If you’re planning to expand your collection of guitar gear, DOD Gunslinger Mosfet Distortion Pedal might be one of the products you’re currently considering.
This pedal offers a bold tube-like sound, four independent control knobs, great sustain, and many other benefits you might like. But is it really the best you can get for your money? Our DOD Gunslinger Review will answer all your questions.
If you’re aiming at the best guitar sound, several pieces of the jigsaw must fit together perfectly: a well-chosen guitar, great-sounding guitar amp, and set of versatile and powerful effects.
Distortion is definitely one of the most popular and sought-after pedal effects on the market. They are designed to transform your tone into a rough, aggressive, and bold sound, adding punch and character to your music with a single tap of your foot.
DOD Electronics produced some of the most attractive pedal effects ever since the 1970s. Although the brand is currently run by DigiTech, many of the original products are still available and maintain their qualities.
Besides the old bestsellers, the brand also started producing some cool new effects since its rebirth in 2013, DOD Gunslinger Mosfet Distortion Pedal being one of them.
Is this the right distortion pedal for you? Let’s check it out in detail.
Key specifications of DOD Gunslinger
| Pedal type | Mosfet Distortion |
| I/O | input: 1x ¼”, output: 1x ¼” |
| Controls | Gain, Level, Low, High, and True Bypass |
| Power supply | 9V-12V; Alkaline Dry Battery/Optional DC Power Supply |
| Weight | 8.8 ounces |
| Dimensions | 4.61 x 2.5 x 2.13 inches |
| Latest price | Click here for the latest price |
Core features of DOD Gunslinger
DOD Gunslinger is a distortion pedal with many strengths and incentives. Given its decent price, it’s also a reasonable investment that you most likely won’t ever regret. However, if you want to make sure that it’s really the right purchase for you, read our in-depth review of its key features below.
Construction and design
DOD Gunslinger Mosfet Distortion Pedal is a robust brushed-metal guitar pedal with a no-nonsense design that perfectly fits its bold sound and huge presence.
The box is fitted with four control knobs on the top, one main footswitch right below them, and an input/output (¼”) opening on each of the sides. It’s simple, clear, somewhat carelessly stylish, and, most importantly, perfectly efficient.
Technically speaking, Gunslinger is a MOSFET device, which means that it employs a metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor. If you never had a pedal of this type before, all you really need to know about this technology is that it’s great for simulation of the valve-like sound, and it also perfectly contributes to the harmonic dynamics of your play.
What I liked a bit less about this pedal was its sturdiness. I really like my pedals operating smoothly, almost effortlessly, responding to the slightest tap of my foot. Nevertheless, this pedal required me to use a significant force on it, which made me somewhat nervous.
As a result, I also ended up unintentionally messing with the control knobs above the switch, which is something I can’t imagine happening on a stage or in the midst of a recording session.
Hopefully, this can be only blamed on my own clumsiness or exceptional out-of-the-box toughness of this particular item, which will eventually settle in time.
Functions and controls
The setup of the DOD Gunslinger Mosfet pedal is pretty simple: there are four individual knob controls for gain, low, high, and level. To keep you updated on the current status of the device, there’s also a bright blue LED diode indicating activity/inactivity of the pedal.
This pedal can be, according to its producer, operated at both 9 and 12V. Of course, 12V will give it more power, so you should definitely try it if you get the chance. Besides that, you can also decide whether you want the pedal to work with a power supply or a battery, which can be easily inserted inside once you unscrew the back panel.
Simple enough, there is one input and one output on the device, each of them on the opposite sides of the box. Nevertheless, while this pedal can be technically stacked with other pedal effects, I just couldn’t make this work the way I would have liked it. I constantly felt that it sounds much better as a standalone.
Sound
When you’re looking for a new distortion pedal, you’re most likely searching for a bold, dirty, yet beautifully sculpted, and crisp sound that is going to elevate your guitar’s presence to a whole new level. DOD Gunslinger Pedal is most likely going to fulfill your expectations to a great extent.
It boasts surprisingly harmonic and full-bodied sound with lots of gain and explosive overhead. Of course, it’s not fair to evaluate any effect pedal without explaining the whole setup you’ve been using it with, so, FYI, I’ve tested this pedal on my Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar plugged into a 25W Vox Mini Amplifier.
What I got was a robust chunky sound with lots of attitude and potential, especially in mids, where this pedal truly excels. The true bypass circuitry keeps your guitar’s tone clear and pristine, which is something I really enjoyed a lot. The pedal also has tons of sustain, which makes it especially suitable for solos.
If you play around with the controls, you’ll be able to find many different layers and faces of this effect and each of them certainly has its strength and value. Nevertheless, I would personally prefer a bit more punchy and self-conscious low-gain response – that’s where I feel the pedal leaves a bit to be desired.
Nonetheless, I really like the overall tone of this pedal, which is very valve-like, mellow, and warm even in its distinctive dirtiness and sharpness.
On the other hand, I think that it might be a bit unfit for the stage application, as it clearly transfers even the slightest tap on its enclosure right into the amp, and I wasn’t able to isolate this completely by grounding the chassis either.
It sounds flawless on the microphone, though, so I guess it is just meant to perform particularly in rehearsal rooms or recording setups.
Reliability
Gunslinger is a sturdy all-metal pedal that feels very durable, so I wouldn’t worry about it too much even in rougher environments or on the road.
On the other hand, I have read reviews from people who claim to have received the pedal already damaged or completely broken, so some sort of endurance issues probably cannot be ruled out completely.
Luckily, DigiTech offers 30-day free returns and a 1-year limited warranty, which should protect you in case you come across such an issue.
Price
When it comes to price, the DOD Gunslinger pedal stands, in comparison with other similar effects, somewhere in the middle. Given its quality of built, good reputation, and very satisfying sound qualities, I would say that it’s certainly a reasonable investment for any
For the latest DOD Gunslinger price quote, click here.
Pros of DOD Gunslinger
Let’s summarize the most important reasons why we think that investing in this pedal is a good idea:
Great for solos – Thanks to its exceptional sustain, this pedal is perfectly fit for dazzling solos. Its crispy and fresh sound will help you develop your own style, or improve your technique easily and enjoyably.
Mellow valve-like sound – Sound is a highly individual parameter, so it’s hard to predict whether you’re going to like it or not, but in general, I believe it’s quite safe to say that this pedal full of valve-simulating warmth and character sounds just delicious.
Simple yet powerful features – Four knobs is really all you need to use with this pedal, yet they allow you to play with your sound almost endlessly. Although I personally liked some of its settings much better than the others, it’s quite obvious that this pedal is fine-tuned to perfection by someone who knows what he’s doing. It’s also very versatile and flexible.
Durable all-metal design – If you need a sturdy setup that can survive even harsher manipulation or frequent travels, an all-metal Gunslinger pedal should fit your expectations perfectly. Besides that, its industrial minimalism also looks very cool.
Reasonable price – In comparison with many other similar pedals, Gunslinger is truly affordable providing you with very good value for money.
Cons of DOD Gunslinger
Even the best guitar gear has its downsides. Here are a few weaker points that might discourage some players from DOD Gunslinger:
Stacking is not advisable – If you’re planning to connect your new distortion pedal to some other effects, DOD Gunslinger might not be your best choice. I’ve tried to combine it with several different pedals, yet I always felt it sounded just annoyingly noisy without any apparent additional value. Some pedals are just meant to work as standalone, and this is probably one of them.
Footswitch could work smoother – If you expect your pedal to operate almost effortlessly, Gunslinger might disappoint you with its rather stiff response to your foot. I understand that it’s probably going to settle a bit over time, but still – it always costs me a tiny bit of my concentration when I have to jump on a switch with power instead of just tapping it lightly.
It’s also quite easy to move the controls unintentionally while stepping on the pedal, which is another issue that you might find pretty annoying.
Lower-gains are not perfect – While the pedal sounds crispy and delicious in its highs and mids, when you move to lower gain, you might notice that the sound automatically loses some of its punch and character. If you stick to the lower levels often, this might be a real dealbreaker for you.
It can be harder to get – Although DigiTech has not officially discontinued production of DOD Gunslinger, it looks like it’s getting gradually out of stock in most reputable stores and retailers. If you’re planning to buy it, you probably shouldn’t hesitate and do so while it’s still on the market.
Are there any alternatives?
DOD Gunslinger is certainly not the only attractive distortion pedal you can buy. Here are some other interesting alternatives:
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer is simply a classic, if not iconic guitar pedal with a beautiful mid-range Overdrive / Distortion / Fuzz / Boost features suitable for a wide range of musical genres and styles of play.
In comparison with some other distortion pedals (including the Gunslinger we review today), TS9 can sound a bit mild and decent. Nevertheless, this is great if you want to let your own style of play shine through and avoid sounding generic.
If you want to learn more about this pedal, read our Boss Blues Driver vs Ibanez TS9 comparison too.
JHS Angry Charlie V3
If you’re willing to invest a bit more in your new pedal effect, getting yourself a JHS Angry Charlie V3 is probably one of the best choices you can make. Currently, it’s already the third version of this iconic pedal on the market, and it’s fair to say that it’s getting better and better with each incarnation.
With its Volume, Drive, Bass, Middle, and Treble controls, this pedal makes customization of your sound almost limitless. Moreover, it’s also unbeatable when it comes to mimicking the iconic Marshall sound.
Frequently Asked Questions about the DOD Gunslinger
Need more details? These commonly asked questions about DOD Gunslinger Distortion Pedal might interest you:
Question: Would DOD Gunslinger also operate at 12 or 18 volts?
Answer: According to DigiTech, you have the choice to operate the pedal at both 9 and 12V power. Although it might also be technically possible to operate the device at 18V, this is not clearly recommended by the producer, so you might want to avoid it.
Question: Where is the DOD Gunslinger pedal being made?
Answer: DOD Gunslinger is currently produced by DigiTech company in China.
Question: Does DOD Gunslinger pedal come with any warranty?
Answer: Yes, with DOD Gunslinger, you should receive a 30-day free return and a 1-year limited warranty. While none of these policies allows you to return your unwanted product completely freely, if you buy it as an unwanted gift or you come across some major constructional/material defects on it, it should be quite straightforward to return the product and get your investment in it back.
Question: Can you shred on a DOD Gunslinger pedal?
Answer: Yes, you can certainly shred on this pedal, and its dirty distorted sound will only contribute to your shredding. Moreover, the Gunslinger pedal is also great for soloing.
Final thoughts: DOD Gunslinger
DOD Gunslinger Mosfet Distortion Pedal is undeniably a great distortion pedal effect that can complete your guitar setup with whole new possibilities and tons of inspiration. Given its decent price, it provides you with a very professional-sounding valve-like presence and genuinely lovable warm sound.
I’d recommend this pedal especially to those who want to push forward their solos – with the exceptional sustain of this pedal, it’s pure joy.
What I personally didn’t enjoy about this pedal was its stiff footswitch, which requires some effort to be operated. I was also a bit surprised to hear how the noise transfers from the pedal’s enclosure right into the amp. This makes me doubt if this pedal is suitable for a performing guitarist. Maybe you should rather keep it for your rehearsals or home studio.
All in all, Gunslinger is a great distortion pedal that certainly deserves a chance from any enthusiastic
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