FX59 ThrashMaster

This is where this pedal gets a bad rap in the reviews i've read. I think that it is basically misunderstood. I got this pedal in 1991 as a replacement for a ProCo Rat. I wanted a much hotter, brighter, fluid and dynamic sound - and I got it with this pedal. First, i was running through a 'Realistic' (not sure of the vintage or true manufacturer yet) '70s era tube combo amp with spring reverb, tremolo, and four channels (two hi, two lo) and two 15" Jensen speakers. Although it's odd for a guitar amp, it sounds really good. Makes a really nice bass amp. When combined with the DOD FX59 ThrashMaster, this amp comes to life. VERY NUNO! The guitar  i used was a Kramer Striker 300st (H-S-S) with a Bill Lawrence 500xl humbucker and a 'brite' sounding Fernandes Floyd copy. Body is basically heavy multi-layer ply with low-to-mid tonality. Also ran an ART SGE multi-effect rack processor and sometimes a Digitech Chorus/Echo/Delay pedal. Overall, the combination was the right formula to cover EVH/Lynch/Rhoads/Nuno/Zakk heavy rock very well. With adjustments this pedal was versatile enough to do Metallica/Testament/Megadeth/Nirvana. Harmonic range and access was incredible in this setup, which is why I loved it so much. Eventually moved to 5150 212, Jackson PS-4, '78 HB, and Dime wah.  I still have this exact setup and my son goes nuts playing it. Valves in amp are nearing a retube and sound their best right now. I have to give it a nine due to the fact that, at the time, there were no pedals that could touch it's harmonic range.

indestructible case. knobs still act new. dissapointed in battery cover (keeps opening) and jack mounts (keep unscrewing). pedal plate still acts new. brite pink paint has feded some.

As with most pedals, instructions are overkill. Three knobs adjust the level, distortion & presence. Plug guitar in, plug into amp, put in 9v battery or plug in AC adapter and go. Kick plate to turn on or off. It's that simple.

never had a problem.

overall, this is a niche pedal that needs to be mated to the right combination of guitar, amp, player, and music style. not for everyone, but my assessment of this pedal's range of sound doesn't seem to agree with some of the others. Probably due to the overall setup, i guess. anyways, i'll keep mine because it fits right with my Kramer and bassy amp.

I was using a cheap 10 watt amp at first and it gave a nice fuzz sound when I cranked that little amp. Later I acquired a 30 watt Crate amp. I like the choppy, rough sound that came from this pedal whne cranked up loud. IT gave a different feel and sound to the Nirvana grunge I used to love playing. It is not the best rating because I know there is better sound quality, however I love the cheap sound.

After 2 years of use this thing started cutting out on me, and it really pissed me off. After 2 years it did not work anymore. I dont quite know why it stopped working, I guess it is because it is a really cheap pedal. As, someone has said before. How the hell did this thing pass quality control. Total piece of crap when it comes to reliability.

When I first bought the pedap 8 years ago, I had a blast playing withit. Of course I was an amateur and it was my first and alst pedal. This thing was amazingly simple to use. I enjoy the simple things in life.

I like choppy rough sounds. I like the cheap sound that came out of it. It went well with the crazy erratic sounds that emanated from my guitar. However, it went dysfunctional way too soon.

I don't use this pedal near as much as I used to, as a matter of fact, I only break it out about once a month at best if a song I'm recording needs that certain sound I'm looking for that I know I can only get with this pedal or if the band I'm in is working on older material from when I did use it all of the time, I'll plug it in for sh!ts and giggles. My primary distortion source comes from my Big Muff reissue and at this point and with the style of music we play, I can't see my depending on that old hot pink war horse for a number one, but for a back up or even in my signal chain for standby or whatever, yes.

I've had this pedal for 10 years, I bought it used at a pawn shop. It was the very first effects pedal I ever bought. Though it looked pretty decent, almost new when I got it, I can't say the same about it now.  It looks like it's been used for a door stop at a halfway house. It's got more dings and abrasions than the Millenium Falcon and it's got the spirit of John Wayne coursing through it's wiring. As a matter of fact, from here on out, when I use this pedal, I'm gonna call it 'The Duke'.

I dunno, what else can I say! 3 knobs and 1 input and 1 output. Plug it in and go.

For what I paid and as long as I've had it, I have to say I'm very satisfied. If I had a nickel for every 9 volt battery it's dined on, I could probably eat well at a 5 star restaurant,  leaving there feeling like a fat tick, but that's all part of the 'pay to play' ethics of it I suppose. I wouldn't take another Thrash Master for it. My nephew bought one a few years back and it sounds nothing like mine. Though it's not in full commision anymore, it's not due to anything being wrong with it by any means, it's just I've moved on to another style of music that doesn't always call for it's service. I'm about to get a powered pedal board, and it's going to be a permanent part of my chain though, that way, when I need 'The Duke' it will be there.