Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive DeluxeFrom real comments

Name: Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive Deluxe
Rating: 3.2 (16 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 16 mentions across 9 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment64%

PROS 64%

CONS 36%

Rank based on 16 mentions across 9 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a low-gain overdrive with a rich, warm bottom end
You already like the original Sweet Honey and want more bass and improvements
You like stacking overdrives/fuzz and want a pedal that sits well in a mix

What users love

Rich, warm low end0 mentions

Strongly positive

Beautiful low-gain tones0 mentions

Strongly positive

Improvement over the standard version0 mentions

Strongly positive

Stacks well with other pedals0 mentions

Widely praised

Interesting harmonic/fuzz-like character0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You're on a tight budget, since the price was called a barrier
You prefer a tighter low end and found the bass excessive
You loved the handwired original's clipping-edge dynamics and Focus control

What users complain about

Excessive bass reported0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Lost some low-gain dynamics from original0 mentions

Generally negative

Price barrier0 mentions

Generally negative

No dedicated bass control on standard model0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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3Premium

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive

Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control

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Touch-sensitive dynamics

Long-term favorite / durability of appeal

Sweet, low-gain tone quality

High price versus clones

Deluxe loses some original character

Limited mid control

Best value

4Mid

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Natural, amp-like tone

Powerful 3-band EQ

Demo videos undersell the pedal

Noticeable noise floor

Volume drop when engaged

5Premium

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6Premium

Origin Effects Deluxe61

Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb

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Authentic amp-like tone

Excellent low-to-mid gain drive

Underrated favorite among owners

High price point

Limited gain-staging flexibility

No built-in reverb

7Premium

Roland TR-808

Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware

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Cultural and historical influence

Extremely high collector price

Analog noise and static requiring EQ

Reliability concerns of aging hardware

8Premium

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Inspiring and addictive to play

Warm, fat analog tone

Strong DAW/VST editor integration

High price for what it offers

Limited versatility outside bass range

Needs effects/partner gear to shine

Wampler Tumnus V2

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Convincing demo influenced purchase

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Dry signal bleed-through

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You are here

31Premium

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive Deluxe

Rich, warm low endBeautiful low-gain tonesImprovement over the standard versionExcessive bass reportedLost some low-gain dynamics from originalNo dedicated bass control on standard model

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive Deluxe

Rich, warm low end

Beautiful low-gain tones

Improvement over the standard version

Excessive bass reported

Lost some low-gain dynamics from original

No dedicated bass control on standard model

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward6
3. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_downward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_downward3
3. Eventide Orvillearrow_downward4
Dynamic response
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward8
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward2
Low gain tone
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward6
2. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive Deluxearrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_upward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

A beloved low-gain, honey-thick overdrive tone. Multiple long-term owners describe it as their main clean/crunch pedal, with one calling it years-long 'meat and potatoes' on their board. Others describe some of the most beautiful low-gain tones they've heard from an overdrive, with a fuzz-like harmonic quality that responds well to picking dynamics and fingerstyle playing, and stacks nicely with other drive and fuzz pedals.

An upgrade over the original Sweet Honey, according to prior owners. Several commenters who owned the standard Sweet Honey say the Deluxe beats it by a mile and fixes what they felt was missing, especially more bottom end. One said they'd buy without hesitation once it was available, showing strong anticipated demand from fans of the earlier model who wanted a fuller low end in the new version.

Bass response is polarizing for some users. At least two commenters report the pedal is extremely bassy even with the bass knob turned all the way down, suggesting inconsistent experiences or unit-specific quirks. Separately, one fan of the original three-knob handwired version felt the Deluxe lost some of the low-gain clipping character and dynamic response the Focus knob offered on that earlier unit.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

graphic_eqRich, warm low end

3 mentions

Strongly positive

Multiple users highlight the pedal's strong bottom end as a standout trait, with one specifically switching to the Deluxe for more bass than the original. This full low end is tied directly to its 'honey' character and its use as a main clean/crunch tone.

@whynottalklikeapirat

My favourite too. Been on my board for years as main meat and potatoes clean/crunch, replacing the BB-Preamp (which is also really nice). Try running a red fuzz face mini into it - that’s the best fuzztone I’ve ever had. Completely preserves the hoarse and spittyfuzz nature but fills in all the right places, adds clarity and mids without compromising the growl, tightens up the bottom end AND cleans up super nice. It’s NOT a stacked squashed feeling it simply sounds like a fuzz that finally sits right in the live mix. That combo is an overlooked potential classic

smart_display

March 18, 2024

@colinhodson9443

Terrific pedal ~ been on my PB for a while. Tried loads of others for my 'rhythm channel' but this one has loads of bottom end, sounds great + stacks well with Little Green Wonder, TS9, OCD + Golden Cello. These are as good as + sometimes better than the USA boutique pedals made with Germanium chromazone Russian military grade cappucino .......

smart_display

June 16, 2018

@markstunes

dang it, I've had the original sweet honey over drive on my board for like 2 years, now there's this one and i've been wanting a tab bit more bottom end... but I don't have the 300 bucks to get this now. Anyone want to trade a deluxe for an original? I'll through in 50 bucks :D

smart_display

September 1, 2016

starBeautiful low-gain tones

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Commenters repeatedly call out the pedal's low-gain sounds as among the best they've heard from an overdrive. This quality is praised alongside expressive, pick-free playing that showcases the pedal's touch sensitivity.

@crocodopolis

Thanks for the demo. The pedal has some fuzz-like characteristics that make it harmonically interesting. Also great hearing your pick-free technique — lotta tone coming from those fingers.

smart_display

September 5, 2021

@Grant_Ferstat

Some of the most beautiful low gain tones I've ever heard from an OD and gorgeous playing as always Marko.

smart_display

April 12, 2017

trending_upImprovement over the standard version

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Owners of the original Sweet Honey say the Deluxe surpasses it, addressing things they missed in the standard model while retaining what made it great. This drove strong buying intent even before wide release.

@martijnvanspaendonck

I will buy this without any hesitation. This is what was been missing from the old version! When will this be out for sale?

smart_display

January 26, 2016

@Jacksonade

Beats the normal version by a mile, this has all I missed with the standard one even tho it was amazing too!

smart_display

January 14, 2016

linkStacks well with other pedals

2 mentions

Widely praised

Users report it pairs nicely with other overdrives and fuzz pedals on their board, including a fuzz face mini and pedals like TS9, OCD, and Golden Cello, sitting well in a live mix without sounding squashed.

@whynottalklikeapirat

smart_display

March 18, 2024

@colinhodson9443

smart_display

June 16, 2018

wavesInteresting harmonic/fuzz-like character

1 mentions

Widely praised

The pedal is noted for fuzz-like harmonic richness that adds interest to its tone, giving it a distinctive sonic personality beyond a typical overdrive.

@crocodopolis

Thanks for the demo. The pedal has some fuzz-like characteristics that make it harmonically interesting. Also great hearing your pick-free technique — lotta tone coming from those fingers.

smart_display

September 5, 2021

warningExcessive bass reported

3 mentions

Frequently criticized

Multiple commenters ask if others also find the pedal extremely bassy, noting it remains too bassy even with the bass control turned all the way down, suggesting a recurring frustration for some owners.

@clintwhite3021

Does anyone find the SH deluxe extremely bassy? Mine is still too much with it all the way down :(

smart_display

August 26, 2022

@clintwhite3021

Does anyone find this deluxe extremely bassy? Mine is still too much with it all the way down :(

smart_display

August 26, 2022

@clintwhite3021

Does anyone find this overdrive extremely bassy? Mine is still too much with it all the way down :(

smart_display

August 26, 2022

tuneLost some low-gain dynamics from original

1 mentions

Generally negative

A fan of the older handwired three-knob version feels this Deluxe has lost some of the low-gain clipping-edge character and the dynamic control the Focus knob offered on the earlier design.

@robertbossart

Sounds nice but has lost the lowgain quality of the handwired, old version with three knobs, in some way. The old one is nice on the clipping edge and with the Focus you can decide how dynamic the overdrive reacts …

smart_display

June 24, 2016

attach_moneyPrice barrier

1 mentions

Generally negative

One commenter notes they don't have the budget (around $300) to buy the Deluxe and considers trading their original unit plus cash instead, pointing to cost as an obstacle.

@markstunes

smart_display

September 1, 2016

settingsNo dedicated bass control on standard model

1 mentions

Generally negative

One long-time user notes they had asked for a bass knob for years and were told it wasn't needed since the pedal doesn't lose bass, but they ultimately moved on due to this missing feature.

@bluematell

I asked for a bass knob for many years. The answer was \"no need, the SH doesn't loose bass. It IS the sensible thing to do but too late for me, I moved on. But still a big favorite for that 10\" amp vibe.

smart_display

June 7, 2016

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive Deluxechat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

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Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

Low gain tone

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive DeluxeFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression