The DOD Gunslinger is a distortion pedal from DOD built around a MOSFET clipping circuit, the same transistor type often used to emulate the behavior of tube preamps. DOD describes it as delivering "a warm yet aggressive distortion that responds beautifully to picking dynamics and volume changes," and says it retains clarity and definition even at high gain settings1. It was one of the first all-new DOD designs since the company's rebirth, according to MusicRadar2.
The pedal was designed with a particular job in mind: Guitar.com reported at launch that "the Gunslinger is designed to help clean combo amps sound more like a modded British-style amp"3. Its high output also lets it push a tube amp harder for raw, high-powered overdrive and a large volume boost for solos4.
A MOSFET distortion with active EQ
The core of the pedal is its newly designed MOSFET circuit, which Premier Guitar's launch coverage said delivers a wide range of distortion tones "from a touch of overdriven grit to high-gain saturation"4. MOSFET stands for metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor, and the reason DOD chose it is the way it clips. Guitar Interactive Magazine reported that the circuit "clips at a gradual, steady rate when overdriven, offering clipping properties and harmonic content" similar to preamp tubes in a guitar amp6.
"The Gunslinger's MOSFET circuit delivers saturated tones and touch sensitivity normally associated with tubes."
That tube-like behavior is what separates MOSFET clipping from the harder, more abrupt clipping of diode-to-ground designs. For a player, it means the pedal cleans up when you back off the guitar's volume or pick more softly, rather than staying at one fixed amount of distortion. Delicious Audio's review called it "a versatile overdrive/distortion pedal" whose high and low EQ "allow you to tailor the sound to your particular setup"7.
The controls
The Gunslinger has four knobs: Gain, Level, Low, and High. DOD says these give "plenty of flexibility, allowing you to dial in everything from a gritty boost to full-blown saturation"1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Adjusts the amount of gain applied to the signal5 |
| Level | Sets the output level5 |
| Low | Active bass EQ, boost or cut5 |
| High | Active treble EQ, boost or cut5 |
The Low and High controls are part of an active EQ section, which means they can boost as well as cut, unlike the passive tone control found on many distortion pedals. Guitar Interactive noted the pedal offers "independent Gain, Level, Low (Tone) and High (Tone) controls"6. Because the EQ is active, you can add bass to a thin-sounding amp or tame the top end on a bright one, rather than only rolling frequencies off.
Power: 9V, 12V and 18V
The Gunslinger's most unusual feature is that it runs at three different voltages. DOD's product page says the pedal "stands out due to its ability to run on different voltages: 9V, 12V, and 18V," and describes what each setting does to the sound1:
- 9V: A classic, punchy distortion with moderate headroom, suited to blues, classic rock, and heavy rock styles where the clipping stays tight and compressed1
- 12V: More headroom and dynamics; mid-level distortion becomes slightly less compressed, for players who want more openness while keeping the saturation1
- 18V: The pedal "opens up significantly," with greater dynamic range, less compression, and a more natural amp-like feel, ideal for touch-sensitive response and smoother transitions between clean and dirty tones1
Guitar.com's launch coverage summed up the same idea more simply: "the Gunslinger runs at 9V, or 12V if you need more headroom"3. The pedal uses a modern 9V DC power supply input5, and its compact size and power arrangement were described as pedalboard friendly at launch6.
Running the pedal at 12V or 18V requires a power supply capable of those voltages. A standard 9V supply gives you the tighter, more compressed 9V character.
Build, size and bypass
The Gunslinger sits in a robust, brushed-metal chassis5 and measures 4.68" x 2.63" x 2.25", a compact footprint that suits small pedalboards5. It offers true bypass operation, which keeps the instrument's tone pristine when the effect is disengaged4.
How it compares and what reviewers said
MusicRadar's review placed the Gunslinger in context among DOD's reborn lineup, calling it "a more conventional distortion than the Boneshaker"2. Where the DOD Boneshaker takes a more extreme approach, the Gunslinger aims at familiar rock distortion territory, with the reviewer listing "nice sustain for solos" among the reasons to buy2.
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Questions
Does the DOD Gunslinger have true bypass?
Yes. DOD's product page and the launch press coverage both describe the Gunslinger as a true bypass pedal, meaning the guitar signal passes through untouched when the effect is switched off. This keeps your clean tone uncolored by the pedal's circuitry when it is disengaged.
What kind of clipping does the DOD Gunslinger use?
It uses MOSFET clipping, short for metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor. Guitar Interactive reported that the circuit clips at a gradual, steady rate when overdriven, offering clipping properties and harmonic content similar to preamp tubes in a guitar amp, which is why DOD positions it as touch-sensitive.
How is the DOD Gunslinger different from the Boneshaker?
MusicRadar's review describes the Gunslinger as a more conventional distortion than the DOD Boneshaker. The Boneshaker takes a more extreme, voiced approach, while the Gunslinger pairs MOSFET clipping with straightforward active High and Low EQ aimed at classic rock and heavy rock tones.
What size is the DOD Gunslinger?
The pedal measures 4.68 by 2.63 by 2.25 inches, a compact footprint that takes up little pedalboard space. It sits in a robust, brushed-metal chassis and uses a modern 9V DC power supply input, which the launch coverage described as pedalboard friendly.
Sources (7)
- Product Spotlight: DOD Gunslinger, DigiTech, 2025-04-15
- DOD Gunslinger review, MusicRadar, 2015-12-26
- DOD’s Gunslinger MOSFET Distortion pedal returns for a limited-edition run, Guitar.com, 2023-12-14
- DigiTech Introduces the Gunslinger MOSFET Distortion, Premier Guitar, 2015-04-20
- DOD/Digitech's Reissued Gunslinger Distortion Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2023-12-12
- DOD Gunslinger MOSFET Distortion Pedal Now Available, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2015-07-28
- DOD Gunslinger Distortion, Delicious Audio, 2024-01-12
