"The classic overdrive becomes even better with three modes. But with fewer than 2,000 copies available, it's also a collector's item." The DOD 250 Overdrive/Preamp pedal gets an appealing 50th anniversary makeover

Founded in 1974 by David Oreste DiFrancesco and John Johnson, Salt Lake City, Utah–based DOD became one of the major players in the mid-’70s effects pedal market. This limited-edition, updated version of the Overdrive 250 pedal that helped put DOD on the map features analog circuitry, a mechanical foot switch with a true bypass, input and output jacks, and a nine-volt adapter jack. It can also be powered by nine-volt battery which is a convenience many pedals don’t offer (adapter and battery not included).

The bottom plate has to be removed to install a battery and there’s not much else to see on the inside other than the back of a PCB, upon which the components are soldered through-hole style. The aluminum housing has a metallic gray finish with yellow silkscreened graphics, and includes a metal badge that is laser-etched with “50 Years 1974–2024”. Even the color of the bypass LED was selected to match the pedal’s scheme, and it emits a pleasing yellow-green glow that’s not blindingly bright.

Gain and level are controlled by potentiometers topped with black knobs that sport snazzy aluminum tops. Both knobs turned very smoothly, but the gain pot on our pre-release review model was a little scratchy in parts of its rotation. A significant departure from the original 250’s circuit is the addition of a three-position mini-toggle switch that has settings for Silicon (the original diode), Lift (which eliminates diode clipping from the signal path) and GE/ASYM which uses a vintage germanium diode to create asymmetrical, even-order harmonic distortion.

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Tested with single-coil– and humbucker-equipped electric guitars, and run through a Matchless Chieftain combo and a PRS DGT 15 head and 1x12 cabinet, the Overdrive 250 delivered grind from the moment the gain knob was cracked open, going into mildly compressed saturation from about 11 o’clock until the knob was maxed. At this point, distortion is the raspiest and the volume is the loudest. The tones walk the line between fuzz and distortion, making this pedal a great all-rounder for lead and dirty rhythm.

Since the output is dependent on the gain setting, this is not a clean booster, however you can get that sort of response via the Lift mode setting, which provides a volume boost with minimal distortion until the gain knob is up past three o’ clock. Lift worked well with the Matchless amp in particular, allowing me to go from a girthy/gritty clean to thick distortion at the touch of the foot switch.

The GE/ASYM position yielded the warmest sounding distortion overall, sounding killer for bridge-position lead tones and cleaning up for rhythm when the guitar volume was rolled down. All said, the DOD Limited Edition 50th Anniversary OD250 Overdrive/Preamp is a welcome revision of an American classic, made even better with three modes. But with just 1,974 copies available, it's also a collector's item.

SPECIFICATIONS

PRICE $250

CONTROLS Gain, level, 3-position toggle (Silicon/Lift/Germanium)

FOOT SWITCH Mechanical on/off

I/O Input, output, 9VDC jack (adapter not included)

DIMENSIONS 4.68” x 2.63” x 2.25” (LxWxH)

EXTRAS Analog circuit. Silicon, germanium and clean-boost modes True bypass with LED. Can be battery powered

WEIGHT .62 lbs

BUILT USA

KUDOS

CONCERNS