Bubbles’ iconic wrestling alter ego lends some serious muscle to this Maxon OD808-style pedal.
Parts Unknown
Trailer Park Boys is one of my all time favorite shows ever. It’s stupid, it’s low budget, it requires no active thought to enjoy, and it’s even somewhat heart warming at times. For years that show has been like a safety blanket to turn on and zone out to after some tough days of graduate school or work. So quite frankly, when I saw that Sparkbox FX had a Green Bastard pedal, I had to have it.
If you’re not familiar with the show, the Green Bastard is one of the main character’s wrestling alter ego. Hailing from parts unknown, he’s just wearing a lot of green clothes and is quite frankly, hilarious. He even plays the guitar for his own intro song as he enters the ring. Which brings us full circle back to guitar pedal reviews. The Green Bastard (the Sparkbox FX pedal) is a clone of the Maxon OD-808, which is really just a variation of the Tube Screamer. Maxon was the original inventor of the TS circuit, but designed it for Ibanez who released it into the world. You’ve got your standard volume, tone, and gain controls here, so no need to belabor the point.
Want your own? Head over to Sparkbox FX’s website or their Reverb store, the Green Bastard is currently listed on his site for $100 (CAD).
Demo Time
This greasy guy is running right after my HSS Strat and into the Donner White Tape. That splits the signal stereo into the UAFX Dream (amp sim), Walrus Canvas Stereo (DI Box), and then hits the UA Volt 276 (interface) for some slight compression.
My Thoughts
Listen, this is a simple pedal. It’s not groundbreaking nor am I claiming this is the best TS-style pedal I’ve ever played. This pedal is fun, it’s a cool little green box, with a really fun nod to a show many folks love. And it lets you support an independent builder who is doing really cool, unique things with enclosures and aesthetics. I think the Green Bastard objectively sounds really good, especially with my Strat. There’s just something about a TS and a Strat that totally clicks. If you’re looking for a TS-style pedal, this is going to be one of the more fun ones on the market. Sparkbox FX’s take on the circuit sounds great and accurate, with some sizzling mids, lots of gain, and nice clarity when I play single notes or more complex chord shapes.
This is just a good sounding overdrive pedal that checks in at a surprisingly low price. Whether it’s $100 CAD or $100 USD, that’s better than most boutique clones, and this one certainly sounds the part of a nice boutique clone! Do yourself a favor and spice up your pedalboard with something that will put a smile on your face, as well as plenty of other folks out there who know of the Green Bastard’s greatness.
TLDR: Maxon OD-808 clone that sounds really nice, and is surprisingly affordable, making it a tough competitor in crowded market.
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