Not For Sale
Model Description:
During the latter part of the 1980s and into the early 1990s, chorus effects seemed to be everywhere on recorded and live music. International manufacturers were keen to jump on the bandwagon and release their own take on the effect. American brand DOD were no different. Their first attempt was the 460 Mini Chorus and the 690 Chorus (big box). From 1982, DOD phased (sic!) out the ‘first series’ stomp boxes and migrated to the FX Series pedals, the result was the FX65 Stereo Chorus. Not content with just one model, DOD also introduced the FX60 Stereo Chorus, the FX62 Stereo Bass Chorus, FX63 Deep Freeze Bass Chorus, FX64 Ice Box Stereo Chorus and an update on the FX65, the FX65‑B Stereo Chorus. Think that was all? Nope. Then there was the FX67 Stereo Turbo Chorus, FX68 Super Stereo Chorus, DFX6 Digital Stereo Chorus and GFX64 Extreme Stereo Chorus. That is 11 (11!) different models, all part of one series. After that degree of saturation, perhaps unsurprisingly, chorus pedals went out of fashion for quite some time. I think it’s fair to say that the level of supply was feeding avid demand with that level of overload at the time. It also suggests that DOD’s focus was on quantity, rather than quality for a brand considered to make reliable budget effect pedals. The FX65 is relatively straightforward with three controls for Speed, Delay Time and Depth. However, this approach proved confusing for users as the interaction between Delay Time and Depth wasn’t intuitive (a symptom affecting several other DOD pedals). The instruction manual didn’t help much with clarity either. The FX series was introduced from 1982 and lasted until c.1996, so it’s safe to say that there are a lot of DOD stomp boxes out there. The FX65 Stereo Chorus was manufactured between 1985 and 1997. This means that they are relatively easy to find in good condition and vintage effect market prices are keen. As such, it is therefore moderately collectable.
Pedal Description:
The natty little dark blue DOD FX65 Stereo Chorus rode the crest of a popularity wave by 1988 when this one was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. DOD liked their customers to know that their products were manufactured in America. The box front proudly proclaims, ‘Made in U.S.A.’ and ‘America’s Pedal’. Fundamentally, there is nothing special going on in the FX65 technically speaking. Yes, it features a ‘stereo’ output but so did many of its main competitors at the time (see BOSS, Ibanez, MXR). Aesthetically, it is very 1980s with very little to differentiate it from a flood of other generic looking pedals of the time. This particular example is in magnificent condition, complete with its original box and documentation. Like other DOD FX series pedals, the knobs and footswitch look and feel susceptible to damage if abused (which this one hasn’t been). Sonically, it is very good but not exceptional, despite its apparent flexibility. Operation can be annoyingly frustrating, balancing the interplay between the controls to get the tones one wants. Sometimes, less is more – in this case, more is less. OK, so it is a bit average but that isn’t all bad news and it does the job adequately. The tones are pretty good, the ‘stereo’ function helps, and it makes a good contender for your funds and pedal board space. The market is over‑saturated with modulation pedals, so a successful one needs to stand out from to its competition. However, I would suggest with a fair degree of confidence that the ubiquitous FX65 won’t be top of many guitarists’ ‘must have’ Dear Santa lists. Perhaps the originality and condition of this DOD FX65 is evidence that it hasn’t been heavily used and probably hasn’t seen much stage use in the 3+ decades since it left the factory. Perhaps the DOD FX65 Stereo Chorus is one for the completist wanting to compile a comprehensive selection of vintage FX series pedals, rather than a jobbing musician’s essential tool. It wouldn’t be my go‑to chorus pedal, which I think is an over‑rated effect anyway. My personal preference would be for the much simpler Electro‑Harmonix Small Clone or the MXR Micro Chorus. Just don’t go full Nirvana. Please.
Features:
- Made by DOD in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. in 1988
- The ‘Speed’ knob controls the rate at which the effect cycles
- The ‘Delay Time’ knob controls the extent to which the chorus effect differs from the original signal
- The ‘Depth’ knob controls the intensity of the effect
- The treadle‑style footswitch controls whether the effect is on or off
- Standard ¼” input and output mono jack sockets
- LED status indicator to show when the effect is in use
- 9V DC power supply input or 9V battery
- Dimensions: 5” x 3” x 2” – 127mm x 76mm x 51mm (L x W x D)
- Weight: 1.2 Lbs – 550g
- Original box and documentation
Detail Gallery:
