The DOD Gunslinger MOSFET Distortion is a compact distortion pedal from DOD, built around a MOSFET clipping circuit that DOD says behaves much like the preamp tubes in a guitar amp. It was announced by HARMAN's DigiTech in April 2015 as one of the first all-new DOD designs after the company's rebirth, and it returned in December 2023 as a limited edition reissue123.
The core idea is MOSFET clipping. MOSFET stands for metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor, and DOD says the circuit clips at a gradual, steady rate when overdriven, producing clipping properties and harmonics similar to those of preamp tubes in an old-school guitar amp43. DOD's product page describes the result as "a warm yet aggressive distortion that responds beautifully to picking dynamics and volume changes"5. The range runs from a touch of overdriven grit to full-bore high-gain saturation, and DOD says the pedal retains clarity and definition even at high gain settings15.
What it does to your sound
DOD positions the Gunslinger as an amp-like drive. Guitar.com reports it was designed to help clean combo amps sound more like a modded British-style amp3. Its high output lets it push a tube amp over the edge for raw, high-powered overdrive, and DOD's launch material says it can deliver a massive volume boost for solos1. MusicRadar's review lists "nice sustain for solos" among its reasons to buy2.
Delicious Audio's review calls it "a versatile overdrive/distortion pedal, utilizing a MOSFET circuit and capable of providing a very wide range of overdriven tones from light grit to full saturation"7.
"The Gunslinger's MOSFET circuit delivers saturated tones and touch sensitivity normally associated with tubes"
The controls
Four independent knobs sit on the brushed-metal chassis, along with a blue LED power indicator6. The 2015 launch material named the gain control "Drive"; the reissue material calls it "Gain"13.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain (Drive) | Adjusts the amount of gain, and so the amount of distortion, applied to the signal31 |
| Level | Sets the pedal's overall output volume61 |
| Low | Active EQ: boosts or cuts low frequencies, from bone-rattling low end to a cleaned-up midrange tone6 |
| High | Active EQ: boosts or cuts the treble6 |
DOD says the four controls together give plenty of flexibility, letting you dial in everything from a gritty boost to full-blown saturation5. Delicious Audio's reviewer found the high and low EQ let you tailor the sound to your particular setup7.
Power and voltage
The Gunslinger takes a modern 9V DC power supply input64, but DOD's product page says it also runs at 12V and 18V, and the voltage changes the character of the distortion5:
- 9V: classic, punchy distortion with moderate headroom. DOD says the clipping stays tight and compressed, suiting blues, classic rock and heavy rock styles5.
- 12V: more headroom and dynamics. Mid-level distortion becomes slightly less compressed, for players who want more openness while keeping the saturation5.
- 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 tones5.
The 2015 press release made the same point about higher voltage, describing "running the pedal with more headroom for a less compressed, tighter and more open tone"1. Guitar.com's reissue coverage put it simply: the Gunslinger runs at 9V, or 12V if you need more headroom3.
How it differs from the Boneshaker
MusicRadar's review notes the Gunslinger was one of the first all-new DOD designs since the company's rebirth, and that it "offers a more conventional distortion than the Boneshaker"2. Where the DOD Boneshaker goes for extreme, metal-oriented voicing, the Gunslinger covers more traditional distortion ground, from light grit to high gain17.
Versions and history
- May 2015: original release, announced by HARMAN's DigiTech on April 20, 2015, at a suggested retail price of $124.941. MusicRadar's Musikmesse 2015 coverage reported an expected June 2015 ship date with a UK RRP of £85.008.
- July 2015: UK availability announced through distributor Sound Technology4.
- December 2023: limited edition reissue announced at $109.993. Premier Guitar's reissue announcement listed it at $99.996.
Both versions share the same footprint (4.68" x 2.63" x 2.25"), true bypass switching and brushed-metal enclosure61.
The 2023 return was a limited edition production run, not a permanent reissue3. If you are shopping for one, check whether a listing is the 2015 original or the 2023 limited edition, since the press announcements give different prices for them13.
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Questions
Does the DOD Gunslinger have true bypass?
Yes. DOD's press material says the Gunslinger's true bypass circuitry keeps the instrument's tone pristine when the effect is disengaged, so your dry signal passes through uncolored with the pedal off. The 2015 launch announcement and the 2023 limited edition reissue announcement both describe it as true bypass.
What kind of clipping does the DOD Gunslinger use?
MOSFET clipping. MOSFET stands for metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor, and DOD says the circuit clips at a gradual, steady rate when overdriven, giving clipping properties and harmonics similar to preamp tubes in a guitar amp. The maker describes the result as a warm yet aggressive distortion that responds to picking dynamics and volume changes.
How is the DOD Gunslinger different from the Boneshaker?
MusicRadar's review describes the Gunslinger as offering a more conventional distortion than the Boneshaker. It was also one of the first all-new DOD designs after the company's rebirth. Where the Boneshaker leans toward extreme metal voicing, the Gunslinger is aimed at everything from a touch of overdriven grit to full high-gain saturation.
What size is the DOD Gunslinger?
The pedal measures 4.68 inches by 2.63 inches by 2.25 inches, a compact footprint that DOD's press material calls ideally suited to any pedalboard. It sits in a robust brushed-metal chassis with a blue LED power indicator.
Can the DOD Gunslinger run at 18 volts?
Yes. DOD's product page says the Gunslinger runs on 9V, 12V and 18V. At 18V the pedal opens up significantly, with greater dynamic range, less compression and a more natural amp-like feel, while 9V gives a tighter, more compressed, punchy distortion.
Is the DOD Gunslinger true bypass?
Yes. Both the original 2015 announcement and the 2023 reissue announcement state the Gunslinger has true bypass, so the dry signal stays unspoiled when the pedal is switched off.
Sources (8)
- DigiTech Introduces the Gunslinger MOSFET Distortion, Premier Guitar, 2015-04-20
- DOD Gunslinger review, MusicRadar, 2015-12-26
- DOD’s Gunslinger MOSFET Distortion pedal returns for a limited-edition run, Guitar.com, 2023-12-14
- DOD Gunslinger MOSFET Distortion Pedal Now Available, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2015-07-28
- Product Spotlight: DOD Gunslinger, DigiTech, 2025-04-15
- DOD/Digitech's Reissued Gunslinger Distortion Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2023-12-12
- DOD Gunslinger Distortion, Delicious Audio, 2024-01-12
- Musikmesse 2015: DigiTech reveals DOD Gunslinger MOSFET Distortion pedal, MusicRadar, 2015-04-15
