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Whirlwind Rochester Series Gold Box Distortion Pedal

Vintage-styled Handwired Distortion Effects Pedal with 9-volt Power Adapter Input and True Bypass
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Item ID: RSDistortion
Whirlwind Rochester Series Gold Box Distortion Pedal
Whirlwind Rochester Series Gold Box Distortion Pedal

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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.
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Product Image - This Item - Whirlwind Rochester Series Gold Box Distortion Pedal
Whirlwind Rochester Series Gold Box Distortion Pedal
$191.00
+
Link to CIOKS DC7 Pedal Power Supply - Black
$289.00
+
Link to Truetone 1 SPOT Slim 9V DC Adapter
$27.99
=
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Whirlwind Rochester Series Gold Box Distortion Pedal
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Frequently Asked Questions

Whirlwind Rochester Series Gold Box Distortion Pedal

Q: What kind of distortion sound does the Rochester Series Gold Box Pedal offer?

Q: How do I power the Rochester Series Gold Box Distortion Pedal?

Q: Who is the Rochester Series Gold Box Distortion Pedal designed for?

Q: What are the physical dimensions and weight of the Gold Box Distortion Pedal?

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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!

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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

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Reviews

4.1

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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 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
Great For Stacking
Grabbed one of these because I like to have at least one version of classic "staple" pedals and I didn't have any type of Distortion + yet. This seemed like a really good version to get. Having never owned a D+ type pedal before, I can't compare this to a vintage original or one of the current production models, so take my review with that in mind.

My rig currently consists of a Twin Reverb and an AC30 played in stereo. Into these particular amps, I don't love this pedal by itself. However, putting this before one of my Marshall-style pedals, such as my JHS Charlie Brown or my Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret, gets me a beautiful sound. If I'm not mistaken, my 70's guitar heroes used these to push their Marshall amps harder, so this combination makes sense. I don't currently have an actual Marshall amp, but I bet this would be amazing in that context.

Taking off half a star because I can't use it by itself, but I wouldn't feel right taking off more since my rig is probably not optimal for this pedal to begin with.
by CC from One of the corn states on
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 Pedals