[BOSS OD-1 RC3403ADB Raytheon] Early BOSS overdrive masterpiece

Hello. This is sukuta takafumi (@sukutakafumi).
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sukutakafumi

Today, I would like to introduce the BOSS OD-1.

First of all, I made a review video, so please watch it.

○ About the OD-1 I am using

The OD-1 used this time is one of the earliest OD-1s and is equipped with Raytheon's quad-type chip.

○ OD-1 version, the big difference

There are various versions of the OD-1, and I've heard that the parts and circuits installed vary depending on the time of year. The big part is the chip.
Initially, a chip called a quad type was loaded, and it appears that there are two types: one from Raytheon and one from NEC. Also, after the quad type chip, a dual type chip was used, which was either a JRC4558D or JRC4558DD.

○ Difference in sound depending on the version

I don't own all of the versions, so I can't compare them, but in my experience, the early Raytheon was designed to sound like it was distorting a tube amp.
However, as with the OD-1 in general, the low frequencies are strong.
However, this is also the good point of OD-1.
The instrument alone feels unsatisfactory, but when combined with a band ensemble or used for recording, it is placed in the right range and gives an ensemble feeling.
Also, personally, it is better to cut the low range to some extent when playing lead.
Those equipped with NEC chips have a little low range in the sound, but the impression is that a low range with a slightly hard core is produced. Perhaps because of that, the sound feels a little hard.
The JRC4558D is a chip used in the Tube Screamer that you all know.
When this chip was installed, it felt like a Tube Screamer, or it has a cohesive and smooth sound.
However, when it comes to the JRC4558DD, it has a smooth impression, but it seems to be disorganized or rampant. However, the DD is not bad, and I get the impression that the guitar is barking with a stronger mid-range than the 4558D.

○ Author's general comment

As it is a Boss product, it goes well with the Jazz Chorus. Also, there is no tone control, but you can easily get good distortion so that you don't really need it. Personally, I would like to match it with a humbucker rather than a single coil, but it goes well with both.
If you use it with it always on, you may find it a little difficult to use. When you turn down the volume of the guitar, it doesn't become clean and clear, so it may be better to gently step on the OD-1 switch to switch between clean and distorted.

▼ The following equipment is used in the review video.

Guitar:
Kanji Guitar Stratocaster（https://twitter.com/KanjiKawabata）

Effector:
BOSS OD-1
Line6 / Helixlt

The Helix is sets to a Fender type amplifier, and other spatial effects are set on a personal computer.

In addition, I, Takafumi Sukuta, am looking for manufacturers and individual builders who can loan me equipment for review videos and creating articles.