DOD T2 Chromatic Tuner
T2 Chromatic Tuner, with original box, from the late 1990s
The T2 Chromatic Tuner was announced at the Winter 1997 NAMM meeting, at about the same time production of DOD's FX12 Tuna pedal tuner began. Likely based on the FX12's circuit, but adding a Recalibration feature, the T2 was probably intended to fill a gap in DOD's lineup for a small, low-cost tuner. However, with only three fine-tune LEDs (flat, sharp, and in tune), with no way of knowing howflat or sharp you were, using the T2 was probably less straightforward than other quartz tuners of the day with needle indicators. In addition, the T2's accuracy (e.g., +/- 3 cents?) was apparently never published, so it is difficult to compare it to other tuners. The T2 was not given a serial number sticker, and it is unclear how long it was produced. However, it appears that the T2 was discontinued by 1999.
- Displays: Note Indicator, Flat Indicator, and three fine-tune LEDs (Sharp, In Tune, Flat); Control: Calibration button (for tuning to a note other than A = 440 Hz)
- From the DOD T2 Chromatic Tuner Owner's Guide (see link below): "The T2 is ideal to use for tuning Electric, Acoustic, and Bass guitars. The T2 offers precision quartz tuning with an easy to read display. The T2 also features a built-in microphone for tuning of acoustic instruments and a re-calibration mode for quick tuning reference changes."
- Made in the USA? Although the T2 was introduced a few years before DOD shifted production to China, its country of manufacture is not known. Like the FX12 Tuna, the T2's box does not indicate where it was made, but unlike the FX12 the T2's manual does not mention anything either. The tuner itself does not have a serial number sticker or any other markings.
- Related circuit: FX12 Tuna
- External link:
August 14, 2026:
New information uncovered through newly discovered photographs, a closer examination of the Owner's Guide, and the recollections of a former DigiTech employee.
The photographs below came from a former DigiTech product tester who had this T2 Chromatic Tuner, complete with its original box, laying around his home with other pedals and gear to be tested. He thinks he may still have it in a box somewhere and is looking for it. If and when he finds it, I'll let you know.
Until then, thankfully, he had taken photographs of the T2 before it disappeared. Those pictures now give us the clearest look yet at the T2's original packaging and reveal several details that were not previously documented.
An Internal DigiTech Example
One side of the box carries a large handwritten label reading "EXAMPLE." Red and green dot stickers also appear on the package. Combined with the tuner's history in the hands of a DigiTech product tester, these markings suggest that it was kept inside DigiTech as an evaluation unit, demonstration piece, sales sample, product-testing example, or something similar.
Exactly what the "EXAMPLE" label and colored dots meant has not yet been confirmed. There is also not enough evidence to call this T2 a prototype. It may have been a normal production tuner that was simply pulled aside for internal use.
What the Box Confirms
The side panel identifies DOD Electronics as a Harman International company at 8760 South Sandy Parkway in Sandy, Utah. It also gives us the complete list of features DOD used to promote the T2:
- Fully Chromatic Tuner
- Quartz Accuracy
- Built-In Microphone
- Recalibration Feature
- Three Year Warranty
This adds an important piece to the country-of-manufacture question discussed in the original text above. It proves that at least one T2 package carried a Made in the USA statement. Because this particular box is marked "EXAMPLE," and because the tuner itself has no serial number or country-of-origin label, additional production examples will be needed before we can say with certainty that every T2 was manufactured in the United States.
What the Owner's Guide Reveals
A closer examination of the original DOD T2 Owner's Guide reveals several operating details we can confidently update:
- Two ways to tune: The T2 could tune an acoustic instrument through its built-in microphone or accept the direct signal from an electric guitar or bass. When no cable was inserted into the Input jack, the microphone engaged automatically.
- Inline operation: An electric instrument could be connected to the T2's Input, with the Output feeding an amplifier or the next device in the audio chain. Although the T2 was designed to sit on an amplifier or other nearby surface, it could still be placed inline with the instrument signal.
- Automatic power-down: If the T2 did not detect a note for approximately four minutes, it automatically powered down to conserve its battery. When used inline between an instrument and an amplifier, the T2 continued passing the instrument signal after the display shut off. With no cables connected, there was naturally no signal to pass.
- Two different Flat indicators: The small flat-symbol LED identified the displayed note as a flatted note, such as B-flat. This was separate from the Flat fine-tune LED that indicated the played note was below correct pitch.
- More tuning feedback than originally believed: The original text above correctly notes that the T2 lacked a needle or numerical cents display. However, the Owner's Guide explains that the Flat and Sharp fine-tune LEDs flashed faster as the note moved closer to correct pitch. The flashing rate gave the player some indication of how close the note was to being in tune, even though it did not provide an exact measurement.
- Reference-pitch recalibration: The T2 did not simply step through a short list of preset frequencies. The player pressed the Calibration button while playing a selected reference note. Once the T2 accepted that pitch, the A=440 light switched off to show that the tuner had been recalibrated. If the light remained on, the reference note had not been detected and the process had to be repeated.
- Returning to standard pitch: Pressing the Calibration button until the A=440 light illuminated returned the tuner to standard A=440 calibration.
- External power: The Owner's Guide names the optional DOD PS200R as the correct external power supply. DigiTech identifies the PS200R as a 9.6-volt DC, 300mA, center-negative supply using a 2.1mm barrel connector. See DigiTech's official power supply information.
- Owner's Guide identification: The surviving one-sheet guide carries document number 18-2236-B. The "B" may identify a document revision, but no evidence has been found showing that it represents a second version of the tuner itself.
The original page suggests that the T2 was probably based on the FX12 Tuna. That remains a reasonable possibility because the two tuners share several display and tuning functions. However, no photographs of the T2 circuit board, schematic, or component information have surfaced to confirm a direct circuit relationship.
For now, the T2 and FX12 can be considered functionally related, while the exact engineering connection between them remains unknown.
The Search Continues
These photographs and the Owner's Guide answer several long-standing questions, but the T2 still has plenty of mysteries left to solve. Its original price, published tuning accuracy, production quantity, exact manufacturing period, and the meaning of the internal markings remain unknown. We also do not yet know whether the T2 was designed entirely by DOD or whether any part of it was sourced from another manufacturer.
As more firsthand information, photographs, surviving examples, or internal documentation surface, this section will continue to be updated.
Sources: DOD T2 Chromatic Tuner Owner's Guide; packaging photographs and personal recollections provided by a former DigiTech product tester to Ron Henley, August 14, 2026.
Home 
America's Pedal
FX-Series
X-Series
D-Series
Factory Series
Artist Series
Performer Series
Hardwire Series
Specialty Pedals
New Releases
Field Guide
Serial Number info
FX literature
What's New?
FX Tech info
Links
Disclaimer/Legal/Contact Us