Not For Sale
Model Description:
DOD introduced the FX series pedals in 1982 and, over the years, resulted in over 90 different effect pedal models. That is some going. It also suggests that DOD’s approach was more towards shifting large numbers of product, rather than focusing on a limited release of elite models (e.g. Klon Centaur). However, DOD only released two FX fuzz models, the FX52 Classic Fuzz (here) manufactured from 1990 to 1997 and the later FX66 Flashback Fuzz. While many guitarists prefer the subtler impact of boost, overdrive or even distortion, fuzz basically mangles your guitar’s tone and spits out a signal full of heavily clipped square wave filth. Used in the right way, though, there is nothing quite like the full‑on aural assault of a decent fuzz pedal. The DOD FX52 is pretty much as straightforward as one can get with a fuzz pedal. Just three controls that pretty much do what they say on the tin. Volume, tone and fuzz are easy to understand and make it easy to get the sound you want. The DOD FX52 also has a little trick up its sleeve that other DOD pedals also used, a ‘boost’ function on the fuzz control. This adds some extra kick. This is quite important with fuzz pedals. Fuzz tends to compress a guitar’s dynamics – increasing distortion doesn’t increase volume, quite the opposite – meaning that fuzzy chord/lead tones can get lost in a live band mix. An additional boost to a maxed out fuzz can help the guitar to cut through, just as we like it. The boosted fuzz can add that little bit of extra versatility. Yes, the FX52 might be just another fuzz also ran but it can also sound just a bit different from the pack. Best of all, vintage DOD effect pedals remain a bit of an under‑the‑radar bargain on the vintage effect market. Sounds (fuzzily) good to me. Perhaps the market price reflects how good an effect it produces in the hands of guitarists over the decades. That’s what really matters.
Pedal Description:
So, who doesn’t like a great vintage fuzz pedal, the classic king of all the dirtiest dirt possible? While the DOD FX52 Classic Fuzz featured here is unlikely to be top of anyone’s vintage must have list, that doesn’t stop it fulfilling its promise. This DOD FX52, which dates to 1992, is in very good condition including its box and a lot of its documentation, which is always a plus point. Besides, it comes resplendent in a fetching metallic orangey sheen, which I like a lot. OK, so it breaks CRAVE Guitars’ arbitrary 1989 cut‑off by three years. One of the criticisms I have of the DOD FX series pedals is the seeming fragility of the pot shafts/knobs. They and the footswitch don’t seem anywhere near sturdy enough to survive a harsh gigging regime. Overall, the aesthetics of the 1980s FX series stomp boxes leaves me a little, well, meh. The core aim of the FX52 Classic Fuzz (it’s in the name, folks) was to attempt to emulate the germanium transistor sound of the 1960s and pedals like the Tone Bender and Fuzz Tone. How well it achieves that aim is up to everyone to decide for themselves. For me, any fuzz pedal has to be compared against my all‑time favourite fuzz, the now vintage American Electro‑Harmonix Big Muff π from the 1970s. I prefer filthy fuzz to undercooked overdrive or distortion effects but that’s just my preference and the music styles I like to play. The EHX Big Muff is tough competition and while I think the FX52 falls short in the shadow of greatness, it still makes a fair stab at evocative thick, warm distorted tones with an attractive singing sustain when pushed. The ‘boost’ of the maxed out Fuzz control tends to push the effect into compressed clipping, rather than volume to cut through a band in full flow. What it lacks is the sonic mayhem of a genuine classic fuzz. Not only does it not match up to the extremes of a Big Muff, to me, it also doesn’t fuzz out like a great vintage Fuzz Face or Tone Bender, whether they us germanium or silicon transistors or not. Good try though.
Features:
- Made by DOD in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. in 1992
- The ‘Volume’ knob controls the output volume
- The ‘Tone’ knob controls the amount of treble or bass
- The ‘Fuzz’ knob controls the amount of distortion (and boost when pushed) added 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 and documentation
Detail Gallery:
