This thing kills! I'm using this to boost some vintage pickups on an older blues guitar. I'm mostly writing this post to emphasize that this is not only a shred/rock pedal (though that stuff is great too!). With the gain set about 30% and level up about 80%, it pumps up the output of the low input and gives a really great snap to the tone that can be pushed into a pleasant overdrive when played hard. No LED needed -- this is the pedal to set-and-forget. I also have to mention that I initially bought this to immediately modify (into a fuzz pedal), but after plugging it in, it found a permanent place in my setup as a stock booster.

Okay, an LED would be helpful. It's not a big loss. Otherwise, I'm impressed with how solid this pedal feels. The new USA Electro-Harmonix pedals would do well to take notice (especially the ones with the paper-thin metal boxes).

As I mentioned above, set-and-forget. Just do not try to use this thing as an overdrive, as you would a Tube Screamer -- you'll get an unpleasant/cheap sound. It's meant as a booster through-and-through -- to either drive an existing overdriven amp or pedal, or alternately, to boost some old, weak pickups.

100% excellent. I'm a pedal builder and this thing checks out great. Solid!

They could sell this for twice as much. It's a steal as-is! It's largely the same schematic as the MXR Micro-amp and MXR Distortion + (yes, it's true -- check out your local schematics web page) with a few settings altered. Both those pedals run for 2-3 times as much, largely based on brand name.

Guitarist, Composer, Professional Musician

Loud Rock, Indie, Avant-garde/Experimental, Classical and Art Music

As a main overdrive I'm conflicted - the overdrive sounds amazing but it cuts out too much low end. This is a problem for me in that I like to switch between my clean amp sound and the overdrive, but it may not be a problem for you if you stay on the overdrive and just bump up your amp's low end. Using it as a lead booster has been fantastic though, as it cuts through and above the other guitarists, so it's still a steal at it's price.

This pedal is damn near perfect. I generally don't look at an inexpensive pedal to be perfect, but this thing is so close - if it had some tone control to boost the low end back up it would reach it's perfection. As I said before, great as a lead booster.

You'd think that most pedal controls are easy to get to, but I use a Danelectro Cool Cat with some of the hardest to reach knobs I've ever seen in a pedal, so kudos to DOD for not straying from simplicity.

I've been using this for a month now and it's built like a tank. I'm so glad DOD is done with their 90's footswitch design. I used to go through those regularly. Simple all metal construction and a classic switch make this a very dependable pedal.

Although my main complaint is with the low end cut, this is still one of the best "hidden treasure" values, especially if you need a booster on low cash. Solid construction akin to higher end pedals and great overdrive tone on a tube amp.

I have not utilized DOD customer service, so no opinion here.

The most inexpensive well built lead booster you can buy for your set up.

Active Musician, Recording Engineer

Rock, Indie, Alternative, Post Punk

This is exactly what i was looking for. I do not like a ton of gain i like all of my notes to be heard. This pedal gives you the drive and sustain you need without crudding up and coloring your sound.

Not many features and thats a good thing because you dont need any on an overdrive pedal. I would like a small led light so you can tell when its on or off but believe me you know when its on.

This is very well made. You could probably play an inning of baseball with it (as the ball) and then take it to a gig.

For under $50 its an outstanding value considering the "pro" sound your getting.

Havent Had to use them but DOD was great to me before.

If it was stolen i would grab it again the next day.

Pro Musician/Engineer/Teacher

Rock/Metal/Blues/All Kinds

Probably the best sounding pedal I've ever purchased. If you are considering an Ibanez Tube Screamer, consider this pedal also. It made my Marshall JCM 900 likeable; even on the dirty channel of the Marshall amp, which normally sounds raspy. Your single coil guitar will growl like a lion and above all maintain clarity like Yngwie.

Not many features but I like the fact that there are no lights on it. It makes the pedal look mean.

Sturdy little stomp box. It looks like it will hold up to my stomping. I just wish DOD could make the product in the U.S instead of China. If it were made in the USA I would give it a 10.

I've puchased pedals that cost much much more than the DODYJM308 and didn't give me the sound I wanted. This pedal only cost $49.95. Serious players won't be disappointed. I would pay more if it were made in the USA. OK, I'm patriotic, I'll never deny that.

Never needed support yet.

I never thought of guitar effects as sexy but I guess the sound it helps produce can have some sex appeal. Black and yellow is a sexy color combination. Yngwie's wife must like it, and she's damn sexy.

Pop, Rock and Hard Rock

This is a great overdrive sound that verges on higher-gain distortion. I like the fact that it enhances sustain and can go from a mild crunch to much thicker overdrive that can almost be characterized as distortion. It sounds nice through the clean channel of my little Line 6 practice amp, and I just tried it in front of an old Boss Enhancer EH2 pedal to give it a bit more bite.

Only two controls, gain and level. Very easy. I would agree with those who gripe that it only accepts a less-common 9v adapter, instead of the ubiquitous "center negative" power port found on 99% of other stomp boxes. Not a big deal for me, I like the way pedals sound a bit better with batteries anyway. For a simple 2 knob configuration, it's actually easy to coax a pretty wide range of sounds from this box.

See the above statement. This is a very easy to use plug and play device. A "no brainer".

This pedal is no exception to the fact that most (metal cased) stomp box pedals are pretty well built. It's a metal brick with a metal switch and two plastic knobs. At least as tough as any other brand pedal I own.

This pedal sounds better IMO, than the MXR Zakk Wylde Overdrive and is a significantly better value. I have no regrets about the very reasonable amount of money I spent on this.

DOD has a long history in the guitar effects game. I'd be willing to bet that their service and support is above average, though I haven't had a need to contact them.

It's just another music toy to me. It lacks an LED indicator light, which may turn some people off, but it doesn't bother me. I could not care less about Yngwie's name on the front, he doesn't do anything for me. I bought it because it's typically gotten good reviews, and I've enjoyed DOD products in the past as a younger man who learned to play guitar in the 1990's (DOD's "heyday").

Recording hobbyist, pedal collector

Experimental/Heavy

It sounds great because it lets every note stand out and ring just like Malmsteen. It works great with single coils. I combine this with by boss ds-1 and I can get insane lead or solo sounds. the things that are bad is that there is no LED so you dont know if its on, and also the power outlet is a 9VDC so if you use the regular power supply, get a 9VDC for this one because the battery dies quickly.

Just 2 knobs gets the job done, but what else should a simple overdrive have?

Biult like a tank

Gigger

Rock, Hard Rock, Metal, Blues

it's a bit tooo "metal" if it's turned up past half-way (12-O'Clock). I sometimes mix it with a TS9 for a different kind of bite on my clean fender amps - wish I could get a better OD sound for my older clean amps without having to push them, but for the $$$ it works OK.

I rate the features on the low side because of it lacking an LED. My biggest fault with this pedal, and I'm gonna have to see if I can rewire an LED into it with a 3PDT bypass switch (if I can find specs). I was recording in a live room studio, and had to scrap 3 different takes because while in the process of playing I couldn't remember if it was on or off (I use multiple overdrives while playing, some combined with others, and some by themselves) - with studio prices this matters - does Ynjwie just leave it on all the time - I guess he must not play clean much, or he must never push the amp enough to overdrive it). I'm also rating the features low due to the fact that I had to wire up a makeshift connector for the power adapter - who the hell still uses a 1/8" male plug for power - isn't the standard the typical PSA type 9v like what BOSS, 1-Spot, GodLyke, and everyone else uses - this was cheezy guys.

again on the lower side because it doesn't have LED - not so easy to use if you can't tell if it's on (need I mention my studio hassle again).

I haven't had any problems with the pedals build - very sturdy.

can't beat it at it's current $29 price - I paid like $89 a few years ago.

haven't got a reply back as to why no LED

this pedal is fine - sounds good - decent looking - smooth pots (though I could do without the YJM signature - he's one of the biggest a$$holes I've ever met).

touring musician

alternative, rock, fusion,

It sounds great, but there is a such thing as too much distortion. I'd recommend getting the NS-2 Noise Suppressor from Boss to get the full Malmsteen experience.

Two knobs and a button is all you need.

Just look at it, that's all there is on it.

It's solid, it feels like I can throw it off a building and have it bounce off the street into a lake of lava, have it rest there for 100 generations until the lava becomes stone and aliens happen to discover it and learn how to rock. It's pretty durable.

It's really a good deal, if you want the sound of Malmsteen this is obviously the way to go. $30 to shred is a small price to pay to see someone's jaw hit the floor when your playing with this pedal. It's a good buy.

No I haven't needed any support. I feel like I won't need any support either, this site's really reliable too.

It's manly, it doesn't have a little girly button, you can actually stomp it without it being an inconvenience to your playing. It's a basic rectangle and it's as simple as can be. You want a solid loud guitar lead sound? You want a small price to pay? If you can afford it, buy it.

Home Composer.

Blues, Rock.

The sound is decent, but it is fixed and there are no tone controls.this will be the last pedal I buy without them. Everyones gear is different but your stuck with this one.

What features? You have a volume and gain control and the gain doesnt seem to react untill the midway point.

Push the button its on. But no LED. I donot like not having an LED indicator. Especially with this pedal.

It is built tough and you wont break it any time soon but it says it is true bypass but I dont know how true it is. When off and the gain cranked on the pedal, at high volume you can hear distortion bleed through and that is with the pedal off.

Cant beet the price but you get what you pay for in this unit. Not impressed.

I have know idea.

It is pretty plain looking and has no LED or bells and whistles.It is what it is.

Very shrill and clinical. Guaranteed hearing damage in the higher ranges. I only bought this product for the YJM Name. Very disapointing.

Impossible.

This product is not worth it even if you get it for free.

Active Musician

Rock/Blues

I have been playing shred guitar for a while and recently got an Yngwie Malmsteen signature stratocaster as I am a big fan of yngwie and his techniques. I was very dissapointed when I plugged it into my crate amp which has amazing distortion. It sounded weak and nothing like Yngwie's, so I got this pedal. Yes, this pedal makes a bad hisss when you are not playing but this is Ynwie-in-a-box IF you have a malmsteen strat and good distortion on your amp. It doesn't matter if you have a tube amp or not, this pedal unlocks the malmsteen strat's inner beast! Now, my guitar has Yngwie's tone, and it might even be even a little more beastly than Yngwie's. A must have if you have that guitar, I don't know how it sounds with other guitars though. The only reason it doesn't get a 10 is the hiss by the way.

No LED, but that's okay, trust me, if you have a malmsteen strat you will know when it's on!!!

Nothing hard to use, just plug and play.

Seems very durable, plus it is cheap so if you do drop it off a cliff, buy another!

Probably average if you don't have a malmsteen strat or something similar, but if you do, it's priceless.

Haven't dealt with it.

This is no practical addition. This is an absolutely must have pedal if you have an Yngwie signature strat. No exceptions!!!

Shred

This pedal sounds amazing on a dirty channel, it gives you just enough sustain without killing your tone or giving you tons of hum. if you use it on clean with the gain past 11 o'clock it gets really muddy and nasty sounding.

This thing doesn't have an LED, it's the only bad thing about it.

two knobs, volume and gain. pretty damn easy to use

This thing looks amazing and it's built like a tank. It's got the yngwie signature on which looks pretty good.

29.99 is beyond reasonable for this amazing pedal

never had to deal with em, but zz sounds delivered it in 2 days!

More "color" (distortion) available than you might expect from a preamp/overdrive (such as a tubescreamer or Boss SD-1/OD) ... almost like a milder MXR Distortion+ (a lovely mild distortion pedal). Warm and fat. This is the exact sound found on newer modelling pedals and FX units under the title "DOD 250".

Everything necessary, nothing more. [Silly non-standard 9V DC input plug ..Doh!]

Pedals are usually well made but this one is exceptionally so (comparable to classic Boss & MXR quality). [Silly non-standard DC input]

MSRP is a joke, almost everybody discounts it. At $60-$70 is a fair regular price. It is often seen on discount -- sometimes as low as $38 ...which is very reasonable (comparable to boss SD-1 which is similar product of similar quality).

Dunno.

Looks good -- although MXR box look is crude for this day in age there is a nice paint job/logo, quality knobs and pots and nice solid feel. The Yngwie connection bodes well & would be highly desirable for fans (I am not -- but respect his reputation). DOD 250's sound great to me ...and this is a good one with a "modern retro" makeover. That said, with most good amps these days (e.g. any modern Marshall) you don't really need OD/distortion pedals -- so this is never used.

Hobbyist

Classic rock , blues.