🎵 Side By Side

Well, it's been a few weeks since I had both OCDs delivered to me. Of course this warrants new gear pictures because these two pedals are here to stay! I also managed to find some time to compare both OCDs with the help of clean amplifiers in the HX Stomp. I'll share the findings as we go.

To start, I have to say both OCDs are similar but very different. Here's why. Both features optional enhanced bypass mode. However, the red one is just an OCD V2 in a different colour, meaning it's the exact same circuit as the V2, with class A configured discrete 2N5457 JFETs. The teal one is a slightly different upgraded V2 circuit, with two added germanium diodes inside the circuit (the selling point).

To my tested ears, with all knobs same, Reddy has much lesser volume compared to Tealy. I do not yet know why there is volume difference. It's not much of a problem to me though, since the Fulltone OCD's volume knob really packs a punch. And Fulltone was correct about the OCD-Ge being more open sounding.

Tealy definitely can handle the heavier tones well, while Reddy handle the lighter drives (mind you the OCD is nowhere near light). Reddy sounds better on its LP mode while Tealy sounds better on its HP mode. With the correct adjustments of knobs, both can be tweaked to sound exactly the same, which is a healthy sign!

Super duper happy to have both of them with me because it is a testimony that my music journey have gone full circle! Here's to hoping there will be more in the future!

Edwin Ang
15th November 2019

*As of 8th March 2021, the Fulltone OCD V2 Red Edition has been sold for $200.