Vemuram Shanks ODs-1 vs Nobels ODr-1: Is it worth it?
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- čas přidán 7. 08. 2024
- Hey all,
In this one I wanted to compare the Vemuram Shanks ODS-1, which costs £389, to the pedal which inspired it - the Nobels ODR-1, which only costs £99!
Let me know which you prefer...
Thanks for watching
Follow me on Insta @james_on_guitar
Time Stamps:
0:00 Inro
0:27 What are these pedals?
1:36 Bass Cut on Both Pedals
3:38 Amp Tone & Low Gain Demo
6:27 Matching Controls
7:16 Medium Gain Demo
10:11 Higher Gain Demo
14:09 Blind Test 1: PRS DGT
16:13 Test 1 Answer
16:24 Blind Test 2: Strat
18:22 Test 2 Answer
18:32 Test 3: Marcus King ES-345
20:47 Test 3: Answer
20:58 Closing Thoughts
25:33 Bass On Full Demo - Zábava
![Keeley Eccos, Vemuram Shanks ODS-1, Source Audio Spectrum, NEO Micro Vent [TPS Pedal Jams]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/AgOz-ItG5TA/mqdefault.jpg)
Hey all - i’ve been off for a while, so this may be a little rusty! But i’ve been wanting to compare these for a while. Do you think the Shanks adds enough to warrant the price? For me, the Shanks is becoming indispensable on my board 🤟🏼
Many thank you’s! Love watching you’re videos mate. Just got a shank and it’s butter in the best of ways :)
Nice review Mate! I too am a huge fan of the Shanks. I’ve had mine since April and have gigged with it several times including in a small restaurant and an outdoor festival amphitheater. It shines in various venues and with various guitars. As for the bass, I found the spot on the bass trim where the bass was starting to take effect, then backed it ever slightly down from that spot.
Woohoo nailed the test !! The strat section was the hardest to pick out.
Got the shanks on a whim last summer and glad to know now that the extra $ was worthwhile. Keep up the great work!
Hi James! Great video! Since the ODS-1 seems to be one of your favourites, I highly recommend you checkout the Nordland ODR CC+ made by the original creator of the Nobels pedal. Would love to see a shootout with the ODS-1.
Thank you man for this video! Particular great thanks for the "blind" test - it was very helpful for my choise!
Super duper tones James.
Very enjoyable playing.
Cheers mate
Cheers 👍🏼
I’ve owned a ton of pedals from boutique to off the shelf and the player, guitar and amp help you choose the pedal... there isn’t a best pedal but just a favorite pedal. I was surprised to favor the vemuran at lower gain and the nobles at higher. I expected it to be the reverse. Since I have a shaping pedal right before my 1st drive stage the nobles works for me 👍👍👍 great video
Thanks James , great review!! I’m not convinced the shanks is worth difference & gain driven I preferred the Nobels 🤛 love your work ✊
Great review, James. The ODR-1 is very underrated in my opinion, especially compared to some more 'glamorous' offerings. The Vemuram does edge it though, but at a cost for sure. Love that Broadcaster. A lot. :-)
🤟🏼
Recently pickup up a Nobels odr-1 bc.. really digging it. But after watching your comparison now I want a Vemuram also 🤷🏽♂️
I have odr-1 and I really like it. I also sometimes run my jrocket silver archer before the odr-1 to give it a boost and man its glorious.
Hello James. Noticed this video after watching the three way comparison between the Nobbels, Nordland and Shanks that you’ve just done and this is an even more useful demo. Really enjoying the nobbels circuit and you’ve nailed it with your analogy of the clarity of the Shanks to the mushiness of the nobbel. In that being said when you played your 345, although I really enjoyed both tones but the cheaper nobbels got my nod on that one I think with a good eq pedal it could make a big difference also. The shanks is definitely going to be added to the collection though as it just grabs you. I got lost when I originally bought the nobbels, my wife may have to call out search and rescue when I get the shanks :-)
Great video though. Enjoying your content
Thanks! The shanks is gonna make you fall in love all over again!
I’ve been using the Nobels as a solo boost for live use, but really interested in using it as my main overdrive. Just taken a Bogner ecstasy blue off which I had a love hate relationship with so why not give the nobels a chance? Takes a bit of trial and error to keep it tight I’ve noticed.
Do a video running the Jan Ray into the Shanks, it’s such a killer and versatile combo!
What do you have against the poor bridge pickup!? 😩 Nice video. The differences were really obvious to me. Nobels consistently sounded muddy, boomy, mushy and congested. Despite its flaws, it stills seems to be quite touch sensitive.
Really enjoying your thoughtful vids and playing. What did you make of the JHS Morning Glory if you tried it?
Thanks! Haven’t yet, but may get some JHS stuff soon 👍🏼
To me, the Vemuram Shanks ODS-1 has slightly more articulation, a touch more clarity than the Nobles ODR-1. I preferred the Shanks over the Nobles on your first two blind A-B comps. I didn’t like either on the last one. Great video!
Thanks, and that’s fair enough 👍🏼
Love your vibrato. Peter Greenish for sure!
The tones on that tele…. Damn! Pure blues man
I think it comes down to personal choices. They both found nice. I also hear you playing with more feeling with the Shanks.
The Shanks is a Huge difference in price. Huge! An audience could Never tell any difference.
what about adding a little compression after the ODR-1?
Dang, I nailed the first two tests but failed the third. I thought A sounded kind of muddy at points where B didn’t have that issue. So weird. Absolutely loved the tone on that strat with it, my ODR survives…. For now
I was quite impressed by the bass coming from the building works 😆
🤣🤣 we play well together as an ensemble
So many overdrives out there and I've not tried them all. Am not familiar with the Vemuram, but I've had the ODR Mini on my board for 3 years butted up against a Klon, and I can't say enough praise for the Nobels. The Vemuram sounds pretty good in your vid, but I wonder how much of that tone is in your hand control. I have a feeling you could plug into a dry dog turd and make it sound outstanding, (although it might be hard to find the bass switch on it.)
Cheers.
I believe the mini nobles sort of splits the difference in bass between full and cut in the full size version. It’s cheaper as well. Also, as a bonus round, how does the protein compare? That Shanks continues to get great reviews.
According to the Nobels manufacturer the Mini and full size are supposed to be the same circuit when bass cut is not engaged on full size…. I wish Nobels would just add a know for bass… oh wait Wampler already did that 🤷🏽♂️
Had both mini and reg nobels at same time so i could a/b them extensively. The mini never sounded as sweet as the reg nobels...sold it. I use a Rockett GTO now better than both ot’s a keeper. I tried briefly the Shznks, I might buy it too!
So. There are a number of other options on the ODR1 theme without going to the Vemuram price point. I have an XTS Imperial which is killer. There is also the Wampler Belle and the Nordland from the original designer. Probably others too.
As a second comment I would be would be interested in your thoughts on the Artist Vic Audio Tree of Life. That’s an underrated pedal that I keep going back to for my #1 OD.. 👍🇦🇺
I picked up the Shanks and the Jan Ray recently and the Shanks is amazing, it’s replaced my long time main overdrive of the Timmy. The Jan Ray however I found a little disappointing, honestly think my Timmy sounded better so it’s been sold and moved on. But the Shanks isn’t going anywhere, that a BlackBox 2, and a Swart Fuzzy Boost are what’s on my board and they all work amazingly well together.
Been curious how the Shanks compared to the Nobles so nice to see!
Glad you’re loving the shanks - it is sublime! The Jan Ray is definitely more subtle I think, especially if not being used at high volume (don’t know if that is your case). The Shanks offers different but great things at low and high volume. Your board sounds great 🤟🏼
Interesting, I have had my Jan Ray for several years and I still love that thing. Hearing players say that they like it better than the Jan Ray is just fueling my curiosity about the Shanks.
@@tele100 i love both - on a small board i’d pick the Shanks, on a bigger board - both! 🤟🏼
@@tele100 they’re fairly different too, could totally see someone running both. I keep a small board so for a “neutral” overdrive the Shanks was the clear choice for me. Like James pointed out though, volume can play a big role and I do play on the quieter side normally since I live in a condo. Shanks seems to shine regardless. Maybe the Jan Ray would have separated itself had I played it louder more
@@christopherlong8259 I was afraid that they would be similar and not worth having both. If the Shanks can become a different sound at the level of the Jan Ray 🤯. Now I have to check it out. Thanks gents! And James keep up the good work 👍🏼
The shanks has the edge on the nobles but only just. Try the Way Huge STO pedal, it has the same feel as the Shanks for a price just over the cost of the Nobels. Don't pay £400 for an OD pedal unless you're a Rock God, try the way huge STO if you want something a little better than the ODR1..
A secret weapon is the boss GE7 eq pedal. I use it after the tuner and apply a bass cut there and a also slight gain boost plus other cuts or boosts to suit and fine tune amp / guitar. GE7, Most useful pedal you will ever get.. I've got 2 of them..
The Nobels ODR-1 sounds really good in blind test 2 with a strat.
Hi James, how is the shanks compared to the green side of the protein? For me in the A/B blindfold test liked the Shaks more in every one of the 3 test but there is just a slight difference, kind of more clarity and articulaion just noticeable if listen carefuly, very interesting tho!
Good question! On a board, would go for a Protein + a Klon Clone, or a Shanks and. Horsebreaker… hmm. The blue half of protein is beyond amazing. The green side is good but not as great imho. The shanks smashes that for me. So i would maybe end up without the protein at all in that case 😳 might do some more comparisons and see if i am being harsh on the green side of protein
@@JamesOnGuitar I’ve only been able to compare the Green side to a Nobels mini and certainly preferred it, although it does have a fair amount more midrange. The Protein stacked is really where the magic lies IMO, I don’t use the green side by itself nearly as much as the blue side or stacked.
Have not had the pleasure of trying a Shanks. That being said, don’t give up on the green side yet! One trick with that pedal is a very high volume, a very low gain for an “always on” edge of break up tone. It’s incredible and really fattens things up. Also any Klone goes incredibly into the Green side to make it more useable on its own.
@@erikhartley2494 hey, thanks for that - will definitely try. I’ll make a video about it, so cheers for that 👍🏼
I picked the Shanks every time 🎉
And Nobles ODR 1 wins out for me. Can’t justify the extra cost for not a lot more benefit.. 👍🇦🇺
The Shanks was clearer and I wouldn't get the new Nobels! It would be interesting to hear an original!
Both sound great and I would be surprised if you could not EQ them to sound even more similar. Is the Vemuram £290 better than the Nobels, if at all, No, absolutely not. And It's not that I would not spend a lot on a pedal. I am currently considering spending five hundred quid on two pedals, but those pedals have features no other pedals have.
I’d liken it to the difference between a Les Paul Standard and a Custom Shop R9. You could argue they are so close, the 2.5 times price difference is silly. But that last 10-20% of difference and feel becomes everything when it inspires you and makes you feel good
Or should I say, as well, the difference will be more obvious to the player, somewhat clear to enthusiastic listeners and negligible to a normal audience. So for a pro the difference is not worth it, but for a hobbyist like me i guess it is 👍🏼
@@JamesOnGuitarNo offense meant, It's just my opinion. I think people hear what they want to hear sometimes. Take the Captain & Pete's recent blindfold pedal challenges. If it makes you feel good then more power to you James. Also it's your cash, you earned it and it's yours to spend on whatever makes you happy. It was just my answer to the question in the title of the video. I don't mean to poo on your new purchase.
Oh no, wasn’t taken that way at all! I just like a little debate 👌🏽
@@graemero5532 To be 100% fair, most OD circuits are incredibly simple. Most of the difference you will hear or notice in a more expensive version in the case that it actually uses higher quality components would be an overall less compressed sound and less floor noise(trust me, noise gets ANNOYING and sometimes a noisegate can only do so much without completely destroying your tone). The ODR-1 circuit is already so good as it is that its honestly difficult to improve on it. Most ODR-1 based pedals are based on an artist's favorite vintage ODR-1(they all sound a bit different from one another) and a vintage ODR-1 will cost you even more than the vemuram. Thats the beautiful thing about the pedal world, theres something out there for just about everyone and even I use "cheaper and more common" stuff on my own board sometimes. If I don't have some of my favorite drives available, I would more than happily do a gig with just a BOSS OD-3 for example.
Anyone know if the Shanks is true bypass or buffered?
It’s true bypass.
I sold my old nobles like a donkey. I bought the reissue and it’s not the same imo. Neither is the mini.
Man; the Nobels sounds much more better for my taste. More clear, less bassy... Now i want one for me!
I mean, lets be honest, you could play almost anything through that Two Rock and it is going to sound awesome.
Ha true for most, but i’m sure i could make it sound crap 🤣
I like a ODR 1 sound more organic
If it says Jan Ray it’s probably overpriced. I love boutique pedals. AnalogMan, Jam, Origin, etc…. But Jan Ray never interested me at all.
You mean if it says Vemuram?
@@brianboster7157 Um.... yeah, lets go with that!!!
The difference is a $30 eq pedal
shanks has more body, is more 3D and more dynamics, the highs are also better,.....hate to say it but the pricy one wins
You seriously hear that much of a difference?
@@scottmoreau5630 unfortunately yes, but i am a bit of a sound fanatic
@@hotmilkcrewberlin4475 It’s interesting, I have owned a bunch of expensive OD pedals and even did the three year wait for the KOT. I bought the reissue ODR-1 with the bass cut option just for fun and it’s currently my favourite OD. I think the Shanks has a killer sound but I see it as different, not necessarily better. But one thing I could never justify is spending over $500 Canadian on a pedal like Shanks that has such a simple layout and circuit. There’s no reason for them to be charging that much.
@@scottmoreau5630 I bought the Shanks. $408 here in the states with tax and free delivery. I have all the Vemuram Shanks pedals. None of them disappoint. Not inexpensive, but worth the extra money in my opinion. 😀
I checked the price here in Canada and the price was $516.00 for this pedal. There's no bloody way I would ever pay that kind of money for the Shanks. What a bloody rip off. No pedal us worth that. Where does this company get off thinking this is worth that kind of money. You must be loaded with cash. Everytime I look on your channel you have literally thousands of pounds worth of amps. I wish I had your bank account. That pedal doesn't sound like it's worth that kind of money. Same as the outrageous price of analogman king of tone and Klon pedals. Ludicrous