Katana Overdrive

The Katana Overdrive is an overdrive designed to fulfill the classic role of a mid-focused overdrive in a mix, while relying on a transparent, Timmy-inspired approach to gain structure and tone shaping.
This combination preserves the impact and mix-cut typically associated with TS-style overdrives, while offering far greater control over low end, saturation, and playing dynamics.

Rather than a fixed reinterpretation of an existing circuit, the Katana was conceived as a flexible musical tool, able to integrate naturally into both vintage and modern setups.

Musical intent & use cases

The Katana excels in contexts where presence, articulation, and dynamics are essential.
At low gain, it functions as a clear and balanced boost, bringing the guitar forward in the mix without altering the core tone.
At higher settings, it delivers a warm and singing overdrive with enough body to remain clearly defined in a band context.

The openness and transparency inherited from the Timmy-style approach preserve a sharp attack and good note separation, while the TS-inspired mid presence provides the authority and projection needed to cut through a mix.

The external Bass and Saturation controls play a central role in this versatility.
The Bass control allows precise adjustment of low frequencies before saturation, preventing thinness or excessive low end.
The Saturation control lets the player fine-tune gain density and compression, moving from an open and dynamic response to a thicker, more sustained texture.

Internal clipping options allow further refinement of the overdrive’s character, adapting both response and feel to the player’s touch and musical context.

Who this pedal is for

The Katana Overdrive is intended for guitarists who appreciate the effectiveness of mid-focused overdrives in a mix, but want more control, greater clarity, and a more open response than a traditional overdrive offers.
It is particularly well suited to players who want to preserve the character of their guitar and amplifier while adding gain, sustain, or presence in a progressive and musical way.

This is not an overdrive with an imposed character, but a signal-enhancing tool, designed for nuance, balance, and adaptability.

Closing note

The Katana Overdrive is a controlled and refined hybrid overdrive, combining transparency, dynamics, and midrange presence to deliver rich, articulate, and musically effective overdrive sounds in any situation.