DUDE: How'd I do?

[Bob T.]

Not so long ago, I posted a thread about wanting a Marshall-esque drive pedal with a 3-band EQ. I picked up the BTMB British Overdrive, which has been pretty nice for the time that I've had it. Recently, I decided to try each of the dirt boxes I still had which were all in the Marshall vein. After playing each and getting nice tones to my ears, I decided that I wanted to try something new. Not a new MIAB though; I've already traveled that road enough. I had some thoughts on selling the British, but I may end up keeping it for whenever I want that flavor again.

The fat man visited my lowly home a couple of nights ago, and included some cash from my mother-in-law. It just so happens that it was enough cash to get over the hump and try something fresh that I had never tried before: D-style.

I picked up a J Rockett The Dude. It's not here yet; I am playing the waiting game.

I'm really looking forward to playing something in the vein of a Dumble without spending the coin on a Van Weelden Royal Overdrive (which I think sounds delightful from That Pedal Show).

Tell me folks.... how did I do? Yay? Nay? Convince me that I made a great decision! Change my views and make we wish this never happened! Tell me your experiences with The Dude!

 

[Slashaholic Anonymous]

I don't own the Dude but have considered picking it up a few times. The many reviews and demos I've both read and watched all indicate that it's a killer pedal. I think you made a solid decision based on the logic of wanting a different sound from your MIABs.

 

[Herb Utsmelz]

I had a Dude for a little while. I'm not huge into Dumble type tones but it's the best one I've played. It doesn't suffer from too much bass like most.

 

[joealba]

Great choice! If my Box of Rock didn't have so much mojo, I'd be using The Dude as my core tone. That ratio knob will take you everywhere from clean boost to light hair to cranked, compressed "maybe Dumble-ish" dirt. It ain't always on, but it's always on my board.

 

[John K.]

I like Marshall style overdrive and am not a fan of D-style. I think they kind of have opposite feels. Marshall being more squishy and D-styles being more idk poppy? Just my experience. You may end up liking both?

 

[joevacc]

When I first heard the Dude I did not know it was a D-style pedal but just a pedal that sounded great.
The guy I heard play it is a boutique amp builder and a good guitar player; I had to have one.
Well I've had it over a year now and have no desire to get rid of it. I love it.

Recently I just bought a Blue Note and I really dig it too. J. Rockett makes some great sounding pedals.

 

[Bob T.]

I've had two days to play with The Dude in my rig, including the Sunday service this morning. After service, one of the kids who is real big on playing guitar came up and said, "What's different today? It sounded incredible!" Yeah, I may actually have to agree.

The Dude is fantastic. The chords are thick, chewy, and warm with a good amount of gain going. Lead parts stand out, but have the warmth that my ears enjoy hearing. It works well with the all the boosters too (clean, treble, and fuzz). The response it has from rolling back the volume knob is great. The midrange response is what shocks me the most. Plenty of lower mids through the Deep knob while still retaining just enough towards the upper end for a full-spectrum to come through.

I guess I might be a Dumble guy for now Not sure why I never considered this one before today. Nice work JRA!

 

[gibsonguitar1988]

The Dude is a great pedal. I love the compression and the mid content. Very juicy lead pedal. I even can get Marshallesque tones.

You did great!

 

[flyonthewall150]

Sounds like you bought a pedal.

 

[goodhonk]

J rockett, jrad etc. shady.

 

[TCMx3]

I really liked my Dude. I traded it because I purchased an Ethos and while I had intended to keep my Dude for my smaller board, another forum brother wanted one and I wanted what he had.

I too was impressed by the volume clean-up. For how much sustain the pedal had it was truly excellent with cleanup. I also thought it was quite clear compared to some of the other D-style pedals I've had, which always sound a bit veiled compared to the buzz-saw Marshall stuff I typically go for. The deep knob does a really good job tackling that.

At what you can get one for at the typical dealer discount, I think it's a real winner. The volume clean-up is a big deal for me. The small size is also a bonus.