The J. Rockett Audio Designs HRM V2 is a D-style overdrive pedal from Nashville builder J. Rockett Audio. 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 amps that features an extra EQ circuit12. The circuit in question can produce a very low-mid centric, throaty sound that cuts through the mix without sounding harsh or overly punchy2.
For the V2, J. Rockett got hold of an actual Dumble amplifier with the HRM EQ mod and spent two years refining the pedal against it3. Guitar.com's guide to overdrive pedals included it among Dumble-style overdrives in its category4.
A low-mid centric D-style overdrive
The Hot Rubber Monkey name comes from a mod found on some Dumble Overdrive Special amps that includes an extra EQ circuit, a variation dubbed "Hot Rubber Monkey"5. J. Rockett's earlier pedal, the HRM, featured the brand's interpretation of an ODS with this EQ modification3. The HRM V2 is the company's second pass at that circuit, refined against a real Dumble amp with the mod installed3.
What the mod gives a player is a particular midrange character. Delicious Audio describes the result as a very low-mid centric, throaty sound that cuts through the mix without sounding harsh or overly punchy2. Guitar.com's reviewer, Richard Purvis, found the pedal does not behave like a typical drive box:
"the HRM V2 simply doesn't sound like a stompbox, infusing its warm crunch into your signal in a way that's 100% natural"6
Richard Purvis, guitar.com6
He also noted that you will not get totally transparent drive out of it, because the gently boosted mids are a fundamental part of the deal6. His overall verdict was a 9/10 rating, calling it "just a gorgeous-sounding overdrive with supreme touch"6. Premier Guitar positioned the pedal's audience plainly: HRM V2 is perfect for blues and rock players or players that love that Dumble sound7.
The controls
The HRM V2 carries four knobs: Gain, Level, and two EQ controls, Top End and Midrange. The EQ controls were renamed from the earlier version, where they were called treble and fat6. Guitar.com's reviewer found there is a lot of tone-shaping power in the two EQ knobs, which have clearly been calibrated with meticulous care6.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Controls the amount of gain; very interactive with the volume control2 |
| Level | Controls the overall output; very interactive with the gain control2 |
| Top End | Controls the top end and helps tweak the amount of bite in contrast to the low mids7 |
| Midrange | Controls the important "guitar" midrange and the thick low mids2 |
The Gain and Level controls are designed to work together, each described as very interactive with the other2. Guitar World's reviewer, Trevor Curwen, noted that with the Gain knob set at minimum, unity gain is around one o'clock on the Volume knob, and you start off in clean-with-grit territory3. He also found the Top End control can dial in a silvery bell-like brilliance3.
On the EQ side, Purvis found the top end knob "gets lovely and zingy when pushed but doesn't stifle anything crucial when dialled back," while the midrange knob "runs the gamut from slim to beefy, with different hues of prettiness to be found at all points along the way"3. Guitar World listed solid EQ options among the pedal's pluses3.
From the Hot Rubber Monkey mod to the V2
The original HRM was J. Rockett's take on a modded ODS circuit. For the V2, the company took a different approach: it got hold of an actual Dumble amplifier with the HRM EQ mod and spent two years trying to capture more of the nuances of the sound38. MusicRadar reported that after two years with a modded Dumble, J. Rockett Audio Designs says it has been able to capture more of the nuances of the sound8.
The maker describes the update in its own words:
"The V2 features updated components and redesign to provide an even more accurate HRM Moded tone"91
J. Rockett Audio Designs1
Premier Guitar reported the V2 is an entirely different pedal from the first version, with different tone controls and a new design to match7. The changes are in tone rather than features: Delicious Audio notes that V2 improvements deliver better tone at lower gain settings than its predecessor, in part because of a new set of NOS (new old stock) parts2. Guitar World likewise reports the company sourced some NOS parts for authentic sound3.
The V2 is a redesign, not a reissue. Premier Guitar describes it as an entirely different pedal from the original HRM, with different tone controls and a new design7.
How it relates to other J. Rockett D-style pedals
J. Rockett also makes The Dude, a D-style overdrive designed to achieve the classic D style ODS sounds and feel10. The Dude V2 covers the standard ODS territory, from Robben Ford to Larry Carlton to scorching gain112, while the HRM V2 targets the specific HRM-modded variation with its low-mid centric character2. Where The Dude V2's signal strength is set with Ratio (gain) and Level controls112, the HRM V2 uses its interactive Gain and Level pair plus the two EQ knobs2.
Videos
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Buddy Blues
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Questions
What is the Hot Rubber Monkey mod?
The Hot Rubber Monkey (HRM) mod is a variation found on some Dumble Overdrive Special amps that adds an extra EQ circuit. That circuit produces a very low-mid centric, throaty sound that cuts through the mix without sounding harsh. J. Rockett Audio Designs built a pedal around its interpretation of this modded ODS circuit.
What is the difference between the J. Rockett HRM and the HRM V2?
The V2 features updated components and a redesign intended to provide an even more accurate HRM Moded tone. Improvements are in tone rather than features, with better tone at lower gain settings than the original, helped by a new set of NOS parts. The controls were also renamed, with treble and fat becoming top end and midrange.
Does the J. Rockett HRM V2 sound like a Dumble?
It is based on an actual Dumble amplifier with the HRM EQ mod that the designers spent two years listening to while refining the pedal. Guitar.com's reviewer found it does not sound like a stompbox, infusing its warm crunch into the signal in a way that is 100 percent natural, and rated it 9 out of 10.
Does the HRM V2 use NOS components?
Yes. Guitar World reports that J. Rockett sourced some NOS (new old stock) parts for authentic sound, and Delicious Audio notes that V2 delivers better tone at lower gain settings than its predecessor in part because of a new set of NOS parts.
What does the Midrange knob do on the HRM V2?
The Midrange knob controls the important guitar midrange and the thick low mids. Guitar.com's reviewer found it runs the gamut from slim to beefy, with different hues of prettiness at all points along the way. It is one of two EQ knobs the pedal carries alongside Gain and Level.
Sources (11)
- HRM V2 - J. Rockett Audio Designs, J. Rockett Audio Designs, 2025-11-06
- J. Rockett Audio Designs HRM V2 D-Style Overdrive, Delicious Audio, 2025-02-10
- J. Rockett HRM V2 review, Guitar World, 2023-10-17
- All gain, no pain: the 10 best overdrive pedals you can buy in 2026, Guitar.com, 2026-02-11
- Best Dumble-Style Pedals For Your Needs & Budget, Delicious Audio, 2024-09-25
- J Rockett HRM V2 review: even more authentic D-style overdrive, guitar.com, 2023-09-11
- J. Rockett Audio Designs Reinvents Their Hot Rubber Monkey, Premier Guitar, 2023-07-06
- J Rockett Audio Designs is doing Dumble things again with the new-and-improved Hot Rubber Monkey V2 drive pedal, MusicRadar, 2023-07-04
- HRM V2 B Stock - J. Rockett Audio Designs, J. Rockett Audio Designs
- Dude ODS V2, J. Rockett Audio Designs, 2026-08-17
- J. Rockett Audio Designs The Dude V2, Delicious Audio, 2023-01-06
