John Bohlinger stopped by DigiTech to get the scoop on the Badder Monkey, which brings back the cult-favorite Bad Monkey overdrive with the original circuit plus two new modes (Behaved and Badder) that blend via a 360-degree Barrel knob. The pedal features a 3-way toggle for phase switching or activating all three circuits in Troop mode, plus Bananas, Curiosity, and Mood tone-shaping knobs, and ships with DOD's patent-pending reversible StagePlate that offers rubber feet on one side and built-in Velcro on the other.
Badder Monkey
The long-discontinued DigiTech Bad Monkey overdrive, after existing in bargain-bin limbo for decades, garnered a robust cult following (and an equally robust price markup), thanks to a much-publicized shootout video by Josh Scott. Now, you can stop combing the internet for a well-preserved used specimen, because the Bad Monkey is back, and it’s badder than ever. Re-created from the ground up by the mad sonic alchemists at DOD, the new — and improved — Badder Monkey features its predecessor’s green-voiced overdrive circuit, along with a potent cache of upgrades. For starters, in addition to the original Bad circuit, the new pedal includes Behaved and Badder circuits, along with a 360-degree Barrel knob that blends any two overdrive paths, giving rise to an endless array of tail-twitching tone combos. Next, a 3-way toggle enables you to move the Bad circuit in and out of phase or to activate all three circuits at once in Troop mode. Additionally, Bananas, Curiosity, and Mood knobs provide plenty of tweakability in true Lamb-era fashion. Lastly, the Badder Monkey includes a reversible StagePlate for trouble-free pedalboard attachment. From subtle, tube-like breakup to grungy rock grit to all manner of simian-style chirruping, the DOD Badder Monkey is guaranteed to go wild on your tone in the best possible way.
