter]

@@HollisCKoon In front of the amp.

[@mattgilbert7347]

Od-3 gain set around 2 O'clock, hit it with a compressor=gold. Great lead and slide tone. SD-1 is good for pushing another gain pedal or cranked amp. SD-1>OD-3 is fun.

[@xjohn1970]

are you saying get the SD-1 and push the OD-3 with it?

[@MikeCarvin]

@@xjohn1970 that´s suppossed to be.

[@matouscervenka7248]

SD-1 has smooth overdrive tone, OD-3 more modern and agressive. I have both :-)

[@jowlorenz9555]

I used to have a rad yellow boss dual overdrive --- with a green light clean overdrive and a red light heavy overdrive . whatever happened to that one ?

[@EddieJarnowski]

Great comparison. Your playing is amazing.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@henningcurtiswalter]

Elmo, you make both pedals sound awsome !

[@MrPolevaulter]

Glad you think so!

[@LiamGuild]

Holy SHIT you’ve got fast hands… mad respect

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@moustachio334]

Holy smokes! The SD-1 is a bargain! I thought the OD-3 would sound marginally better but they both sound really great. The OD-3 is a little fatter and more like an amps gain and the SD-1 sounds like a hot-rodded Tubescreamer. The price for the SD-1 and it sounds better than the boutique TS clones. The downside is the noise which is easily fixed. Amazing playing by the way. I already have a good Tubescreamer so I look forward to getting my hands on an OD-3. It gives me the yellow fever.

[@jamesgarfield9592]

Difference between TS circuit and SD-1 is very slight. I don’t know bout OD-3.

[@R__A]

Can you recommend a cheap noisegate?? Never used one before

[@jaredriley4071]

​@R A Rowin Noise Gate or Donnor Noise Killer. Cheap, effective, and easiest to use.

[@MrOzgooner]

I can see why the sd1 is the go to pedal for Boss for boost and transparency...sounds far more fluid and natural when going into an amp over the od3...IMO you sounded far more fluid in your playing with the sd1 Elmo...the od3 sounded a bit static in feel

[@Martin_Tudela_Orsi]

SD-1 boost and transparency? LoL, try the BD-2 and then come back.

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

The only way to know which pedal is better is to play it with a Full Band (with a drummer). then you will hear which pedal 'cuts through' the mix or not.

[@squirelova1815]

Forget it. i don't even think I can find Half a Band that wants to play with me. You're exactly right, of course= Always try to Test Your Equipment.

[@Amir93-l6t]

Both of these pedals are made in japan or taiwan?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Taiwan I think.

[@ahautevoix-voixoff-marseil6509]

Small different sounds for big different prices, thanks for your all test videos

[@MrPolevaulter]

My pleasure!

[@leonardoreyes9737]

Great video and excellent playing but show the pedals settings next time, please. Cheers from Uruguay.

[@JoeFic9997]

They both sound great and to be honest not so different that if I had 1 or the other the difference shouldn’t be enough to change. I have an SD-1 which I drive into a DS-1 and the combination is magical and versatile but you need a noise gate for the higher gain ranges with single coils. Not as necessary with humbuckers but it gets darker without some equalization And truly brilliant playing on your part. An inspiration to get me to practice more and improve my playing!!!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thank you very much 😊

[@mindcontrol67]

What are your setting for both pedals?

[@JoeFic9997]

@@mindcontrol67 I dime the SD-1 into the DS-1. DS-1 about 25% distortion and tone knobs generally around 40%

[@mindcontrol67]

@@JoeFic9997 Thanks for the rundown, Do you dime the level of the SD-1.

[@JoeFic9997]

@@mindcontrol67 no I set the level around 50%

[@progrob27]

Your playing sounds super good on this video Pick attack sounds really nice.

[@marcellofreitas7356]

The overdrive I have is none of these or the other light yellow units. I have the mustard-yellow tweed style Boss Fender FBM1 Bassman. I don´t know if cranked-up it can equal SD1and OD3, but for sound quality it´s really great. It has parametric equalizing and a presence knob, which is very unique. For heavier sounds I use DS2 Turbo Distortion. You should test the FBM1 and share with us. : )

[@MrPolevaulter]

I don't think they make it anymore, do they?

[@marcellofreitas7356]

@@MrPolevaulter Unfortunately, the FBM1 is no longer made. Kind of a limited series...

[@sommerssamantha]

First of all, please accept my congratulations on the great victory of the Finnish hockey team in the 2019 World Hockey Championship! And secondly, overdrive both are very cool, from the "must have" series! I have only one overdrive - it's a red box from Fender, with level and gain controls, and white gothic inscription "Yngwie Malmsteen" on it )))) BTW To hear a difference you need to play the same music on both pedals, i think ;)

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks :)

[@VitaTristis]

The SD-1 sounds great through a Marshall or Laney!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yep.

[@TaglitoFilms]

Love it through a pushed Vox as well!

[@xjohn1970]

the Waza Boss SD-1 has a quieter noise floor.

[@Hudslee]

I love both. But I love OD3 a little bit more. Tks for this great video.

[@ehs03y3ol]

OD-3 reminds me kinda to the beatifull low-end distortion of Bassbreaker, maybe even is creating bass at some kind of the circuit). SD-1 sadly it moves to much the mid frequency to an upper registry and nearly breaks the bass side (which maybe easy for beginers to deal with the sound). I like them, but I would go for OD-3 instead of SD-1! Nice to see you Elmo.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@DeejayBeatslider]

I wanted to check on those overdrives and chose to quit guitar. Man, you're awesome!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@Kadotus]

Elmo, you make some great videos *AND* only great videos!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Kiitos :)

[@ProCoRat]

SD-1 is brighter with a more pronounced front-end bite; OD-3 is warmer with a more pronounced sustain. I think a rig with a low-gain SD-1 going into a high-gain OD-3 might be worth trying.

[@monstruonegro05]

Love psyco-vibe intros, here's my like, good man!

[@thedrogo3953]

SICK PLAYING BRO

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@devinsinderwitcz9134]

I liked both to be honest but I can get the OD-3 tone with a BD-2 and SD-1 combined in my chain.

[@danabnormal5892]

I run my xotic ep boost into my od-3. Sounds incredible with my hot rod deluxe and my blues cube artist

[@bradfordstring65]

Can you send me some settings? Looking for a nice sustained lead tone that isn't harsh. Having trouble making it not noisy and harsh.

[@brianrollins7275]

Blues cube artist, great amp.

[@mrscary3105]

I run an SD-1, so this should be good :)

[@voiceofexperience]

OD-3 FTW! Sounds like overdrives costing MUCH more. (SD-1 is OK if you're really into 80s Hollywood hair-metal I suppose...)

[@fedboy21]

Hi elmo....can u make a video about attenuator for the mini marshall....maybe a twonotes torpedo captor or suhr reactive load or another reactive attenuator...i wanna is it have any different when using attenuator and using the amp in low watt settings

[@MrPolevaulter]

I'm planning on getting a Boss Tube Amp Expander. Sadly I sold the SV20.

[@rderfa]

Nice vid, bro!!! Cheers.

[@sirbaronvoncount4147]

It’s my fourth favourite Finn! Long story lol Boss overdrives sounds so great with Marshall’s

[@MrPolevaulter]

Sure do :)

[@michaelcraig9449]

Huckleberry FINN!

[@Thomas_Geist]

Quick response. You must be home, so,,, As I’m listening to other comparisons I starting to thing the Blues Driver offers the most natural tone and doesn’t cut the bass. The SD-1 definitely changes the tone one the high end too. Imagine the BD-2 is like making a sound with your mouth wide open and the SD-1 is closing your mouth to an to an Ooo. Everybody’s ear is different of course but for slide I’m thinking BD-2. Any comment?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Don't have much experience with the BD-2. I did try one on the channel, but I don't remember what it sounded like, except that I was surprised it did so much gain.

[@eduardoprieto5267]

What the hell, those fast links a blur buddy. Thanks

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@kimmolingonheimo]

ill hit the noise gate now? another pedal? by the BOSS? Ill be at the balcony scalloping my Yamaha Pacifica 112V?...cheaper than refrettin ferrets..., I do love your vids, they are very informative and your guitar playing is very good...!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@dappawap]

I sold my OD 1 years ago because my amp has a great overdrive but miss it because it sounds great with a Morely wah

[@LeeKirkman88]

Do people even use EQ pedals anymore? Judging by the comments no? things can be fine tuned. which ever pedal you choose they both do a good job at something.

[@shawn2571]

I liked the sound of the SD 1 it sounds a little less bassy

[@squirelova1815]

There's definitely one more Boss here since Elmo is on = sweeeet Boss Daddy Elmo. Hoooraaa!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks :)

[@Gohanndes1]

Nice video as always! OD-3 bass notes sound flabby, and SD-1 sounds great!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@Gohanndes1]

@@MrPolevaulter Currently I am experimenting stacking the original black DoD YJM with a TS9 with great results. Using the YJM Strat and a American Deluxe with Injectors with 500pots and treble bleed into a 1971 JMP 100watts.

[@BITESIZEJONES]

Lol ok

[@denizstratocaster]

Damn, as always brilliant high scaled awesome playing!!!! Love youre style and vids!!! But...... for me and my playing prefer and use for decennia the boss sd1, like the gritty and the mid hump to push my marshall jcm 800... by the way both great pedals and over the years i tried a lot of overdrives, both boutique of mass products... every time put back my boss sd1 on my board for my shreds, overall playing, sound and style... my great second is the j. Rockett archer ikon.. love the pronounced mids. Use it with low output single coils and mid output humbuckers.. but that said.. pure my opinion and use.. but man... you are playing so awesome!!!!! Rock on🎸🎶🎵♬♫♪

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers :)

[@raphaelisaac7479]

The od3 sounds a little bit like a fuzz on your neck pickup

[@dappawap]

love that intro!

[@MrTroy808]

The SD-1 was super.

[@MrRFasters]

People keep comparing these while they are entirely different beasts. I own both and they both have a reason for their ecistance. Hence they do ... 😅 SD-1: Mid humping Tube Screamer but more transparant to your guitar tone than a recolouring TS9 or so. And quite cutting the bass edges in the entire resulting (post) signal chain (which is a pity to me). Typical use: boost a subsequent drive pedal or amp over the top, being set near to break up. OD-3 Wider overdrive. Less mid hump but still some. Wider EQ range and less steep diffs between low/mid/highs. Typical use: as a full EQ extra channel and overdrive. With EQ can also be set to overdrive the next pedal. With an EQ pedal in front are after this can be made to do the mid hump TS thing. Which I do. The SD1 is in the cupboard, the OD-3 is a stable factor my my Blues Rock Dumble / Marshall oriented board (seeking Moore, Bonamassa, ZZ Top type sounds). The OD comes after a Klon, but before the Boss BluesDriver, the PowerStack and a Dumble SSS/ODS overdrive into a Mesa EL84 tube as clean platform.

[@IceBondMusic]

Thanks for this comparison - very herlpfull! Now i know, that the SD 1 is my goto, cause the bottom growl of the OD 3 is nice, but useless in the mix and the SD 1 cuts much more through ...

[@flacogasty]

una stratocaster con un marshall tiene un audio molesto

[@rollingstart_90s]

SD-1 through my rig, with humbucker guitar sounds exremely cold and sterile. Overly nasal in a stingy way. OD-3 is warmer, more "natural/ transparent?", retaining the thickness of the dialed in tone, only giving a more subtle mid boost. I can't understand why the SD-1 is so popular, but then again, I'd have to test it through multiple different amp's and cabinets. Maybe the SD-1 just happens to be a really poor choice for my rig.

[@thorpenator9148]

The sound you want with a full band is not the sound you dial in when playing alone. Taylor's vs Martin. One cuts through a mix.. the other better stand alone. PAF pick ups can be way to bright jamming alone. With a bass player...earvana

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Great vid. I liked both, but thru my phone speakers I liked the clarity of the SD1 more I guess. Very close in sound to me.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers :)

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

The takeaway? Cheaper is ALWAYS better.

[@davidgerlach631]

Great video, but they key is "WHAT FREAKING AMP AND SPEAKERS" are being used. This video is a wash unless everyone observing is using the same rig that you are. Make sense Mr. Sherlock? 😕

[@amnesie6615]

why does it so badly fart?! :/

[@Vulgarandbored]

Them single coils

[@ashthegreat1]

U want steroidal boost from a Boss pedal, go the FB2. It’s BEASTIAL!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@heinekenm5839]

I have sd1 and od1x for all my need

[@stryfr5925]

Thanks for This video ! I prefer the boss od3

[@zumarandaniel]

you should have more subscribes.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks! I think so too :D

[@BeyondVexing]

I think someone could make the sd1 sound like the od3 easier then the other way around. So sd1 for the win IMO. It’s all a matter of personal preference in the end so no right or wrong choice. Great video which comes as no surprise anymore.

[@chrisjones8977]

Sd1 all day!!!! The OD3 sounds thin and cheap.

[@JMP1269]

The face says it all. Sd1

[@bradleyfurer7847]

SD-2

[@MrPolevaulter]

Sorry?

[@bradleyfurer7847]

Suggestion for Boss pedal review

[@furbymetal83]

Those are hard to find. They say it sounds great with Voxes, so I m currently on the hunt for one. Good suggestion, you know your boss stuff

[@MrPolevaulter]

@@bradleyfurer7847 Thanks for the suggestion.

[@paulkielt9301]

The OD-3 sounds a little bit less harsh to my ears. On the other hand, I don't think BOSS overdrives are the best choice to use with a Marshall.

[@xjohn1970]

Zakk Wylde used Boss SD-1 with his Marshalls and sounded amazing when he first joined OZZY

[@thorpenator9148]

You may rethink that my friend. Satriani used Boss Overdrive pedals into a Marshall for his early recordings. Peace

[@PunkRockRog]

Super OD. Thts all.

[@demonslayer7522]

play more rhythm! and try a humbucker! for us that don't play strats.and not play lead all the time!

[@MrPolevaulter]

All the time?

[@metalchug426]

I think thts stackhumbucker?

[@MrPolevaulter]

@@metalchug426 Yeah.

[@christianbusch2123]

Hey Elmo I like your videos but your Fender YJM overdrive is a distortionpedal (hardclipping) and the boss overdrive is a softclipper! Bad comparison!!!!

[@MrPolevaulter]

If I'm stating that the Yngwie overdrive is my preference, then that's not really a comparison, it's more of a statement along the lines of "this is where I'm coming from". The comparison was mostly between the OD-3 and SD-1.

[@blueserman]

больше похоже на дэмо мастерства игры, чем на дэмо педалей

[@Deatg-ek8rf]

The SD-1 has a genuine purpose to exists (to boost a Marshall amp like a Tube Screamer), the OD-3 has no legitimate purpose to exist - its just another random overdrive, one of thousands.

[@eduardoprieto5267]

Fast licks.

[@stevenarseneault1972]

OD3 is muddy

[@Dicktopus]

Omg my dream comes true.

[@MrPolevaulter]

:D