MXR Bringing Back the Rockman X100... As a Pedal?! Hysteria for NAMM 2025
MXR is bringing back the legendary Rockman amp as a pedal! Iconic cleans, soaring leads, and that magical chorus in a compact stompbox
MXR just dropped a bomb on us! They're teasing a new version of the legendary Rockman amp, but this time it's a pedal! Yep, you read that right. The iconic amp that blew minds back in the 80s is getting a modern makeover, and it's gonna be a stompbox you can easily throw on your pedalboard.
Now Officially Out!
MXR Rockman
MXR posted a super cryptic pic on Instagram, but guitar nerds everywhere instantly recognized the classic Rockman blue face and those signature sliders. There is no 'official' word yet on exactly what this pedal will do, but we expect killer cleans, soaring harmonics, and maybe even that iconic chorus.
The teaser demo below gives a quick blast of what it sounds like.
Price?
The big reveal is happening at NAMM later this month, so prepare for severe gear GAS! This is gonna be huge.
MSRP appears to be €279 in Europe, though people say they picked them up in the US for only $229.
Pour Some Sugar On Me
They teased the news with a cryptic Instagram post, but guitar nerds everywhere instantly recognized the classic Rockman blue face and those iconic sliders.
In the early 80s, Boston guitarist Tom Scholz dreamed up the original Rockman X100. This wasn't your average headphone amp; it had a unique sound that quickly became a legend. Think crystal-clear cleans, soaring harmonics, and a gritty crunch that screams rock 'n' roll.
Released in 1982, the Rockman revolutionized how guitarists recorded. Suddenly, you could plug your guitar straight into the mixing board and get amazing tones.
This wasn't just some bedroom gadget – the Rockman became a studio staple. Guitar heroes like Phil Collen, Steve Clark, and Joe Satriani were all fans, recognizing its game-changing potential. As MXR puts it, the Rockman was "the sound of a thousand hits," and Scholz himself used it on countless Boston tracks.
Leaked Manual & Details
Allegedly, pedal enthusiasts have already started hunting for it online and are sharing links to the leaked manual on social media and guitar forums, along with the now-pulled official product page that lists the official price as $229.99!
Details of the controls are below.
- 1. CTRL Jack: This handy jack lets you control the MODE function with an external switch, like the MXR Tap or MXR TRS Split + Tap. This gives you even more flexibility in how you use the pedal.
- 2. FOOTSWITCH: The classic on/off switch. Stomp on it to turn the effect on or bypass it completely.
- 3. MODE Button: This button cycles through four distinct tones: CLN2 Mode: Crystal-clear cleans, pristine, and pristine. Your starting point, CLN1 Mode: Adds some punch! Mid-focused EQ for a tighter, more aggressive, clean sound, Edge Mode: A touch of grit. Responsive to your playing dynamics, cleans up beautifully at lower volumes, and Distortion Mode: Unleash the beast! High-gain overdrive with tons of sustain for screaming leads.
- 4. VOLUME Slider: This controls the overall output volume of the pedal.
- 5. INPUT GAIN Slider: This adjusts the input signal strength. Crank it up for a more compressed and aggressive sound.
- 6. CHORUS Button: Press this button to add a lush chorus effect to your tone.
Flip the switch on the bottom of the pedal to toggle between Mono and Stereo modes.
- Mono Mode: (Default) The entire signal goes to the single OUTPUT jack. Use a standard instrument cable here.
- Stereo Mode: When using a TRS splitter cable, the selected MODE preset is evenly split between the left and right channels. If you engage the CHORUS, you'll get a more expansive, spacious sound with subtle variations between the two channels.
Leaked Images
There are no official details yet (though some images have already leaked). Still, we expect all the classic Rockman goodness – those soaring leads, the shimmering cleans, that bucket-brigade chorus that made the original so special.
Expect the four tonal presets on this pedal, covering everything from sparkling clean tones to full-on, aggressive distortion. Get ready for some serious dynamic control, thanks to calibrated compression that'll make your cleans and dirtiest sounds sing.
Of course, no Rockman would be complete without that legendary chorus sound. We expect the classic "bucket brigade" chorus to be a key feature, just like the original. Plus, you'll have the flexibility of both mono and stereo modes to dial in the perfect sound for your setup.
Hysteria in a Pedal
The official unveiling will be held at NAMM on 23 January, so prepare for severe gear GAS. This will be epic for guitarists who crave classic '80s tones and legendary sounds.
MSRP - $229.99
More Information
Video
