What's happening over at DigiTech/DOD?

thecolourbox

Seen this link on the GSP1101 Facebook page, to a thread on TGP where a previously frequent poster from DigiTech has said he and the whole team's last day is 22nd June... What does this mean for DigiTech/Dod do you guys think? They've done some smashing things over the last few years, I've been considering a Whammy Ricochet recently, and a Dod Carcosa, already have a Polara, a Whammy V, a Bad Monkey and the excellent GSP1101. Maybe I need to make those purchases now before they become vintage and I can't get them any more!


https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/heads-up-digitech-istomp-users.1867339/page-4#post-26400965

Slimbert

Digitech has without doubt been my favourite overall effect brand for the entirity of my 26 years of guitar playing.

I'm Whammy obsessed and have been know to run two at a time on occasion. I'll always have at least one on the go and am currently enjoying having four Digitech pedals on my main board right now.

If it really is the end of days for Digitech that'll be such a sad thing for effects as a whole. Such a great brand and such great gear.

Hope the team carry on doing what they do somehow...it sounds like they had some interesting stuff ready for release. Would be a crying shame to bin it all.

joetele

Yeah this would be a huge shame. I'm also a frequent Whammy 4 user, and I've had a Digidelay for years on my board, about to be joined by an Obscura too. Have always listed after the Hardwire reverb too. Also had the Digiverb which has since been replaced but still a wonderful pedal. They always made solid effects with some real diamonds too. 

Fuengi

I'm both surprised and dissapointed to hear this. DOD / Digitech appear to be at the top of their game right now. 

Personally I have a DOD Looking Glass and an Obscura on my board, absolute killer pedals, as are many of theirs. 

Flink_Poyd

Could be something to do with this 
https://www.prosoundnetwork.com/business/harman-pro-to-restructure-layoff-650

It's from last year but sounds like a dreaded "restructuring" after acquisition 

UnclePsychosis

Tom Cramm was the guy running Digitech who posted regularly on TGP under "digitech rep".

His latest posts say that the whole team (including him) is being let go, and that it has nothing to do with performance. Reading between the lines it suggests that the whole operation is being moved. 

A real shame, because Digitech and DOD have been knocking out the park over the last few years. 

meltedbuzzbox

Haven't Samsung bought Harman?

stickyfiddle

meltedbuzzbox said:

Haven't Samsung bought Harman?

Yep. Samsung owns Harman which owns Digi/DOD. I assume all the latest stuff (while good pedals) aren't making enough money, so they're moving the whole operation in-house at some higher level in the corporate chain.

Hopefully that doesn't mean they'll just keep knocking out Whammys and whatever else makes money and can the rest, but who knows. 

Hopefully the guys getting laid off can find work with other companies in the industry.

Paul_C

As I saw suggested elsewhere, they should team up with the ex-Catalinbread guys and set up a new company.

Wazmeister

Sad to see Tom and his team go... some really unique and inspiring pedals have been made by them

Cookiemonster

What happened at catalinbread? 

octatonic

Cookiemonster said:

What happened at catalinbread? 

Nick Harris (owner) died when a tree fell on his car.

Paul_C

Cookiemonster said:

What happened at catalinbread? 

One of the main guys was killed when a tree fell on his car, and IIRC it was taken control of by a relative or wife or someone, who recently turfed out a lot of the staff, including "Howard", who I think was the main innovator.

A little more hunting around suggests that a number of staff chose to leave, rather than them being "turfed out", either way they're no longer there.

Matt_McG

That is a shame. The Obscura is one of the best things I've bought in the past couple of years. Sounds great. Easy to use. Solidly made. 

thecolourbox

DigiTech and Catalinbread brains combined would certainly be quite formidable!

mrkb

This is bad news, recent products (Trio+, SDRUM, Ricochet and Freqout) have been innovative- which is difficult with the boom in the the number of pedal manufacturers 

Johnnyseven

I love my Ventura Vibe and Nautila so sad news indeed.

57Deluxe

How stupid to take the Bad Monkey out the loop and not have the alternative reboxed DOD version up and running? We all love a Bad Monkey even if we don't actually own one!

Wazmeister

thecolourbox said:

DigiTech and Catalinbread brains combined would certainly be quite formidable!

The real collaboration will be Tom and Paul Trombetta... wowzer

crunchman

octatonic said:

Cookiemonster said:

What happened at catalinbread? 

Nick Harris (owner) died when a tree fell on his car.

Why did someone LOL this?

57Deluxe

Catalin-Fish 'n-Bread