FX52 Classic Fuzz

I play a schechter gryphon, a danelectro or an ibanez 12-string, depending on the set.  i usually run a fender princeton, but have been experimenting with the peavey vypyr 60 recently.  the board is boss ge-7 -> boss sd-1 -> dod fx52 -> boss aw-3 -> dod fx75 -> ibanez de-7 -> dunlop crybaby.  mostly i'm using this as something over the top of the sd-1, so i keep the tone around 3 o'clock and the fuzz knob just short of the boost.  there's obviously some hiss when it's initially engaged, but nothing outrageous.  i also haven't really encountered any of the tone sucking that seems to have befallen some others.  it might be that the aw-3 is so bad with that i don't notice.  the sound is sharp and great for rhythym.  it's not as epic as a big muff, but it's much easier to lug around and fit on the board.

i've gigged with it and it's never been a problem.  the battery cover is missing, but i use a powered board, so i just covered it with duct tape.  i can see where people would be concerned with the bypass switch, but c'mon. i got it used, and it's gotta be at least 15-20 years old, so if it's survived this long...

Some of these are old and have lost some markings, but even in that case, it's well nigh on impossible to be confused by the controls.

DOD's schematics are all over the net if you're into modding.  i've emailed them a couple times about my fx75 pedal, which is about 30 years old, and they've always been prompt and helpful with their advice.

i play rock, and a lot of classic rock covers with a hard, almost metal edge to them, so this helps get people's attention, especially with the power chords.  i've been playing about 12 years off and on, really seriously the past two.  i am planning to add a second effects loop to my setup, and this will be on one or the other.  if you can't afford a swollen pickle (way better than the muff), this is great.  snap it up while they're still around.

I own a LOT of fuzz pedals and, I have to say, I was expecting this one to sound crap. Hence my amazement when, after plugging it in, it came up with some very fine fuzztones indeed. Definitely a retro sounding fuzz, kind of a cross between a milder Big Muff and a silicon fuzzface, although backing off guitar volume doesn't really clean it up like a good fuzzface would. The tone knob isn't particularly useable - if you stray outwith the 10-2 o'clock range it's really too bass heavy or ear-splitting, but I have only used it with a strat through a fender twin so those of you with humbuckers and darker amps my find the tone knob yields a greater variety of useful souunds. I'm sure it would sound pretty mean on bass too, especially with the tone all the way down.

It must be about 20yrs old and still works fine. Haven't gigged with it as I use other fuzz pedals instead.

As easy as any three-knob dirt box can be.

At least DOD still exist.

This would make an excellent choice for someone looking for an authentic, retro, fuzz sound. I've never seen another, not even on eBay (either there weren't many made, they all broke, or people hang on to them/forget about them), so it might be worth trying to pick one up if you see one going cheap.

BAD, which is the great part.  Very responsive especially with single coils.   awesome pedal!

Been great so far.

Super easy knobs, great setup.

Not sure, should be fine.

Great pedal for what it does!