Not For Sale
Model Description:
The DOD FX80‑B Compressor Sustainer is just one of a very diverse range of effect pedals produced by DOD in the US between 1982 when the brand was introduced and 1996 when the brand was discontinued. DOD pedals have always been considered a reliable budget product, so they may not be the first name to spring to mind as a dependable vintage brand. In addition, with the proliferation of models and aesthetic modifications over time, individual effects are unlikely to attract intense attention. However, being in the middle of the pack means two things. First is that they are currently more affordable than the desirable – and therefore (much) more expensive – effects. Second is that they can still provide classic tones and may sound different from the normal go‑to effects touted by professional musicians. It has always puzzled me why people go out of their way to sound just like everyone else, whereas I’ve always looked for something that may end up sounding different from the crowd. That’s where the 1980s DOD FX series pedals come in. The DOD FX80‑B Compressor Sustainer was produced for a decade from 1985‑1996. Pretty much all effect manufacturers of the period jumped on the bandwagon and released compressors to coincide with the highly produced studio recordings at the time. Many guitarists overlook what a compressor can do, partly because they might not understand the concept and partly because it smoothes existing sound out in a subtle way, rather than adding an identifiable characteristic impact of the original signal. A distortion/fuzz, phase/flange/chorus, echo or wah are obvious while compression can be harder to pin down. On the vintage effect market, the FX80‑B is ubiquitous and good condition ones can be picked up for very reasonable amount, representing a bit of a bargain. Perhaps this may be due to its (lacklustre, in my view) performance and/or its tonal impact compared to the ‘best of the breed’.
Pedal Description:
Here we have a 1988 DOD FX80‑B Compressor Sustainer in a slightly predictable bright red colour (think MXR Dyna Comp). The name may suggest that it comprises two effects. However, that can be misleading, as it is simply a compressor pedal, as enhanced sustain is one of the inherent characteristics of compression. Back in the late 1970s and 1980s, maximising sustain was considered a holy grail for guitarists and a good compressor can help with that. A compressor works by limiting peaks and boosting low level signals to enhance sustain, as well as smoothing out the dynamics of a guitar signal’s attack, decay and sustain. The level of flexibility varies from single control pedals to modern studio‑style compression pedals with a wealth of digital tweakery. The DOD FX80‑B sits somewhere in the middle, requiring only a modicum of nous to make the most of the mysterious dark art. Compression can be a tricky effect to master at the best of times and more controls means it is harder to find and recreate the sweet spot. The pedal’s middle control was labelled ‘Attack’ 1985‑1987 and ‘Release’ from 1987 on, despite no apparent change in the circuit. This presents a glaring inconsistency, as the instruction manual refers solely to the ‘Attack’ control, which on this actual pedal is labelled ‘Release’. This only adds to user confusion and such an oversight really shouldn’t have got through the design quality control processes. In use, sadly, the FX80‑B is a clear disappointment. Bluntly, it doesn’t affect the dynamics sufficiently enough to be an essential addition to a pedalboard, especially compared to other, better, pedals. No muted attacks. No blooming sustain. It boosts/cuts the signal marginally but that is not the same as smoothing off the peaks and filling the troughs – it just doesn’t make anywhere near enough difference to recommend it. I thought at first that this pedal may have a circuit fault, so I bought another one, which sounded exactly the same, so I conclude that it is simply neither an effective nor a defective effect (sic!). This particular example is in superb all‑original condition including its box and documentation, which is always a bonus. As with other DOD FX series pedals the controls and footswitch seem too insubstantial for a hard life on the road. Bottom line, the FX80‑B won’t set the world alight and probably won’t be on many guitarist’s ‘top 10’ effect pedals. Used judiciously though, it may add just a little polish to the overall sound created by other effects. This stomp box’s colour stands out far more than its performance, compared to the finest compact compressors out there but perhaps that’s kinda where compressors sit as a class. Frankly, DOD could (and should) have done better.
Features:
- Made by DOD in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. in 1988
- The ‘Level’ knob controls the output volume
- The ‘Release’ knob controls the dynamics of the original signal, focusing on the attack rather than release of the signal envelope
- The ‘Compression’ knob controls the amount of compression (0‑40dB) applied to the original signal before limiting cuts in, focusing on the sustain of the signal envelope
- 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:
