The MXR RR104C Randy Rhoads Special Edition Distortion+ is a limited-edition distortion pedal built around the classic MXR Distortion+ circuit. According to Jim Dunlop's manual, the circuit is "painstakingly matched to the legend's own MXR Distortion+ to recreate the same raw, overdriven tones heard on his most beloved hits"1. It is a compact single-pedal format with one knob, a footswitch, and the standard input and output jacks of the original design.
Controls and jacks
The RR104C keeps the Distortion+ layout deliberately simple: one knob, one footswitch, and two jacks1.
| Control or jack | What it does |
|---|---|
| OUTPUT knob | Controls the overall volume of the effect1 |
| FOOTSWITCH | Toggles the effect on or bypass; a red LED indicates when it is on1 |
| INPUT jack | For the cable from your guitar1 |
| OUTPUT jack | Run a cable from here to your amplifier1 |
The manual's recommended starting point is simple: "Start with all controls at 12 o'clock"1. From there, the Output knob sets how loud the effect sits against your clean tone.
Power
The pedal runs on DC 9 volts and draws 11 mA1. It can be powered by one 9-volt battery, with the bottom plate removed for installation, or by a 9-volt AC adapter such as the Dunlop ECB003/ECB003EU or an MXR Brick Series power supply1.
The manual specifies DC 9 volts for the adapter. An 11 mA draw is light enough for almost any pedalboard supply output.
Bypass and signal specs
The bypass type is listed as True Hardwire, so the effect circuit is out of the path when the pedal is off1. The input impedance is 1MΩ and the output impedance is 25kΩ1, the kind of high input impedance that keeps the pedal from loading down your guitar's pickups.
The RR104C is the special edition version of the Randy Rhoads Distortion+ concept; the standard MXR Randy Rhoads Distortion+ and the MXR Distortion + it is based on cover the same territory in other finishes and runs1.
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Questions
Is the MXR Randy Rhoads Distortion+ true bypass?
The manual lists the bypass type as True Hardwire, so when the pedal is off, the effect circuit is taken out of the signal path and your guitar's signal passes to the amplifier without going through the distortion circuitry. The red LED indicates when the effect is on.
Does the MXR RR104C run on a battery?
Yes. The manual says the pedal is powered by one 9-volt battery, and the bottom plate must be removed to install it. It can also be powered from a 9-volt DC adapter such as the Dunlop ECB003/ECB003EU or an MXR Brick Series power supply.
How much current does the RR104C draw?
The manual lists the current draw at 11 mA at 9 volts DC. That is a light load, well within what a standard pedalboard power supply output or a 9-volt battery can handle.
What are the suggested starting settings for the RR104C?
The manual's recommended starting point is all controls at 12 o'clock. From there, the Output knob sets the overall volume of the effect, so you can bring the level up or down to sit right against your clean tone.
What is the input impedance of the RR104C?
The manual lists the input impedance at 1MΩ, with an output impedance of 25kΩ. A 1 megohm input is high enough that the pedal will not load down the pickups and dull the guitar's natural tone.
Sources (1)
- RR104C.pdf, Jim Dunlop (jimdunlop.com), 2025
Randy Rhoads
