The Broverdrive is an overdrive pedal from J. Rockett Audio Designs, announced in May 2020. Guitar.com described it as a versatile overdrive that ranges from dynamic crunch to saturated gain, promising a "chewy" tone with a smooth, mid-focused character to slice through a mix1. It is a three-knob stompbox with true-bypass switching, a stainless steel enclosure and a replaceable speed switch, listing for $19912.
What it does to your sound
The Broverdrive is built around what Delicious Audio called "an original overdrive circuit"3. The maker's own description, quoted by gearnews.com, was that "we have no clue how to describe it other than it is freakin killer"2. Guitar.com's account of the pedal's promise was a chewy tone with a smooth, mid-focused character that can cut through a band mix1.
Delicious Audio called it "incredibly versatile for a three-knob stompbox"3, which points to the pedal's main selling point: a small control set that covers a wide range, from lighter crunch to heavier saturation1.
Controls
The three knobs carry the pedal's brotherly joke in their labels2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| LEVBRO | Level2 |
| BROGAIN | Gain2 |
| BROTONE | Tone, affecting both high end and the character of the overdrive32 |
The Brotone knob is the one that sets this pedal apart from a standard tone control. Delicious Audio reported that it "can alone confer a variety of qualities to the overdriven sound affecting both high end and the character of the overdrive"3, so turning it changes more than just brightness.
Is it a Tube Screamer clone?
No, say the maker and the press, though the family resemblance in the controls is real. Guitar.com wrote that the pedal "does draw some inspiration from the green classic in terms of controls"1. gearnews.com put the question directly and answered it: "Is it another Tube Screamer derivative? It could be a little of all of those but it isn't"2. Delicious Audio likewise described the circuit as original3.
For players comparing mid-focused overdrives, the Boss SD-1 vs Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer comparison covers the pedals whose territory the Broverdrive brushes against. J. Rockett's own overdrive range runs wider too, from the J. Rockett Blue Note to the J. Rockett The Dude and the J. Rockett Archer Select.
Build and switching
The Broverdrive is housed in a stainless steel enclosure2, and Guitar.com also noted its stainless steel construction1. It uses true-bypass switching12 and no battery2, so it runs from an external power supply on a pedalboard.
One feature worth knowing: the footswitch uses J. Rockett Audio Designs' replacement speed switch system12. That means the switch is a replaceable part, which matters for a pedal that gets stomped night after night.
The Broverdrive takes no batteries2, so plan a power supply slot for it on your board.
gearnews.com also noted it among boutique overdrive pedals made in the USA2.
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Questions
Is the J Rockett Broverdrive a Tube Screamer clone?
No, according to the maker. Guitar.com noted that the pedal draws some inspiration from the Tube Screamer in terms of its controls, but J. Rockett Audio Designs says it is not another Tube Screamer derivative. Delicious Audio described it as an original overdrive circuit, so it shares control layout ideas with the green classic rather than its circuit.
Is the Broverdrive true bypass?
Yes. Both Guitar.com and gearnews.com report that the Broverdrive uses true-bypass switching, alongside its stainless steel construction and replaceable speed switch.
What does the Brotone knob do?
According to Delicious Audio, the Brotone knob can on its own confer a variety of qualities to the overdriven sound, affecting both the high end and the character of the overdrive. It is one of three knobs, alongside LEVBRO for level and BROGAIN for gain.
What is the replaceable speed switch on the Broverdrive?
The Broverdrive uses J. Rockett Audio Designs' replacement speed switch system, reported by both Guitar.com and gearnews.com. This means the footswitch is a replaceable part rather than a fixed one, so a worn or damaged switch can be swapped out.
How much does the J Rockett Broverdrive cost?
The Broverdrive listed for $199 when it was announced in May 2020. gearnews.com gave the RRP as USD 199, and Guitar.com reported the pedal was available at that time listing for $199.
What is the Broverdrive's enclosure made of?
The Broverdrive is housed in a stainless steel enclosure, according to gearnews.com, with Guitar.com also describing its stainless steel construction. gearnews.com also notes it is made in the USA.
Sources (3)
- J Rockett Audio Designs announces the Broverdrive, Guitar.com, 2020-05-18
- J. Rockett Audio Designs Broverdrive: An annoying name for a musical overdrive pedal, gearnews.com, 2020-05-18
- New Pedal: J. Rockett Audio Broverdrive Overdrive, Delicious Audio, 2020-05-08
