In 2019 I stumbled across a pedal that didn’t exist. Yeah, cue the Twilight Zonetheme song.
It was a DOD Overdrive / Preamp that predated the “Gray Box” 250 pedals that everyone– myself included –had assumed were the first version ever made. The pedal was encased in a large gray folded metal enclosure that resembled Electro-Harmonix more than DOD, and it was conspicuously lacking the “250” model number. The typeset and DOD logo were different, but it still had the same charm and quirky feel of the vintage 1970s DOD. The sticker on the pedal’s backplate said “DOD Electronics Company” and listed the home address of founder David Oreste Di Francesco, as well as a number: 75. According to my interview with David himself a year later, I had found the 75th DOD pedalever madeand one of the first ten DOD Overdrive / Preamps (250)ever sold. This stompbox represented the genesis of “America’s Pedal.” For a pedal historian, it was the equivalent of uncovering the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The internals featured a floating/loose hand-etched PCB and the same DOD 250 circuit, but with a few changes. The internal parts dated as early as 1972 and, according to David, were harvested from old radios and electronics he scavenged when he started building his first effects.
The JHS Overdrive Preamp is a faithful replication of this unobtainable V1 of DOD’s most loved pedal. The controls are simple. The Level control adjusts the overall output of the circuit and lets you cut or boost the signal. The level control of this version has been modified (corrected) from the original wiring of the #75 unit, giving this pedal much more volume on tap. The Gain control adjusts the amount of gain inside the overdrive circuit. Turning up “Gain” creates more clipping as it pushes the op-amp and hard clipping into overdrive. We’ve also added a slider switch to this production version, which wasn’t included with the original DOD 250. While researching the #75 “Big Box” pedal, I acquired a second early big-box unit which used a completely different clipping arrangement. It only seemed fair to offer this switch so that you could explore these two variations for yourself.
This “Big Box V1” DOD 250 circuit definitely feels like a 250, but with a few changes: more gain/grit overall and more unique low/mids. This is a must-have addition to any DOD collector’s lineup, or for anyone who's curious about how it all started.
The standard Overdrive / Preamp will be part of our normal JHS lineup. Buy yours today and experience the history of one of the greatest overdrive/preamp circuits ever made.
THIS PEDAL REQUIRES STANDARD 9V DC CENTER NEGATIVE POWER, CONSUMES 51MA, AND MEASURES 4.7" X 3.7" X 1.66”
1 – All claims require a purchase receipt. It is the customer's responsibility to present it when making a claim.
2 – Except as stated below, in-store sales are final and items purchased may not be returned. By completing their transaction, the customer acknowledges that they have taken the item(s) in optimal condition.
3 – Guitars, basses, pedals, amplifiers, accessories, and tubes are not returnable. By paying for the item, the customer acknowledges that: (i) they inspected it and found it to be in optimal aesthetic condition without defects; and (ii) they tested it and it was functioning properly.
4 – All claims due to defects are subject to the manufacturer’s terms and conditions.
5 – Guitars, basses, pedals, and amplifiers will have a 30-day warranty. The electronics of guitars and basses will have a 90-day warranty. Guitars Boutique, at its sole discretion, will decide whether to repair, replace parts or components (with identical ones), and/or replace the item with an identical one.
6 – At the store's discretion, defective items may be exchanged for an identical item SUBJECT to the defective item being in the same condition as when it was acquired, including its original packaging with all its accessories. This will be done as store credit only. The credit does not apply to special orders or lay-away.
7 – All merchandise leaving the store will be considered as used in the future.
8 – No refunds will be given, regardless of the person.
9 – Special, clearance, or discounted items are not returnable.
Puerto Rico only.
In case of a return, the shipping cost will be deducted from the refund.
Guitars Boutique ships to PR via federal mail USPS, UVA, and iWide.
Estimated delivery time once the order has been shipped:
Lightweight items, less than 14 pounds are shipped via USPS.
Heavier items are shipped via iWide and UVA.
No shipments are made on Sundays.
Guitars Boutique is not responsible for delays caused by shipping companies.
The buyer is responsible for the care of their instrument/equipment against changes in temperature, humidity, and unstable current. All guitars, basses, pedals, and amplifiers will have a 30-day warranty.
The electronics of guitars and basses will have an extended warranty of 90 days.
Suppliers, who generally reserve the right to decide whether to repair, replace parts or components (with identical ones), and/or substitute the item with an identical one, at their sole discretion.
Exchanges, if warranted (at the store's discretion) and if the product is in optimal condition (including its packaging), are for store credit only.
Credits do not apply to special orders or lay-away.
