The Dunlop Zakk Wylde Signature Rotovibe is a limited-edition version of the classic Dunlop Rotovibe, announced in March 2012 and available at that time as a limited-edition item1. It is a chorus/vibrato effect that can simulate rotating speaker sounds, the effect popularized by Jimi Hendrix and many others1. What set the signature edition apart was its distinct custom matte finish and control knob1.
What it does
The Rotovibe format goes back to Dunlop itself: writing a buying guide to Uni-Vibe style pedals, Paolo De Gregorio of Delicious Audio noted that Dunlop, likely inspired by their own Cry-Baby Wah, introduced a model called the Rotovibe2. Like a wah, the pedal is rocked by foot, but instead of sweeping a filter it changes the speed of the modulation.
The controls are simple. You choose either Chorus or Vibrato mode, adjust the intensity of the effect, and then control the effect's speed by rocking the pedal back and forth1. Guitar World's Josh Hart called it a very expressive effect, thanks to its built-in real-time control1.
"The Rotovibe is a chorus/vibrato effect that can simulate rotating speaker sounds popularized by Jimi Hendrix and many others."
Where it sits in Dunlop's Rotovibe line
The signature edition carries the same intensity and speed controls, and the same rich rotating speaker effect, as the classic Dunlop Rotovibe1. Dunlop describes it as a very expressive effect, thanks to built-in real-time control: you choose either Chorus or Vibrato, adjust the intensity of the effect, and then control the effect's speed by rocking the pedal back and forth1. The pedal is available now as a limited-edition item1.
The 2012 signature edition was a limited-edition item. Players looking at the current Wylde Audio line will find the Rotovibe format continued in the WA357 Wylde Audio Rotovibe Chorus/Vibrato3.
Dunlop's partnership with Zakk Wylde extends well beyond this pedal: Guitar World noted in 2023 that the Wylde Audio series was also set to include the MXR Wylde Audio Rotovibe and Zakk's custom Cry Baby Wah4. For other takes on the rotating speaker sound, see the Dunlop UV1SC Uni-Vibe Stereo Chorus and the Dunlop Authentic Hendrix '69 Uni-Vibe, or browse the wider field on the Chorus Pedals and Vibrato Pedals pages.
Videos
N Stuff Music
Gareth Pontin
PJ and the Beard
Questions
What does the Zakk Wylde Signature Rotovibe do?
It is a chorus/vibrato effect that can simulate the rotating speaker sounds popularized by Jimi Hendrix and many others. You choose either Chorus or Vibrato mode, adjust the intensity of the effect, and then control the effect's speed in real time by rocking the pedal back and forth, which Guitar World described as making it a very expressive effect.
How is it different from the classic Dunlop Rotovibe?
Guitar World reported that the signature version features the same intensity and speed controls and the same rich rotating speaker effect as the classic Dunlop Rotovibe. What set the Zakk Wylde Signature edition apart was its distinct custom matte finish and control knob, and it was sold as a limited-edition item.
Is the Zakk Wylde Signature Rotovibe still available?
It was announced in March 2012 as a limited-edition item available at that time. Dunlop later returned to the Rotovibe format for Zakk Wylde with the Wylde Audio Pedal Series, including the WA357 Wylde Audio Rotovibe Chorus/Vibrato announced at NAMM 2024.
Sources (4)
- Video: Dunlop Introduces Zakk Wylde Signature Rotovibe, Guitar World, 2012-03-15
- The 9 Best Uni-Vibe Pedals In 2024: A Guide To UniVibe Clones, Delicious Audio (delicious-audio.com), 2024-02-16
- NAMM 2024: “A core component of Zakk's sound since 1988”: Dunlop has reissued Zakk Wylde's go-to Rotovibe pedal to celebrate 20 years of partnership, guitarworld.com, 2024-01-28
- “All the ingredients I needed to make the soup”: MXR celebrates 20 years of partnership with Zakk Wylde with 5 pedals that promise his Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society and Pantera tones, Guitar World, 2023-10-02
