Guitar Overdrive Pedal Shootout: Joyo Ultimate Drive

Dive into our in-depth review of the Joyo Ultimate Drive, as we compare it to other guitar overdrive pedals in an exciting shootout. Unleash the power and versatility of this pedal as we analyze its distinct features, tone-shaping capabilities, and overall performance. Discover why the Joyo Ultimate Drive stands out in the realm of overdrive pedals and find the perfect drive sound to elevate your guitar playing.

Ultimate OCD Clone?

Renowned as one of the top contenders in the realm of Fulltone OCD clones, the Joyo Ultimate Drive pedal has garnered significant praise (alongside competitors like the Mooer Hustle Drive and Danelectro Coolcat Overdrive V1). While I had never personally experienced the Fulltone version, I was captivated by the numerous YouTube comparisons. With overdrive pedals often exceeding £100, the Joyo Ultimate Drive appeared to be a cost-effective alternative that delivered similar results. Seeking a versatile and dynamic overdrive/distortion pedal that would respond well to guitar volume adjustments, I wasted no time in purchasing it from Thomann for a reasonable price of around £30.

First Impressions

Surprisingly, Thomann sells the Joyo pedals under their own brand name, Harley Benton, which caught me off guard. However, it became evident that the Harley Benton Ultimate Drive is essentially identical to the Joyo version, except for the labeling. The build quality immediately impressed me, exuding a solid and high-end feel with its sturdy aluminum casing and robust connections and controls. While some may find the bold design a bit flashy, I personally appreciate its eye-catching appearance, as it stands out and makes a statement. One minor gripe I have is the placement of the on/off indicator, situated right under your foot where it’s difficult to see. Nevertheless, overall, it’s an excellent package, especially considering the price. As I set up my clean Fender Blues Junior amplifier, I eagerly anticipated stomping on the pedal to unleash its fiery and captivating tones.

Sounds

Boom! The Joyo Ultimate Drive delivers a significant amount of output power. Anything beyond a quarter of the volume knob with a reasonable gain setting is more than enough to match the volume of your clean signal. Right from the start, the pedal feels highly responsive and versatile, which can be both a blessing and a challenge if you’re seeking a specific sound, especially in the realm of moderately overdriven tones. Precise adjustments are required to dial in your desired settings. Nevertheless, the drive character is remarkably full, dynamic, and responsive, offering the added benefit of remarkable cleanup when you roll back the guitar’s volume knob, regardless of the gain control setting.

Why did I add the Joyo Ultimate Drive to my pedalboard?

The Joyo Ultimate Drive found its place on my pedalboard as a replacement for the ‘Squeak’ patch on my Zoom G3, which had been serving me well. With the Ultimate Drive receiving rave reviews, I felt it was time to upgrade to standalone analog overdrive pedals. These pedals offer easier tweaking on the fly in a live setting and provide a more substantial and authentic sound. The Joyo Ultimate Drive offers a wide range of gain control, allowing for mild overdrive all the way to heavy distortion. Additionally, it features an HP/LP toggle switch, similar to the Fulltone OCD, which selects the frequency of the overdrive. HP mode adds more midrange, while LP mode emphasizes the bottom end. One of the highlights of this pedal is its ability to clean up beautifully with the guitar’s volume, offering a lot of fun and practicality by seamlessly transitioning from clean to lead simply by adjusting the guitar’s volume. When played at full stage volume, the pedal takes on a raging and fiery character, perfectly matching its vibrant graphics.

Why did I remove the Joyo Ultimate Drive from my pedalboard?

Unfortunately, in my specific setup (an Epiphone ES-335 PRO into a Fender Blues Junior), the Joyo Ultimate Drive proved to be excessively bass-heavy. To address this issue, I had to select HP mode and adjust the tone control above halfway, which resulted in a loss of body and left me with a fizz that couldn’t cut through the mix. There was no way to dial in the midrange to achieve a punchy sound that could truly stand out in the mix, even with adjustments on the amplifier. Consequently, in a live scenario, the tone would either be too bassy or overly trebly, with no satisfying middle ground. Additionally, the sound seemed somewhat distant rather than upfront and present. Making matters worse, the gain pot proved to be overly sensitive, making it challenging to set and maintain a moderately overdriven tone, unlike the Fulltone OCD from which it takes inspiration.

Conclusion

The Joyo Ultimate Drive didn’t quite meet my expectations for my specific application and gear, which primarily revolves around rock, pop, and indie covers. It proved to be excessively gainy, overly sensitive, and had an overpowering bass response. While it does come at a very affordable price and does emulate the sound of a Fulltone OCD, as well as being well-built and a step up from modeling and digital effects, it fell short of what I was looking for in an overdrive pedal. As a result, my search for the perfect overdrive pedal continues.

The Competition

Here are other inexpensive, responsive, versatile overdrive/distortion crossover pedals in the vein of the original, the Fulltone OCD.

• Danelectro Cool Cat Drive Overdrive Distortion Guitar Effect Pedal;
• Mooer Hustle Drive.