The Steve Stevens Rockaway Archer is an overdrive and EQ pedal in one box, made by J. Rockett Audio Designs and announced on February 22, 2017 as the company's first new product of that year1. It takes the Archer, J. Rockett's well-known take on the Klon Centaur circuit, and extends it with a six-band graphic EQ placed after the gain stage, plus what reviewers describe as greatly extended gain and output range2. It carries a $249.00 street price as of its 2017 announcement1.
What it does and how it is controlled
The Rockaway Archer is an overdrive and EQ all in one1. The overdrive side follows the Archer's Klon-inspired design, while the EQ section sits after the gain stage, so it shapes the driven signal rather than the signal feeding into it2. According to the announcement, it is a great way to hit the front end of an amp harder than a stock Archer, with an incredible variety of sounds due to the multitude of ways the EQ section can be used1.
Controls are straightforward: a volume knob and a gain knob for the drive side, and six sliders for the EQ1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume knob | Sets the output level of the overdrive1 |
| Gain knob | Sets the amount of drive1 |
| Six EQ sliders | Cut or boost each of the six frequency bands; pushing a slider up raises that frequency and adds volume, pulling it down cuts the frequency and decreases volume1 |
The EQ offers up to 18 dB of cut or boost at six different frequencies1. Because each slider movement also affects overall volume, the EQ section doubles as a level-shaping tool, not just a tone control.
The six EQ bands
The bands are spaced from low-end body through the midrange to presence12:
| Band | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Band 1 | 100 Hz1 |
| Band 2 | 200 Hz1 |
| Band 3 | 400 Hz1 |
| Band 4 | 800 Hz1 |
| Band 5 | 1.6 kHz per the announcement1; 1.5 kHz per a 2025 Guitar Pedal X review2 |
| Band 6 | 3.2 kHz12 |
The two published sources disagree on Band 5: the 2017 announcement lists it as 1.6 kHz, while Guitar Pedal X's 2025 review lists 1.5 kHz. Both values are given here as stated.
How it differs from the standard Archer
The standard J. Rockett Archer is a straightforward Klon-style overdrive in a compact box, measuring 4" x 2.25" x 1.25"4 or 59mm wide by 101mm deep by 31mm high5, and running on a 9V DC adaptor or a 9V battery5. Premier Guitar's roundup of Klon clones called the Archer "this roundup's most reassuringly solid stompbox," with a similar heft to the original Klon build4.
The Rockaway Archer is Steve Stevens' advanced take on that circuit, keeping the Archer's character but adding the six-band EQ and greatly extended gain and output range3. Guitar Pedal X describes it as taking the Klone format further than the standard pedal:
"near enough everyone seems to love the Rockaway which really takes the Klone format through the gears"3
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson, reviewing it again in 2025 alongside two other J. Rockett EQ pedals, called it "an every way top tier Klon - with vastly extended range and precision," and the best of the three he compared2.
Power and size
The Rockaway Archer runs on 9V DC with a standard negative tip and positive sleeve1. Unlike the standard Archer, which also takes a 9V battery56, the announcement lists only 9V DC operation for the Rockaway1.
At approximately 4" x 2.50", it is slightly wider than the standard Archer's 4" x 2.25" footprint14. The input and output jacks sit at the head of the pedal rather than on the sides, which affects how it fits on a pedalboard1.
Who it is for
The pedal was built around one player's needs: Steve Stevens wanted a single unit covering both overdrive and EQ, and J. Rockett designed the Rockaway Archer as that all-in-one solution1. Stevens is best known as Billy Idol's guitarist and songwriting collaborator7. For other players, the same combination suits anyone who wants a Klon-style drive with the ability to sculpt the driven tone afterward, whether to match different amps, push an amp's front end harder, or dial in a specific voicing13.
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Questions
What frequencies does the Rockaway Archer EQ cover?
The six bands are set at 100 Hz, 200 Hz, 400 Hz, 800 Hz, and 3.2 kHz, covering the range from low-end body through to presence. The fifth band is listed as 1.6 kHz in the announcement and 1.5 kHz in a later review, so the two published sources disagree slightly on that one value.
How much cut or boost does the Rockaway Archer EQ give?
Each of the six sliders offers up to 18 dB of cut or boost. Pushing a slider up raises that frequency and adds volume, while pulling it down cuts the frequency and decreases volume, so the EQ section also shapes overall level.
How is the Rockaway Archer different from the standard Archer?
It is Steve Stevens' take on the J. Rockett Archer, keeping the same overdrive character but adding a six-band post-gain EQ and greatly extended gain and output range. That makes it capable of hitting an amp's front end harder than a stock Archer.
What power does the Steve Stevens Rockaway Archer need?
It runs on 9V DC with a standard center-negative plug, described in the announcement as negative tip and positive sleeve. The standard Archer also accepts a 9V battery, but the Rockaway Archer's announcement lists only 9V DC operation.
Who is the Rockaway Archer made for?
It was developed for Steve Stevens, the American guitarist best known as Billy Idol's guitarist and songwriting collaborator, as an all-in-one solution to his overdrive and EQ needs. It suits any player who wants drive and tone shaping in a single pedal.
How big is the Rockaway Archer?
The announcement puts it at approximately 4 by 2.5 inches, with the input and output jacks at the head of the pedal rather than the sides. The standard Archer measures 4 by 2.25 by 1.25 inches, so the Rockaway is slightly wider.
Sources (7)
- Steve Stevens Rockaway Archer: New J. Rockett Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2017-02-22
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-09-03
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2022-04-12
- Klon vs Klone: Top 5 Budget Pedals Compared, Premier Guitar, 2020-04-17
- J Rockett Audio Designs Pedal Reviews, guitar.com, 2015-07-14
- Best Klon clones 2026: Klon Centaur Klones for every budget, Guitar World, 2022-06-09
- Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) Reviews DryBell Pedals, drybell.com, 2026-09-29
