The Hot Rubber Monkey V2 is a compact D-style overdrive pedal from J Rockett Audio Designs that replicates the drive sounds of a Dumble amplifier equipped with an HRM EQ mod1. It is a revision of the earlier Hot Rubber Monkey, released in 2023 at $2291. Where many D-style pedals chase the standard Overdrive Special voice, this one targets a specific variation: the HRM (Hot Rubber Monkey) mod, which adds an extra EQ circuit to some Dumble Overdrive Special amps and shifts the voice toward the low mids2.
J Rockett describes the result as "a very low-mid centric throaty sound where the guitar frequencies live"1. Premier Guitar's coverage framed the pedal's appeal simply: "HRM V2 is perfect for blues and rock players or players that love that Dumble sound."3
A Dumble-style overdrive with a low-mid voice
The pedal's circuit is a re-creation of the overdriven sounds of the Dumble ODS amp with the HRM EQ mod, as J Rockett's own product page puts it4. The HRM mod itself is a D-Style variation inspired by a mod found on some Dumble Overdrive Special amps, one that includes an extra EQ circuit; in the pedal, that extra EQ is impersonated by the "Fat" knob, and the variation was dubbed "Hot Rubber Monkey"2. The original Hot Rubber Monkey took a D-style drive and added this popular Dumble HRM EQ mod, promising more bass and more drive1.
The V2 came out of a longer development period. After two years with a modded Dumble, JRAD says it was able to capture more of the nuances of the sound, and that time spent examining the source also gave the company the opportunity to source NOS components for the build1. Premier Guitar notes the V2 uses NOS components as well3.
The V2 is not a light touch-up of the first version. As Premier Guitar reported, "The V2 is an entirely different pedal with different tone controls and a new design to match."3 J Rockett's product page describes the update as updated components and a redesign to provide an even more accurate HRM modded tone4.
For context on where this sits among D-style pedals, Delicious Audio's buying guide on Dumble-style pedals includes the Hot Rubber Monkey family among its recommendations, noting the HRM variation's extra EQ circuit and low-mid emphasis2.
The controls
The Hot Rubber Monkey V2 carries four controls, and its tone knobs are shaped around the low-mid voice the circuit is built for13.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Controls the overall output of the pedal1 |
| Gain | Dials in the dirt1 |
| Midrange | Controls the throaty, low-mid guitar frequencies; Premier Guitar describes it as controlling the important "guitar" midrange and the thick low mids13 |
| Top End | Allows you to dial in some bite; helps tweak the amount of bite in contrast to the low mids13 |
The split between Midrange and Top End is the heart of the pedal's character. Because the HRM voice lives in the low mids, the Midrange knob is where the "guitar" frequencies are shaped, while Top End works against them to add bite rather than acting as a general treble control13.
Power, bypass and placement
The Hot Rubber Monkey V2 takes 9V DC from a pedalboard power supply1. J Rockett specifies a 9 volt negative tip adapter with a 5.5mm x 2.1mm jack, the standard barrel connection used by most isolated supplies, and an 18mA current draw4. It is true bypass, so the signal passes through unaffected when the pedal is off14.
The 9V DC, negative tip, 18mA requirement means the pedal is built for a powered pedalboard. There is no battery option in the specifications J Rockett publishes.
At $229 as of its July 2023 release, it sits in the midrange of D-style overdrives1. Premier Guitar confirmed the same $229 price at launch3. J Rockett's product page also lists B-stock units as of October 20264.
Videos
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Buddy Blues
TheGuitarGeek
Questions
Is the Hot Rubber Monkey V2 true bypass?
Yes. Both J Rockett Audio Designs' own product page and press coverage from MusicRadar and Premier Guitar describe the Hot Rubber Monkey V2 as a true bypass pedal, so your dry signal passes through untouched when the pedal is switched off.
What power does the Hot Rubber Monkey V2 use?
It runs on a 9 volt negative tip adapter with a 5.5mm x 2.1mm jack, the standard pedalboard power supply connection. MusicRadar notes it takes 9V DC from a pedalboard power supply, so it is built for powered boards rather than battery operation.
What is the Hot Rubber Monkey V2 based on?
It is a re-creation of the overdriven sounds of the Dumble ODS amp with the HRM EQ mod, a variation found on some Dumble Overdrive Special amplifiers that adds an extra EQ circuit. J Rockett spent two years with a modded Dumble developing the pedal.
What are NOS components in a pedal?
NOS stands for new old stock: electronic parts, often transistors and diodes, that were manufactured years ago but never used. J Rockett sourced NOS components for the Hot Rubber Monkey V2 build while studying the original Dumble circuit it is based on.
How much current does the Hot Rubber Monkey V2 draw?
The Hot Rubber Monkey V2 draws 18mA, a figure given by both J Rockett Audio Designs' product page and MusicRadar's coverage. That is a modest draw, so it runs comfortably on most isolated pedalboard power supplies.
Is the J. Rockett Hot Rubber Monkey HRM V2 true bypass?
Yes. The maker's product page lists True Bypass Switching among its features, and both MusicRadar and Premier Guitar confirm the HRM V2 is true bypass.
Sources (4)
- J Rockett Audio Designs is doing Dumble things again with the new-and-improved Hot Rubber Monkey V2 drive pedal, MusicRadar, 2023-07-04
- Best Dumble-Style Pedals For Your Needs & Budget, Delicious Audio, 2024-09-25
- J. Rockett Audio Designs Reinvents Their Hot Rubber Monkey, Premier Guitar, 2023-07-06
- HRM V2 B Stock, J. Rockett Audio Designs, 2026-10-12
