JHS Bonsai Overdrive Pedal

 

 

Anyone who has cared for a Bonsai tree knows that it is an excercise in patience and meticulous effort.  The same is true of Josh Scott's work to deliver a comprehensive tribute to the most legendary overdrive pedal.  The Bonsai Overdrive is not a collection of mods, or an assortment of emulations - it is a fully functional array of components that replicate the exact circuits of 9 classic overdrive variations.

 

An overall brighter and slightly higher gain mode that does not utilize the Tone knob. This mode also inverts signal just like the original and has asymmetrical clipping. The OD-1 is magical at boosting other drives or amps into singing saturation.

 

The classic low gain with that signature pronounced mid range.

 

Nearly identical to the TS-808 but with a slightly more pushed low-mid range.

 

Though metal is in the name, this sound doesn’t quite inspire the modern metal djent we think of. Still it has a higher gain sound with a more low end and an overall more gooey feel.

 

Made famous by John Mayer, this model is a slight upgrade from the TS9 for the late ’80s. Bluesy, crisp, more low end roll off and low gain.

 

The EXAR is a Polish made TS-style pedal that has a slightly different drive character with a little more gain than the classic screamers as well as a slightly more transparent feel.

 

The hot mode on this version gives you the highest gain sound in the Bonsai. More low end and dirt fill out the tone to have you shredding away.

 

Robert Keeley’s classic mod tightens up the tone on the original giving you smoother mid range and high frequencies, and increased bass response.

 

JHS mod they've been doing since 2008 is much cleaner and overall more powerful. The mode has more pronounced higher and low end drop offs.