DOD FX-25 - Just not feeling the love....

**TheFantod** · #1 10-13-2009, 04:18 PM

...Okay, I've tried three of these, (four including a blown one) and I can't get a consistent decent sound from any of them.

I've got two older ones and the newer 25B.

With all of them, I have to turn the sensitivity almost to the max to get the filter to engage, and then, I have to really hit the strings hard. The high end sounds super quacky/funky, but the low end comes out sounding like pure garbage.

My Music Man HH puts out a really hot signal. I can't even get the filters to engage with my passive T-40.

Does anyone have any tips for getting a better sound out of these things? How about modding it? I tried Analog Man and they don't have a mod for it. I tried Humprhies and no dice. I e-mailed Vodka but they're closed for October. Any other recommendations?

Or am I just wasting my time here? If so, any recommendation for something with a similar sound without so much work? I really like the quacky/funky sound I can get out of the D & G strings.

I own a Q-tron & Bassballs and love them both, but neither of them can achieve that "out there" sound of the FX-25. What else should I try?

TIA

Tim

Kano2864212 · #2 10-13-2009, 04:30 PM

what do you have the range set to? most people find it sounds best at 12 o'clock

**TheFantod** · #3 10-13-2009, 04:54 PM

Oh yeah, I've tried the range knob from one side to the other. That's not the problem. The problem is that I have to crank the sensitivity just about all the way, which hurts the sound.

Ideally, I'd like to mod the pedal so the sensitivity kicks in at a MUCH lower setting.

Anyone?

RCCollins · #4 10-13-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFantod

Ideally, I'd like to mod the pedal so the sensitivity kicks in at a MUCH lower setting.

Anyone?

are you feeding it a really hot signal or something?

**TheFantod** · #5 10-13-2009, 06:16 PM

I've got both a Music Man Stingray HH with active p/u's and a a Peavey T-40 with passive. Granted, I get a better sound with the T-40, but I still have to dial the sensitivity knob all the way up and really increase dynamics on the strings to get the filter to kick in. With the Q-tron & Bassballs, the filter kicks in regardless of how hard you hit the strings. With the FX-25, you have to "work for it."

Basstovsky · #6 10-13-2009, 06:31 PM

Thats very bizarre, I have a FX25B, and if I have sensitivity at 3oclock (75%) or higher with my passive basses (couple of P's a jazz and a T-40) its slightly over sensitive, and sweeps and stays swept up through a decent amount of sustain because its so sensitive at that point.

Where do you have the blend set at? That might lead to more idea of what is lacking with your pedal.

**TheFantod** · #7 10-13-2009, 06:52 PM

I'm using the FX25 with only the two knobs. No blend knob on the earlier versions.

shaggy45 · #8 10-13-2009, 06:59 PM

i have the fx25b. my settings are Blend: 9oclock Sensitivity: 2oclock Range: 2oclock. im using a spector with active pickups. Sounds good

neuman · #9 10-13-2009, 07:10 PM

I built an EHX LPB-1 boster clone and put it in front of the FX-25 and get great funky noises; I can adjust the output of the booster and adjust the controls of the FX-25 as well.

bassbmx · #10 10-13-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFantod

With the FX-25, you have to "work for it."

Yup, it's totally worth it though

Beej · #11 10-13-2009, 08:58 PM

Strange, I've been using the FX25 for over 20 years on lots of guitars and basses and I've never had that problem. If you hadn't tried more than one unit, I would have thought you had a bad one.

I find when I use it with an active bass, I need to roll up the sensitivity more, but usually not more than about 3 o'clock or its too sensitive. I do find that it needs lots of highs to trigger best, so rolling up the tone knob on my bass tends to do the trick. Maybe try putting something in front of it in the signal chain, like a very mild flange effect or subtle chorus to see if that helps.

Relatedly, I LOVE this pedal. I occasionally use two of them in the chain followed by a bass synth pedal and then a tremolo. Nothing like two of them for the greasiest buttery flavoured funk you ever heard...

kaputsport · #12 10-14-2009, 04:09 AM

12 o'clock settings for me on both knobs. Triggers fine, and is fat and has a wet like slappy tone...

ko stradivarius · #13 10-14-2009, 07:17 AM

I have an old lime green FX-25. I never could get it to trigger with ANY bass unless I have the sensitivity all the way up. I can put my micro amp in front of it for a stronger input, which works, but that defeats the whole purpose(my purpose) of saving space on my board.