ZVex Box of Rock

[ninjaking67]

Gents,

I am always on the lookout for "THE" Marshall in a box pedal. I can't play my amps anywhere near the volume required for that Marshall goodness, even with my 18W Trinity Amps Marshall Plexi clone.
As a result, I am forced to go the pedal route. I have had many, many Marshall type pedals but I am always looking for "the" one.
I had a Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret that was OK. I didn't like the Xotic SL Drive, though I know many love it. One of my favs was the Marshall Jackhammer. It was a very reasonably priced pedal and sounded great, IMHO. I am currently using the Tech 21 NYC British that is amazingly versatile and the "Character" control allows the user to get everything from a sort of clean Plexi all the way to a modded JCM800 tone.

 

[ninjaking67]

Anyway, I digress a bit.
I am picking up a used USA built, hand painted ZVex Box of Rock this evening, in a COVID-19 safe, porch pick up manner, of course!
This pedal gets tons of love online and the YouTube reviews I have extensively watched sound great, given the compression issues and limitations, etc of YT.

My question to all of you is: Have any of you good people had any experience with this pedal? I am looking for both good and bad and looking for your honest opinions.

Thank you!

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Ya know Ninja ive been thinkin about the first dirt pedal i ever bought.was spendy years ago but you could get that tight metal grind out of it. BOSS METAL ZONE 2

 

[gball]

Full disclaimer: I have not owned the Box Of Rock, only messed around with it. It's really great and a solid choice from what I have experienced, so I'd say definitely grab and see if it scratches the itch. Of course we could go on all day about the "Marshall-In-A-Box" pedal category...there are probably more entries in the genre than any other pedal type save OD. I happen to agree with you on the Jackhammer but the way - that was a criminally underrated pedal.

From all the ones I have actually owned, there is one clear favorite though. The Ramble FX Marvel Drive:

It was the closest I have experienced to the sound (and feel) of a real Marshall being played in anger. I kind of wish now that I hadn't sold it, and honestly it would be my first choice again if I was feeling a strong need for the Marshall/Plexi vibe again.

 

[RVA]

I have the Distortron. Great pedal. Zvex makes great stuff

 

[syscokid]

I have had many, many Marshall type pedals but I am always looking for "the" one.

I'm assuming that your Tech 21 NYC British is not the one?

No personal experiences with any MIAB pedals, unless the Fulltone OCD's are considered to be in that category. Those are very nice and sort of Marshally. But gball's recommendation of the Ramble FX Marvel Drive sounds pretty solid, and many others think so, too. Check out this review from Tone Report:

Reverb Tone Report: Guitar and pedal demos and news | Reverb News

Visit Reverb News to learn about your favorite artists and instruments, read up on gear history, and find helpful music-making tips.

tonereport.com

Then again, the ZVEX BOR gets good reviews and just might be perfect for you.

 

[jtcnj]

Box of Rock is a seriously cool name for a rock amp in a box pedal.
I guess there is a wide berth of what "the" Marshall sound is.

I need to get my Dano Daddy 'O out again; I've never really played it loud.
Always used it trying to get low practice volume decent sounding dirt.

 

[ninjaking67]

I'm assuming that your Tech 21 NYC British is not the one?

Sysco,
Maybe the Tech 21 is "the" pedal as it does sound really good, especially when LOUD! I have been fooling with it more and am getting it dialed in.
Can't be sure that there isn't something even better, though, if you know what I mean!

 

[eSGEe]

What are you doing WITH the Marshall sound Ninja???

are you playing venues? OR are you recording? IF recoding --- at HOME or studio?

I ask because ---- perhaps a cheap -- Marrshall Valvestate-- amp-- would garner that MARSHALL in a box tone--- for (used) cheaper than some of the pedals that claim to reproduce the MARSHALL sound........

Marshall Valvestate VS65R 2-Channel 65-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

 

[syscokid]

What are you doing WITH the Marshall sound Ninja???

are you playing venues? OR are you recording? IF recoding --- at HOME or studio?

I ask because ---- perhaps a cheap -- Marrshall Valvestate-- amp-- would garner that MARSHALL in a box tone--- for (used) cheaper than some of the pedals that claim to reproduce the MARSHALL sound........

Marshall Valvestate VS65R 2-Channel 65-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

I'm sure there's a few Marshalls In This Box...

 

[ninjaking67]

What are you doing WITH the Marshall sound Ninja???

are you playing venues? OR are you recording? IF recoding --- at HOME or studio?

I ask because ---- perhaps a cheap -- Marrshall Valvestate-- amp-- would garner that MARSHALL in a box tone--- for (used) cheaper than some of the pedals that claim to reproduce the MARSHALL sound........

Marshall Valvestate VS65R 2-Channel 65-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

Leedspool and I have a gig booked at the Royal Albert Hall opening for Joe Bonamassa!.............

All kidding aside, yes I could just buy a cheap Marshall amp and I had thought about it until I fell into the cheap Traynor YSC40 1x12 combo. It has a very Fender like clean channel that is a perfect pedal platform.

 

[ninjaking67]

I'm sure there's a few Marshalls In This Box...

View attachment 42617

There looks to be in this box as well:

 

[ninjaking67]

The Box of Rock is really good. Other notable MIAB pedals are the JHS Morning Glory and Xotic BB preamp, and some nice affordable options would be the Dano Daddy O, TC Dark Matter and MXR Prime Distortion.

I haven't tried that Tech 21 yet but I love most of their pedals.

I had the TC Dark Matter and really didn’t like it very much. Maybe I’m just fickle?

 

[ninjaking67]

I'm sure there's a few Marshalls In This Box...

View attachment 42617

That thing looks like an absolute beast!

 

[syscokid]

There looks to be in this box as well:

View attachment 42630

Love the cool paintwork...

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Just put in a offer for a mint used MXR Prime Distortion. I have the MXR Classic Distortion and love it.Like it so much i want to try the Prime.

 

[ninjaking67]

Love the cool paintwork...

The input jack has a Flying V painted beside it and the output jack has a speaker. I will take some photos and post them.
I used to own a Blackout Effectors Musket which was a sort of big muff type pedal but with an adjustable preamp. It was great. It had hand painted art work inside the pedal. Each was individual and different. I really should find another as apparently they have gone out of business. It’s a true shame as their pedals were very good.

 

[ninjaking67]

 

[RVA]

Looks big!!

Seriously, the hand painted ones are premium. Very cool. Let us know what you think

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Very cool