J. Rockett Audio Designs HRM V2
Massive gain texture, Dumble DNA, two years of firsthand research into the real thing. The J. Rockett HRM V2 is exactly what it claims to be. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the J. Rockett Audio Designs Hot Rubber Monkey V2 takes center stage — featuring the Frank Brothers Ultralight Semi-Hollow with Lollar El Rayo Humbuckers and Lollar Firebird on a Blender Pot, into the Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander, with the Effectrode Tube Vibe and Meris LVX.
The Hot Rubber Monkey circuit is J. Rockett's recreation of the Alexander Dumble ODS amp with the HRM (Hot Rubber Monkey) EQ modification — a second tonestack placed post-gain that allows players to shape the overdriven EQ independently of the clean tone. The HRM mod is what gives the Dumble its specific vocal, low-mid-centric character: that throaty, forward midrange presence that sits in exactly the frequency range where a guitar lives in a mix.
For the V2, J. Rockett spent approximately two years living with an actual Dumble amplifier with the HRM EQ mod installed — an experience that led to the complete replacement of the V1's EQ section and the sourcing of carefully selected NOS components. The result is an even more authentic version of a circuit that was already the most convincing D-style pedal they'd built.
Four controls. Level and Gain are highly interactive — they're essentially the same knob played against each other, much like a real amp's volume and master volume. Midrange shapes the important guitar midrange frequencies, controlling the thick low-mid girth. Top End shapes the high frequencies and the amount of bite in contrast to those low mids — not a standard treble knob, but a silvery bell-like presence control. The combination of Midrange and Top End dialed against each other is the entire tonal vocabulary of the HRM sound.
Even at lower gain settings the HRM V2 blooms and feedbacks like the real amp. True bypass. 9V. NOS parts throughout.
🎛️ J. Rockett Audio Designs HRM V2: https://jrockettaudiodesigns.com
🎸 Frank Brothers Ultralight: https://www.frankbrothersguitars.com
🎸 Lollar El Rayo & Firebird: https://www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-pickups
🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
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🎸 Frank Brothers Ultralight Semi-Hollow | Lollar El Rayo Humbuckers + Lollar Firebird (Blender Pot)
🎛️ J. Rockett HRM V2 | Hot Rubber Monkey | D-Style ODS | HRM EQ Mod | NOS Parts | 4 Controls
🎛️ Also: Effectrode Tube Vibe | Meris LVX
🔊 Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R10 & R121 | Ableton Live 11
