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Average Price: $80

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Description

Unleash your inner rock star with the Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion pedal, the ultimate tool for guitarists seeking aggressive, high-gain tones. Designed to deliver a ferociously powerful distortion, this pedal is perfect for metal enthusiasts and those who love pushing the boundaries of their sound. The DJ-21 is equipped with intuitive controls that allow you to shape your tone with ease, offering a wide range of sonic possibilities from subtle overdrive to full-blown metal distortion.

Housed in a sturdy, compact case, the DJ-21 is built to withstand the rigors of life on the road while fitting snugly onto any pedalboard. Its true bypass switching ensures your signal remains clean and uncolored when the pedal is not in use, making it an invaluable addition to any guitarist's setup. Whether you're crafting your next riff or looking to add some grit to your solos, the Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion is ready to deliver.

Key Features:

  • Ferociously powerful distortion tailored for metal genres
  • Intuitive controls for easy tone shaping
  • True bypass switching for unaltered signal integrity
  • Compact design ideal for pedalboards
  • Sturdy construction built to endure rigorous use

Product specs

Brand Danelectro
Model Black Coffee Metal Distortion Pedal
Finish Black
Year 2000s
Categories Distortion Pedals

FAQs

What type of distortion does the Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion pedal provide?

The Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion pedal delivers a high-gain, aggressive distortion suitable for metal and hard rock genres, providing a sharp, cutting tone that enhances heavy riffs and solos.

Is the Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion pedal suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion pedal is designed to handle live performance settings, offering a robust and consistent metal distortion sound that cuts through a mix.

Can the Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion pedal be powered by a battery?

Yes, the Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion pedal can be powered by a 9-volt battery, making it convenient for portable use without needing an external power supply.

Does the Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion pedal work well with other effects pedals?

The Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion pedal integrates well with other effects pedals, allowing for versatile sound shaping when combined with modulation, delay, or reverb pedals.

What kind of control options does the Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion pedal offer?

The Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion pedal features basic controls for adjusting the level, tone, and drive, enabling users to fine-tune their metal distortion sound.

60 Cycle Hum

60 Cycle Hum

GAS N' GO - Danelectro Black Coffee

Video thumbnail for GAS N' GO - Danelectro Black Coffee by 60 Cycle Hum

GAS N' GO - Danelectro Black Coffee

60 Cycle Hum

60 Cycle Hum

Video thumbnail for Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion by Cryptic Mask Guitar

Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Video thumbnail for Pedal Vault - Danelectro Black Coffee Metal Distortion Pedal Review by Dome

Pedal Vault - Danelectro Black Coffee Metal Distortion Pedal Review

Dome

Dome

Video thumbnail for Review & Demo: Danelectro Black Coffee distortion pedal. Trash or Treasure??? by Beers N Gears

Review & Demo: Danelectro Black Coffee distortion pedal. Trash or Treasure???

Beers N Gears

Beers N Gears

Video thumbnail for Danelectro Black Coffee Metal Distortion by The Rolling Store

Danelectro Black Coffee Metal Distortion

The Rolling Store

The Rolling Store

Reviews

PROS

  • Delivers a unique, sharp sound distinct from a Boss Metal Zone

  • Affordable option for young and budget-conscious musicians

  • Produces a distinct, powerful noise akin to Big Black guitar tones

  • Long-lasting durability; replacements have lasted over a decade

  • Great introduction to distortion pedals for beginners

  • Fun and nostalgic appeal for those who grew up with it

CONS

  • Sound can become verging on uncontrollable for some users

  • Not suitable for all musical styles or preferences

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion.

Build quality

  • It's noted that Danelectro pedals, including the Black Coffee, often have unreliable switches, which are a common failure point due to poor construction.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Replacing the Danelectro's stock switch with a higher-quality one and potentially upgrading the jacks can improve reliability, though fitting better parts into the enclosure may be challenging.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Using electrical contact cleaner on the switch and pots has been suggested, but effectiveness may vary due to the pedal's internal switch design lacking direct contacts.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Black Coffee's footswitch mechanism may involve a plastic nub and rubberized button, lacking traditional electrical contacts, which complicates cleaning and repair efforts.

    Source

User experience

  • The Black Coffee can revert back to clean sound despite the indicator light remaining on, signaling possible internal connection issues rather than a simple footswitch malfunction.

    Source

Critic Reviews

DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion Review: I've had it for 3 years and use it moderatly. | Danelectro | Guitar Effects | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion delivers a solid low-end grind reminiscent of classic metal tones, particularly excelling in genres like stoner rock. However, its build quality raises concerns, with users reporting issues like knobs popping out and overall fragility—making it less reliable for live performances. While the sound can be tweaked for effective tones, the gain control doubles as a volume knob, limiting distortion adjustments. At its price point, it's a fun, budget-friendly option for casual players, but serious musicians might be better off investing in a more robust alternative like the Big Muff.

3.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
pelagius42

Noise Machine

This was the first pedal I ever owned. I love it because it makes an ungodly racket, verging at times on uncontrollable (for me that's high praise) . I don't use mine as much as I used to, thought maybe I should (I'm on my second as my original one broke. That said I've had the replacement for over 12 years and it's worked fine).
I once read a review that said its sound was reminiscent of the guitar from Big Black and honestly it's definitely in that sonic region to my ears. Not for everybody.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Stuart Braithwaite uses Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion

Stuart Braithwaite

Singer, Guitarist

Mogwai

...
Verified via YouTube

Seen at 1:28 on the left of the fab tone

See how Josh Heath Scott uses Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion

Josh Heath Scott

Guitarist, Podcasters & Streamers

...
Verified via YouTube

At 14:10 in the JHS Pedals YouTube video titled "The Most Important Budget Line Ever Made (Danelectro Food Series)," Josh Heath Scott discusses using the Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion pedal.

See how Fumio Kosakai uses Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion

Fumio Kosakai

Guitarist, Composer

Incapacitants

...
Verified via Facebook

In a Facebook photo shared by Yuzo Kosakai, Fumio Kosakai is seen using a Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion pedal, which appears to be visibly damaged.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Danelectro DJ-21 Black Coffee Metal Distortion, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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