MXR releases Randy Rhoads Distortion+ at $169.99

August 1, 2024 · 5 sources

The MXR Randy Rhoads Distortion+ is now available for $169.99, Guitar World reported on August 20, 2024¹. GuitarPlayer gave the price as $169², and MusicRadar described it as "$169 street"³. The pedal was made with the Rhoads family after MXR's design team inspected Rhoads' original pedalboard⁴.

Dunlop, MXR's parent company, said the family unveiled the board for the design team at the Musonia School of Music in Los Angeles, the family's music school, and that the team "carefully opened the pedalboard"⁴. Dunlop said its engineers "painstakingly spec'd Randy's vintage Distortion+" with the direct involvement of Rhoads' sister, Kathy Rhoads, to produce "the same overdriven tube-like tones heard on Randy's most beloved hits"⁴. Guitar World reported the inspection led "to the exact replication of the parts that could be found in Rhoads' original Distortion+"¹.

The small-footprint pedal has two knobs, Output and Distortion, and a true bypass footswitch¹²³. Its finish is black and white polka dot, inspired by Rhoads' Flying V¹². MusicRadar reported a gold double RR at the bottom of the pedal and "Randy Rhoads Special Edition" on top, and said the box contains a certificate of authenticity and a commemorative booklet³.

The Rhoads family said in a statement: "We are very proud of and honored by this special signature pedal. It is a true tribute to Randy's musical legacy"⁴³. Kirk Hammett, Zakk Wylde and Phil Demmel appeared in an accompanying video discussing Rhoads' influence⁴². The pedal follows a series of delays; Guitar World reported it was first teased in December 2022 and had an initial 2023 release date¹⁵.