• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

DOD 250 Variations?

basscow

basscow

Guest
Apr 19, 2011
156
72
#1
Sorry about the mis-post, mods!
I played a DOD 250 today and I absolutely loved it! Such a smooth overdrive with no low end loss, at least to my ears! Are there any differences between the early 2000's models and the new models, aside from the LED indicator and the sparkly finish?
 
  • Like
Reactions: justdave42
#2
Yes:

The original gray's had the LM741 OPA and no power filtering.
The next version yellows had the LM741 OPA and power filtering.
The next version yellows had a variety of OPA's (741, TL082/72/81, LF351 etc.)
The next version yellows had 4558 OPA
The latest update has the original LM741 OPA, LED, modern PSU jack, and aluminum chassis.

There are parts variations galore in all versions and there is also the YJM variant that sounds completely different from its brethren.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Jeshua, blindrabbit, willc68 and 3 others
#5
Swimming Bird said:
Huh, interesting. How similar are some if the other DOD dirt pedals? For instance the FX92 sounds pretty similar to my ears, especially if you turn down the input volume.
Click to expand...

The 80's FX50 was a 250 with a buffer so there are some other similar circuits. However, the FX92 is a pretty different design. There is still a diode clipper at its heart, but everything else is different, plus it has two gyrators that take it into crazy-time gain territory.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Swimming Bird
#6
Thanks for all that 250 info @DigiTechRep! I love my 2013 reissue man. It's the one with no LED (although I've since gotten it modded with an LED). The low end is fantastic and it adds this deepness to my tone. Really stands out. Sounds awesome with my P in dropped D. Love it.
 
#8
Tom Von Kramm said:
That's weird, there is no 2013 reissue w/no LED.
Click to expand...

Well I thought they were 2013 reissues. Maybe I'm wrong. You would def no better than I. I got it shorty after he announcement of the ones that are out and or more common. I know the difference by no LED and the bottom plate is yellow. And it weights a ton haha. The newer ones are much lighter, have and LED and a black bottom plate.

Me thinks I'm about to learn something new......??
 
#9
gregmon79 said:
Well I thought they were 2013 reissues. Maybe I'm wrong. You would def no better than I. I got it shorty after he announcement of the ones that are out and or more common. I know the difference by no LED and the bottom plate is yellow. And it weights a ton haha. The newer ones are much lighter, have and LED and a black bottom plate.

Me thinks I'm about to learn something new......??
Click to expand...

Yep! You have what is probably a 90's NOS 250. The way to tell is by the casting. Heavy means zinc, and if it is a very rough casting with texture and rough edges, it will be an 80's 250. If it is a clean casting with no rough edges it is a 90's, most likely has a 4558 OPA. There were quite a few of these made, and a lot of stores had stock of these for years after they were discontinued (B&H Photo in particular sold these for years after they were discontinued). These are great and I own quite a few of them, these are the era that I used to build the prototypes for the new updated ones.
 
  • Like
Reactions: badsneakers and gregmon79
#10
Tom Von Kramm said:
Yep! You have what is probably a 90's NOS 250. The way to tell is by the casting. Heavy means zinc, and if it is a very rough casting with texture and rough edges, it will be an 80's 250. If it is a clean casting with no rough edges it is a 90's, most likely has a 4558 OPA. There were quite a few of these made, and a lot of stores had stock of these for years after they were discontinued (B&H Photo in particular sold these for years after they were discontinued). These are great and I own quite a few of them, these are the era that I used to build the prototypes for the new updated ones.
Click to expand...

Awesome. Thanks for that. Good to know.

Why did they not put an led in that one. Just curious. Was it you guys trying to be more faithful to the original by chance?
 
#11
Yes, that was one of the reasons why I wanted to do an update as opposed to a reissue. A reissue implies that it is a faithful recreation of the original with no deviations. I wanted to have the freedom to change a few things, like add an LED.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gregmon79
#14
I have a few of the old LF351 variety, they are by far my favorite overdrive. The newest ones are also great. I never tried the 90s reissue or the YJM verson, and couldn't afford/didn't see a reason to buy one of the original grey models.

The FX50 sounds great for really dirty blues. It's a rougher sound to my ears but def. has a place.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassmusic17 and DigiTechRep
#17
While I love my new 2015 250 reissue, there is definitely noticable low-end loss when engaged. Ultimately that's why it came off my board, as smooth as the overdrive sound is. There is a flea market type store near me that has had what looks like an early 80's version in their front window since at least 1995. They're asking $180 for it, which is probably why. I may go in, offer then $20 bucks and see what they say. I'd love this pedal if it had more bass retention.
 
#19
Mine is pretty beat up. Sans-serif font. Stamped 250 on the bottom plate. Probably a 4558 OP from the late 90s or early 2000s. I need to track down an LF351 now!

image.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: badsneakers, Daniel Piper, gregmon79 and 2 others
#20
MGR said:
While I love my new 2015 250 reissue, there is definitely noticable low-end loss when engaged. Ultimately that's why it came off my board, as smooth as the overdrive sound is. There is a flea market type store near me that has had what looks like an early 80's version in their front window since at least 1995. They're asking $180 for it, which is probably why. I may go in, offer then $20 bucks and see what they say. I'd love this pedal if it had more bass retention.
Click to expand...

It will have the same bass response.

The 250 is designed to roll-off the bass as the gain is increased, this is to keep the low-end from getting muddy with guitar, it is inherent to the circuit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gregmon79

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back