NORDVANG CUSTOM '83 Drive V2.5

The '83 Drive is the ultimate dual overdrive pedal that produces a wide range of superb tones. From drive sounds that you keep on all the time to lead tones with emphasized mids, it handles everything. This pedal fuses the legendary "K-style" overdrive and "Black Box Bluesbreaker" with a unique interpretation, featuring two independent overdrive circuits, delivering drive sounds reminiscent of two legendary pedals loved by many guitarists, all in one enclosure.

The development of the '83 Drive stemmed from our passion for the appeal of these two pedals when used individually, and the incredible sound they produce when stacked together. Both pedals have played a crucial role in John Mayer's live guitar sound for many years. He uses them stacked before his TS10 when creating his lead tones. The number "83" holds special significance for John Mayer, which is why we named this pedal the "'83 Drive."

While faithfully reproducing the original circuit, the BB circuit has been modified to a true bypass specification, and a switching option has been added to allow for fine-tuning of the sound. The output has also been enhanced by increasing the headroom to 18V and adding a gain stage. Meanwhile, the buffer has been retained in the K-style circuit.

The '83 Drive is divided into Side A (left) and Side B (right), and the "Order" toggle switch in the center allows you to switch the internal connection order of the effects.

Side A employs a BB-style circuit and features GAIN, TONE, and VOLUME knobs, as well as a three-position toggle switch labeled "LOWS." This LOWS switch switches the low-frequency response of the circuit. It also has three internal DIP switches (gain, soft clipping, hard clipping) for further tone fine-tuning.

Side B employs a K-style circuit, featuring GAIN, TREBLE, and OUTPUT knobs, as well as a three-position toggle switch labeled CLIPPING. This clipping switch allows you to switch between germanium, Schottky, and silicon clipping diode pairs. Additionally, an internal DIP switch allows you to change the silicon mode to an "open" setting, resulting in a "LOUD" sound that bypasses the clipping diodes.

Each side can be used individually or stacked (connected in series).

TRS Split Function: The '83 DRIVE V2.5 can be used not only by connecting the A and B sides in series (A→B or A←B), but also by separating them (splitting) and using them as independent effects. In series mode, the two 1/4-inch jacks used for signal input and output function as input and output (IN/OUT) for each side in split mode.

Side A (left side)
- Based on a replica of the original BB1 (Black Box Blues Breaker) circuit, with the addition of an output volume control.
- The operational amplifier's operating voltage was boosted to 18V, increasing the headroom.
- Features a 3-stage toggle switch (Low) to extend the low-frequency response.
• Equipped with three internal DIP switches for detailed sound adjustment:
- Switch between hard clipping, clean boost/overdrive (soft clipping), and standard/high gain.
- TRS split (separate) function via DIP switch.

Side B (right side)
This is a complete replica of the K-circuit.
It features an external 3-position switch for switching between the clipping diodes (germanium, Schottky, and silicon pairs) in the overdrive stage. An internal DIP switch allows you to select an "open setting" that does not use diodes, instead of silicon mode.
The germanium diode used is the original NOS (New Old Stock) "D9B" made in Russia.

External order toggle switch for selecting the order of two effects

'83 Drive is manufactured using carefully selected, top-quality components.
• VISHAY 1% precision metal film resistors • WIMA film capacitors (MKP10, MKS4, FKP2) — No electrolytic capacitors used in the audio circuit • VIMEX sealed potentiometers • TAIWAY toggle switches and footswitches • PURE TONE multi-contact 1/4-inch jacks • Silver-plated internal wiring • Teflon-insulated cables

Dimensions: 145 mm x 121 mm x 35 mm

power supply:
The '83 DRIVE requires a regulated DC 9V power supply (standard 2.1mm jack, center-negative polarity).
The maximum current consumption is 100mA (+9VDC). Using a power supply with insufficient current capacity may negatively affect performance. Therefore, please ensure that the DC9V power supply you are using can supply 100mA.
We recommend using a high-quality power supply with isolated (independent) outputs. Please note that the '83 DRIVE V2.5 does not support battery operation.