What gain range does the 805 offer, and what styles is it best suited for?

The pedal spans 8dB to 36dB of gain, from subtle breakup to aggressive saturation. It's voiced for blues, rock, and hard rock—not metal or thrash—and works equally well for live performance and studio sessions.

How does the three-band EQ work, and can I use it to dial in different tones?

The 805 features independent parametric control over 90Hz (±11dB low end), 750Hz (±11dB midrange), and 2.1kHz (±12dB presence), giving you surgical shaping of your overdrive character to fit any amp or mix.

Will this pedal fit on a tight pedalboard?

Yes. At 2.61" × 4.90" × 1.45", the 805 is compact enough for crowded boards while maintaining full hands-on control access and a heavy-duty footswitch with bright green LED for live visibility.

What are the power options, and how much current does it draw?

The 805 runs on a 9V battery or 9–18V regulated DC adapter (center negative) with just 4.5mA current draw, making it efficient on multi-pedal rigs and easy to swap batteries in the field.

How does the 805 compare to other overdrive pedals like the Tube Screamer or Boss OD-1X?

The 805 prioritizes articulate, surgical EQ control and low noise floor with responsive gain staging over the Tube Screamer's classic midrange hump or the Boss OD-1X's digital versatility—it's a dedicated, precision analog overdrive for players who want hands-on tonal tweaking.

Seymour Duncan 805 Overdrive Pedal

The Seymour Duncan 805 is a compact overdrive that captures articulate, responsive tones with surgical precision. Its intuitive three-band EQ and responsive gain structure make it an essential tool for tracking guitar parts and shaping overdrive character in the mix. Built with the precision engineering Seymour Duncan is known for, this pedal delivers clean breakup to aggressive saturation while maintaining clarity and definition across sessions.

Tone & Control Architecture

Three-band EQ with independent control over 90Hz (±11dB), 750Hz (±11dB), and 2.1kHz (±12dB) frequencies gives you surgical shaping of your overdrive character. The 8dB to 36dB gain range spans from subtle breakup to aggressive saturation, while the 0.6Vrms maximum output before saturation ensures your signal cuts through the mix without unnecessary coloration.

Studio Footprint & Build Quality

At 2.61" × 4.90" × 1.45", the 805 fits compact pedalboards in the studio without sacrificing control access. The heavy-duty footswitch with bright green on/off LED provides reliable switching during recording sessions, while true bypass keeps your tone intact when disengaged and the easy-access battery compartment makes setup quick between takes. Assembled at the Seymour Duncan factory in Santa Barbara, California, this pedal runs on either a 9V battery or 9–18V regulated DC adapter (center negative) with minimal 4.5mA current draw.

Key Features

Gain control range: 8dB to 36dB
Three-band parametric EQ: 90Hz (±11dB), 750Hz (±11dB), 2.1kHz (±12dB)
Maximum output before saturation: 0.6Vrms
Input impedance: 470k Ohms
Output impedance: 1k Ohms
THD at 10mVrms input, 1kHz, 12dB gain: 0.15%
MC33178 chip with back-to-back stacked glass diodes
True bypass switching
9V battery or 9–18V regulated DC adapter (center negative)
Current consumption: 4.5mA
Heavy-duty footswitch with bright green LED
Dimensions: 2.61" × 4.90" × 1.45"

The 805's combination of precise EQ control, low noise floor, and responsive gain staging makes it an essential overdrive tool for recording and mixing sessions where both subtlety and punch are required.