DOD returns under CorTek with refreshed OD 250 and Tom Cram back
March 1, 2023 · 2 sources
The DOD 250 Overdrive Preamp is being reissued, and Tom Cram is back advising for DOD and DigiTech, which are now owned by Cor-Tek, Gearnews reported on 10 February 20231. According to DOD or Cor-Tek, nine effects in total are to be reissued1.
The 250 is one of DOD's best known pedals, sold most recently in yellow/gold and before that in gray, and ultimately "inspired" by the MXR Distortion+1. An op-amp is responsible for its sound, and it covers everything from clean boost to "almost" distortion, dialled in with two controls labeled Level and Gain1. Guitar.com's later review describes the circuit as an op-amp to make the signal louder plus silicon clipping diodes to add distortion, with no tone knob, so frequency response is tied to the gain control2. That review lists the pedal as an analog overdrive made in China with true bypass switching and a 2.1mm 9V center-negative DC power input, measuring 66mm x 115mm x 55mm2.
An exact release date was not officially announced at the time; the pedal was already listed at some dealers and expected in a "few days"1. Guitar.com's March 2023 review gave the Overdrive Preamp 250 a 9/10 and the Phasor 201 and Gonkulator 8/10 each2.
"DigiTech/DOD guitar effect pedals have held a revered place in the guitar industry since 1974, and we have great respect for the heritage and legacy of these products. We are excited to continue offering iconic gear, like the DOD Overdrive Preamp 250, and investing in new products that meet the evolving needs of musicians."
Gearnews reported that both brands belonged to Harman for a long time before being sold to Samsung, that the entire team was dismissed and development stood still for quite a long time, and that the companies were shortly afterwards announced as belonging to Cor-Tek, which builds guitars for Cort, Ibanez, Squier, PRS (SE) and Manson1. Guitar.com's review states that Cram had first revived the brands in 2013, updating classic pedals to modern standards, and that CorTek has now brought them back from the brink2.