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OK, I admit I was wrong; the FX25B is good

#21
I have the bottom left version, bought new around 1992 I believe. Would this be the first 'b' version?
I have modified it with a 'up/down' switch a la Mutron - which needs a little pcb that takes up the battery cavity now. Problem is however the up and down sensitivity is different, so you have to readjust the controls after switching.
If you like I can try to redraw the schematic for this - I modded it around 1994 or so.
 
#23
Strangely, my 'b' ones don't have the volume drop that everyone complains about. So I can only guess that either the volume drop is a component failure that happens to a lot of 'b' owners, or there is some other unknown reason. I do know that the older ones were prone to a volume drop caused by a failure of the sensitivity pot, which is fixed by swapping in a new pot.
 
#24
So I just read the FX25 bit in your article Bongo, and realized that you're using three pedals to get your filter sound. That's some commitment for yah. I would love to hear how the FX25 sounds blended and limited and all. I've only used the version that's bottom left in your picture and thought it was okay. I kind of want to get another because I just really like something about the DOD FX series and I'm always looking for an excuse to have more.
 
#25
bongomania said:
Strangely, my 'b' ones don't have the volume drop that everyone complains about. So I can only guess that either the volume drop is a component failure that happens to a lot of 'b' owners, or there is some other unknown reason. I do know that the older ones were prone to a volume drop caused by a failure of the sensitivity pot, which is fixed by swapping in a new pot.
Click to expand...

I've never noticed a volume change in the two or three FX-25B's I've owned. They are a bit persnickety to dial & you have to mind your playing dynamics, but it's definitely the filter for me.
 
#26
Mingus Addict said:
So I just read the FX25 bit in your article Bongo, and realized that you're using three pedals to get your filter sound. That's some commitment for yah.
Click to expand...

It is, and as I say there, I know it seems like a lot of trouble--but for me it's worth it. The way I look at it, (a) the 3-pedal combo isn't much bulkier or more awkward on the pedalboard than a Moog MF101, and (b) it gets me the sound I want, better than any single filter pedal I've tried.

I'll try to get some clips up tonight.
 
#28
bongomania said:
Link Removed

It goes chronologically L-R and top-down. I saw one on Ebay that was halfway between the two darker green ones, but I don't know if that was a "seventh version" or if they were just using up decals and knobs from the second one when they started making the third one. :)
Click to expand...

Got the first issue unit (or so I think) I got off the Bay last week. It's got the 2 large knobs, but the color is darker than the top-left unit in the pic. It's even darker than the other 2 (yeah, I know, you're scratching your head, going "this french guy is color-blind, why does he bother describing it ?" ;) )

Anyway, I'm trying to find a site where I can enter the serial #, just to see if I really have a 1st issue-unit.

I'll start another thread to post impressions comparing the B and non-B units I currently have, pics included !
 
#29
Lol. :) I suspect the "reality" is in those first non-sparkly green ones, they regularly changed around the shade of green, the silkscreening, the brand labeling, the knobs and even some of the component values, without a true separation of models/editions. So it may be "false" for me to say there were six, or seven, or whatever--there may have been a dozen variations in their production of the earlier non-sparkly version.
 
#30
bongomania said:
Lol. :) I suspect the "reality" is in those first non-sparkly green ones, they regularly changed around the shade of green, the silkscreening, the brand labeling, the knobs and even some of the component values, without a true separation of models/editions. So it may be "false" for me to say there were six, or seven, or whatever--there may have been a dozen variations in their production of the earlier non-sparkly version.
Click to expand...

Makes sense, it applies to cars, why not to pedals, right ? But God are they ever different (see other thread).:eek:
 
#34
Jim C said:
This gets reasonably close to my Mutron III (set at BP, range -low; drive -up)
Click to expand...

i disagree. all forms of the FX25/b are just as good filters as the mutron, but really sound nothing like it. the fx25 is much..larger, sounding. its also more touchy- if your sensetivity is too high itll sound like you have no low end. with a mutron youre always getting that squishy funkyness.

regardless, i love both filters.
 
#37
Bassmike62 said:
Thx dude !

It appears I have a model dated between '84 and '86. Since DOD most likely started the X series in '82, it certainly ranks among the first issues of that particular model.
Click to expand...

My oldest FX25 is probably the same as yours; same layout as the '1st' version in Bongo's picture, but darker green and serial number 223434, dating it around 83/84. It has the largest volume boost of all my FX25's, and none of my green FX25's have had a volume drop. I've had 3 FX25b's as well, and a rebadged version called the GFX25 of the same vintage as the "b's", and they all had the same volume drop, including one which was old-new-stock... fwiw.
 
#38
OK, here's a clip: Link Removed
Standard disclaimer you've been hearing from me these days--the levels are kinda screwy and I hate the recording software I'm using (it was free).

Rickenfaker (bridge pup only) --> Xotic X-Blender --> FX25 --> Markbass Compressore --> Presonus Firestudio
 

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