Feature – 1988 DOD FX56 American Metal

Not For Sale

Model Description:

American effect pedal brand, DOD Electromatics was founded in 1973 by David Oreste Di Francesco and John Johnson, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. They started out with their diminutive ‘first series’ pedals, distinctive for their ‘striped’ graphic screen printed enclosures. From 1982, DOD phased out the earlier pedals and gradually introduced the FX series pedals. The DOD FX56 American Metal – manufactured between 1984 and 1990 – was DOD’s first attempt at outright distortion effects and it possibly became DOD’s pre‑eminent FX series distortion pedal for the ‘hair metal’ era of American hard rock. As such, many rock guitarist’s pedalboards exhibited the FX56. The platform underpinning the FX56 was subsequently modified by DOD to create the FX57 Hard Rock Distortion and the FX58 Metal Maniac. All three served the same basic function, using different circuit board components to create a different tonal pallet to suit the diversity of heavy rock tone hounds during the 1980s. The trio of distortion pedals, alongside the FX55‑B Super/Supra Distortion, were clearly targeted at American guitarists of the time, generally eschewing European musical trends. Talking of heavy metal (sic!), for some reason, the FX56 is weightier than other DOD pedals (by 0.3Lbs – 130g). While the FX56 American Metal was discontinued in 1990, the FX57 and FX58 lasted until 1993 and the FX55‑B lasted until 1996 when DOD ceased production. DOD and parent company, Digitech, are now owned by Harman Industries, which has reintroduced a number of DOD effects based on the original ‘first series’ stomp boxes. DOD pedals were strategically positioned in the reliable budget niche of effect pedals, meaning that many of them are relatively ubiquitous. It may not be rare but it is pretty cool. Their commonality means that values on the vintage effect market remain competitive, making them a good entry point for enthusiasts wanting to get into vintage effects. Well done DOD.

Pedal Description:

For your delectation is a rather fetching 1988 DOD FX56 American Metal distortion pedal in a rather fetching purple metallic finish. The aesthetic style of the FX56 is in line with most FX Series stomp boxes, evoking a relatively demure 1980s vibe. The FX56 was the first DOD pedal to include a ‘Presence’ control which, rather than acting as a traditional tone control, was intended to act as a clean treble boost when used in conjunction with the ‘Distortion’ control. Perhaps surprisingly, unlike a number of other FX dirt effects (FX50‑B Overdrive Plus, FX52 Classic Fuzz and the FX54 Attacker) the FX65 does not include a ‘boost’ function at the most extreme setting of the ‘Distortion’ control. Admittedly, the FX56’s DNA was intended to be gritty and to cut through a band mix without the need for added ‘boost’. Sonically, the FX65 is a bit of a bully; it is not subtle and it takes no prisoners, evoking many characteristic sounds of 1980s/1990s rock. It sits firmly in the ‘distortion/fuzz’ end of the gain continuum, rather than ‘boost/overdrive’. Tonally, compared to its sister pedals (FX57 & FX58), it seems focused on the distinctive MTV rock crowd. Each to their own. It can sound quite brutal when pushed, full of great harmonics. It is best when pushed hard – great for crazy ‘wigging out’. It’s not in black or death metal territory – there are others better suited to that. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the FX56 is one of DOD’s better sounding pedals. Just a thought, the triplets may well be suited to ‘stacking’ (one distortion pedal feeding directly into a second or even third) by contemporary experimental guitarists looking to establish their own heavy duty dirt soundscape. As with other members of the CRAVE Effects’ DOD FX series pedals, this example is in excellent all‑original condition and it comes complete with its original ‘America’s Pedal’ box proudly promoting its ‘Made In USA’ parentage. It is also accompanied by its warranty card and FX Series brochure but sadly not the owner’s manual. One suspects that this particular example has spent plenty of time stored safely away in its box. It certainly makes a strong competitor to the Japanese distortion pedals from giant companies, BOSS and Ibanez/Maxon. As far as American competition goes, it is up against the MXR Distortion + and the ROSS Distortion. Electro‑Harmonix and Colorsound/Sola Sound, on the other hand, concentrated on fuzz rather than overdrive or distortion. American metal? European psych? Maybe. Just wallow in the crazy, filthy dirt of the DOD FX56 American Metal.

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