The MXR Dookie Drive limited edition overdrive pedal recreates the sounds of the two heavily modified amplifiers that Billie Joe Armstrong used while recording Green Day’s third studio album, Dookie. Billie’s iconic guitar tone on Dookie was dirty and punchy yet articulate enough to the hear the musicality of his quick, melodic chord riffs, a sought-after sonic combination.
Production-wise, the tentpole of the Dookie album sound is powerful, jarring sonic changes that move quickly from soft and simple, to loud and proud. Many verses on the record are just vocals, bass, and drums, building anticipation for choruses that introduce Billie’s explosive, distorted chords.
Engineering-wise, the explosive “Dookie sound” was achieved by running Billie’s guitar through two Marshall 100-watt Plexi Super Lead heads. Both heavily modified, one had a scooped midrange and tons of gain, and the other was dialed down with a well-defined midrange. The band then blended the two signals to taste for each song, creating a massive guitar tone.
With the Dookie Drive, MXR combined the sounds of Billie’s two modded amps into one pedal, allowing you to make your own variations of the famous “Dookie sound”. The High Gain and Crunch Gain sections each represent a different Billie Joe Armstrong amplifier, and the Blend knob allows you to set the mix of the two overdrive circuits, just like Green Day did in the studio.
The pedal’s Gain knob sets the intensity of the High Gain overdrive circuit. The intensity of the Crunch Gain overdrive circuit is controlled internally. Go all the way left on the Blend knob for the classic “Dookie sound” or go dead right for scooped mid nastiness. For an additional cut in overall midrange frequencies, activate the Scoop switch. The Output knob sets the overall pedal volume, and the Tone knob controls the pedal’s overall EQ.
If you’re looking for a dirty yet articulate guitar tone like you hear on Basket Case, When I Come Around, or Welcome to Paradise, but don’t want to have to pick up two refrigerator sized stacks to get it, then this MXR Dookie Drive in special edition artwork is worth checking out.
