FX55C Supra Distortion

Early-issue FX55C Supra Distortion (1998), with original (generic) box

DOD introduced the FX55C Supra Distortion in 1998, replacing the FX55B in DOD's lineup. While the circuit was updated for the final chassis design, there was little difference between the two versions (and early ad copy simply referred to the new pedal as the "FX55", without the "C" designation). The vast majority of FX55C Supra Distortion pedals were made in China as part of the "VFX" series, but at least the very first production run was apparently made in the U.S.A.

• Controls: Level, Tone, Gain
  
  
• From the manual: "The FX55C is a very high-gain preamplifier that when overdriven produces a distorting of the input signal and help sustain the notes longer. These effects simulate the characteristic distortion of a guitar amplifier turned up so high that it "clips" the signal, distorting it. The FX55 has an extra amount of gain boost in its upper range for a greater distortion effect. ... The FX55C's distortion is a symmetrical standard distortion sound with a boost of gain in its upper range."
  
  
• Technical info:
  
  
  • Notable IC chips: two JRC 4560D op-amps
    
    
  • Component-side circuitboard image: January 1998
    
    
  • Related circuit: GFX55
  
  
• FX heritage: FX55 FX55B FX55C
  
  
• External links:
  • @ ftp.dod.com - instruction manual (2/98), .pdf format
  • @ DOD.com
  • @ discofreq's FX site
  • @ harmony-central.com
  • @ noiseguide.com
  • @ ultimate-guitar.com
  
  

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