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Whirlwind Rochester Series Red Box Compressor Pedal

Vintage-styled Handwired Compressor Effects Pedal with 9-volt Power Adapter Input and True Bypass
$219.00

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Whirlwind Rochester Series Red Box Compressor Pedal
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$219.00
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The Classic, Crisp Compressor!

Plug into vintage tone! The Red 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. You'll love dialing in a range of compression tones — with deliciously crisp attack on clean guitar, and totally lush sustain on your solos. This pedal has serious 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 Red Box.

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

Vintage-styled compression from this handwired "Red" box
The tones in the Red Box compressor are truly classic, and can be heard in almost every great rock recording of the '70s and '80s. The Red box is known best for its crisp percussive attack when applied to a clean guitar, as well as its lush, rich sustain when soloing.

Rochester Series, designed by Michael Laiacona — cofounder of MXR
Life-long gear tinkerer Michael Laiacona 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 Red Box, features a 9-volt AC adapter input and is 100% true bypass.

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

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Tech Specs

  • Pedal Type: Compressor
  • 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: FXREDP

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Great comp pedal!

I have a newer MXR block logo Dyna Comp but kept getting some high end harshness using single coils on a Fender American special Telecaster, regardless of settings. I tried the Whirlwind Red Box and harshness gone. Plenty of output, very clean, with smooth and fast attack. Well worth the purchase. Love it!
Music background: semi-pro
Rated 5/5

Another winner!

Another winner from Whirlwind! This compressor is well built and sounds great. I've gained a lot added tonal flexibility having this effect and it is worth every penny! Easy to use and sounds great!

I hope Whirlwind makes more effects that sound this good and are this well built!
Rated 4.5/5

Vintage Style !

After using the a vintage 70's MXR script logo compressor ( I needed to sell ) for several years, I finally came full circle and am now back to assembling my pedalboard. When I heard Whirlwind was in some way connected to MXR I perked up. A few of the features I reviewed regarding this pedal that I have found to be a great asset is the 9V adapter capability and the LED light for on and off, THANK YOU !

Now for the sound, If you have spent anytime using a MXR compressor it has its own special tone, My BIG question was, does the whirlwind have the same special mojo. I have to say a BIG YES ! One of the things I appreciate about MXR and Whirlwind compressors is its ability to be super percussive and with the right amout of gain the ingredients are just right. I play a Fender American Special Strat HSS and I have found MY tone again, I say "MY" because as we all know tone is subjective. If you are like me and have lost an old friend (vintage compressor) the whirlwind will fill that hole nicely. This compressor has a nice range of gain and squash from finger picking to power chording, give it a whirl !
Music background: Recording, Musician, Songwriter

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What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?

Mike Harris

Your guitar + this pedal = TONE!!!
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