Not For Sale
Model Description:
Featured here a ‘Made in USA’ DOD FX54 Attacker. The FX54 model was in production from 1991 to 1994. The ‘Attacker’ name doesn’t really give any indication as to what this pedal does, although it sounds kinda aggressive. It doesn’t really have anything to do with the first ‘A’ part of an ADSR signal envelope. Actually, the FX54 is quite straightforward; it combines a compression effect with a distortion effect. In addition, like the FX50‑B Overdrive Plus and the FX80 Compressor Sustainer, the distortion circuit includes a ‘boost’ when maxed out, adding a bit of extra oomph to help cut through a band mix. Most of the 1980s DOD FX series pedals were released with three control knobs. The FX54 has four because it has two effects and three controls just wouldn’t cut it. The FX54 wasn’t the only four‑knob FX series pedal, several later pedals dating from the 1990s extended the flexibility of several DOD effects. The integration of two effects in a standardised compact stomp box means that there is only one rudimentary control over compression (like the ‘Sensitivity’ control on an MXR Dyna Comp) although there is basic tonal control over compression/distortion. The FX54 model didn’t stay in production for long, so it is rare compared to the more conventional effect pedals in the DOD range. Its lack of success and reputation isn’t helped by that enigmatic ‘Attacker’ name. If you don’t know what it does without research, it doesn’t attract sufficient attention from guitarists looking to push their signature tone, sales were likely to suffer. While relatively uncommon, the FX54 Attacker isn’t too hard to find and a good one can be picked up for a very reasonable prices on the vintage effect market. Bargain.
Pedal Description:
This 1991 DOD FX54 Attacker is another CRAVE Effects pedal that breaks the 1989 vintage cut‑off applied to guitars, basses and amps. If I’d stuck to 1989, I wouldn’t be able to share this natty stomp box with y’all. While not particularly rare, it is a pretty cool concept, partly as a result of how well compression and distortion effects work together. One possible/probable weakness of the DOD FX series pedals is the pot shafts/knobs, which seem far too delicate to cope with heavy gigging. This is even more the case with the FX54, where there are four knobs and less finger room. Also, the foot switch doesn’t inspire with a lack of feel that may also prove unreliable over time. The detachable battery cover has been lost on many DOD pedals over the years. Thankfully, it is present and correct here and the pedal is in very good condition for its age, including its original box and instruction manual, perhaps suggesting that it wasn’t heavily used. The looks, while decidedly 1980s, seem to evoke a colour scheme derived from the aforementioned MXR Dyna Comp with its striking dark red hue. Managing the tone can be a bit tricky, balancing the compression and distortion, which tend to play off each other. However, it is different from the norm so, with a little care, some great squidgy, squelchy gritty tones can be found here. CRAVE Effects also has a DOD FX80-B Compressor Sustainer and I feel that that pedal is simply not good enough. However, combining a simple compressor with distortion in the FX54 Attacker is a much better experience. The compression is still not up to, say, an MXR Dyna Comp but it definitely brings something to the party. Perhaps the FX54 is a pedal for the more experimental tone shaper out there, rather than someone looking to sound just like everyone else. OK, using two pedals, rather than this one, would give a lot more flexibility but that takes up more space on a pedalboard and more cables/circuitry to get in the way of the precious signal. Each to their own. The distortion control places it between overdrive and fuzz and the boost pushes ‘more’ dirt to help cut through. An interesting try‑out for DOD and worth a stab. It isn’t a ‘normal’ distortion pedal, which is a plus. The ambiguous name doesn’t help though.
Features:
- Made by DOD in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. in 1991
- The ‘Level’ knob controls the output volume
- The ‘Tone’ knob controls the amount of treble or bass
- The ‘Comp.’ knob controls the amount of compression applied to the signal, plus integrated ‘Boost’ function
- The ‘Dist.’ knob controls the amount of distortion (and ‘boost’) applied to the signal
- 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 but no documentation
Detail Gallery:
