Diamond Pedals have been a big supporter of Pedal of the Day since we first started, and it’s always a treat getting a package from them in the mail, ’cause you never know what to expect. This time around, the delivered box was loaded with dirt pedals, the first of which we’ll be checking out today. Both a drive and a warm boost, the J-Drive Mk3 Overdrive puts out plenty of power and adds great depth to your tone, with a couple of cool options as well.
The main section of the J-Drive Mk3 features the following controls: Drive, Warmth and Volume. The Drive section has been outfitted with a transformer output stage, creating a wonderful smoothing effect on the upper mids and highs, and making for a warm and even keel overdrive tone. The Warmth knob adds in some low-end to your signal, while simultaneously cutting a bit off the highs, great for really bright and high-end-heavy pickups or amplifiers. And with plenty of Volume on tap, you can be sure your scorching solos will be heard all the way at the back of the arena…or your local pub.
There’s a toggle switch in this Drive section as well, that boosts the high frequencies for when you need an extra bit of bite to your sound. The Boost section is a great addition as well to the J-Drive: an independently switchable clean boost consisting of a Vishay JFET and BJT clean boost, perfect for kicking the J-Drive into another level of drive, blasting through any mix and making your overdriven tone sparkle and shine, in both live settings and in the studio.
Utilizing true bypass wiring, and featuring 2% polypropylene capacitors, 1% metal film resistors and a Burr Brown OPA2134 opamp, the J-Drive Mk3 Overdrive is built with the highest-quality components, and the highest level of professionalism and expertise. Thanks once again so so much to Aimish and everyone over at Diamond Pedals, who have been more than generous in their donations to our site. Please make sure you go check out their extensive and impressive line of pedals, they’ve got tons of great stuff to add to your rig. Be sure to check back for more reviews of their dirt pedals, coming soon as well!
Specs:
True bypass signal path for both the clean boost
and drive sections
Discrete clean boost circuit with JFET input/BJT
amplifier
Premium audio components, including 2% polypropylene capacitors, 1% metal film resistors and a Burr Brown OPA2134 opamp
Post-volume control overdrive transformer output stage
that smooths upper mids and highs
‘Close Asymmetry’ Schottky diode clipping circuit
Switchable highpass shelf filter for additional ‘bite’,
implemented without additional active components
Battery or standard negative tip 9V DC adapter operation
Submitted by Mike B, Website
Demo Rock pedalboard by West Coast Pedalboard
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