Ghost Note Audio ICBM

The Ghost Note Audio ICBM is a high-gain preamp pedal inspired by the Randall Warhead X2 amplifier. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes it as delivering the aggressive, explosive tone associated with Dimebag Darrell, and it is aimed at thick rhythm playing, palm-muted riffs and heavy styles where a pushed amp front end is the core of the sound¹.

Channels and controls

The ICBM carries two channels. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes a pristine Clean channel and a powerful Lead channel designed for thick rhythm playing and palm-muted riffing¹. On top of the channels, a Boost mode adds extra gain for harmonics and extreme saturation, which is where the pedal heads into its heaviest territory¹.

How it is built and powered

The pedal comes housed in a rugged steel enclosure with soft-touch footswitches, and the switching is relay-based true bypass, so the preamp circuit is taken out of the signal path when the pedal is off¹. It is an analog circuit¹.

Power is 9V DC, center negative, with a current draw of 200mA¹.

At 200mA, the ICBM draws more current than many standard pedalboard power supplies deliver per outlet. Plan a supply output that can provide 200mA at 9V DC center negative¹.

Where it sits

As a preamp rather than a distortion or overdrive pedal, the ICBM is designed to supply the gain structure of an amp channel, in this case one modeled on the Randall Warhead X2. Ghost Note Audio's other preamp designs include the RGX 100, the Century, the Omega Lead and the 8100 Gold¹.

Videos

**ICBM by Ghost Note Audio - Warhead X2 in a box**
Ghost Note Audio

**ICBM Demo - Domination**
Ghost Note Audio

**Dimebag Tone In A Pedal! - Ghostnote Audio ICBM (Demo)**
Eric Mrtn

Questions

Is the Ghost Note Audio ICBM true bypass?

Yes. Ghost Note Audio specifies relay-based true bypass switching, so when the pedal is off your guitar signal passes through without going through the preamp circuit. The pedal uses soft-touch footswitches to change channels and engage the effect.

What amp is the ICBM based on?

The ICBM is a high-gain preamp pedal inspired by the Randall Warhead X2 amplifier, the signature amp associated with Dimebag Darrell. Ghost Note Audio describes it as delivering the aggressive, explosive tone associated with that player.

What does the Boost mode do on the ICBM?

Boost mode adds extra gain on top of the selected channel, which Ghost Note Audio says produces harmonics and extreme saturation. It is aimed at players who want the pedal pushed into heavier, more compressed high-gain territory.

Is the ICBM an analog pedal?

Yes. Ghost Note Audio lists the ICBM as an analog circuit, in a rugged steel enclosure with soft-touch footswitches and relay-based true bypass.

Sources (1)

ICBM by Ghost Note Audio, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026