Product ReviewsDunlop Rotovibe Vibrato Guitar Effect Pedal

Dunlop Rotovibe JD4S Does Not Disappoint

I've had one or more Rotovibes since 1994, and always nothing past a mid '90s JH4S. Reviews of the JD4S largely tend to compare it to the earlier versions, and not as favorably. These pedals seem to come and go out of production, so I decided to grab a brand new JD4S from the last run. I'm very glad I did.

While it is a slightly different sound from the earlier versions, it is pure Rotovibe, and has taken it's place as first in a multi-stage vibe/phaser heavy pedal chain. It works well going into distortion. I like a syrupy uni-vibe after distortion/fuzz, but the Rotovibe is light enough to drive the front end.

I always find the sound to be fuller with a battery, and the JD4S is the same.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: visionguitar

The Rotovibe is an exclamation of character amongst expression pedals.

I think most musicians can agree when I say that Dunlop not only spearheads innovation and quality, but it has also provided the tools of creativity that have helped pave the way for many signature sounds. The Rotovibe is no exception. I was going to do a strictly factual review, but I think it would do the pedal a bit more justice if I describe how it bloomed in my own experience. I first purchased this pedal in search of a good chorus. I knew it had the tremolo switch but never knew I would find a use for it. The chorus is rich and the tremolo is wide. It doesn't lack depth with either of them, but I couldn't really place why this pedal was a rocker type rather than just a stompbox to just set and forget about. Later in the same week of purchasing the Rotovibe, it had already begun to sit and stagnate on my pedal board. That is until I looked into how Zakk Wylde gets some of the crazy sounds he did. After watching a few live performances, I decided to venture with the pedal and press that switch that turns chorus into tremolo. I never thought I could apply this pedal until that moment. All of a sudden I had crazy amounts of pseudo vibrato at my disposal. I bad no clue what to do with it. My rhythms were laid out as the mellow vacuum of space, while my leads became the piercing blasts of invaders from another world. I definitely found out what that pedal was meant to do.Read full review...

Jimi in a box

Great pedal. Very sturdy, built like a tank. Very simple to use. Love the fact that you can control the speed by rocking your foot. Can achieve any sound from a Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock to a Stevie Ray Vaughan Leslie ala Cold Shot. The vibrato channel is nice at a light to moderate level or, if you want to sound like a warped record and make some crazy sounds you can turn up the speed and intensity. The only flaw I could find, and it is easily fixed, is that the chorus channel is overwhelming when the speed and intensity is maxed out. You can fix the intensity by simply not turning it up all the way. The speed can be fixed by either training yourself not to rock all the way forward or placing something between the pedal and the chassis so that you cannot toe down all the way. Overall, an awesome pedal if you want anything from that vintage sound ala Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, or SRV to a modern Zac Wyllde sound as he has one on his pedalboard.Read full review...

It’s a gotta have on your board pedal.

I have the MXR phase 100 , the phase 90 and the phase 45 none , have this Rotovibe tone. After researching this pedal I find that it goes great with a distortion, Fuzz or overdrive. There’s not a tone like that rotovibe. Hendrix and many other guitar greats have used this effect. I’ve seen it but never understood why guitarist put that on there pedal boards . But after hearing it and really listen to it. There’s no sound like it or even close. Including the vibrato. So grab it if you see it below 300.00 you will definitely be happy after you bring it home. Dunlop really did this one. I like the Rotovibe best on my big muff, you can really get that Hendrix vibe with the octave divider on it. It will not disappoint… Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: bjboydent

JIM DUNLOP ROTOVIBE JD4S!!!

The JD4S Rotovibe from Jim Dunlop is a piece of tone shaping heaven right here on earth! From the ultra rugged metal construction, eye-catching red and shiny, classic chrome exterior to the high quality internal electronics. Anything from light tremolo to full blown psychedelia chorus await within the Jim Dunlop JD4S Rotovibe!! With all of these factors combined in one pedal you will not be disappointed. Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: munciemusiccenter

The best pedal Dunlop has ever made

Yes a sweet sound or a mojo one or even a Fultone are all great sounding univibes ... but their disadvantages is you have to bend down at a live show if you want to change the modes between vibrato and Chorus .. the Rotovibe doesn't require your hands . It's all foot Controlled. A big plus in live performances... it sounds just as good doing the SRV Gilmore, Hendrix, Trower as any of the high end vibes out there ... it's a winnerRead full review...

Verified purchase: No

If ur looking for leslie sound and good vibrato, you found it on Rotovibe!!

The pedal is fantastic. Im professional musican and I have several efx pedal. If you r looking for a leslie simulator pedal, I tried several and this is by far the nicest one. Very interesting effect plus you can switch to function as a vibrato, also amazing quality effect. It s so disapointing that Dunlop discontinued, that's why I got second had. Im so happy w the pedal.Read full review...

I love the way the pedal works and use it all the time

get this pedal to get the Hendrix univibe sound .It does this a more in a quick easy to use pedal. All setting can be adjusted with your foot which is nice to able to do while playing.
over all I think its a great pedal.Read full review...

It’s a Rotovibe!

A rotovibe! Works, was super cheap and shipped via 2-day. Product as described, threw in a fresh battery and have been playing ever since. Thanks for selling. You’ve made this old punk super happy!

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: fost_bryo

I need this pedal

To get that Ernie Isley-Jimi Hendrix sound I needed this pedal and the Octavia too. Now I get pretty close to the sound I want. Next is the Marshall Amp.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: monssemusic