DOD FX22 Vibro-Thang

It is easy enough, and the manual gives some sample settings. I wish DOD would give the controls normal names. The novelty of the names wears off real fast when you are trying to dial in a sound.

The sound quality is good and quiet. However, I think DOD should have just made a tremolo pedal, not this. The vibro thang is a tremolo and phaser combined. The problem with this is that the tremolo doesn't have enough rate variation. You can't get the speed to go fast enough for a shivering vibrato sound, and the rate also doesn't really go as slow as I like either. I don't see much need for the phaser aspects, it would be better to get a dedicated phaser pedal. The pedal could be usable if you only want very subtle sounds.

I think DOD quality is good. I think the new footswitch on their latest pedals seems a little tougher although it also feels less precise. I would still like to see DOD go to a footswitch design like Boss, you really feel like Godzilla could stomp on a Boss and not break it. But, I have never broke a DOD pedal so I shouldn't complain about them.

DOD is a great company to deal with, I have never needed them for repairs but they are helpful for product information.

I sold mine because I decided I wanted a two different pedals for phasing and tremolo. I got a DOD FX20 phaser and the new Boss TR2 tremolo, this was a better way to go. I guess if you are looking for something a little different, then you may find something good in the Vibro Thang. I don't recommend it for simple Phasing or Tremolo sounds, it just isn't versatile enough in those applications.

The FX-22 (Vibro-Thang) is really a tremolo pedal with additional phasing capabilities. The knobs' names are misleading: Drop, Intensity, Image. Drop is just the LEVEL of tremolo, intensity is just the LEVEL of phasing. The directions explain this easily, though, with specific setings for certain styles of sounds.

The neat thing is that you can combine tremolo WITH phasing at the same speed, because it (the speed) is all in sync, as opposed trying match separatea trem and phaser pedals to the same speed.(The practical purpose of this beats me!:) The minus is that the phaser ability only goes so out-of-phase. A real phaser is the way to go. Also note-worthy is the fact that there is limited tremolo ability, as compared to the discontinued Boss Tremolo/Pan. The DOD's speed can't go near as fast, leaving you to turn the speed all the way up for a HALF-descent vibrato. Also, when activated and you're not playing, you hear the irritating hissing at the speed entered, and it picks up radio stations, and they're easy-listening too!! :( Another cut is that there is only one style of trem on the DOD: a sine wave, while Boss gives you the choice of a square wave, in addition :(

I would definitely depend on it (to screw my chord comping). I wouldn't use it without a backup (two sledge-hammers are better than one!). Also, the "trigger" is hard to get familiar with; it doesn't have a solid click when you step on it, unlike another brand of pedals...

I talked with several loco (oops! sorry, I meant local) DOD distributers about the power adapter, but since the FX-22 is so new, they didn't carry them. Another minus. Even the Guitar Center says it may take "anywhere from tomorrow to next month to get them in." I hope you have a good supply of 9V batteries!

I'll have to admit that it has the ideal 50's and 60's tremolo and descent phasing sounds. It's good for the beginner, but that's all. For anything other than putzing in your room, including any performances, leave it at home, at the dump, in the bottom of Lake Michigan, etc.