Brief History of the DigiTech Bad Monkey

The DigiTech Bad Monkey was released in 2004, and it’s a Tube Screamer–style overdrive that features a level control, bass and treble EQ control, and gain control. It has similar controls and chassis as other DigiTechpedals, such as the Screamin’ Blues Overdrive/Distortion, Hot Head Distortion, and others. Its tonal range can go from a boost when you crank the level control to heavy blues–style distortion, depending on how you have the EQ controls and gain.

The Bad Monkey was marketed as an affordable and versatile overdrive pedal but has received mixed reviews since its release. But that hasn’t stopped some touring guitarists from having it on their boards, including the late Irish blues rocker Gary Moore.


What Makes the DigiTech Bad Monkey So Special?

No pedal shootout video by Josh Scott has garnered attention and polarized the used guitar-pedal market like the Bad Monkey video. But why on earth did it have this effect? An important place to start explaining why the Bad Monkey can sound like some of our favourite Tube Screamer–style overdrives lies in its EQ section.


The Bad Monkey is a Tube Screamer–style overdrive pedal, and an essential part of the sound and functionality of a Tube Screamer is the compressed low end. Many of our favorite Tube Screamers lack advanced EQ and tone controls that allow you to shape the sound. Instead, they have a single tone or treble knob that either sweeps out or boosts the high end, depending on the overdrive pedal. Do you know what the Bad Monkey has? An advanced EQ section with a bass control knob that allows you to increase the bass frequencies that get lost when activating the pedal. The Bad Monkey’s EQ section allows you to fine-tune and re-create the tone of several different overdrive pedals just by tweaking the treble and bass knobs.

This item is sold As-Described

This item is sold As-Described and cannot be returned unless it arrives in a condition different from how it was described or photographed. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging.Learn More.

Listed9 months ago
ConditionMint (Used)
Mint items are in essentially new original condition but have been opened or played.Learn more
Brand
Model
  • Bad Monkey Tube Overdrive
Finish
  • Green
Categories
Year
  • 2004 - 2016
Made In
  • United States

Guitar Gear

London, United Kingdom
Sales:20
Joined Reverb:2016

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