The J. Rockett Audio Designs Aqueous Chorus is an analog chorus and vibrato pedal built around a bucket-brigade (BBD) core, released on December 15, 2025 through select dealers1. The maker describes it as "a modern take on multiple chorus sounds," and it carries a feature few chorus pedals offer: a Tilt EQ that shapes only the wet, modulated signal, plus a built-in preamp for gain makeup2. It sits in the chorus family but also covers vibrato territory, with a dedicated vibrato output3.
What it is and what it does
The Aqueous is a modulation pedal in the chorus and vibrato category4. Delicious Audio's review describes it as "a thoughtfully designed modulation pedal built around a bucket-brigade (BBD) core," the analog delay-line design behind vintage chorus pedals3. J. Rockett points the Tilt EQ at both ends of that history: "Dial in the past with the tilt EQ to match the vintage bucket brigade sounds or dial it the opposite to achieve the watery Eric Johnson sounds"2.
Delicious Audio's reviewer found the pedal covers a wide range: "the pedal covers expected ground, from classic chorus and vibrato to more experimental, phase-shifter-like textures, with a high degree of tonal specificity"3.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Preamp | Gain makeup or input limiting; can add saturation and warmth to chorus tones24 |
| Tilt EQ | Shapes the wet signal only: treble up and bass down to the right, bass up and treble down to the left21 |
| Speed | Modulation rate, part of a wide sweep from subtle thickening to intense, rotary-like swirls34 |
| Dry-Wet Mix | Blend of dry and modulated signal; past the 3/4 mark it routes a dry signal to the vibrato output3 |
| Depth | Modulation intensity, paired with Speed for the sweep described above34 |
The wet-only Tilt EQ is the pedal's defining feature in Delicious Audio's view, "allowing you to shape the modulated tone from a vintage, rolled-off character to a brighter, more modern sheen"3. Because the EQ never touches the dry signal, your clean tone stays intact while the chorus voice itself is tuned.
The vibrato output behaves differently depending on the Mix setting: only past the 3/4 mark of the Mix control does it receive a dry signal, while the wet, modulated signal remains under full Tilt EQ control3.
Price and availability
The Aqueous Chorus became available December 15, 2025 via select dealers for $249.99, according to Premier Guitar's announcement1. The maker's own product page lists it at $229.992, and Guitar Pedal X reported it at $250 through the J Rockett webstore in January 20264. The published figures differ slightly, so the price depends on which listing and date you go by.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson called it "another of the really great ones," crediting the shaping ability that comes from its extensive control topology and the Tilt EQ in particular4. He also noted the pedal's "beautifully vibrant colourway and exceptional Marconi style knobs"4.
Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio, reviewing it in August 2026, summed it up this way:
"It's a capable, professional-grade unit for players seeking detailed control over their modulation's texture and blend."
The pedal also appeared on That Pedal Show in the episode "Simple Pedals For Incredible Sounds," published May 29, 2026, alongside the Thorpy Kudu, JAM Tubedreamer 2 and Boss DD-85.
Videos
J. Rockett Audio Designs
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Mad Steex
Questions
Is the J Rockett Aqueous an analog chorus?
Yes. Guitar Pedal X describes the Aqueous as an analog BBD chorus, and Delicious Audio's review describes it as a modulation pedal built around a bucket-brigade (BBD) core. J. Rockett Audio Designs positions it as a modern take on multiple chorus sounds, with the Tilt EQ used to reach vintage bucket brigade tones or brighter, watery sounds.
What does the Tilt EQ do on the Aqueous?
The Tilt EQ shapes the tone of the modulated signal only, leaving your dry signal untouched. Turned to the right it adds treble and reduces bass; turned to the left it adds bass and reduces treble. J. Rockett says dialing it one way matches vintage bucket brigade sounds, while dialing it the other way reaches watery Eric Johnson style sounds.
Does the J Rockett Aqueous have a vibrato output?
Yes. The Aqueous has a separate vibrato output. According to Delicious Audio's review, past the 3/4 mark of the Mix control the pedal routes a dry signal to the vibrato output while the wet, modulated signal remains under full Tilt EQ control.
How much does the J Rockett Aqueous cost?
The published prices differ slightly by source and date. Premier Guitar reported a launch price of $249.99 when the pedal became available on December 15, 2025. The maker's product page lists it at $229.99, and Guitar Pedal X reported it at $250 in January 2026.
What does the Preamp control do on the Aqueous?
The Preamp is a built-in gain stage for making up volume, since modulation pedals can tend to drop volume, or for limiting the input. Guitar Pedal X adds that the preamp circuit can add saturation and warmth to chorus tones.
Sources (5)
- J. Rockett Audio Designs Releases New Aqueous Chorus, Premier Guitar, 2025-12-15
- Aqueous Chorus, J. Rockett Audio Designs, 2025-11-17
- J. Rockett Aqueous Chorus, Delicious Audio, 2026-08-18
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-01-09
- Simple Pedals For Incredible Sounds Thorpy Kudu, Jam Tubedreamer 2, J Rockett Chorus, Boss DD-8, That Pedal Show, 2026-05-29
