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MXR’s FOD Drive gets you Billie Joe Armstrong’s Dookie Drive tones in a non-signature pedal, and Sweetwater has just sliced the price by nearly half for Cyber Monday
The MXR FOD Drive puts the brand's Dookie Drive collaboration with Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong into a non-signature pedal, which is arguably more versatile than the DD thanks to its three-position mid toggle switch.
At just $99, this is an overdrive pedal with a reputation far above its price tag, whether you're a Green Day fan or not.
Just as with the Dookie Drive, the FOD aims to recreate the modded dual-amp setup used to track Dookie. As such, the FOD features two parallel ‘channels’ which can be balanced by using the Blend knob. On one side, there’s a crunch tone which retains definition and has a mid-forward tonality, on the other is a more saturated drive channel with a mid-scoop applied.
The Gain control governs how distorted the saturated channel is, while the Output and Tone controls are applied globally. Inside the pedal are two trim controls allowing you to change the gain and maximum output level for the crunch sound.
But where the FOD differs to the Dookie Drive is in its use of a three-way toggle switch. Here you can set the FOD’s overall midrange to flat, scooped or boosted, whereas on the Dookie Drive you have the option to apply a scoop (or flat response) only.
(Image credit: Dunlop/MXR)
Now, even if you're not a Green Day fan there's plenty of versatility in this pedal for big rock rhythm sounds and punchy, cutting lead lines. But, if you are, you'll love it for the easy approximation of one of the '90s best-loved rock albums.
It won't stay at this price for long, though, so it's best to grab these things, er…when they come around.
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Stuart has been working for guitar publications since 2008, beginning his career as Reviews Editor for Total Guitar before becoming Editor for six years. During this time, he and the team brought the magazine into the modern age with digital editions, a Youtube channel and the Apple chart-bothering Total Guitar Podcast. Stuart has also served as a freelance writer for Guitar World, Guitarist and MusicRadar reviewing hundreds of products spanning everything from acoustic guitars to valve amps, modelers and plugins. When not spouting his opinions on the best new gear, Stuart has been reminded on many occasions that the 'never meet your heroes' rule is entirely wrong, clocking-up interviews with the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Foo Fighters, Green Day and many, many more. If he's not playing the guitar, you'll likely find Stuart behind the kit playing Valerie to newlyweds.
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