Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal

$24.99 Price Tier: Budget

4.0 (17)

1 Critic Review

6 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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1 wishlisted

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Page last updated Jun 23, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 23, 2026.

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5.0 (8)

$24.99 11 available Used

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Average Price: $25

Budget/Beginner

$80

$181+

Price Tier

In the Distortion Effects Pedals category, Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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High-end

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Description

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Unleash your inner rock god with the Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal distortion pedal. Designed to deliver a searing wall of sound, this pedal is your ticket to the gritty, growling tones that define modern metal and hard rock. Constructed with a robust metal chassis, the D-3 FAB Metal is built to withstand the rigors of both studio sessions and live performances. Its straightforward controls—level, tone, and gain—make it incredibly user-friendly, allowing you to dial in your desired sound with precision and ease.

This pedal is not just about high-gain excess; it’s about crafting a signature sound. The D-3 FAB Metal’s distinctive midrange punch cuts through the mix, ensuring that your riffs are heard loud and clear. Whether you're playing in a cramped rehearsal space or on a grand stage, this pedal ensures your sound remains tight and focused. Perfect for seasoned musicians and beginners alike, the Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal is a versatile addition to any guitarist's arsenal, offering a wide range of distortion from subtle crunch to full-on metal assault.

Key Features:

Rugged metal chassis for durability
Simple controls: level, tone, and gain
High-gain distortion with a midrange focus
Versatile tone suited for metal, hard rock, and beyond
Ideal for both beginners and experienced players

Product specs

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

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal pedal?: The Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal pedal delivers a heavy, aggressive distortion sound, ideal for metal and hard rock genres. It provides a powerful crunch with plenty of sustain, perfect for achieving high-gain tones.
Does the Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal pedal work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?: Yes, the Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal pedal is designed to work effectively with both single-coil and humbucker pickups, offering versatile distortion tones suitable for various guitar types.
What power supply does the Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal require?: The Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal pedal can be powered using a 9V battery or a standard 9V DC power adapter, making it convenient for both stage and studio use.
Can the Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal pedal be used for live performances?: Yes, the Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal is suitable for live performances, providing robust and consistent distortion tones that cut through the mix, making it a reliable choice for gigging musicians.
How does the Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal pedal compare to other distortion pedals?: The Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal pedal offers a unique, aggressive distortion tone at an affordable price point, making it a popular choice for metal enthusiasts looking for a budget-friendly option without compromising on sound quality.

Videos

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Erik Z

Danelectro FAB Metal Guitar Pedal Demo D-3

Erik Z

Danelectro FAB Metal D 3

musicnbooksdotcom

Fab Metal Danelectro D-3

laloegz

Danelectro D3 Fab Metal Distortion Demo - Harmon Music - HIGH DEFINITION

Harmon Music

Danelectro D3 Fab Metal Distortion

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Danelectro FAB D-3 Metal

GuitarFXMania

Playing With Products - Danelectro Fab Metal Guitar Pedal D-3

The Music Depot

Danelectro Fab Metal Demo and Review

Sandy Ridge Music

Reviews

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PROS

Better version of DOD/Digitech Grunge
Offers sharp and wet distortion tones
Capable of producing zippy electronic distortion
Effective as a vintage drive with minimal distortion
Volume can significantly boost sound levels

CONS

Knobs can be confusing for beginners
Tone might not suit all musical styles
Some may find it lacks versatility for certain genres

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal.

Features and functionality

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The FAB Metal's gain knob essentially has two settings: off and on, while the tone knob offers raspy, normal, and wet blanket settings.
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Use cases and applications

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Ideal for achieving over-the-top gain and feedback at home-friendly volumes; perfect for noisecore setups or casual bedroom playing.
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Value and pricing

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At approximately $17, it offers a surprisingly usable heavy sound, making it an excellent budget-friendly option for beginners.
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User experience

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One user fried their pedal by using an incorrect power supply, highlighting the importance of checking power compatibility.
Source

Setup and maintenance

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Concern raised about mounting the pedal on a board due to its large rubber backing, suggesting potential challenges in securing it.
Source

Critic Reviews

D-3 FAB Metal Review | Danelectro | Guitar Effects | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Danelectro D-3 FAB Metal pedal caters well to budget-conscious metal enthusiasts, offering explosive gain that's perfect for heavy genres. While it's an affordable introduction for beginners, the pedal's overwhelming gain can be a drawback for diverse styles, limiting its versatility. The pedal shines with metal and hard rock but struggles to deliver on lower gain settings. It's a solid option for those seeking a sharp metal tone without breaking the bank but falls short if you're looking for a multi-genre distortion pedal. Ultimately, it's a decent choice for its price, but not a must-have for seasoned players.

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Full Review

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 17 Ratings

5 star

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1 star

strachowyj

1549

11 months ago

Good for the price

This was probably my first ever effects pedal. I vaguely remember that it was a heavy distortion and I used it to make my crappy Orange Micro Crush usable for hard rock. And it worked! My first palm slide harmonics were played using this one. Naturally felt cheap and I didn't know much about pedals and knobs back then, so I can't give you an honest opinion how good or bad this pedal really is.But it definitely was a good choice for a beginner. Worth every penny.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock

sandy_ridge

922

about 1 year ago

Great pedal - cheap hard rock metal tones

These are classics. Great little pedals for not a lot of money. I remmeber when I was getting started before the days of amazon these were the go-to cheap pedals you would get.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Folk, World, & Country Blues

stixmations

1033

over 5 years ago

I did not expect that.

To sum it up, it's a better version of the DOD/Digitech Grunge. I usually have the tone set almost all the way to the right, but not all the way. I can get a good sharp and wet distortion tone with that setting. Then the cool zippy electronic distortion tone I do is set with the tone all the way to the left. Really good pedal for the money.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Rock Pop

hamnotthefood

397

about 4 years ago

My first pedal

My uncle gave it to me. I had a blast with it, but I didn’t know what any of the knobs meant at the time. My tone was absolute garbage. But it’s the memories that count.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Funk / Soul Jazz

secretsociety8

136

over 9 years ago

great

i use this as a vintage drive sound with the distortion all the way down also the tone almost at 0. The Volume on this is SUPER loud so if i really need to boost volume and such this is great.