Buzz Bin
Maxon Apex 808 Overdrive
GUITAR WORLD PLATINUM AWARD
IF THERE EVER was an app similar to Tinder for overdrive pedals, guitarists would never stop swiping. I say this because there must be thousands upon thousands of popular and boutique dirt boxes available for guitarists to fixate on and mull over as “The best!” but in reality, these armchair pedal pushers rarely ever settle on just one. Debate all you want, but only two are primarily considered the “Holy Grail” (*cough* Tube Screamer! Klo— *cough*). But that still won’t stop me from asking, “Does the world need another overdrive pedal?” Well, after recently discovering the Maxon Apex 808 Overdrive, I must emphatically say, “Yes!” because of two salient points to consider: It has new-found pedigree, and it’s the ultimate TS-808 Tube Screamer variant to date with astonishing tube-like response and more sweetly refined clarity and gritty punch. Compulsive tone chasers, you’re gonna want to swipe right.