The Clone Circuit, Perfected for Modern Players
Overdrive 1 is a complete top-to-bottom recreation of the legendary Centaur - exact voltages, exact components, all the mythical impossible-to-find parts that make a Klon what it is. But this isn't just nostalgia - it's that classic mid-bump character with tighter top and low end, making your guitar stick out in any mix like never before.
The Optimist Corey Wong
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Two Overdrives, One Revolutionary Design
The Optimist combines the compressed, singing Klon circuit with a completely flat, transparent overdrive that's like having a Timmy or Zen Drive in the same box. Stack them together and something harmonic happens that you can't get with a Klon alone - it's a whole new voice that maintains clarity from the lowest notes to the highest.
The EQ That Changes Everything
Hit both switches to activate the secret weapon: a guitar-centric active EQ with bass, mids, and treble controls placed exactly where guitarists need them. Add mids for that Robin Ford/Larry Carlton Dumble sweetness, or cut them for that direct-to-console Nile Rodgers/Prince clarity. It's not just tone shaping - it's tone transformation.
Cory Wong Signature Flex
The Jackson Audio The Optimist, designed in collaboration with Cory Wong, is a premium dual overdrive and studio-grade EQ pedal engineered for inspiring lead and rhythm guitar tones.
Featuring two independent overdrive circuits - one based on a legendary, rare overdrive with germanium diodes, and the other a transparent, flat-response drive - plus a versatile Baxandall EQ section, The Optimist delivers unmatched tonal flexibility.
Shop The Optimist Corey WongAnalog Soul, Digital Convenience
Every circuit is pure analog for that responsive feel and touch sensitivity that digital can't match, but TRS MIDI control lets you switch any combination of overdrives and EQ instantly. It's the best of both worlds: the warmth and dynamics of analog with the functionality modern players demand.
Three Pedals in One, Zero Compromise
Why carry separate overdrive, boost, and EQ pedals when The Optimist delivers all three in one enclosure? Cory Wong calls it "the most versatile overdrive on the market"—and when you're saving pedalboard real estate while gaining legendary tones, it's hard to argue with that optimism.
About Brad Jackson
Meet Brad Jackson - commercial pilot by day, tone perfectionist always. His journey from building world-class amplifiers to crafting precision guitar pedals is a story of innovation, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of sonic perfection. For a decade, Jackson Amp Works produced legendary amplifiers that graced stages worldwide, including John Mayer's Battle Studies World Tour. But when the music industry shifted toward digital modeling in 2018, Brad made a bold pivot: he closed the amp company and channeled that expertise into something new. Jackson Audio was born from this transition - not as a retreat, but as evolution. Every pedal carries the DNA of those amplifier years: the understanding of how tubes saturate, how circuits interact, and how musicians actually use their gear. Brad's approach combines the precision of aviation with the artistry of music, creating pedals that solve real problems for working musicians while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in a compact enclosure.
"We're not done yet. My life is half over, so what I do with it is up to me. I intend to make something beautiful out of it."