FX40B Equalizer
A first-series FX40B, from late 1988
The FX40B Equalizer was a seven-band graphic equalizer. Initially the pedals were grey with red graphics and slider covers. Circa 1992, the cosmetic appearance of the FX40B was revised with brown paint/white graphics and all-plastic slider pots, eliminating the risk of losing a rubber slider cover. In 1998, when all other pedals were revised to the final version casing (in preparation to the made-in-China VFX series), the DOD FX40B remained the same (albeit with new graphics at the top of the pedal), probably to help use up the supply of old casings.
- Controls: sliders (+/- 18 dB) for Level and 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, and 6400 Hz
- From the manual (shared with the FX42B): "These two effects pedals are graphic equalizers. Each slider boosts or cuts a one octave wide band. Each band is like a tone control which only affects a narrow part of the sound spectrum. The FX40B ... has seven equalizing sliders and one level control slider. When the sliders are moved to change the sound, the pattern made by the slider knobs graphically shows the equalization curve created by the pedal. The graphic equalizer allows you to change the sound or tone of your instrument and effects, lets you get more gain from your P.A. system before feedback, and lets you compensate for inadequacies in your P.A. The level slider lets you adjust the output of the graphic equalizer to make up for the equalization you apply."
- Technical info:
- Specifications (1987): Input impedance = 500 k Ohms, Output impedance = 1 k Ohms; FX40 Seven Octave Bands = 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, and 6400 Hz; Signal to Noise ratio > 90 dB; Gain = +/- 18 dB; Maximum Output Level = 6 V P-P
- Related circuit: FX42B
- Specifications (1987): Input impedance = 500 k Ohms, Output impedance = 1 k Ohms; FX40 Seven Octave Bands = 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, and 6400 Hz; Signal to Noise ratio > 90 dB; Gain = +/- 18 dB; Maximum Output Level = 6 V P-P
- FX heritage: FX40
FX40B - Notable artists using the FX40B: A DOD FX40B, reportedly used as a clean boost, has been part of Tom Morello's pedalboard for over 20 years. We have previously read (but cannot confirm at the moment) that Morello favored the DOD over the Boss GE-7 because the DOD equalizer's circuit offered +/- 18 dB, while the Boss offered just +/- 15 dB.
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