The Tech 21 DP-3X is a signature bass pedal from Tech 21, developed in collaboration with bassist dUg Pinnick. It is a super-compact adaptation of his Tech 21 Ultra Bass 1000 Signature head, and it recreates the sound dUg originally developed back in the '80s: high-end distortion merged with low-end bass12. Tech 21 describes it as an all-analog pedal2, and it is designed to be used into an amp as well as direct3.
What it does
The DP-3X gives a bass player dUg Pinnick's signature tone in a stompbox: distortion and harmonics on top while the low end stays in the mix. It works as a front-end into an amp or as a preamp on its own, with an XLR output for going straight to a PA desk or studio board without compromising detail, warmth or responsiveness6. A chromatic tuner and headphone capability are built in, so it can also serve as a practice rig2.
The controls, as described by Tech 21 and by reviewers who used the pedal:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Controls the amount of gain and overdrive, kind of like a tube amp7 |
| Chunk | Brings in upper harmonics in Mix mode1 |
| Gain button | Provides additional distortion and compression6 |
| Comp | Compression; stays active in clean/full-range mode2 |
| EQ | 3-band active EQ (Highs, Mids, Lows), cut or boost of plus or minus 18dB, with switchable Mid87 |
| Volume | Master volume, adjusts output level87 |
| Ground switch | Sits alongside the XLR output7 |
| Headphone mode switch | Switches the pedal into headphone use5 |
Modes, Gain and outputs
The pedal has two modes of operation: clean/full-range mode and Mix mode7. Mix mode engages Drive to bring in distortion and Chunk for upper harmonics, which is where dUg's tone lives1. In clean/full-range mode, Drive and Chunk disengage, while Comp and Gain remain active2. That last part matters: the Gain button provides additional distortion and compression6, and because it works even in clean mode, you can add grit to an otherwise traditional bass sound without switching modes.
The two modes make the pedal cover a lot of ground. Bass Musician Magazine's reviewer Ty Campbell found it "worked great for every application and met my needs," using it with an amp as a stomp box and as a preamp direct to the board on gigs where amps are not permitted7.
"It worked great for every application and met my needs"
On the output side, the XLR output with ground lift goes direct to a PA desk or studio board, and a 1/4-inch low impedance output feeds an amp25. Power comes from the included 9V DC universal power supply (Model #DC9), which is auto-switching and self-adjusting from 100V to 240V at 200mA5.
The DP-3X runs on its included wall adapter, not a 9V battery or a standard pedalboard daisy chain. The supply ships set up for the US, with interchangeable prong assemblies included for Europe, the UK and Australia/New Zealand, so it can be used anywhere in the world75.
dUg Pinnick and the Ultra Bass 1000 connection
The DP-3X is a pedal version of dUg Pinnick's Tech 21 Ultra Bass 1000 Signature head. Both recreate the sound dUg originally developed way back in the '80s, merging high-end distortion with low-end bass26. dUg collaborated on the development of the diminutive, all-analog DP-3X pedal1, and the pedal carries his name as the dUg Pinnick DP-3X Signature8.
In an interview with Pete Thorn, dUg explained the pedal's flexibility:
"it's designed to be used into an amp as well as direct"
The interview covers how the pedal fits into dUg's own setup and how the two modes map to the sounds he uses271.
What reviewers said
Bass Musician Magazine reviewed the pedal twice. In 2018, Ty Campbell called it a success across applications and reported using both the Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig and the DP-3X as essential parts of his rig, each unique in its own way7. In 2023, Freekbass revisited the pedal and confirmed the all-analog design, the 3-band EQ with plus or minus 18dB per band, and the international power supply5.
MusicRadar's reviewers focused on the drive character, finding the Drive control powerful even without the Gain button engaged, and suggesting a touch of low boost for maximum effect9.
Videos
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Questions
Is the Tech 21 DP-3X all-analog?
Yes. Tech 21 describes the DP-3X as all-analog technology, and press coverage from Premier Guitar, Guitar World and Delicious Audio at launch all called it an all-analog pedal. There is no digital signal processing in the audio path.
Does the Tech 21 DP-3X have a built-in tuner?
Yes. Tech 21 lists a chromatic tuner among the DP-3X's features, alongside headphone capability and the XLR output. That means you can tune at the pedal without adding a separate tuner to your board.
Does the DP-3X have an XLR output?
Yes. The DP-3X has an XLR output with ground lift for going direct to a PA desk or studio board, plus a 1/4-inch low impedance output. A ground switch sits alongside the XLR output to help fight hum.
What does the Gain button do on the DP-3X?
The Gain button provides additional distortion and compression on top of what the Drive control already delivers. It stays active in clean/full-range mode, where Drive and Chunk disengage, so you can add grit to an otherwise clean sound.
Who is dUg Pinnick?
dUg Pinnick is the bassist whose signature sound the DP-3X recreates: a tone he originally developed back in the '80s that merges high-end distortion with low-end bass. He collaborated with Tech 21 on the development of the pedal, which adapts his Ultra Bass 1000 Signature head.
How much does the Tech 21 DP-3X cost?
At launch in January 2018 the DP-3X carried a US street price of $289, as reported by MusicPlayers.com, Guitar World and Delicious Audio. Tech 21's current product page is the place to check today's pricing.
Sources (9)
- Tech 21 Releases the dUg Pinnick DP-3X and VT Bass 200, Premier Guitar, 2018-01-23
- dUg DP-3X Signature, Tech 21 NYC, 2026-02-16
- DUG PINNICK INTERVIEW and DEMO, Tech 21 DP3X Signature Pedal, Pete Thorn (YouTube channel), 2018-03-03
- Tech 21 Introduces the dUg Pinnick DP-3X Signature Pedal, MusicPlayers.com, 2018-01-20
- Review: dUg Pinnick Signature DP-3X by Tech 21, Bass Musician Magazine, 2023-01-30
- First Demo Of The Tech 21 DP-3X DUg Pinnick Signature Pedal, Delicious Audio, 2018-01-27
- Tech 21 dUg Pinnick Signature DP-3X Review, Bass Musician Magazine, 2018-08-06
- Tech 21 Introduces New dUg Pinnick DP-3X Signature Pedal, Guitar World, 2018-01-24
- Tech 21 Dug Pinnick DP-3X review, MusicRadar, 2018-09-14
dUg Pinnick
