Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases.

Digitech/DOD Relaunches the DOD Meatbox

Digitech/DOD Relaunches the DOD Meatbox

Originally introduced in the 90s, Digitech's Meatbox is a low-end enhancer designed to add serious sub notes.


Some have called the original 90s Meatbox a short-lived and ā€œmisunderstoodā€ stomp box. Others found its powerful synth-bass sound and multiple controls confusing. But like many misunderstood artists, the Meatbox steadily gained its own loyal following. When it disappeared from production, fans were left clamoring for more meat to their bass. Now it’s back with the same earth-shaking tones, but in a simplified control layout that’s more user- and pedalboard-friendly.

​The two prominent knobs located at the top are Octave and Output, which allow users to adjust the amount of lower octave effect and desired volume, respectively. Below these, the Sub (subharmonic) control increases/decreases the amount of synthesized subharmonic added to the signal. Similarly, the adjacent Low control is used to increase/decrease the low-frequency content of the output, keeping the extreme lows from overwhelming the amp and speakers.

​Like the other updates from DOD, the Meatbox stays faithful to the original analog circuit design but now includes true bypass. It accepts a standard 9V DC adapter or battery. With the TRS output, the Meatbox can take on the role of a separate sub-synth, so the deep bass can be sent to the sub-woofers and fine-tuned within the mix. Users simply need a TRS ā€œYā€ cable to split the output signal into wet, affected (tip), and dry, unaffected (ring) signals to discover a whole new world of sonic potential.

DOD Meatbox Sub Synth Pedal

Meatbox Subharmonic Synth Pedal
Digitech
$169.99

For more information, please visit digitech.com.

In recent years, Samantha Fish’s most often-used guitar was this alpine white Gibson SG, but it ran into some issues last summerā€”ā€œI ended up having to reglue the neckā€ā€”and it is now on hiatus.

Photo by Douglas Mason

The rising blues-rock star has made a dozen records, topped roots-music charts, played 150 dates a year, and opened for the Rolling Stones. Now her new album, Paper Doll, finds her at a hard-playing creative pinnacle.

Samantha Fish is moving in new circles these days—circles occupied by the kind of people you see a lot on classic-rock radio playlists. First there was the invitation from Eric Clapton to play at his 2023 Crossroads Guitar Festival in L.A. Then there was the summer ’24 slot on Slash’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T. tour, followed by the Experience Hendrix tour, on which she dug into Jimi classics in the company of Eric Johnson, Dweezil Zappa, and other luminaries. And, oh yeah, she opened for the Stones in Ridgedale, Missouri, on the final date of their Hackney Diamonds jaunt. That’s right, the Rolling Stones.

Read MoreShow less

Great Eastern FX Co. has released the limited-edition OC201 Preamp, featuring vintage Mullard OC201 transistors for a unique fuzz sound. Part of the 'Obsolete Devices' series, this pedal combines classic circuits with modern components for optimal tone and reliability.

Read MoreShow less

ā€œI do think that PTP circuits should stay that way, and circuits made for PCB sound great and don’t need to be handwired to sound good,ā€ says R2R Electric's Cris Vincent, who is especially adept at creating vintage-flavored fuzz machines.

Do vintage parts make better pedals? Not always.

Treble boosters have been used by legends like Brian May, Tony Iommi, Rory Gallagher, Marc Bolan, Stevie Ray Vaughan—you name it. They have empirically proven their place in the evolution of rock ’n’ roll, and even paved the way for entirely new music genres. Naturally, as a pedal builder, I had to make my own. In fact, I was building treble boosters even before Sehat Effectors was born. Technically speaking, the circuit is simple—just a single transistor and a few components.

Read MoreShow less
- YouTube

Marty Friedman and his trusted tech, Alan Sosa, who handles all effects switching manually during the show, showed us the goods.

Read MoreShow less