Danelectro Cool Cat DRIVE version 1 vs V2 guitar effects overdrive pedal shootout

[MannasProductions]

Is it possible to make it through one video without the Jack Black comment?

[technoguyx]

V1 sounds slightly more driven to me. :P

[DECIFERTHIS09]

sounds like jack black 

[ajexists]

Thank you, Jack Black.

[guitarran]

Version one has richer fuller harmonic overtones.

[jnuhjnuh]

Cool Cat V1 Drive up on ebay right now. 300596302562 is the item number.

[fakeemailbox]

Everyone needs to realize that version 2 has hidden controls in the battery compartment!!! You can dial in the EXACT same tone of version 1 by playing with inside knobs! So a comparison of these two pedals is kind of pointless. I'm stick with version 2....

[GuitarLessonSarasota]

cut em some slack and let em have some good tone too!

get em both why not. LOL

[MrFenderbender97]

they should make a gearmandude brand white coily cable

[durden32]

Version 1 is fuller to my ears

[undernovemberskies]

is this a good booster pedal?

[DiegoINSOMNIA]

Does the pedals come with those shoes??

[Schpudd]

both are actually very cool pedals for the price

the v1 has gone up way over £60 ($80+ american)

you can get incredible tones out of both of these

but alongside a real ocd, they get blown out of the water - i can vouch for that

[Saxydude05]

Love that the two highest rated comments have opposite opinions on which pedal sounds better.

[Jalnakid]

Why do I much prefer the v1 :/

[mblue502003]

V1 sounds beefer while V2 sounds a little thinner to me. So the question is do you prefer meat or potatoes???

[MichelVonBerlin]

which one sounds better?

isnt it all a matter of taste?

i like both

great test!

[M55ikael]

You've probably contributed to about 90% of Cool Cat sales with these videos.

You deserve a diploma affirming how much of a Cool Cat you really are.

[eukicos]

sounds fuzzy just like the transparent overdrive

[AustinGraggmusician]

V! is more OCD V2 is warmer and less sharp

[ElCigaroCubano]

guy kinda sounds like jack black

[Mastenbro]

@ElCigaroCubano I totally agree, he sounds exactly like Jack Black xD

[worshipmusician45601]

back and forth for me... it seems to my ears the v1 has more clarity making it the choice for rhythm work and chord comping while the extra bass freqs. of the v2 made a fatter choice for single note lines. I've been using a borrowed v1 for a few months now and its been a great little pedal, I hate that I need to give it back soon! great work GMD - keep on rockin' in the free world!

[doublebass]

i think i prefer my V1.

throw the CF-1 fuzz in front of it and you have a massive monster sound.

[kokiri77]

DRAW THE LINE !!!

[astromekk]

I like version one better.The V2 is too bassy for my taste .If you like the version 1 better, let danelectro know and maybe they'll bring it back.

[BlueBarrier782]

@astromekk They won't because I'm pretty sure they got a legal notice from Fulltone about it.

[matt6l6]

So GMD, version 1 is supposed to be an OCD clone. What boutique pedal does version 2 remind you of?? VERY curious...

[hoppy123456798]

I love the fact that they're like 30 bucks and still sound really decent :D

[ragingvortexmetal]

V2 sounds crisper.... V2 wins.... again.....

[iagobroxado]

@Ncuab You summed it up pretty well.

[justjoe032]

cost?

[johnny123372]

@justjoe032 REALLY cheap

$10 difference :)

[nihilnoise]

v2 does sound nice kinda prefer it over V1

definitely investing in some of these pedals

i love the chorus too, you should review some chorus pedals man :D

[Ncuab]

VERSION 1 (WHITE LABEL) - sounds louder, slightly brighter, highs have a nice overdriven sizzle to them

VERSION 2 (BLACK LABEL) - sounds smoother, bassier, but slightly more transparent on single-note stuff

***like always, it depends on what other gear you're using, how all of your gear complements/works against each other, what sound you're looking for, how it feels, and what you're willing to pay.***

[MrLogan2martin]

@mdnorm5150 hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha­hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha­ahhahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! your funny!

[58TweedDeluxe]

I love my V1... I had a budget for an OCD, but on balance, there was no logical reason for spending the extra just for studio work. I used the difference to grab a V1 Cool Cat Transparent Drive and the Vibe pedal and still had change for a spare guitar stand too!

[cheesedonkey888]

You... sound like jack black...

[danceofthedruids]

Same comments as for the CTO 1 vs 2 ... to me 1 does it for me. I don't think Dano knocked the tone out of their v2 as Fulltone did to their OCD v4 ... just look at all the OCD v4s being dumped on Craigslist and on GC's used site. I agree the v2 is not bad at all .... did not take that as "transparent" a route that Fulltone did with their v4 OCD.

[MrLogan2martin]

BAD PLAYING DUDE

[snakeweirdo]

@MrLogan2martin It's not about the playing it's about testing the pedals.

[MrLogan2martin]

@snakeweirdo ooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh­hhhhh...................... now i see dude, im kinda judgmental, my bad for the comment dudes

[sjandrews32]

It sounds like most of the difference is in voicing and not gain texture.. They are really not that different..

[cornjuicy]

The v.1 sounds better, more full, more 70s hard rock, but really v.2 sounds great for a $40 pedal. I'll try to land a v.1 somewhere, but if I can't the v.2 is a good deal.

[Scumkill2]

Drive sounds more compressed and brighter. Drive V2 is warmer and less compressed. That's my impression. I have the old one and i like it. Great value for the price.

[schenkadere1]

V1 slays V2.

[schenkadere1]

V1 slays V2...I have one and it covers a lot of ground...got for 14 bucks brand spankin' new.

[Danelectro63]

Gearmandude, love your demos. Lots of fun and very informative. Many thanks!!

[gmlasam]

Version 1 sounds much better to me. It has better sound quality, clearer lows, mids and highs. Version 2 sounds darker, muddier, does not sound as clear as the version 1. Like comparing stereo boom box with a HD surround sound home stereo system.

[man0in0a0funny0hat]

I bought the V1 after studying all the vids (thanks GM!). £25 was a bargain it has some stonking tones. I got a CTO V1 (Timmy clone) too and actually, that is even better!

I seriously wonder is anyone would ever know what they were hearing in a live or recorded situation...

[Rob3331996]

The V2 does sound a lil thicker, but I like my version 1 cool cat drive better, I paid $29 for mine last year, I think the version 2 is around $50. eithier way, its a great pedal for the money, great tone, metal chassis, true bypass, plus they're affordable,.... highly reccomended.

[Alekseriator]

v2 sounds nicer and warmer i think

[HelgeTaksdal]

@Alekseriator I prefer v1, I like my overdrive with more of an upper range snap than thickness. I leave that to my fuzz. Both very nice pedals, will pick one up.

[Zeupater]

Great videos. Enjoy and consider your reviews a valuable resource. I'm a fan of both Danelectro and Fulltone but I can't help it ... I still think the Drive V1 sounds like the OCD.

[TRICKYRJB]

Don't look at the camera it will ruin the mystique, but, hey, I know you know that . Gearmandude , the bust stompbox demos on the net , keep up the good work bro, I have purchased some of the pedals that Ive seen demoed and the sounds are spot on. Sir you provide an invaluable service that is entertaining to boot!

[bradfordonline]

I've got a version one, it sounds killer with my DC30

[FillHellMouth]

Another great demo. Personally I prefer the sound of V2. Very AC/DC.

[gerbilsaurusrex1]

V2 FTW so much more clear sounding.

[kpmurphy62]

V-1 is a great pedal

V-2 sounds a little less muddy

more like an overdriven amp

[ForeverSoul]

hmm..in this presentation...V2 sounds abit darker and quiet.. BTW! GREAT VIDS you're putting out!! thank you..keep up the good work for us low budget but dedicated musicians!!!

[fabianromano]

V1 sounds killer !. By the way, nice shoes...

[JimmyBen]

It seems like on v2 they took out that low mid boost that comes with more drive on v1

[culturevandal]

it's all very cool sounding to me man..... you really do sound like jack black.... please stick your face into the camera in one of them videos just to clarify.

[Coppulor]

hey if anyone has a CTO-1 and wants to sell it, message me!!

[snotmale]

V1 has more body and can be dialed back to give the less saturated tones for chords, but listen to that V1 when you need a lead tone!!! It wins outright...

[CheetoBales]

Got lucky and found a version 1 and my maw-in-law happened to acquire for me for Christmas. Haven't had a chance to give it a whirl yet but will as soon as i get home Sunday.

[CheetoBales]

@CheetoBales

Version 1 rocks!!!!. I love it. Running a PRS into a Blackheart Full Stack, and a Epi Valve Junior Half Stack.

[mistersnaredrum]

i've had and sold two V1s. still have my v1 transparent od and fuzz though.

maybe i should buy a third v1 or go for a v2... hmm...

[rayjaysonic]

Dashed out and got a V1 before they vanish. Glad I did, it sounds lush. Last one in the shop, reduced price to clear, cost me less than a decent cable. Happy me!

[keto9]

dipswitch @ hifi or lofi on the V2? I'm going to guess and say lo-fi. I have a V2, with the switch in hifi you get more output, more top end, and tighter distortion character. All that said, V1 sounds better here.

[rockfreak611]

v1 sounds really fuzzy and more like distortion. v2 sounds more transparent and allows the guitar and amp's true tone to shine. i like v2.

[goldtop1122]

V1 all the way.

[lovehopetruthart]

i like the v2 with single coils

sounds less digital to me.

[TovarRogue]

version 1

[swishitjoey]

glad i got my version 1 before they stopped making them!

[ElMariachi311]

I'm getting a v1. I know where to find one too. :)

[TheYeasteatingwalrus]

GOOD

[carltonhobbs]

I have V1, and the problem with it is that into a high power/headroom amp with pedal at unity volume, it gets lost in the mix. GMD's demos are never anywhere near unity gain, so I can't tell if the V2 would be better in this situation or not.

[Swagz1981]

hey...just wondering what you mean by unity gain?

i use mine at band practices and it seems to be just fine even with 2 guitar players....it also helps that me and the other player dont have the same sounding rig at all...

[carltonhobbs]

I meant "unity volume" as in the overdrive sound at the same volume at the clean volume.

[JimmyBen]

I've found that when playing with a band, the clean guitar always seems to pop out more, even if the distorted guitar's level was set higher before everyone starts playing. I believe it's just the nature of the beast.

[ihavenoname93]

V1 is by far the better pedal imo

[gibsonjammer1]

v1 sounds better to me.

[nylonsteel]

Nice upload again gearman :)

To bad in the vid there wasnt time to to tinker with the V2s internal swtiches

[iagobroxado]

V2 is better to me. Sounds more transparent.

[sonofkikkoman]

@iagobroxado yeah thats what i thought too

[rayjaysonic]

Hey man, what about the Under the Hood options on the V2???

[spider5001]

Version 2 is like a weak version 1.... Why would they do that? =/

[OKthreasher]

"Cain slew Abel, hit him with a stone..."

This shoot-out is biblical, no doubt. V2 may be more righteous--with it's clean livin' and it's original design--but V1 is a out and out killer. V1 rules.

[Sick1982]

Glad I was able to get V1 just in time!

[twolf422]

V1 I agree has more balls, and is warmer.

[8bigtubes]

V1 has more balls for damn sure!

[kingstumble]

Probably my old abused ears but V1 seems to me to have a lot more body and depth.

[seifukusha]

a white coil cable of good fun lovin

lol

[taygoo13]

i thought this was like the MI audio crunch box

[guitardbucket]

Great, I was waiting for a video like this. I like the version one more. It sounds more full.

[alohastewie]

man i love gearmandudes intro music top notch

[ArkAngelSlave]

They really have similar tone just slightly different in V2 as far as how smooth it is. My opinion is that you could go with either or and never really regret not getting the other instead.

[olliezero]

They jacked up the price like crazy! At GC the over drive previously 30 bucks now is 60?! wow....

[semifixtion]

V1 is better. I have one. But as soon as I get the cash I'm buying an OCD to support Mr. Fuller

[olliezero]

v1 sounds more full. :( man..and i was about to get one of these...

[cerebralaniphenomdx]

i prefer version 1

[ChrisSchoonover1]

v2 sounds more transparent to me.

[Golfboyryan]

sweet