Rochester Series Gold Box Distortion Pedal Review

This pedal stinks and is not returnable

Sounds ok. Main issue is the volume has to be all the way up before it gets close to matching amp volume. I'm running the pedal straight into an 82 JCM 800. Also the enclosure is not very thick compared to other boutique pedals at this price point. And it's not returnable because it's a special order. Totally lame, and will never buy another whirlwind product.

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Seriously Underrated Pedal

Nails the original tone of the 70s yellow stompbox + & how. I still own one of those, so I know. Video demos do not do this thingie justice, being almost entirely strats for some reason. (I'm not a Strat person, nothin' against 'em. ) Has all harmonic overtone bits happening. All the way up, vintage humbucker produces pure evil (the good 70s heavy metal/prog krautrock kind.) at… read more 1 o'clock is a sweet natural touch sensitive singing overdriven input tone. I like it with my Tele neck pickup through a Supro, Guild S-100 with HB-1s through a 59 Gibson GA-20T amp pentode or triode channel, in fact it likes all my mutant guitars, 60s Harmonies, 70s Ibanez...It likes single coils and humbuckers equally, however responds differently. There is less noise/hiss than the original and build quality/construction techniques have evolved. It's solid and beautiful inside. Not a Ratt or a Tubescreamer, has pronounced trebble voicing turned up, not nasal, but vintage. OK to turn guitar tone down all the way when distortion is all the way up, will still "cut". Audible distinct notes in full chords. Don't know how this reacts with overwound pickups as I have none/don't use them, all my stuff is old. Mid range seems more rich and distinct than my old yellow unit, but that may actually be a result of better component tollerences/quality standards and better solder joints, not hearing a mid boost, but since I have no use for one, all tge better! (I hate post EQ!) Much as I want to keep this as a secret weapon, more people have to know about this so these folks keep making it, the re-issue big corporate copy isn't in the same league. Quality and detail matter. Your ears will tell you.

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More like the original than the original!!

I've been playing hard rock/metal since the late 70's when it all started with MXRs' Distortion +. Long ago I did away with MY version of the original and have regretted it ever since. All the "new and improved" versions that have come and gone since then just never really seemed to cut it, they lacked the power and responsiveness. Finally, The original inventor is back making "THE… read more ORIGINAL." It sounds even MORE powerful and responsive than I remember. I attribute this to the fact that I'm not 14 years old playing on a cheap amp anymore. All you old school guys out there that remember the Dist.+ and having been watching ebay, ready to pay hundreds for an original, I'm telling you....it's baaack!!! Thanks, Mike! (co-founder of mxr but, inventor, first.)

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