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Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion

$22.00 Price Tier: Budget

3.0 (43)

11 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Danelectro D-1 FAB

2 community setups

2 wishlisted

79 saved

Page last updated Jun 19, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 15, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

4.0 (15)

$22.00 2 available New

$19.99 23 available Used

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Average Price: $21

Budget/Beginner

$80

$181+

Price Tier

In the Distortion Effects Pedals category, Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion 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

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Description

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Unleash the raw power of your guitar with the Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion pedal. This compact yet potent pedal is a favorite among musicians looking to add a gritty edge to their sound. Inspired by classic rock tones, the D-1 FAB Distortion offers a vintage transistor distortion that faithfully recreates the iconic fuzz and overdrive of legendary rock anthems. Its straightforward design makes it easy to dial in the perfect amount of distortion, ensuring you're always ready to deliver a performance that resonates.

The Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion is built with durability in mind, featuring a robust housing that stands up to the rigors of both rehearsal rooms and live performances. With just three intuitive knobs—Level, Tone, and Distortion—this pedal allows for quick adjustments, providing versatility whether you're going for a subtle crunch or a full-blown sonic assault. The simple, user-friendly interface makes it an excellent choice for beginners and seasoned players alike, ensuring you spend more time playing and less time tweaking.

Key Features:

Vintage transistor distortion for classic rock tones
Three control knobs: Level, Tone, and Distortion
Robust and durable construction
Compact and portable design
Suitable for both beginners and experienced players

Product specs

Brand	Danelectro
Model	Fab Distortion
Finish	Red
Year	2000s
Made In	China
Categories	Distortion Pedals

FAQs

What kind of power supply does the Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion require?: The Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion pedal requires a 9V battery or a standard 9V DC power adapter for operation.
Is the Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion is suitable for beginners due to its simple controls and affordable price point, making it easy for new players to explore distortion effects.
How does the Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion pedal affect my guitar tone?: The Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion pedal adds a gritty, classic rock distortion to your guitar tone, enhancing sustain and providing a more aggressive sound suitable for rock and blues genres.
Can the Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion be used with a bass guitar?: While primarily designed for electric guitars, the Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion can be used with a bass guitar, though it may result in a loss of low-end frequencies.
How does the Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion compare to other distortion pedals?: The Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion is known for its affordability and simplicity, offering basic distortion tones that are less complex than higher-end pedals but still effective for straightforward rock sounds.

Videos

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TheJRGuitars

DANELECTRO FAB Distortion Pedal Demo - D-1

TheJRGuitars

Danelectro FAB Distortion D 1

musicnbooksdotcom

Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion Pedal Demo

Erik Z

How Good Is the Danelectro Fab Distortion

Dustin Alford

Hidden Gem: Danelectro Fab D-1 Distortion

hovercraft Artifact

Reviews

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PROS

Affordable, great for beginners or as a first pedal
Versatile gain range, from raspy boost to high gain
Works well with Auto Wah, Chorus, and Reverb for added tonal variety
Simple and fun to use
Can produce a very dirty and heavy sound
Suitable for boosting solos and riffs
Offers a great vintage sound

CONS

Plastic case feels less durable
Odd noise when used with non-humbucker pickups
Level knob lacks responsiveness
Distortion quality may not satisfy all playing styles
High noise level
Failed for one user after a week

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Danelectro D-1 FAB Distortion.

Comparisons

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Owners prefer the D-1 FAB Distortion over the Boss DS-1, citing better tonal quality and responsiveness.
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The Jackhammer is noted for having more EQ options, including treble/bass and freq/contour adjustments, compared to the D-1 FAB.
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Value and pricing

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The D-1 FAB Distortion is praised for its affordability, with one owner purchasing it for just $15.
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Features and functionality

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The pedal is described as having a natural sound, possibly drawing inspiration from the Maxon Distortion Master DS830.
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The gain knob on the D-1 FAB Distortion is noted for having minimal impact, effectively offering just two settings: off and on.
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The tone knob offers distinct settings, described as "raspy," "normal," and "wet blanket," providing unique tonal variation.
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The D-1 FAB Distortion's circuit reportedly draws from the Electra Distortion and Harmonic Percolator, offering a wide sweep in tone and gain controls.
Source

Build quality

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Despite being made of plastic, the small size of the pedal contributes to a perception of durability.
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User experience

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Users find that maxing out the gain results in a distinctive "nasty snarl," appreciated for its heavy sound.
Source

Setup and maintenance

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The pedal's rubber backing can pose challenges when mounting on a pedalboard, requiring creative solutions.
Source

Use cases and applications

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Stacking the D-1 with a D2 Overdrive can achieve higher gain, offering versatility in sound for various musical styles.
Source

Mods and upgrades

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Modifying a DS-1 can be simple, with some mods achievable without a soldering iron, enhancing its tonal capabilities.
Source

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3.0 out of 5

Based on 11 Reviews and 43 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

roybon

282

over 2 years ago

Cheap and Functional

It sounds cheap (obviously), and I like it. I usually use it with an Auto Wah, or a Chorus and a Reverb.

This review has been translated automatically into English. See original

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Rock Stage & Screen Alternative rock

atomicfishin83

195

over 10 years ago

Wide range of gain.

This pedal can go from a nice raspy boost, all the way up to some really high gain heavy stuff. The GAIN and the TONE knob work great. Very wide sweep for both. I have noticed that the LEVEL knob doesn't seem to be as responsive... but it's not that big of a deal, considering the pedal was $15.

Overall, I'm very happy with it!

sammytmartin

669

about 6 years ago

A fun lil' starter pedal (and my first distortion pedal)

I got this at a pawn shop for a little over $20 just last weekend. It's a solid lil' pedal (despite having a plastic case) that's simple and fun to use. It's a nice pedal to get your feet wet in the waters of distortion.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Pop Blues

dylan_hutto

699

almost 7 years ago

Decent

I haven't really heard this thing through a good sounding amp yet, so I can't have much of an opinion, but I do like it. I can only really use my humbucker for it though, as it has an odd noise that I can't describe when using anything else. Would definitely suggest to a beginner though.

Roles:

Guitarist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Rock Alternative rock Punk rock

garrobo

124

over 9 years ago

got it, used it, i want to sell it.

maybe its how i play, or what, i play, but i do not find my self confortable with the way it behaves, do not like the kind of distortion it makes and some dials do not control the out put as i wanted to. It´s cheap so it was my first pedal (in the dream of having a large pedal board), but if you want to play to heavy distortion do not use it alone, use it with a fuzz pedal or a compressor pedal and then you will find your self in that yellow brick road in the way to Oz.