Maxon OD-9 Overdrive

Maxon is the original TubeScreamer.
Bear in mind that an OverDrive pedal is not a distortion pedal! I would never use this alone to get a good distortion - if you're searching for that, go to a diferent pedal all together. Distortion that comes from the amp is the best one you should always rely on.
What OverDrive IS used however for .... I use this in cooperation with the distorted channel of my amp, to give my guitar signal a bit of a boost. Much like a compressor, it also gives your playing more edge and sustain, and you don't have to hit the strings as hard as to get that kind of a sound otherwise.
The sound of the Maxon OD-9 is very transparent and doesn't alter the tone of your amplifier that much (the Tone option does very little but adds some small colour to your sound) which is actually perfect for an OverDrive pedal.
I pretty much use this ON during all the times so I get teh most out of my distortion sound, but it could also be used as a booster just for leads and solos, giving you more compression, sustain and grip to the sound.
This is Maxon's original model with not that many extra features and there are several different ones with more options (that's why -1 on the features) but it all depends on what you require.... for me the more simple, the better.
I've also tested this in comparision to Ibanez's tubescreamer (the more recent one, not the original with the Maxon chip) and I think the Maxon chip sounds much better.
So hail the original TubeScreamer!

I really was not expecting it to sound as good as it does. I was using a mainstream digital multieffect pedal which had a TS simulator but this is on another level. Usually when I compare some distortion pedals or modulation effects I really can't hear much difference between the originals and the digital but this one is on another level, to the point I just wouldn't be able to not have in my pedalboard ever again. It just sounds incredibly good, both to push the amp and when needing a bit of overdrive breakup.
I also read often descriptions of pedals "built like a tank", but if those are built like a tank this is a nuclear bunker, it's as solid as it gets.

Like most players I have bought many pedals over the years but come the revolution if I'm told I can only keep one this is it!
Its hard to explain exactly why..but there is a singing musical quality in the tone which I don't remember my Ibanez TS-9 in the '90's having to just the same extent!.....its a very natural pedal to play..and thats one thing about it,you can really play it,not just stomp on it and it seems to work with you and co-operate with your intentions....I'm fortunate to have acquired some nice old guitars over the years and whether its with PAF,original Fender Wide Range,P90's,Fender Tele and Strat single coils it always seems to bring out the best...I've yet to find a guitar or amp it won't work beautifully with...
Build quality is the best I've come across,Maxon were the original manufacturer of the Ibanez 9 range and these are better built than current Ibanez .....
Its relatively expensive compared to most non-boutique pedals but worth every cent...buy this and you won't need another tubescreamer type though you might still use a Boss SD ...
Downside?...the switch pedal has a very strong spring and is relatively small...it can fail to engage if not pressed forcefully and can engage then disengage if held too long.....it takes a bit of getting used to here and as a design the Maxon/Ibanez switching is not as user friendly on stage as Boss...its the only imperfection!