The MXR Randy Rhoads Special LTD is a limited-run distortion pedal from MXR, announced in September 2025. It is a tribute to Randy Rhoads, the late guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, whose original MXR Distortion+ was a key part of his sound. MXR describes the circuit as "painstakingly matched to the legend's own MXR Distortion+ unit to recreate the same raw, over-driven tones heard on his most beloved hits"12.
What sets the Special LTD apart is the finish. Where the 2024 MXR Randy Rhoads Distortion+ wore a custom finish inspired by Randy's Flying V, the Special LTD is based on his gold and white Jackson Concorde V guitar finish. Under the paint, it is the same pedal: as Gearnews put it, "it is the same pedal as the 2024 model and a recreation of the original, just in a new limited-run finish"3.
What it is and what it does
The Special LTD recreates the MXR Distortion+, the pedal Randy Rhoads actually used. MXR's engineers spec'd Randy's vintage Distortion+ with the direct involvement of his sister, Kathy Rhoads, and the design team inspected and documented Randy's pedalboard at the family's Musonia School of Music in Los Angeles4. The result is a two-knob distortion in the classic Distortion+ mold.
Guitar Pedal X made a point that matters for anyone chasing Rhoads' tone: while the pedal is labeled a distortion, in a typical Randy Rhoads rig it was "very much on boost duties"5. Rhoads ran his Distortion+ into a cranked amp, so players looking for his sound will want to think of it as a gain stage pushing an already driven amplifier, not a self-contained high-gain box like the MXR Fullbore Metal or the MXR EVH Modern High Gain.
The controls
The control layout is the same two knobs as the previous model3, and the manual for the Randy Rhoads Special Edition Distortion+ spells out what each does2:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| OUTPUT | Controls the overall volume of the effect |
| DISTORTION | Controls the amount of distortion |
That is the whole interface. There is no tone control, no mid switch, no separate boost, which is faithful to the original Distortion+ design. Players who want more shaping options would need to look at something like the MXR Super Badass Distortion instead.
Power
The Special LTD runs on 9V DC with a center negative plug and draws 11mA1. Like the standard Randy Rhoads Distortion+, it can also be powered by a 9-volt battery, installed by removing the bottom plate, or by a 9-volt AC adapter such as the Dunlop ECB003/ECB003EU, or an MXR Brick Series power supply2.
The 11mA draw is light enough that the pedal is not demanding on a power supply, but the center negative polarity is the standard modern requirement: check any daisy chain or isolated supply is wired for it before plugging in.
How it differs from the standard Randy Rhoads Distortion+
The standard MXR Randy Rhoads Distortion+ (model RR104) launched in 2024 with a custom finish inspired by Randy's Flying V guitar46. MusicRadar described its look as having "the double RR painted in gold at the bottom of the pedal, and 'Randy Rhoads Special Edition' emblazoned on the top"7. The Special LTD keeps the same circuit and the same Output and Distortion control layout, and changes the finish to the gold and white of Randy's Jackson Concorde V3.
| Randy Rhoads Distortion+ (2024) | Randy Rhoads Special LTD (2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Inspired by Randy's Flying V guitar4 | Gold and white Jackson Concorde V finish3 |
| Circuit | Matched to Randy's own Distortion+4 | Same pedal, same circuit3 |
| Controls | Output and Distortion3 | Output and Distortion3 |
| List price | $169.99 at launch5; $219.00 reported September 20248 | $234 at announcement3 |
| Extras | Booklet and certificate of authenticity4 | Collector's booklet3 |
The price history of the standard model is worth noting. GuitarPlayer reported it available for $169 in August 20249, Guitar Pedal X listed it at $169.995, and by September 2024 Gearnews carried it at $219.008.
Who designed it
The Randy Rhoads tribute pedals were developed by MXR's engineers with the direct involvement of Randy's sister, Kathy Rhoads3. When the signature pedal was first revealed on 8 January 2024 via her Instagram post, she said:
"I personally got to design and choose every detail alongside Jimi Dunlop."
Dunlop's own announcement of the pedal's return after the first run sold out adds that MXR engineers "worked directly with sister Kathy Rhoads to ensure that this tribute would be equipped with all the correct components"11. The Rhoads family has endorsed the pedal as a tribute, with Dunlop quoting them: "We are very proud of and honored by this special signature pedal. It is a true tribute to Randy's musical legacy"4.
In the box
The Special LTD comes with an exclusive collector's booklet3. The Randy Rhoads special editions more broadly are described by MXR as featuring "an exclusive booklet and certificate of authenticity"4.
- Exclusive collector's booklet3
- Certificate of authenticity, as included with the Randy Rhoads special editions4
Videos
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Questions
How much does the MXR Randy Rhoads Special LTD cost?
When MXR announced the Randy Rhoads Special LTD in September 2025, it was priced at $234 in the US, £208 in the UK and €239 in Europe. That sits above the standard Randy Rhoads Distortion+, which carried a $169.99 list price when it launched in 2024.
Is the Randy Rhoads Special LTD analog?
Yes. The Special LTD uses an analog circuit, and it is the same pedal as the 2024 MXR Randy Rhoads Distortion+ in a new limited-run finish. Both are painstakingly matched to Randy Rhoads' own vintage MXR Distortion+ to recreate his overdriven tones.
What power does the MXR Randy Rhoads Special LTD need?
It runs on 9V DC with a center negative plug, drawing about 11mA. Like the standard Randy Rhoads Distortion+, it can also be powered by a 9-volt battery installed under the bottom plate, or by a Dunlop ECB003 adapter or an MXR Brick Series power supply.
How is it different from the standard MXR Randy Rhoads Distortion+?
Circuit-wise, it is not different. The Special LTD is the same pedal as the 2024 Randy Rhoads Distortion+ with the same Output and Distortion controls, released in a new limited-run finish based on Randy's gold and white Jackson Concorde V guitar, and it ships with a collector's booklet.
Who was involved in designing the Randy Rhoads Special LTD?
MXR's engineers developed the Randy Rhoads tribute pedals with the direct involvement of Randy's sister, Kathy Rhoads, who said she got to design and choose every detail alongside Jimi Dunlop. The design team inspected Randy's actual pedalboard at the Musonia School of Music in Los Angeles.
Does it come with anything extra in the box?
Yes. The Special LTD comes with an exclusive collector's booklet, and the Randy Rhoads special editions also include a certificate of authenticity. Those extras are part of what separates the limited run from the standard Randy Rhoads Distortion+.
Sources (11)
- Randy Rhoads Special LTD by MXR, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- RR104C.pdf, Jim Dunlop (jimdunlop.com), 2025
- Guitar Journal: MXR Randy Rhoads, Jack White Roto-Echo and more, gearnews.com, 2025-09-02
- MXR® RANDY RHOADS DISTORTION +, Jim Dunlop (jimdunlop.com)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-09-11
- RR104.pdf, Jim Dunlop, 2024
- “Randy harnessed its raw energy to slam his high-gain amplifier with a torrent of harmonics to create the sonic signature that would etch an indelible mark on music history”: MXR unveils eagerly anticipated Randy Rhoads Distortion+, MusicRadar, 2024-08-20
- MXR Yngwie Malmsteen Overdrive, gearnews.com, 2024-09-04
- “Sparkling like glass and abrasive but still so smooth”: MXR's Randy Rhoads Distortion+ pedal is finally here, GuitarPlayer, 2024-08-21
- MXR's Randy Rhoads signature Distortion+ pedal revealed, Guitar World, 2024-01-08
- FLYING HIGH AGAIN: RANDY RHOADS MXR SPECIAL EDITION DISTORTION+, Dunlop (lifestyle.jimdunlop.com), 2025-09-02
