In 1979 a Japanese electronics engineer by the name of Susumu Tamura created an overdrive that was set to compete with the current ringleader, the Boss OD-1. In doing so, he created one of the most successful and imitated effects of all time, the Maxon OD808, which would be rebranded for Ibanez as the TS808 Tube Screamer. The pedal is now in its 40th year, and to celebrate the occasion Maxon is releasing a limited run of 400 40th Anniversary OD808 Overdrives.

In 1979 Susumu Tamura created a mean green overdrive that changed everything. Now Maxon is celebrating its birthday with the 40th Anniversary OD808 Overdrive.

The OD808/Tube Screamer has for decades been cherished for its warm, transparent, tube-like sound. It’s an effect that adds a bit of a boost or sparkle when you need it, and it’s also great for stacking with other drives for thick saturation. It’s a pedal that has been replicated, copied, mutated and modded almost continuously since it’s release, however, for many the simplicity and tone of the original will always be the best.

The 40th Anniversary edition comes with a few modifications from Tamura himself, which offer a “more open, articulate sound with improved dynamic response”. Only 400 units will be produced, each coming with a signed certificate of authenticity. The first 40 will even be hand signed by Tamura, which could make them a nifty little collectable.

The Maxon 40th Anniversary OD808 Overdrive is available online at Godlyke Distributing Inc.