Product Spotlight: DOD Badder Monkey

Evolve Your Tone! The monkey is out of the cage, and this time it’s a bit meaner. DigiTech’s cult-favorite Bad Monkey overdrive pedal has made a resurgence, not as a simple reissue, but as a fully evolved version from DOD: the Badder Monkey. With the original Bad Monkey circuit at its core and two brand-new circuits—the Behaved and Badder—joining the mix, this pedal empowers players to transition from mild-mannered overdrive to mischievous, unpredictable, and wild tones that are downright bananas.

Here are the features of the Badder Monkey:

• 3 Independent Overdrive Circuits

• Barrel Control (for blending overdrives)

• Troop Mode

• In-Phase / Out-of-Phase Switch

• Screech and Grunt EQ Controls

• StagePlate™

• Updated Graphics and Control Names

Let’s dive deeper into these features: The magic of the Badder Monkey starts with DOD’s patent-pending 360-degree Barrel Control, allowing musicians to blend any two circuits at a time—Behaved -> Bad, Bad -> Badder, and Badder -> Behaved, resulting in hundreds of unique overdrive combinations. For those who love the Bad Monkey, the original circuit can be found in the Bad Setting.

The aptly named Bananas and Curiosity controls shape your sound like a monkey directing energy through the jungle. The Bananas (gain) knob cranks up the chaos by adding more crunch, saturation, and aggressive bite to your tone. The Curiosity (level) knob determines how loudly to unleash that energy into the world. Together, they balance the raw power and control of the Badder Monkey pedal.

The three-position toggle switch adds even more versatility. In the UP position, the Bad circuit operates in-phase with the others. In the DOWN position, it flips the Bad circuit out-of-phase, creating wild harmonic effects. The CENTER position activates Troop Mode, where all three circuits work together simultaneously in parallel. In Troop Mode, the Barrel Control steps aside, letting the full troop roar as one.

The Screech and Grunt controls (high and low) allow shaping of your tone by cutting or boosting specific frequency ranges, helping your sound sit exactly where you want it in the mix. The Grunt (low) control shapes the bass frequencies, giving you the option to cut or boost warmth and thickness, which can tighten things up for better clarity. The Screech (high) control adjusts the treble range, allowing you to cut or boost sparkle, presence, and clarity, which can help smooth out harsh edges. Balancing these two controls can give you a bold, full-bodied tone, ultimately helping you create the perfect sound.

If that’s not enough monkey business, the Badder Monkey also introduces DOD’s patent-pending reversible StagePlate™. This simple but brilliant invention keeps your pedal either grounded or attached to your pedalboard. The skid pad side prevents it from sliding off the stage, while flipping it over reveals a hook pad that locks onto your pedalboard with ease. Switching between the two is as simple as removing four screws, flipping the plate, and tightening it back up—a straightforward solution for every rig and stage setup.

We must also mention the eye-catching graphics on this pedal. This begins a new era for DOD pedals that we call “Cage-Free.” Featuring unique graphics and fun naming schemes that evoke the classic 1990s DOD vibe, you’ll enjoy looking at your Badder Monkey pedal, knowing things are about to get wild when you engage it.

So, finally, the long-awaited reissue of the Bad Monkey is here, but at DOD, we believe in creating a bigger and badder version rather than a simple reissue, all while maintaining that classic sound everyone loves. The Badder Monkey is a must-have for your pedalboard and collection. This pedal will appeal to users across all music genres, from light country and rock to full power and punk. With all the features packed in, you’re bound to go bananas for this pedal!

Vintage Pedal Spotlight: DOD Grunge FX69

The DOD Grunge FX69 pedal, designed by Jason Lamb and Roger Johnsen, made its debut in the early ’90s as a playful reference to the burgeoning Seattle sound. Its enduring popularity is attributed to its surprisingly versatile and unapologetically aggressive character. The control layout is simple yet effective, featuring knobs for Loud, Butt, Face, and Grunge—DOD’s cheeky rebranding of level, low EQ, high EQ, and distortion. With these four knobs, players could massively scoop the mids, boost the low-end for heavier, more metallic tones, or push the treble for a snarling, chainsaw-like rasp.

The pedal produces a thick, high-gain wall of distortion that is harsher and more exaggerated than the more refined options available at the time. This makes it ideal for musicians looking to cut through the mix with abrasive authority. Its rugged, brightly colored enclosure also ensures it stands out on any pedalboard; it is loud both in sound and appearance.

Musicians loved the DOD Grunge because it didn’t seek to be polite or polished. For many, it provided an accessible entry point into heavier tones, offering an affordable means to achieve massive distortion without complicated settings or costly gear. Bands in the alternative, punk, and garage scenes particularly appreciated how well it paired with solid-state amplifiers, delivering consistent, raw drive at any volume.

The pedal’s exaggerated EQ range allows guitarists to create extreme textures that other pedals can’t achieve, making it a cult favorite for those pursuing a deliberately raw, overblown, almost “broken-but-cool” character. Even today, the DOD Grunge remains a nostalgic icon for its bold personality and the unmistakable, unapologetic noise it brought to countless teenage bedrooms and underground stages.

Interestingly, the pedal was once part of Kurt Cobain (the frontman and guitarist of Nirvana)’s pedalboard. Legend has it that he used it only a couple of times during performances before ultimately tossing it into the audience. This story is supported by a fan who took the DOD Grunge to a pawn shop in Las Vegas, NV, along with an email from Cobain’s guitar tech claiming it was the actual pedal. To this day, the authenticity of the pedal remains a mystery. You can check out the video from “Pawn Stars” and form your own opinion on whether it was really Kurt’s pedal. Regardless, it was still exciting to see the FX69 Grunge pedal featured on such a popular TV series.

— Until next time, keep creating! —