DOD Grunge FX69

The DOD Grunge FX69 gives you uncompromising in-your-face distortion mayhem! With the High (FACE) and Low (BUTT) EQ controls, this thing gives some dynamic sounds that are still downright gritty. Great for Noise...

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User Reviews of the DOD Grunge FX69

Submitted by Andrew from Birmingham (48 points) on Feb 18, 2013
It might not be the best distortion out there, but in a world of clones, this definitely has character. Think hardcore/grindcore tape demo and you are nearly there. You get a lot of volume and gain, plus the bass/treble (butt/face, lol) knobs are actually quite responsive. It is a very compressed sound, which might not be to everyone's taste, but in a floop next to my MXR Red Compressor, I put it to good use.
Good Points: Sturdy, harsh, loud, full of character, more versatile than meets the eye.
Bad Points: VERY compressed sounding, crappy battery cover, not true bypass, rather "graceless".
Price Paid: US$60.00
Purchased At: Local music shop in Walsall.
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Submitted by Alex from Washington, DC (36 points) on Mar 14, 2008
Only a few things to add to the reviews below: 1) It compresses the signal way too much for my tastes, but some may like that. Not quite low-fi and there isn't much signal breakup, but overall a fantastic distortion/fuzz if you don't mind the compression. 2) I bought mine for the express purpose of circuit bending and could not have made a better choice. I only found one bend worth doing, but it can take away compression/add bass response and when pushed it goes completely nuts. The bend pushes it from just LOUD to wall of feedback. With the bend engaged and with this the only pedal between instrument and amp, it made my bowed upright bass sound like the guitar section from Sunn 0)))
Good Points: Loud, excellent for feedback, very easy and rewarding to bend, cheap
Bad Points: Sound is too compressed, after you bend it you should only run it on batteries
Price Paid: US$20.00
Purchased At: Chuck Levin's
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Submitted by Jon from Huntsville, AL (500 points) on Nov 18, 2007
Ironically enough, I traded a micro mixer I just reviewed 5-6 hours earlier for this when a friend said he would give it to me for the mixer... Anyways, it's not bad... It adds a nice amount of grit, as others have stated... I have several distortions though, so they all sound different... Each has it's own characteristic sound... It's not a particularly AMAZING effect, but it has it's own unique sound compared to my other distortions. Getting a good sound really depends on where you put it.
Good Points: Nice, gritty texture, which is good for enhancing the sound of a chain or loop, It's not obnoxiously harsh and treble-y or muffled and suffocated-sounding the way the Metal Zone can get... Decent range on the EQ knobs, particularly the "FACE" knob, which I like the sound of.
Bad Points: It's hyped up too much for what it is-- it doesn't really stand out in a loop full of high gain distortions, It's got the flimsy battery cover (It was missing from the one I was given).
Price Paid: US$0.00
Purchased At: Gear trade
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Submitted by Pete from Calgary (32 points) on Dec 29, 2006
This distortion usually ends up at the end of a loop, as I find it boosts the signal and gives everything that extra crunch. It is not the most versatile pedal but you can get some varying sounds by playing with the low/high knobs (I tend to just keep the grunge knob cranked). I have also been able to get some great sounds with just my Grunge and a contact mic! It is a sturdy pedal and best of all it doesn't have that annoying 1/8" input that older DODs are notorious for.
Good Points: -boosts signal -sounds crunchy -low/high knobs give added control -well built -doesnt have that annoying 1/8" input
Bad Points: - If I had to nit pik I would say it is not very versatile, but it does what it does well.
Price Paid: US$30.00
Purchased At: eBay
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Submitted by provera from Waterloo, IA (172 points) on Nov 24, 2006
My first distortion, not a good choice as a standalone distortion but it's redeemed itself over time. It's definitely more of a workhorse pedal than something that really stands out, and there's potential for volume suck in a loop, but it's nice and loud with other distortions around it. The eq is useful but not great. I'd like to compare this to the 69b, which sounds like it might be more useful, but the 69 is still worth picking up if the price is right.
Good Points: Cheap, a good contrast to a death metal, easy to use, can definitely get loud if used right.
Bad Points: A little flimsy (though mine has held up pretty well), can be kinda quiet/bland if not used right.
Price Paid: US$20.00
Purchased At: some pawn shop in iowa city
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Submitted by grizzlor from Springfield, PA (736 points) on Aug 14, 2006
crunchy and loud indeed...heavy bass response, clearly one of dod's best distortions and for the price you can find them at essential. combine with another distortion in fbl, unconrtollable hiss and crackle!
Good Points: cheap, solid dod pedal...
Bad Points:
Price Paid: US$27.00
Purchased At: ebay
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Submitted by Charlie from Camden, SC (8 points) on May 3, 2006
Great for solo stuff. This thing is crunchy and LOUD. I really like the amount of volume and distortion this little thing puts out, it's a great investment.
Good Points: Great sound, funny knob names, very loud
Bad Points: LED stopped working, drains a battery quickly. I would buy a power adapter. Can be noisy and staticky when off, the bypass isn't that great. May be too squeally for some.
Price Paid: US$0.00
Purchased At: Gift from friend
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Submitted by ck3 from Portland, ME (402 points) on Jan 1, 2006
I mainly got a hankering to grab one of these becuase of the silly knob names, but it ended up being a worhtwhile investment. :D
Good Points: Cascades well with most fuzzes in the pre position, brings out more odd harmonics in saw-wave synth signals, makes modulation/filter effects scream when placed in the post position.
Bad Points: as many have suggested, not a great deal of fun by itself. Has a funky, old-school DC jack with a narrow socket. Can produce unwanted noise with some rigs/settings.
Price Paid: US$20.00
Purchased At: Harmony Central Effects Forum
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Submitted by Ed from Malverne, NY (104 points) on Mar 24, 2005
A fairly decent pedal, though it's more of a workhorse general-purpose sound enhancer rather than something that'll really stand out amidst all your gear. Really it's best used just to add some additional grit and sound shaping control to a long chain of effects, since its impact isn't too spectacular when used on its own. It has a good lo/hi EQ, which is probably its best features -- the 2 EQ knobs are quite responsive, and the hi knob is great for controlling and unleashing mic feedback. The grunge knob adds some grit and additional distortion, it's good for vocals and other relatively simple sounds, but the effect can get lost if you input anything more constant or complex into it. Overall, not nearly as varied or impressive as the Death Metal, but if you've got a big setup it can certainly provide a bit of extra oomph.
Good Points: nice hi/lo EQ section with responsive control. good effect for beefing up vocals or contact mic work.
Bad Points: can get lost in the crowd. a bit generic. not nearly as impressive or versatile as the Death Metal.
Price Paid: US$35.00
Purchased At: ebay
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Submitted by Mike from Rochester, NY (310 points) on Dec 31, 2003
This is a GREAT pedal if you are not a fan of the harshness of the DOD Death Metal pedal. The distortion on this is a bit warmer, and a lot more variable. And the eq section is pretty decent as well. Really good in front of your chain to destroy everything after it!
Good Points: solid DOD construction, old-style 'barrel' power jack, variable distortion, decent eq
Bad Points: probably harder to find than the readily available FX69B
Price Paid: US$30.00
Purchased At: Daddy's Junky Music
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Submitted by Torbjörn from Örebro (110 points) on Dec 29, 2003
I got this after the FX69B that I loved the bass on. The FX69 is more usefull in the high-mid section of the spectra. I use it first in one chain of pedals and it is good at getting some noise going. Sadly mine is breaking down so I can`t turn the knobs as much as I want to as it glitches and I lose the sound. I keep it cranked on full and only change the EQ. If it is between this and FX69B I would get the B as it gives more bassy throbbing sounds. Still a nice addition if you can find one still working.
Good Points: Great distortion. Great highs and mids.
Bad Points: Hate the name and look.
Price Paid: US$15.00
Purchased At: Ebay
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Submitted by nkondi from Portland, OR (610 points) on Sep 23, 2003
some say it was loud...but this thing sucked some volume out of the loop. not quite as abrasive as the hype would have you believe, for that id look to the death metal...ive been served better by the metal maniac and super american metal.
Good Points: some interesting sounds...
Bad Points: ...but deffinately not worth the price most people pay for since it tends to suck volume, and not add much to an effects loop..
Price Paid: US$20.00
Purchased At: ebay
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Submitted by Inv8der from Redondo Beach, CA (30 points) on Jan 28, 2003
This pedal kicks arsnic!The 69 sounds much better than the 69b, louder and better sounding distortion. 69 squeals, it will blow speakers if the volume is not taken seriously. This pedal also has a good treble sound and the bass is thick. It will make noise with nothing plugged into it, feed it back on it self....good night!
Good Points: noiseee! good # lots of character. effortless feedback!
Bad Points: switch is flakey!
Price Paid: US$32.00
Purchased At: ebay
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Submitted by josh from Las Vegas, NV (8 points) on Sep 7, 2002
lots of hype with this pedal, definitely worth it. LOUD! a good compression is most likely needed if you plan on using any contact mic through this thing. good solid distortion, the high and low knobs have a pretty good range and add to the sound quite a bit, i usually keep the distortion knob on this fairly low as it really isnt even needed. ive tried to use this as a level booster alone but it still seems to have a bit to much "grunge" to it, but i guess thats not really the point... overall though a great addition to my set up.
Good Points: loud.solid sound.good eqs.loud.
Bad Points: none
Price Paid: US$40.00
Purchased At: ebay
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Submitted by K. from Sealy, TX (532 points) on Dec 18, 2001
It's insane how LOUD this pedal gets w/ the volume maxed, as a test I used it w/ a variety of signals/instruments through the clean channel of a Park practice amp set at a barely audible level. When the Grunge was engaged the signal level increased by roughly 10x. Playing w/ the tone controls gives a nice variety to the sound, from thin and crackly to deep and fuzzy. Only downside is mics. and contact mics. feed back uncontrollably, though this could probably maximized through the use of additional effects in the chain. Roll off the highs and play w/ the distortion control and it sounds great for raging, incoherent vocals. Plentiful and cheap, definitely worth the money.
Good Points: Good all around distortion, and it's LOUD
Bad Points: Haven't found any yet
Price Paid: US$6.00
Purchased At: Pawn One
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