• From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Topic: GMD Luther Pedal

OK I know I've been bugging everybody for the last couple of weeks about overdrive pedals but I've got one I want your opinion about.  I've been watching reviews on guitar pedals by the guy known only as Gearmanndude on youtube for a week.  It started when I thought about getting a $30 DOD 250 YJM pedal as a boost.  He does tons of demos but he also makes a pedal call the Time Bomb Boost (TBB) which is modeled after a 70's DOD 250... very nice pedal.  Later I found this pedal he makes called a Luther which is based of of OD-808 circuit but he's mod the circuit slightly to have a "tighter bottom end and less mid range"  He charges $115 for the Luther and $90 for the TBB.  I emailed him last night and he priced both pedals to me with shipping for $200!  Here is a demo tell me what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgPMuXuKZKU

AD3THREE's Website

2 Reply by wharris (edited by wharris 2010-02-10 18:43:36)

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: GMD Luther Pedal

I have a Luther Drive. I like it...just know that it's more transparent than a TS808 and is brighter. Doesn't seem to clean up as well as some other pedals, but if you're using it as a lead boost that shouldn't matter.

I would check out jhspedals.com. He makes some great pedals (including exact replicas of the Klon and original Aqua Puss). Josh will even paint up the box in custom colors. If you look at his site, two of my pedals are on there: my "re-boxed" Mesa LoneStar pedal and my Eric Johnson specs Germanium FuzzFace (sound familiar?).

3 Reply by GoT MuLe 31788 (edited by GoT MuLe 31788 2010-02-11 13:59:57)

  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: GMD Luther Pedal

AD3THREE wrote:

OK I know I've been bugging everybody for the last couple of weeks about overdrive pedals but I've got one I want your opinion about.  I've been watching reviews on guitar pedals by the guy known only as Gearmanndude on youtube for a week.  It started when I thought about getting a $30 DOD 250 YJM pedal as a boost.  He does tons of demos but he also makes a pedal call the Time Bomb Boost (TBB) which is modeled after a 70's DOD 250... very nice pedal.  Later I found this pedal he makes called a Luther which is based of of OD-808 circuit but he's mod the circuit slightly to have a "tighter bottom end and less mid range"  He charges $115 for the Luther and $90 for the TBB.  I emailed him last night and he priced both pedals to me with shipping for $200!  Here is a demo tell me what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgPMuXuKZKU

I'd just go for a stock 808 Ri... its your classic overdrive and can do pretty much anything an overdrive will do.  3 knob simplicity, and sounds good all the time, everytime.  What exactly are you trying to do with this pedal?  Maybe its the choice of amp, ie have a Fender looking for more Marshall or vice versa - you'll never find a pedal/amp that will do both... you need to buy both types of amps lol.

Ben

4 Reply by doc (edited by doc 2010-04-10 19:09:36)

  • doc
  • Bronze Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-10-19
  • Posts: 48

Re: GMD Luther Pedal

eric wharton has a good ear.  no, it's not jack black.  & eric can play too   cool

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: GMD Luther Pedal

I guess to be fair I don't have the faintest clue what I want.  My Fender HRD has a overdrive channel that I'm not saying is great but has worked for me for well over a year now.  Everyone says that channel sucks.  I happened to just enjoy this guys videos and liked how the Gibsons sounded with the pedal (both of his pedals) I've seen about 6 or 7 pedals I think I want but honestly never had any experience with any of this stuff I've always used an overdrive channel on a amp.

This guy is going to sell me 2 pedals for $200 with no shipping charges.  A good Ibanez TS-808 cost around $150.  So if his pedal is even half as good I'm feeling like I'm getting more for the money.  Fulltone has great stuff and I love the OCD.  Lovepedal has 3 pedals I would kill for: Purple Plexi ($200), The Englishman ($200+), and the Amp50 ($100).  Exotic has 3 that I like: BB PreAmp ($179), BB Pre Amp Plus ($250), EP Boost ($100+). 

One can drive themselve nuts with this.  I've looked into amps, and I've looked into Modulation pedals too.  I decided after a gig we did last Thursday (More like a Open mic night for bands that was 45 minutes) that if we ever went up there again I would have a pedal board with enough distortion on tap that I could at least mimic the Fenders OD sound.  I think this guys pedals can do that.  I don't need earth shaking Marshall sound, I just want a fat round sound.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: GMD Luther Pedal

From what you describe, the LD will fit the bill nicely.

  • Rick
  • Platinum
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 318

Re: GMD Luther Pedal

The Gearmanndude pedals will have Major Mojo

You have a White Coiley Cable don't you ?????

big_smile

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: GMD Luther Pedal

Nah no white coiley cable yet.  I'm sure I'll have one someday.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: GMD Luther Pedal

Well I ordered from Gearmanndude and I have a 2 week leave time on the Time Bomb Boost but the Luther is being sent out Monday.  He has a mod that he does call the Loud mod and doesn't charge extra for that so I got it.  Its about twice as loud as the original or a tube screamer.  I'll let you know how it turns out with some pics too.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: GMD Luther Pedal

Well I got both pedals in now.  I'm very pleased with the quality of GMD's stuff.  I like the TBB better if you buy that.  It has that 90's rythem sound going for it and you could lead with it but thats not where it sound its best.  The Luther Drive with the Loud mod has a very smooth voicing to it.  I can turn the gain up all the way and it has less gain then a TS808, but the volume is too much for me I can barely crank it a 1/8 of the way before it gets too loud at my house.  The TBB I can turn up all the way.  Luther drive the way I run it by itself reminds me of a smooth Robin Ford sound, a sound that is perfect for slow blues.  I mostly enjoy playing Stratocasters so I'm always happy to find something that gives me less brightness.  The Luther can get bright too but If you just tweek a bit you can dial up a lot more of the thick type of midrange that sounds round instead of sharp.  Clicking on both pedals with these setups makes the amp scream, and is my best effort to get a Marshall lead sound without buying a DSL or a JCM.  It suits me just fine and I think my GAS is subsided for now.

AD3THREE's Website

  • macg1
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
  • Posts: 1,020

Re: GMD Luther Pedal

I own a Luther Drive and I love it!  Great Tube Screamer option, hand-built but affordable price using good components and from a guy who does a good service of the guitar community at large.  I even got some other friends turned on to the LD as well.  Highly recommended.

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint