Apex808—*rare* NAMM2020 DEMO UNIT (B-STOCK)

THIS PEDAL WAS USED AT A FEW GUITAR SHOWS INCLUDING NAMM2020 AS WELL AS USED FOR TESTING IN HOUSE.  BOX MAY SHOW SOME SIGN OF WEAR.  ALL PHOTOS ARE OF THE ACTUAL PEDAL.

SUPER-RARE Maxon Apex808 overdrive with GREEN font.  These plates were the preliminary faceplates that couldn't meet quality standards once moved to full production.  This is the pedal we had on the board at NAMM2020 when we announced the Apex808!

"Arguably the best a Tube Screamer can be.  Clarity and grit in equal measure.  Simple control layout.  Top-quality build." -Paul Riario, Guitar World

"The Apex 808 is a first-class TS-style pedal... It’s still very much a TS, and that midrange focus might not be the right fit for your style. But with its capacity for adding body, energy, and beautiful, purring mid-gain overdrive texture, it’s a pedal worth auditioning if you want to see what a good TS can really do. Just don’t be surprised if you have a hard time settling for anything less once you’ve heard it." -Charles Saufley, Premier Guitar

See below for customer reviews.

Designed by Tubescreamer creator Susumu Tamura, the Apex808 was developed after meticulous analysis of over 100 vintage and current production Tubescreamer/808 variants over a period of 3 years.

During this study it was determined that the best sounding TS specimens all featured not only a specific brand of IC, but also that the IC in question was from a specific production period.

This IC was subsequently sourced by Mr. Tamura and incorporated into the design of the Apex808. The use of this “hen’s tooth” IC has a dramatic effect on the sound characteristics of the Apex808, generating a transparency, clarity and note-to-note separation so uncanny that it makes other drives sound as if they are being played with a blanket over the speaker.

The Apex808’s hand-selected IC offers the added benefit changing the overtone components of the signal based on input level.

At low levels, the Apex808 generates primarily even-order harmonics. When the input level is increased, the Apex808 generates a blend of even- and odd-order harmonics, creating an overtone series that imitates the preamp and power sections of a tube amp with remarkable accuracy.

The Apex808 allows the user to capture the sounds and feel of the best vintage Tubescreamer without having to play through or pay thousands to do so.