There’s just something so unique and inviting about each pedal we’ve reviewed from Hudson Electronics, and today’s featured pedal is no different. The Sidecar Overdrive is a special take on a classic “green” overdrive circuit, with some added elements and quality components, to make it a drive that will contend with anything you put it up against. We recently reviewed the Hudson Broadcast Pre-Amp, and this pedal is a perfect combination piece to that brilliant effect as well.
The Drive control pushes the gain of the Sidecar, starting slow and mellow and moving quickly to crunchy and distorted. Unlike the 808 circuit it’s loosely based on, there’s a 2-knob EQ section instead of one lone Tone knob, which drew inspiration from a vintage Studer recording console, allowing for a more expressive and versatile frequency manipulation, and overall tone-shaping, too. Featuring a NOS germanium transistor in the clipping section, chosen for its ‘softer’ response characteristics, the Sidecar stays true to your playing dynamics and feel. The powerful two-band Baxandall EQ provides up to 15dB of cut and boost of the high and low bands as well. Finally, a Volume control lets you punch and kick your way through any mix, past the drummer that’s too loud, into the crowd and directly into the unsuspecting eardrums of your listeners, whether they like it or not.
As far as voltages are concerned, the Sidecar will take from 9v up to a whopping 24v, for all the headroom you could possibly want, need or be able to handle, pushing the limits and boundaries of this effect to the edge, and past it. Michael and the gang at Hudson Electronics continue to push the sonic envelope with each new pedal they create, and we can’t thank them enough for allowing us the pleasure and opportunity to put a couple through the paces. Be sure to head over to their site, and pick up one or six of their brilliant pieces of gear – it’ll be worth the wait, trust us.
Specs:
High-Performance, High-Fidelity Audio Operational Amplifier
Hand selected NOS Germanium transistor
Alpha / BI potentiometers
Neutrik jack sockets
Heavy duty foot switch
Submitted by Mike B, Website
Demo Rock pedalboard by West Coast Pedalboard
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