Photo of Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive and more gear in a pedalboard

Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive

$29.99 Price Tier: Budget

3.5 (30)

2 Critic Reviews

10 Reviews

Find out who is using Danelectro D-2 FAB

2 community setups

0 wishlisted

58 saved

Page last updated Jun 30, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 30, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

4.0 (10)

$29.99 1 available New

$14.00 27 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $22

Budget/Beginner

$50

$176+

Price Tier

In the Overdrive Effects Pedals category, Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Coveted overdrive sounds in a fab little pedal.

Danelectro puts the D-2 FAB Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal in your hands without wiping out your financial portfolio. History was made in 1975 when a mom-and-pop store in California commissioned the production of just 200 of what is perhaps the best guitar overdrive effect ever. Unlike any other effects unit, that pedal authentically simulated the breakup that occurs when a tube amp is run at full volume.

FEATURES - Realistic tube overdrive - Responsive - Versatile

Product specs

Brand	Danelectro
Model	Fab Overdrive
Finish	Silver
Year	2000s
Categories	Overdrive and Boost Pedals

FAQs

What kind of power supply does the Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive require?: The Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive pedal requires a standard 9V DC power supply or can be powered by a 9V battery, making it convenient for various setups.
How does the Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive differ from other overdrive pedals?: The Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive is known for its affordability and simplicity, providing a classic overdrive sound with intuitive controls for level, tone, and gain, suitable for players seeking straightforward operation.
Is the Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive suitable for use with a bass guitar?: While primarily designed for electric guitar, the Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive can be used with a bass guitar, but it may color the tone significantly, which some players might find desirable for certain styles.
What are the core tonal characteristics of the Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive?: The Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive offers a warm, classic overdrive tone with a slight mid-range emphasis, ideal for rock and blues genres.
Does the Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive work well with other pedals in a chain?: Yes, the Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive integrates well with other pedals, allowing it to be used effectively in a variety of pedalboard setups for enhanced tonal versatility.

Videos

Add video

TheJRGuitars

DANELECTRO FAB Overdrive Pedal Demo - D-2

TheJRGuitars

Danelectro FAB Overdrive D-2 Guitar Pedal Demo

Erik Z

Analogman King of Tone vs Danelectro FAB Overdrive D-2

Erik Z

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Affordable alternative to more expensive overdrive pedals
Comparable sound quality to the Tube Screamer for less money
Solid build quality despite plastic appearance
Versatile overdrive, works well with amp settings
Good for both rehearsing and live performances

CONS

Tone can be muffled, lacking clarity
High gain settings produce distortion-like sound
Gain control can be unpredictable
Tone quality not on par with higher-end pedals
Cheap plastic look may deter some users

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive.

Build quality

0 0

The Danelectro FAB Overdrive is constructed from plastic, making it less durable; users advise handling it with care to avoid damage.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The FAB Overdrive is favored for achieving a warm, muddy overdrive tone, complementing cleaner, higher-gain pedals on a board.
Source
0 0

When combined with trebly settings and low guitar volume, the FAB Overdrive can produce a subtle, pleasing overdrive effect, suitable for dynamic playing.
Source
0 0

Considered suitable for beginners or as experimental units for synth projects.
Source

User experience

0 0

Owners report long-term use with the FAB Overdrive, noting its reliability despite its inexpensive build, provided it is not heavily stomped on.
Source
0 0

Some users report repeated switch failures in the FAB Overdrive over extended use, suggesting a potential weak point in the pedal's design.
Source
0 0

Users report satisfaction even at higher used prices, citing them as affordable ways to explore effects like Phaser or Flanger.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The Danelectro FAB Overdrive is likened to a "bee in a can" sound, indicating a unique, fuzzy tone that may appeal to fans of lo-fi or experimental music.
Source
0 0

Older metal-enclosure FAB models are praised for durability compared to newer plastic versions.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

The FAB Overdrive, identified as the silver model in the FAB line, remains a favored backup option despite not being a primary choice for some owners.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

Found for as low as $5, making it a minimal investment to experiment with overdrive effects.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

The FAB Echo can be modded for an analog-sounding delay, offering a fun DIY project.
Source

Critic Reviews

Pedal Review: Danelectro Fab Overdrive | cheapnastyeffects

wordpress.com

The Danelectro D-2 FAB Overdrive pedal wins on value, delivering a surprisingly robust overdrive for just $19. Its sound is loud and compressed, perfect for those who crave an aggressive tone. However, the pedal falls short when pushed, getting muddy and losing string definition, especially with high gain settings. While it won't replace high-end models, for a budget-conscious setup, it's a notable contender despite its quirks, such as inconveniently wired controls and a less open sound.

neutral

Full Review

Danelectro's Greatest Budget Line — The JHS Show

thejhsshow.com

Danelectro's FAB series pedals deliver impressive value with their budget-friendly prices and solid sound quality. While the plastic enclosures may not scream durability, the series excels in offering great tones at insanely low prices, like the FAB Overdrive for $16.99. Though some pedals like the FAB Distortion and FAB Fuzz remain mysterious in their origins, they still provide appealing sound for minimal cost. The FAB 600mS Delay stands out for its simplicity and ambient delay capabilities. Despite their affordability, these pedals caused a stir by being so competitively priced that Guitar Center had to remove them from inventory. Perfect for musicians on a budget, the FAB series is a testament to getting more than you pay for.

positive

Full Review

Add review

3.5 out of 5

Based on 10 Reviews and 30 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

h_pr

1359

over 5 years ago

Cheap copy of an obscure Japanese overdrive

Apparently this is a clone of the Nadine's Over Drive, an extremely rare and obscure pedal made in Japan for a music store in Hollywood called Nadine's. It sports a thick, muscular distortion sound with a slight mid hump, but less high end than a Tube Screamer. It sounds a bit too muffled for my taste, and it's a weird choice for a sub-€20 overdrive, but usually you get worse pedals for the money. The main drawback isn't the sound, which is actually okay, it's the cheap plastic look, even though the build is more solid than you might expect.

Roles:

Guitarist Composer

Genres:

Dark ambient Electroacoustic music Musical improvisation

bulwark616

3437

almost 2 years ago

Great example if the greatest budget series

The FAB series from danelectro is the best budget series of guitar pedals ever. And the overdrive is a great example.if why. I recommend all of the FAB pedals for beginners checking out guitar pedals.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Pop Blues

From Gear Setup

tomhood

263

almost 6 years ago

smooth overdrive

I'd give this a 3.5 because at some levels the tone can be questionably spanky, but again can be a solid overdrive.

I had this on my board for a while because I couldn't afford a TS or DS, it was great until I experienced a real TS and the D2 seemed a little less impressive.

For the price it's good, but maybe just buy a more expensive pedal?

blackcorvo

208

over 6 years ago

It's a Tube Screamer, but cheaper.

I've put it side-by-side with Tube Screamers and they sound THE SAME. Get these, save some bucks to buy other stuff (better cables are always nice).

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Composer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Chiptune

benshenmusic

283

over 11 years ago

A low-end cheap overdrive

This pedal is good for someone on a small budget looking for a pretty versatile overdrive, but the tone you get from this pedal is pretty bad. Would not recommend.