
Maxon was what is known as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for Ibanez for a long time, making the ubiquitous Tube Screamer and all its variants that were branded for Ibanez. In 2002 Maxon and Ibanez parted ways, and Maxon struck out on its own, rechristening the TS808 as the OD808 and releasing it (and many other pedals) under the Maxon name.
Well, I guess they decided it was time for a makeover, and so the new OD808X Extreme was born. According to the website, it’s been upgraded with extended frequency response, increased output of an extra 5 db, and a harder, amp-style clipping for more aggressive overdrive. It’s also red, which makes it go faster.
The pedal can be had for $159 directly from the Maxon website, a mere $10 more than the standard OD808. We may or may not have gotten our hands on one for an upcoming review…..
Til then, here’s a video of somebody else demoing the pedal.