The story
Dinosaural was Dan Coggins' own brand, launched in 2002 after his earlier work as the original Lovetone pedal designer12. Lovetone, his former company, is the reference point most players know him from; ThorpyFX, describing a later collaboration, introduces him simply as "Dan Coggins the original Lovetone pedal designer"2.
Between 2002 and 2019, several guitar effects were manufactured under the Dinosaural brand name1. The products players will encounter from this period include:
In Coggins' own words, on the Dinosaural site:
"So the Dinosaural® brand/trade mark still exists, albeit now under Coggins Audio Ltd®."
Dan Coggins
Dan Coggins is the founder of Dinosaural and the original Lovetone pedal designer12. He ran Dinosaural as a business from 2002 until 2019, when his company Coggins Audio Ltd took over1. His reputation among players rests on his Lovetone designs, which is how other makers in the pedal industry still introduce him2.
Dinosaural became part of Coggins Audio
Dinosaural ceased trading as its own business in 2019. Coggins Audio Ltd took over from Dinosaural, officially as of April 1, 2019, and the Dinosaural brand and trade mark now sit under Coggins Audio Ltd1. For a player, this means the Dinosaural name is not dead: it exists as a registered trade mark of the successor company, even though no Dinosaural-branded trading business remains1.
| Event | Date | What it meant for the brand |
|---|---|---|
| Dinosaural founded by Dan Coggins | 2002 | Coggins launches his own brand after his Lovetone work1 |
| Several guitar effects manufactured | 2002 to 2019 | The brand's active product period1 |
| Coggins Audio Ltd takes over | April 1, 2019 | Dinosaural stops trading under its own name1 |
| Brand and trade mark continue | After 2019 | The Dinosaural name survives under Coggins Audio Ltd1 |
Repairs and support
Out-of-warranty Dinosaural products can in theory still be serviced and repaired, at a minimum bench fee and hourly rate of £60 per hour, with a one hour minimum1.
That repair path runs through Dan Coggins at Coggins Audio Ltd, so owners of Dinosaural pedals from the 2002 to 2019 period have a route to service rather than a dead end1. The fee is stated in pounds sterling as given, with a one hour minimum on the bench1.
The range (4)
| Type | Pedals |
|---|---|
| Compressor | Dinosaural OTC-201, Dinosaural OTC-201 Opticompressor |
| Overdrive | Dinosaural Cogmeister |
| Preamp | Dinosaural OPA-101 Overdriven Preamp |
Questions
Is Dinosaural still in business?
No. Dan Coggins ran Dinosaural as a business between 2002 and 2019, and several guitar effects were manufactured under the brand name in that period. Trading ended when Coggins Audio Ltd took over from Dinosaural, officially as of April 1, 2019. The Dinosaural brand and trade mark still exist, but now under Coggins Audio Ltd.
Who founded Dinosaural?
Dinosaural was founded and run by Dan Coggins, the original Lovetone pedal designer. He ran the business under the Dinosaural name from 2002 until 2019, when it was taken over by his company Coggins Audio Ltd.
Where was Dinosaural based?
Dinosaural was a British business. Dan Coggins ran it under the Dinosaural brand name between 2002 and 2019, and its successor company, Coggins Audio Ltd, which now owns the Dinosaural trade mark, is also a UK registered company.
Can Dinosaural pedals still be repaired?
Yes, in theory. Dan Coggins states that out-of-warranty Dinosaural products can still be serviced and repaired at his minimum bench fee and hourly rate of £60 per hour, with a one hour minimum. Owners would contact Coggins Audio Ltd, the current holder of the Dinosaural brand.
Who owns the Dinosaural trademark?
The Dinosaural brand and trade mark still exist, but they are now held by Coggins Audio Ltd, the company Dan Coggins formed to take over from Dinosaural, officially as of April 1, 2019.
Sources (2)
- Coggins Audio, Coggins Audio (dinosaural.com)
- BUNKER | Plexi Overdrive, ThorpyFX