Open a Sweetwater Card & Earn BonusBucks
Back to results

Whirlwind Rochester Series Gold Box Distortion Pedal

Vintage-styled Handwired Distortion Effects Pedal with 9-volt Power Adapter Input and True Bypass
3 Write review Item ID: RSDistortion
$171.00

Earn $9 back in Bonus Bucks† OR pay $8/month with 24 month financing*

Tech Support

Free Sweetwater
Support

Free 2-year
Warranty
Special Order

Special-ordered from Whirlwind and usually ships to you within a few weeks. Please note: special orders cannot be canceled or returned.

Note: While most of the items we sell ship for free, this item does not qualify for free shipping due to special circumstances.
Add to Cart
Notify me about deals

Ask An Expert

Our expertly trained Sales Engineers are ready to help!

(800) 222-4700
What is a Sales Engineer?
Sweetwater Gear Exchange

Have one to sell?
Check out Sweetwater's Gear Exchange!
Learn More

Most Popular Accessories & Related Items

Whirlwind Rochester Series Gold Box Distortion Pedal
Special Order
$171.00
Add to Cart
Add to list
Back to navigation

Written By

Our Product Research Team

Get to know them!

Classic Distortion Tones From This Gold Box!

Plug into vintage tone! The Gold Box from Whirlwind is a dead-on revival of the handwired classic from the 1970s, only this one's got a 9-volt AC adapter input and features hardwire bypass. Get ready for the Gold Box's tremendous range of distortion — everything from those subtle, warm, tube-driven tones you love to that searing hot overdrive, with vintage sustain and totally classic vibe. Michael Laiacona, president of Whirlwind, has been crafting amazing effects boxes for years — in fact, he was the cofounder of MXR. You've got to hear the Gold Box.

Related Videos: Rochester Series Gold Box Distortion Pedal

Whirlwind The Gold Box Handwired Distortion Effects Pedal at a Glance:
  • Vintage-styled distortion tones from this handwired "Gold" box
  • Rochester Series, designed by Michael Laiacona — cofounder of MXR

Vintage-styled distortion tones from this handwired "Gold" box
This classic handwired tank of a box delivers a wide range of sonic distortion — take it from a subtle, warm, tube-driven tone to all-out searing hot overdrive, with that vintage sustain and classic tone you grew up with. You won't be able to get enough of the Gold Box.

Rochester Series, designed by Michael Laiacona — cofounder of MXR
Life-long gear tinkerer Michael Laicona was the cofounder of MXR — so he certainly knows effects pedals. Here, you've got the brain behind a series of classic, near-legendary pedals, now available at a really great value. The difference between these pedals and their vintage counterparts is that the Whirlwind Rochester Series, including the Gold Box, features a 9-volt AC adapter input and is 100% true bypass.

Whirlwind The Gold Box Handwired Distortion Effects Pedal Features:
  • Handwired Distortion Effects Pedal
  • Made in the U.S.A.
  • Features a 9-volt AC Adapter Input
  • 100% True Bypass
  • Designed by Michael Laicona, Co-founder of MXR
  • Part of the Whirlwind Rochester Series
Take your tone in a vintage direction with the Whirlwind Rochester Series Gold Box!

What Does "Special Order" Mean?

A special-order product is one that we don't normally keep in stock. We order it from the manufacturer as soon as you order from us. We have great relationships with all the manufacturers we carry, so we can get your special order to you as fast as or faster than anyone else. Remember that special orders are non-returnable and non-cancelable, so make sure the item is right for you. A Sweetwater Sales Engineer can help you decide — call (800) 222-4700 for assistance!

Warranty Info

Sweetwater's FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

Extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

  • Save money with FREE parts and labor
  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
  • Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department
Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage
2 Year Total Confidence Coverage
$24.00
FREE!

Free 2-year Warranty

Sweetwater's 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ Warranty gives you extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage
Tools Icon

Save money with free parts & labor!

Fast Icon

Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time.

Award Icon

Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department.

Back to navigation

Tech Specs

  • Pedal Type: Distortion
  • Inputs: 1 x Instrument
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Power Source: 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
  • Batteries: 1 x 9V
  • Height: 2.5"
  • Width: 4.5"
  • Depth: 5.5"
  • Weight: 0.84 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: FXGOLDP

What Makes Our Sales Engineers Great?

Sweetwater Sales Engineers are a world-class team of experts dedicated to you. Hand selected from across the globe, each brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the world of music gear to provide you with unparalleled service completely free of charge. Friendly relationships, real trust, and the right gear are only a call or a click away!

(800) 222-4700
Contact Your Sales Engineer
Back to navigation

Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5

Customer Added Media

This product doesn't have any review media yet!

Write your review

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 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.
by dave from Boston, MA on
Music background: musician/nerdy tone guy/30 years playing and recording.

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 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.)
by Sweetwater Customer on
Music background: Pro Musician

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.
by J on
Music background: Pro
See also: Distortion/Overdrive, Whirlwind, Whirlwind Distortion, Overdrive, Boost & Fuzz Pedals
Close Close $2,000 Pick Your PRS Giveaway -- input your email address below to enter or click here to learn more.

See giveaway details & rules or check out our past winners!

Enter Now

Success!

Your email, test has been entered to win this giveaway. Good Luck!