For many guitarists, the journey into the world of effects pedals often begins with a familiar sight: walls of Boss pedals in every music store. Boss’s standardization and ubiquity made them a go-to choice for countless players. But amidst this landscape of readily available effects, another brand quietly built a reputation for quality and innovation – DOD. Emerging from America, Dod Guitar Pedals offered a unique flavor, and among their celebrated FX series, the FX65 Stereo Chorus stands out as a true gem.
DOD FX65 featuring Andy Martin
DOD FX Pedals: America’s Answer to the Pedal Craze
While brands like Boss and Ibanez were setting standards in the early 80s, DOD carved its own path. Starting in 1982, DOD introduced its FX series, proudly proclaiming them “America’s Pedal.” These pedals, built domestically, quickly gained traction for their robust construction and, more importantly, their excellent sound. The FX series became a diverse lineup, with some models becoming highly sought-after on the used market. While a few might be considered less impressive, the vast majority of DOD FX pedals deliver exceptional performance, and the FX65 Stereo Chorus is a prime example.
The Underrated Gem: DOD FX65 Stereo Chorus
In the pre-internet era, exploring guitar pedals was a hands-on experience. For many players, including myself, this meant trying out every DOD pedal within reach. The FX65 Stereo Chorus left a lasting impression. In the 1980s, the chorus effect was paramount. Every brand, from established giants to boutique newcomers, seemed to offer their take on this essential effect. The FX65 distinguished itself, notably by including a “delay time” control – a feature not commonly found on chorus pedals of that era. This added versatility hinted at the sonic depths this pedal held.
DOD FX65 featuring Andy Martin
Andy Martin’s Endorsement and the FX65’s Versatility
Working at ProGuitarShop provided the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Andy Martin of AndyDemos fame. Surrounded by a vast collection of guitar pedals, conversations naturally gravitated towards effects. When the topic of chorus pedals arose, Andy’s enthusiasm for the FX65 was unmistakable. He considered it, and still does, a standout among countless chorus pedals, past and present. Revisiting the FX65 myself, I was reminded of its unique character and understood Andy’s appreciation. His endorsement is significant – this is a player who knows tone, and the FX65 earned a place on his pedalboard, even reportedly displacing a legendary Boss CE-1.
According to Andy, the FX65 played a role in shaping iconic guitar tones, even suggesting a connection to John Frusciante’s sound on the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Blood Sugar Sex Magik. “John Frusciante used [the FX65] instead of or in addition to the famed CE-1 on my favorite RHCP record, Blood Sugar Sex Magik,” Andy explained. “I always loved the Hendrix-esque doubling, flanging and rotary sounds on that album. The chorus tones on songs like “Mellowship,” “Give it Away,” and “Soul to Squeeze” sounded like a shallow flanger to me.”
This “shallow flanger” quality resonated with Andy, drawing parallels to Andy Summers of The Police and his signature chorus sound achieved with an Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress. Beyond chorus, the FX65 holds another sonic secret. By manipulating the knobs, particularly the delay time, it can conjure a convincing faux through-zero flanger effect. “[T]he best thing about the FX65 is the faux through zero flanger that occurs randomly when the frequencies are clashing right,” Andy elaborated. “It’s mainly with a shallow depth and that short delay [time] around 1 o’ clock. I found it occurs more when using the alternate output on the top.” Further experimentation, including a modification to enhance the rate control, even unlocked Leslie-like rotary speaker tones, showcasing the FX65’s surprising range.
FX65 on “That Pedal Show” and Rising Popularity
The FX65’s reputation received a significant boost when Andy featured it on That Pedal Show. Its prominent placement on his pedalboard surprised Dan, Mick, and many viewers, sparking curiosity about this seemingly unassuming DOD pedal. Despite access to a wealth of high-end and boutique chorus pedals, Andy consistently returned to the FX65. The response was immediate, with inquiries flooding in.
“I definitely get asked about it and how I set it up. Sometimes it’s just a pic saying, I bought this because of you or I saw it in your Reverb demo,” Andy noted. He also highlighted another prominent FX65 enthusiast: “I later learned that Josh Scott is a big fan of the FX65 so that’s pretty cool that we both came to that conclusion without any hype around the pedal.”
DOD FX65 featuring Andy Martin
While Andy modestly denies contributing to price increases, the resurgence of interest in DOD guitar pedals, including the FX65, has led to a rise in their value on the used market. Once a budget-friendly find at around $40, the FX65 now typically sells for around $80. This increase, however, is hardly prohibitive, especially considering the universally praised sound and versatility of this exceptional chorus pedal. The DOD FX65 Stereo Chorus remains a testament to the quality and innovation found within the world of DOD guitar pedals, proving that sometimes, the most magical tones are hidden in plain sight, waiting to be rediscovered.
