The MojoHandFX DMBL is an overdrive pedal built to chase what MojoHandFX calls the "Holy Grail" of overdrive tones: the sound of a Dumble-style amp. The name spells out the inspiration. Inside, it pairs Burr Brown op-amps with germanium clipping diodes, a combination the maker says gives "hifi signal clarity" along with the softer, more textured clipping that germanium diodes are known for1.
MojoHandFX describes the resulting sound as "Rich in harmonic content with a spongy low end and growling mid range"1. In practice that means a mid-forward overdrive voiced for lead work and singing sustain rather than scooped modern metal, the territory covered by distortion pedals.
What it does
The DMBL is MojoHandFX's take on Dumble-style amp overdrive, the circuit family made famous by boutique amps built for players who wanted a Fender-style platform with a rich, touch-sensitive lead channel. Pedals in this style aim to reproduce that thick, singing, slightly compressed overdrive at bedroom and stage volumes.
The DMBL's recipe has two notable parts. First, the Burr Brown op-amps: these are high-end, audio grade chips that MojoHandFX chose for hifi signal clarity, meaning the pedal's own circuitry adds as little coloration as possible before the clipping stage1. Second, the germanium clipping diodes, which clip the waveform with a softer knee than the silicon diodes found in many overdrives, contributing to the pedal's harmonic richness1.
A 2014 Pedal of the Day review by Mike B framed the pedal's appeal plainly:
"the DMBL Overdrive pedal from Mojo Hand FX" delivers its tones "all for less than 200 bucks"2
Delicious Audio's 2024 guide to Dumble-style pedals grouped the DMBL family among its recommendations, describing the standard pedal's sound as "clarity and swampy overdrive"3.
The controls
The control set is deliberately minimal: two knobs and a toggle.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the output level1 |
| Treble | Sets the high-end response1 |
| Tone toggle (2-way) | Up: smooth bottom and a flatter EQ. Down: pronounced bite and midrange growl1 |
The two-position toggle is the heart of the pedal's voicing. In the up position you get a smoother, flatter response with a rounder low end; flip it down and the midrange comes forward with what the maker calls a growl1. The 2014 Pedal of the Day review described the same switch in player terms, calling the two sounds "a jazzy sound and a more rocking midrange-y sound," and noted that the bass side of the circuit, combined with the Treble control, "will yield an array of tones for you to play around with"2.
There is no separate gain knob. Drive into the pedal with your picking dynamics and your guitar's volume control.
Power and bypass
The DMBL runs on a standard center negative 9V DC supply or a 9V battery, with neither included in the box1. Current draw is about 12mA1, low enough that it is easy on a multi-pedal power supply and easy on a battery if you go that route.
The pedal is true bypass1, so with the effect off your signal passes straight through the circuit without a buffer in the path. A 2014 review noted this as a house style: "Mojo Hand FX pedals are true bypass"2.
The DMBL accepts a battery, but the power supply and battery are not included, so plan on supplying your own 9V source from day one.
Versions and pricing
The standard DMBL lists at $169.001. MojoHandFX has also sold B-stock units of the pedal at $135.0014. The B-stock listing repeats the same specifications as the regular pedal, including the dimensions, true bypass, and power requirements1.
For players who want more aggression, there is the MojoHandFX Extra Special, a high-gain version at $179.0015. Delicious Audio described the relationship between the two:
"It features the same control set and delivers the clarity and swampy overdrive of that pedal, but offers a lot more gain"3
So the choice between them comes down to how much drive you need: the standard DMBL for Dumble-style lead tones at moderate gain, the Extra Special when you want the same character pushed harder3.
Where it came from
The DMBL has been around long enough to have a review history. Pedal of the Day reviewed the pedal, then sold as the Mojo Hand FX DMBL Drive, in July 2014, already praising its tonal range and noting the true bypass construction and the sub-$200 price2. A decade later it still appears in Delicious Audio's 2024 round-up of Dumble-style pedals, with the Extra Special version listed at $1793. The pedal is currently sold through MojoHandFX's own site at $169.001.
Videos
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Questions
Does the MojoHandFX DMBL take a battery?
Yes. The DMBL runs on a standard center negative 9V DC supply or a 9V battery, though neither is included with the pedal. Current draw is about 12mA, so a battery lasts a good while, but most players will want a power supply on a pedalboard.
Is the DMBL true bypass?
Yes. MojoHandFX lists the DMBL as true bypass, and a 2014 Pedal of the Day review noted that Mojo Hand FX pedals are true bypass generally. When the pedal is off, your signal passes through without buffering.
What op-amps are in the MojoHandFX DMBL?
The DMBL uses high-end, audio grade Burr Brown op-amps, which MojoHandFX credits for hifi signal clarity. The clipping itself comes from germanium clipping diodes, a choice that shapes the pedal's harmonic content and touch response.
How much does the DMBL cost?
The list price is $169.00. B-stock units have sold for $135.00, and the high-gain Extra Special version lists at $179.00. A 2014 review put the original price under $200.
How big is the MojoHandFX DMBL?
The enclosure measures 4.8 inches long by 2.62 inches wide by 1.55 inches high, a standard small-form-factor pedal size that fits easily on most pedalboards.
Sources (5)
- DMBL - MojoHandFX, MojoHandFX (mojohandfx.com)
- Mojo Hand FX DMBL Drive, Pedal of the Day, 2014-07-12
- Best Dumble-Style Pedals For Your Needs & Budget, Delicious Audio, 2024-09-25
- MojoHand, Mojo Hand FX (mojohandfx.com)
- Extra Special, MojoHandFX
